Itinerary for Muzaffargar/Kaghan/Naran Surroundings

[tahir.mehmood84]

Salam o alaikum wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh,

I am trying to put together an itinerary for a family of around 12 people, mostly adults (plus to 2 toddlers) for around 5 days in mid-September 2017. Starting from Islamabad, the questions are as below:

Transport: is it better to hire 2 x Toyota Corolla on self drive or hire a Hi-Ace , taking in to account the cost and comfort of travellers.

Itinerary: Off course the priorities are sightseeing, good and reasonably priced local food, window shopping (for ladies) and safe overnight accommodation. Ideally don't want to travel more than 3 - 4 hours in one day and NOT during night time.

Cost: What would the approximate cost of accommodation, food, 4x4 hires etc. be

Until know, I thought Muzaffarabad was the only place to see but reading the advice on this forum tells me that there is much MORE on offer so.

I will help you start off:
Day 1: Leave Islamabad after Fajr in sha Allah to Muzaffarabad/Neelum Valley/SUGGEST, arrive lunch time, discover, shop, sightsee, stay night
Day 2: ...
Day 3: ...
Day 4: ...
Day 5: ... return Islamabad by Maghrib in sha Allah

Jazakum Allahu Khayra

[tahir.mehmood84]

Hi, anyone, please!

[muneeb991]

Aoa sir.
Firstly Naran.Kaghan and Neelum,Muzzafrabad are two different areas nd can be visited as mentioned above with less fatigue in one trip only.
1.You can visit Neelum side.Start your trip by fajr nd reach Keran which will be a 7 to 8 hours drive.Night stay there you will see the indian border right next to you.Or you can even nightstay in Upper neelum which is a 2km road from Keran(20 mins) but road is in its worst conditon so only an expert driver can ascend it.There you can find really comfortable nd clean Ajk huts.3200per night with 2 roooms.attached baths nd a lounge etc.But my personal advice here would be to atleast travel till keran on first day as there is nothing interesting to view in Muzzafrabad plus the weather is hot too!So spending money there for night stay is not worth it.
Day 2.Travel till Sharda. YOU can view the local bazar there or visit the Buddhist university and night stay there. NEXT day visit Kel which is a drive of 2 hours (dirt track and not a metalled road).If possible drive back to Keran that day.Night stay and next day drive back to Islamabad

Now if you want to visit Naran side
Day1:Travel uptil naran on first day(8 to 9 hours)
Forgot to mention:The scenery and temperature of Naran side is way better than Neelum side.So if you're looking for adventure nd something new go to Neelum
If beauty and cool weather than naran side
Day 2: go to babusar top at any cost the one of the most beautiful scenes on a way.Its 80km from naran approx 2 hours drive. Road is in good condition.if reach early then visit saif ul malook
Day3 if you feel like night stay in Shogran and return the next day

[tahir.mehmood84]

Muneeb991, many thanks for your response. it is much appreciated.

the only reason I wanted to stop in Muzaffarabad/neelum valley area was that it breaks the journey time to Naran in half. With family (mostly ladies), I want to keep long travels in one trip to minimum.
So are you saying that you cant get to Naran from Muzaffarabad route? My goal is to visit Naran and surrounding areas actually and Muzaffarabad/neelum valley is a temporary stop on the journey.
is it doable?

[muneeb991]

You are welcome brother
Brother apko kisi na misguide kiya wa hai.Muzzafrabad naran ka route mein khayein nahi ata .Wo bilqul different route pa hai nd you cant cover neelum and naran in 3.4 days.It atleast requires upto 6 days with alot of cash and time .
Secondly Muzzafrabad meim Islamabad jesi garmi hothi hai nd conjusted sa city hai.Koiyi khaas attraction nahi
Moreover beauty on neelum side starts after 12 to 13 hours where as naran side pa after Balakot which is a 4 to 5hours drive from Islamabad
So firstly decide you want to go Kashmir or Naran [2 entirely different sides hein]
Btayein phir I'll assist you

[tahir.mehmood84]

muneeb, mujhe Google Maps ne misguide kia hai haha. I will tell you how. When I type in the journey from Islamabad to Naran, the suggested route takes you through Muzaffarabad, that is how I thought to do a stay there on the way to Naran as it is a long journey. But it appears this approach is not practical.
So now I have decided for Naran, please continue for suggestions on the 4/5 day itinerary. Is there any way of breaking the journey from 9 hours to 4/5 hours on Day 1.
Secondly, regarding transport, please mention what mode is safe, comfortable and reliable on this journey from ISB to Naran and back i.e. self drive hire car, HiAce hire with driver etc.

[muneeb991]

