I have returned from Naran last night after 5 days stay there. I must say, i am disappointed this time due to multiple things, i will create a separate thread for it, but here are few highlights:
1) Naran is fast becoming mureee and tourists are being overcharged. Example: 2 beds room in royal hotel costed 5000 per night on weekend (its not less than 2500-3000 per room even in ordinary hotels). Many families had to stay in tents due to lack of rooms and expensive situation. Jeep from naran till babusar top wont charge less than 6000. For non-bargaining customers, they can charge 7000/-
2) We planned only for dudipatsar and saral lakes this time, along with ansu lake if possible. Near besal, we came to know that all tourist jeeps are being looted by Kohistani people. Mobiles, cameras, cash etc from 25 vehichles was looted (someone in Cygnus lost 170K too). Seeing this situation, we were recommended to cancel dudipat trek and that was our biggest disappointment. Now i very much believe all those tourist looting stories near dudipat and on its way. Similarly, we stayed a night @ lake saif ul malook, and the camp adjacent to us had to face looting too. However, they managed to escape out of that situation.
3) Jeep walas, guides and hotel owners are becoming arrogant due to increased business activity.
Friends, we went to naran with much hope and i must advise you upon return, to consider other good places as well, we have skardu, galyat, swat, gilgit etc, each filled with natural beauty. Dont make naran next murree.
