First time to Naran Kaghan, need help

[ch.daniyal3341]

I'm new to Pakistan. I'm planning to visit Naran Kaghan after Teusday. I need someone to help me:

What route do i take after Islamabad?
What are the attractions in Kaghan
How long should i spend at lake Saif ul Malook
Is it worth it going to Saif ul Malook park?
I never went hiking or treking before, should i give Lalazar a try? How long is the trail?
Is it worth it to visit Babusar top? How much time should i spend there?

Also, can someone guide me about hotels and restaurants?

[Aqeel1982]

it Babusar top? How much time should i spend t

Hi Daniyal,
Welcome to Pakistan and good choice to do tourism here.
-- From Islamabad, you can take the following route as shown in picture

-- There is nothing much in Kaghan itself but Naran has lots of places to see, if you have time, you can go to Shogran which is on way ( 8km from main road ) to Kaghan and Naran and you have to turn from a town called Kiwai, there is a place Paye, that u should not miss atleast...
-- Saif ul Malook lake is inside declared national park, so yes....
-- When u go to Lake Saif ul malook, you jeep driver allows you couple of hours to stay there and then u have to come back unless you have some special arrangements.
-- if u wanna try u can do hike to Lalazar, its gravel road with steep slop or u can hire a jeep.
-- Babusar top is very nice place and i suggest u should visit it too, take care its very cold and low in oxygen there.
- when u go there in Naran city there are hundreds of hotels so check rates with them and check other posts for hotel contact numbers pls

[abid110]

@ch.daniyal3341 i have visited thrice to Naran and confirm you that you are choosing the best place to visit! take a Corolla from Isb till Naran - it will be comfortable and you can stop anywhere for pics etc as scenes are out of this world during the journey. car takes approx 8 hours to reach Naran so try to set off early in the morning. i always stayed at Pine Park Hotel Naran which is very very good overall and its location too is ideal. i can provide you number of the manager there and you can book your rooms on call too.

Places to visit - Saif-ul-malook (40mins of jeep journey from Naran - excellent place)

Do visit Babusar Top - in the way you will see Lulusar Lake, Pyala Lake and some excellent scenery which you can compare with the Swiss scenes printed on calendars.this whole journey takes half day almost and long drive so be prepared. do not forget keeping warm clothes as Naran is chilling most of the time.

once exiting Naran, do stay at Shogran - its on way back and its a very peaceful and extremely beautiful place.

[ch.daniyal3341]

Thank you all for response! I'll be taking a Corolld Gli there
. I want to ask, can't we go to saif ul malook on our own car?

Btw, i am Pakistani, just lived in the US most of my life.

[abid110]

i would not suggest taking corolla at saif-ul-malook as way is too rocky, land slides are too common so no road can be made there, your car will be ruined from underneath and the tyres will suffer too as definitely corolla is not meant to be climbing steep rocky hills hire a jeep - they charge around 2500-3000 for one round trip - 5 people can sit in it. iska apna he maza hai..

[ch.daniyal3341]

Ok thanks. I was wondering, is it sunny in afternoon times there? Or is it cloudy?

[faiqzakai]

There is nothing much in Kaghan itself but Naran has lots of places to see, if you have time, you can go to Shogran which is between ( 8km from main road ) Kaghan and Naran and you have to turn from a town called Kiwai, there is a place Paye, that u should not miss atleast...

I think correction needed,
Shogran isnot in between Kaghan and Naran, it is way before kaghan. Shogran is 28 Km away from Balakot and Kaghan is around 60 Km away from Balakot. Similarly Naran is also way after Kaghan.. yeah you are right that just after Kiwai they have to select shogran Road which take them till shogran / Siri / Paye.

[Aqeel1982]

sorry - yes you are right. Corrected!

[ch.daniyal3341]

Here is my plan;
Spend a day in Naran, visit Saif ul Malook lake
Second day. Visit Lulusar lake and Babusar top. Drive back to hotel in Naran
Third day: Go from Naran back to Kaghan and hire a jeep and visit Siri Paye lake. After that, leave back for Lahore.

Is this plan a good place to start? How much would jeep cost for Saif ul Malook and Siri Paye? Would i be able to cover all this in 3 days? I don't like travelling at night, so i'll leave for all places early morning.

[abid110]

you can take your corolla till Shogran. stay there for a day. and hire a jeep from there to Siri and Paya..

[faiqzakai]

Here is my plan;Spend a day in Naran, visit Saif ul Malook lakeSecond day. Visit Lulusar lake and Babusar top. Drive back to hotel in NaranThird day: Go from Naran back to Kaghan and hire a jeep and visit Siri Paye lake. After that, leave back for Lahore.

Is this plan a good place to start? How much would jeep cost for Saif ul Malook and Siri Paye? Would i be able to cover all this in 3 days? I don't like travelling at night, so i'll leave for all places early morning.

Dear Daniyal,

I think following plan will be feasible for you as mentioned below:

Day 1: leave Islamabad early in the morning say 6:00 am and reached at Shogran at around 2:00 pm. Take Jeep from Shogran and visit Siri Paye Meadows on the same day and stay at shogran on the way back from Siri Paye Meadows. (reason for opting Siri Paye before is that it is a hectic journey over jeep and you will definitely need a rest after that.)

Day 2: Leave Shogran at 10 am and reached Naran at 1:00 pm via Kaghan (dont have to stop at Kaghan as it is a small town) have lunch and leave for Saif Ul Malook Lake at 3:00 pm you will be back till 7 pm and Stay at Naran.

Day 3: Leave Naran early in the morning say 6:00 am and go till Babusar Top via Batakundi / Besal / Jalkhand. you will be back at Naran around 1: pm easily with little stop over at Lulusar and Babusar Top. have Lunch there at Naran and leaft for Islamabad at around 2:00 pm you will be there in Islamabad till 9:00 pm / 10:00 pm.

I hope this will suffice for your plan.

[ch.daniyal3341]

Yeah I'll follow this plan

[Fayaz02]

Faiq sb is there any public transport available from Islamabad/ Rawalpindi up to Naran. The reason for asking is that I have very limited budget therefore want to use public transport instead of hiring a car from Islamabad. However I will hire a local jeeb for one or at most two days to visit up to the Babusar top and vicinities of Shogran and Naran.

Will appreciate your help

[faiqzakai]

Faiq sb is there any public transport available from Islamabad/ Rawalpindi up to Naran. The reason for asking is that I have very limited budget therefore want to use public transport instead of hiring a car from Islamabad. However I will hire a local jeeb for one or at most two days to visit up to the Babusar top and vicinities of Shogran and Naran.

Will appreciate your help

Yes PTDC operates buss service from Rawalpindi (Flashman Hotel) till Naran... you can contact or book in advance from Flashman Hotel Just opposite GHQ.

[formahmood]

Thanks a lot for sharing, but our people should write their experience and knowledge continuous, now we are reading 2018 information!. Someone should write current experience, specifically going in December, how far we can go in December.