Hahahah jee Tahir bhai isi liyee Google maps itna reliable nahi​.Muzzafrabad sa bhi route Mansera jata hai(Naran ka route pa ata hai)but that route is in very bad condition and moreover 8hours ki journey to naran turns into 13 hours which makes no sense.Its just that ka Muzzafrabad mena rehna wla log use that route.
Now you are going to use the Islamabad>Taxilla>Hassan abdal>Abbotabad>Mansera>Balakot to finally Naram route.
Now your plan directly depends on your budget.My sincere advice will be to travel on weekdays as the hotel rates would be low but keep in mind 6 to 7k per night rest depends on your bargaining power​.Plus start your travel.early morning to avoid rush .
Brother 4 to 5 hours will take you no where. You will have to travel atleast to naran on the first day werna Islamabad ki territory mein he phirta rehein ga​.
Ok so
Day1:Leave early morning and travel uptil Naran(atleast till Naran at any cost).Take several breaks on the way(after balakot) and enjoy nature with the cool breeze .You wont get tired plus enjoy alot.Visit the market at night.For night stay if you have enough budget night stay in PTDC HUTS and if God forbid you dont find any rooms in Naran or the rates are too high travel 20km more from naran [45 min drive] to Batakundi a small town with economical hotels.The hotels are comfortable and clean too!.
Day 2: Travel to Babusar top from naran (80km and a 2hour drive)(any vehcile can go).One of the best scens to view. Highly recommended!.Agar jaldi wapis ajayein tou travel to Saif ul malook lake (1hour drive on jeep) agar late wapis ayein tou night stay.
Day3:Travel to Shogran early morning (The road is quite narrow and only an expert driver can ascend it).if reach early leave for siri paiye(jeep track) if not than night stay.
Next day back to Home​.
Btw Route mein pehla Shogran ata hai phir naran.So if you wanna go to shogran first you can.
I hope you're not interested in trekking ?? Or travel to Hunza wagiera right?? As you're not looking for long travels .
Now about vehicle. If you book a Hiace Royal luxury cabin its a very a comfortable vehcile.i have travlled on it a a couple of times.Otherwise if you book 2 separte cars you wont be able to fully enjoy as family would be divided nd long journey pa car itni comfortable nahi rahi gi.So if you're intersted in booking a wagon do ask him to book the updated model Hiace Royal luxury wagon.11seater hothi hai keeping in mind whereas normal Hiace in same size 17seater so you can compare the luxury .
If it is possible carry a lpg minj cylinder with you.2kg size would be enough. Route pa tea wagiera bnayein or enjoy near the river. Plus cooking near the river
I hope this helps

[tahir.mehmood84]

Muneeb Bhai, many thanks for detailed suggestions. what sort of hiace hire prices are there from Pindi/Islamabad region.

[muneeb991]

Welcome brother
Bhai iska tou mujha bilqul bhi nahi idea mein Lahore ka rehna wla hoin
Pet estimated 5000 per day
And fuel tolls taxes wagiera bhi apka

[stgp_team]

Day 1: Leave Islamabad after Fajr insha Allah to Muzaffarabad. After mfd city visiting travel for balakot via garhi babibullah. Night stay in balakot.
Day 2: ...drive to Shogran (visit Shogran, siri paye, kiwai waterfall). Night stay in Shogran.
Day 3: ...travel for babusar top via naran. (Visit lulusar lake, ghazi sar, jalkhad, babusar top, sohni waterfall). Night stay in naran.
Day 4: ... visit Saif ul malook lake via jeep.Night stay in naran.
Day 5: ... drive back to Islamabad.

[pedalpower]

You can travel to Naran from Muzzafarabad via Garhi Habibullah. There is a road on left about 2 km from new bridge in Muzzafarabad that says To Mansehra. Just travel to Balakot and then to Naran. No need to return to Islamabad from Neelum.

[tahir.mehmood84]

Shehzada Naveed and Pedalpower, thank you for your input. When I searched Google maps, I came up with the same suggestion i.e. Muzaffarabad and then Naran.
Have you used the route from MFD to Balakot, is it safe. what is the travel time from MFD to Balakot and then Balakot to Naran?

[tareen]

It takes about 4-5 hours from Muzaffarabad to Naran. This road is in perfrectly new condition from Muzaffarabad to few minutes before garhi Habibullah. From there to connecting road towards Balakot, its a bit narrow but a fine road.

This road is way more scenic, traffic free and shorter than mansehra nonsense.

[tahir.mehmood84]

How is the weather in September usually in Muzaffarabad and Naran.

[muneeb991]

LOL i used the Muzzafrabad to Mansera route​ on my way back from neelum. Tottaly detoriated road with extreme heights to be ascended near Muzzafrabad. Rest is alright .and road balakot nahi jati Mansera jati hai.But i just dont get it ager naran he jana hai tou us ka liyee pehla Muzzafrabad jana ki tuk nahi bnti?? And brother rush kesa nahi hoga??Apna Muzzafrabad bhi tou muree road sa he jana hai​ jispe rush zaror hotha hai and moreover travelling time 3hours sa increase kera ga

[tahir.mehmood84]

muneeb Bhai, the only reason for MZFD was to break the long 9 hour journey to Naran as it is going to be a long drive.
I am confused now as there is conflicting advice
so you are saying that direct route to Naran is better and safer?

[tareen]

Google maps works on real time data transmitted back by the users' devices and its the best and most accurate help you can find. I have used this route just before eid. It was under construction last year and its a carpeted road now. Trying to give u accurate and current information.

[muneeb991]

Jee Tahir bhai .
Btw you can night stay in Balakot too.The journey would be of same hours​.Ager ap Muzzafrabad mein night stay kerta hein tou next day naran ka liye phir bhi 6 to 7 hours drive
Other wise jesa apko theek lgta hai .inshAllah saab theek he hoga Pakistan bhi khoobsorat hai Muzzafrabad discover kerna chatha hein tou wha sa chla jayein.im just narrating my own personal experiences

[tahir.mehmood84]

hmm ok, can you please confirm what the weather usually is like in September. Also, just so that I am budgeting correctly, how much money will be spent on food for around 12 people on the above 5 day trips.

[pwuser149916073659]

The best period to tour any hill station is prior to 14 August. After that sno fall and winter season starts. Keep that in mind plz.