Help me plan a 5-6 days tour of northern areas in May - with family

[khan.baba88]

Salam,

We are three people. Myself, wife and my 3 month old baby.

We are travelling from Karachi and reaching Islamabad on May 1st morning. Our return flight is on Sunday May 6th evening.
So technically I have 5 days to plan. I plan to return to Islamabad on Saturday night so that I can rest and head back home on Sunday.

I am confused as to where I should go.

I don't want to go to : Neelum valley or Sawat.

Options I have:

1. Nathiagali, thandiani, etc
2. Kaghan valley - Shogran, Naran, etc.
3. Hunza

Budget is not an issue Alhamdulillah.

What I am looking for:

1. Relaxation - calm, comfortable place. Should be some what cold not too cold. We like greenery, waterfalls, rivers and lakes. Should not be too crowded. Must have some above average hotels or cottages with facilities. Its a break and we are looking for some peaceful time. Should not be too rough for my baby.

Ideally, I would like to spend time in a few places as I am not looking for tourism. So I am fine if I have to skip some lakes or valleys and stay at one place. I don't want to exhaust my self.

Activities I am interested in : BBQ, fishing (if possible), boating (if possible), lots of walks and trekking.

Please suggest and share your opinion. JazakAllah in advance.

[faiqzakai]

Yaar as per my opinion you might try for Kutton Jagran Resorts for 2 nights and Nathiagali (Hotel Elite) for 2 nights. At Nathiagali you found 3 walkin treks, namely, Mushkpuri Trek, Miranjani Trek and Pipeline Treck. There you enjoy treking. at Kuttan / Jagran Hydro Power resorts you enjoy calmness and serenity.

1st May reach Kutton enjoy till 3rd May
3rd May leave kutton after Lunch and reached Nathiagali enjoy walking in nathiagali
4th May trek till Mushkpuri and enjoy pipeline trek as well
5th treck Miranjani in the morning and leave natiagali after Lunch and reached islamabad at night
6th May home sweet home.

Rest is upto you.

[faiqzakai]

Kaghan Valley and Naran is not open yet. While Hunza is not possible in that much short tour. it requires 2 days travelling on one side.

[khan.baba88]

Thanks. I really like Jagran and have stayed there. But I don't want to head towards Kashmir side this time. It gets hot during day time.

Any suggestion, where should I stay at Nathiagali?

[faiqzakai]

I already advised... Hotel Elite or Hotel Amore (at dunga gali 5 minutes before Nathia Gali)

[waqas.sultan]

You can go to shugran

[fkhan234]

when it comes to Greenery and Peace, Nathiagali is the best place. If sight seeing and tourism is not your primary purpose, spend your time in nathiagali.

[drnuman1]

Go to Miandam (swat) you wil find green all over you will find silence and extremely peace you will find trees load with fruits and sound of birds , ptdc will be the best option for stay and food God bless you

[arsalaanali89]

given the situation, hunza is out of question and naran probably wont be open then. so your best bet would be nathiagali. see the places around if you like, have cable car ride if you wish and have a pleasant time.

[khan.baba88]

I can extend my trip up to 8 days now.

For Hunza or Skardu, I can go by air from Islamabad. Which place do you think would be a better option? Hunza or Skardu?

Of course, I 'll keep flight cancellation in mind and have a backup plan.

For the backup plan, I am considering:

1. Shogran arcadian
2. Khanian arcadian
3. Nathia gali
4. Return

Thanks.

[vakaas]

If you have 8 days then Hunza trip is doable but is it feasible to travel to northern areas with a 3 months old baby considering the altitude and temperature specially at night and also consider the UV factor from sun rays as baby's skin is very sensitive. I don't see any other hassle if you go by air.

[khan.baba88]

Thank you for the feedback Vakass. That's a sure thing to consider.

[alikhan7]

With 3 month old baby i reckon stay in Murree ( Maisonette firhill) and during day time visit areas like Nathia Gali,Dunga Gali,Ayubia.
Babies are sensitive to cold and extreme environments so dont make it as adventure trip

[TM]

I would say fly Islamabad, take the next morning flight to Gilgit. Spend a day or two there, visit Naltar valley etc. Later drive to Hunza and spend 2 days there, drive back to Gilgit in late evening (spend the night)... phir Islamabad and on wards to Karachi.
Stay at Serena Gilgit and Hunza. In Hunza stay in there tent instead of a room... trust me on that, you wont regret.

[khan.baba88]

Guys,

Tried booking Hunza but I wasn't getting any flights. Anyways, I have come up with this plan. Please suggest if it looks all good. Don't want to make it too hectic. On Monday, I need to be in a place where I can have access to internet as I ll have to do some office work.

[arsalaanali89]

that's pretty good. I guess your r good to go. do squeeze in some time for Lake saif ul muluk if you can. its very scenic these days

[vakaas]

Well it started as a 5-6 days plan and ended up being a 9-10 days plan and still you are going till Naran only ?
If you have these many days then it is a wastage that you go till Naran only. In my view your itinerary should be as follows:

I strongly recommend that you reconsider your plan. Happy Travels...

After thought: You can add Borith Lake, Passu Cones & Hussaini Bridge in the activity field while moving from Sost to Gilgit on Day 6.

[khan.baba88]

Thanks Vakaas. I was all set for Hunza but I couldn't get a flight.

Your plan is good but I cannot go from Naran to Karimabad as Babusar pass is closed. The alternate route via kkh/Besham will be too hectic for my family. Open to your suggestions.

Just wanted to keep it a less hectic trip.

[vakaas]

Babusar Top has been opened.

[khan.baba88]

Can you share your source and confirm?

I spoke to hotel guy in naran he said Babusar is not open yet. It will take time.