Islamabad to Shogran in September 2020

[thenemo]

Hello,

I am planning a trip in end of September to Shogran for 2 nights stay (most probably would like to stay in CedarWood Hotel). If anyone can recommend any other hotel, it would be appreciated.

My concern is about road condition especially from main road (Balakot to Shogran). How is that road and is it possible and recommended to drive in your own car or we should hire a jeep? If we need to hire a jeep, is it possible to park the car somewhere there?

Any other tips / comments are welcome as well as this is going to be my first trip to Shogran inshAllah.

[rehankillbill]

Yes you can take your own car to Shogran if you have experience to drive on hilly areas from there you need to hire jeep they will guide you a suitable place to park there are some hotels in Kiwai you can ask them as well about car parking they will take some charges around 200-500 I guess.

I stayed at Pine Park Hotel if you dont get rooms in Cedarwood so I would recommend you Pine Park.

Tip- Try to bargain as much as you can over there because they try to charge you as much they can so don't give up try your level best.

[thenemo]

Thank you for the update.

My hilly area experience consists of driving in Murree / Nathiagali so I am not sure if that will help or not.

Parking at Kiwai sounds a good idea from where I can take a jeep. I will check details about Pine Park hotel inshAllah.

[drazahussain]

Went to Shogran last year.. Stayed at Pine Park.. Balakot to Kiwai drive was just fine.. However from Kiwai to Shogran the road is bad, some times very bad and sometimes tolerable.. I did it with my own car.. However during the ascent I saw 2 cars that had overheated.. One a Cultus other a Honda.. Moreover had a fender shield and mudguard broken.. If its your first time park your car at Kiwai and take a jeep to Shogran.. I also went to Shogran in 2010 and that time the road was not that bad.. Guess it was not repaired after that..

[thenemo]

Ok. Thanks @drazahussain

In Kiwai the parking places (paid) are readily available? Or it would be a good idea to talk with Jeep driver and he arranges us that parking?

Also do you have any idea how much fare doe they charge for jeep?

[zuhaibhyder767798]

there is porper parking space in Kiwai, they charged you some amount, it is not recommended to take your car up to shogran, jeep drivers drive very badly and don't take care of cars, in result car drivers bang there car in pot holes in panic and damage there car.
Jeep drivers were taking 3200 in august from kiwai to shogran.

[thenemo]

@zuhaibhyder767798 Thank you for your kind advise.

[naveedakhtar7]

The road condition from kiwai to shogran is not good. Better park your car at kiwai. Jeeps are easily availabile.