A.A. PWers
I just checked with Naran locals and here is the latest update from the valley.
Update 1 - 9 May 2012:
- This year snowfall was less in the valley as compared to previous years.
- This year snowfall was exceptionally more on mountain tops as compared to previous years
- More snow on mountain tops resulted in much bigger glaciers this year as compared to previous years
- There is a new glacier just before petrol pump in Naran which may finish by end of July only.
- This new glacier is stopping the way at the moment and some dispute is going on between FWO and NHA which is halting the process of clearing the road :S
- If dispute is resolved then it will take 2-3 days to open the road for Naran.
- Road till Jalkhad will take 3-4 weeks to open as more and bigger glaciers are expected due to heavy snowfalls on the tops.
- This may delay the opening of Babusar as well
- Locals will be moving to their homes in Naran in this week.
Update 2 - 13 May 2012:
- Jeeps are crossing Naran glaciers now and reaching the bazar.
- Jeeps are going till Saif-ul-Muluk road big glacier only. After that it's hiking till the lake.
- Beyond Naran, way is open till Sooch village only. So, it will take some more time for opening of way till Batakundi and Lalazar.
Update 3 - 18 May 2012: by fellow PWer "asadsethi"
- Shogran is open for all kind of traffic now and Asad's friend reached there on Santro.
Update 4 - 20 May 2012: by fellow PWer "GMasooMG"
- shogran is open but rd is broken, contractors are working on the rd so u will have lot of stoppages
- Rd is open till siri, paya was still closed, but u can go on foot
- Rd till Naran is open, there are lot of glaciers in the way but the biggest is 1km short of Naran .
- Tr to saif-ul-malook is still closed .. jeeps can go upto 3 km rest about 6 km walk
- Rd towards Jalkhad is open upto a 8 km distance rest machinery was clearing up
Update 5 - 28 May 2012:
- Jalkhad is now accessible by jeeps 
- FWO is working on area beyond Jalkhad
- Babusar pass is expected to be open between 15-20 June
- Saif-ul-Muluk road is still half-closed and is expected to be cleared in first week of June
Update 6 - 31 May 2012: by fellow PWers
"farooq05"
- The latest update from Naran is that vehicles are now moving till Jalkhad plus upto 5 km more towards Lulusar only but access to Lulusar Lake is completely blocked as of yesterday!
- My friend was in Jalkhad day before yesterday and he has informed that car can also move till Jalkhad though FWO has not cleared some glaciers fully they have made the trek useable and all kinds of transport can move now.
"Raheeln"
- few of my friends were on shogran and naran trip, in last few days, bohat thand hai wahan, sai al malook par saturday ko snow falling hui hai, shogran is freezing cold.........
Update 7 - 3 June 2012:
- One of the first groups of trekkers reached Dudipat Sar Lake during this week.
Update 8 - 5 June 2012:
- Cars are easily reaching Naran now as road is completely clear between the glaciers.
- Saif-ul-Muluk road is now open for jeeps. Yesterday, first jeep reached at the lake for this season.
- Lalazaar is accessible by jeeps now
- Besal and Lulusar Lake is accessible by jeeps now.
- Babusar Top pass is still closed and work is in progress.
- Nuri Top pass is still closed.
Update 9 - 6 June 2012: by fellow PWer "MultaniTraveler"
- Completed Shogran to Makra Peak Track on last Sunday. Road from Kiwai to shogran is under maintenance. However, all types of vehicles can go to Shogran.
Update 10 - 9 June 2012: by fellow PWer "Moj"
- I am in Naran right now, weather seems to be perfect ! Visited saif ul malook and lulusar lake. Road to Babusar top is still not clear. Same is the noori top condition. As per the locals road to Babusar top will open in 4-5 days. Boating at Saif ul malook is closed by local govt, not sure about the reason. The crowd is building up and I am sure in a week or two this place will be like murree. Hotel + jeep rates also inflating. Do bring along a lot of warm clothes as when it rains the weather gets really freezing. Good luck everyone !
Update 11 - 10 June 2012:
- CNG and petrol strike at the moment in Punjab, Islamabad and KPK.
- CNG, petrol and diesel are available without any limit on motorway
- Petrol limit of Rs. 1000 at other petrol stations but very long queues.
- Petrol is available in AJK without limit
So, plan your trip such that u exit the motorway with a full tank. Carrying the petrol cans can cause trouble as there are 6 check-posts between motorway and Murree Expressway in Islamabad. There will be check-posts on other routes as well and this can be considered dangerous.
Update 12 - 12 June 2012:
- Babusar Top Pass is open for jeeps now
- Way to Sharaan is also open now. Some part of the road was destroyed by floods for which an alternate route has been made and jeeps are going to Sharaan.
Request
Please update this thread with whatever latest information comes in so that we can run one thread only for Kaghan valley instead of dozens of threads and same information being repeated again n again.
Please contribute the latest information like:
- Road conditions
- Places visited
- Jeep rents
- Hotel rents
- Any specific advice or new information
Thanks & Regards
Mobeen
