Best place in Northern areas to visit in 3-4 days from Lahore in Jan last week

[khurem]

Hi,

I am planning to visit northern areas in last week of January (to see some snowfall hopefully) from Lahore. The duration is quite short as I have only 3-4 days available. I will be travelling from Motorway from Lahore to Pindi. However thereon I don't really know where to go as I have not yet explored any place in Northern areas apart from Murree and Nathiagali. So I have a few questions in mind which I hope the experts here can answer:

1. I am thinking to see Shogran, Kaghan and Naran (Saif ul Malook) this time. Will it be possible in the timeframe? or only Shogran and Siri-Paye possible? Will the road conditions and snowfall allow me to reach up to Saif ul Malook?

2. If it is possible, can I go upwards to Lulusar or beyond and not lose much time?

3. Is there more likelihood of snowfall in these places (Shogran, Naran etc) as compared to Nathigali or Murree?

4. What is the best places for accommodation in Shogran and Naran?

5. I haven't booked any car yet for the journey and will go to Islamabad or Abbotabad from Daewoo. Will plan to take/book car from there. Will it be easily available or should I book it from Lahore for safety reasons?

As mentioned above, my only goal is to see some nice places and have some rest as well (with wife - no kids), and won't like to get tired in journey all the time. Most importantly would like to see snowfall to experience it the first time. So which place would have the highest probability of experiencing that during last week of January. Would be great if anyone who has just visited there or knows the snow situation there can advise.
Thanks

[aks_e_ahmed]

1- You can see just shogran remaining all places are not accessible in this season
2- Maybe you get more snow there then Nathiagali but not sure
3- Few hotels maybe open up there so you have limited options for stay
4- Go till balakot on public transport and book a good jeep for shogran for complete journey not only one side as these days very less jeeps will be run on that route
5- Its upto your luck that you will find snowfall no one can confirm it and this year very less snowfall recorded till now

[khurem]

Thanks for your feedback. I was watching on TV that people are enjoying snow in Naran so thought it is accessible. Btw I can go to Shogran only through Jeep? My impression was that one can go to Shogran in normal Corolla or Civic but afterwards for Kaghan and Naran Jeep is needed.

[aks_e_ahmed]

Thanks for your feedback. I was watching on TV that people are enjoying snow in Naran so thought it is accessible. Btw I can go to Shogran only through Jeep? My impression was that one can go to Shogran in normal Corolla or Civic but afterwards for Kaghan and Naran Jeep is needed.

Dear The way to Naran closed last week and all hotels were closed I don't know about current situation this update I got from a friend who were there one week before ...
2nd Every car can go till shorgran but now a days there is strong chances of snow so normal car can not survive in this condition so plan your trip carefully

[khurem]

Thanks.

You also mentioned that there would be few hotels that would be open and very few jeeps would be available there meaning not many people go there in this season. So which other places people usually go in these days? Does a trip to Murree or Nathiagali is more advisable as compared to Shogran? Or maybe Swat side? What's your advice.

[aks_e_ahmed]

Thanks.

You also mentioned that there would be few hotels that would be open and very few jeeps would be available there meaning not many people go there in this season. So which other places people usually go in these days? Does a trip to Murree or Nathiagali is more advisable as compared to Shogran? Or maybe Swat side? What's your advice.

Yes Nathia gali, Galiyat and swat are better places

[abrarshaikh1]

Fewer hotels and fewer jeeps also means higher rent as you don't have many options. Just something to consider.

[pwuser150469741418]

That's not really the case. Off-season the rent is way lower then at peak season. I visited Naran in November-Dec recently and we were able to book a hotel for just 2K which was mostly empty except one or two families other then us. And that hotel charges almost 8K in season. Same is the case with the jeep we booked for 1500 from Naran to Saif ul malook, in season they charge 2500 to 3000 (I guess).