Kaghan Valley: Latest Updates for 2012 season

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ifoo_786 (ifoo_786) 2012-05-21 13:29:28 +0500 #121

LATEST NEWS >>>>
Naran main Barish aur Snow falling Woooow

aesiege (aesiege) 2012-05-21 22:47:47 +0500 #122

The weather must be superb right now

Rain, winds cool off hot May | DAWN.COM

GMasooMG (GMasooMG) 2012-05-22 01:23:10 +0500 #123

I just visited the area . Following are some updates on 20 may 12
1. shogran is open but rd is broken, contractors are working on the rd so u will have lot of stoppages
2.Rd is open till siri, paya was still closed, but u can go on foot
3. Rd till Naran is open, there are lot of glaciers in the way but the biggest is 1km short of Naran .
4.Tr to saif-ul-malook is still closed .. jeeps can go upto 3 km rest about 6 km walk
5. Rd towards Jalkhad is open upto a 8 km distance rest machinery was clearing up

asifcae (asifcae) 2012-05-22 02:02:07 +0500 #124

thankx for sharing this info

savage_zubair (savage_zubair) 2012-05-22 04:14:21 +0500 #125

The weather has become really pleasant in Naran and surrounding as per local guide. FWO and NHA has started repairing road patches leading Shogran and Naran. Road till Kaghan is clear for all type of traffic and will soon be opened till Naran. All cars with low and average ground clearance will be able to reach naran after 20 days InshAllah.

faheem_shahzad (faheem_shahzad) 2012-05-22 11:04:37 +0500 #126

I am planning a 4-5 days trip to Shogran (including Siri Paya) and Naran/Kaghan valley (including lake Saif-ul-Malook and probably Jalkhad and Lulusar lake). This trip is planned in 2nd week of Jun and I am doing this with family.

Here is my travel plan:

1- Drive from ISB to Naran (June 8, Friday) and reach around 2pm. sight-seeing in and around Naran Bazaar (suggestions welcome) and night stay in Naran.
2- Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar Lake (June 9, Saturday)
3- Drive to Shogran, from Naran (Sunday, June 10 Morning). Cover Siri-Paye via Jeep same day.
4- Head back to Islamabad.

I have following questions.

a) I am planning to drive my 98 model Mehran. I am used to driving in mountains and have done Murree-Muzaffarabad-Nathiagali , and Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa plenty of times myself without any problem on the same car. Even then, since I would be going myself to Naran/Kaghan for the first time, what necessary precautions I shall take before pursuing the journey.

2- Any advise on the travel plan itself? Any alteration or special recommendations?
3- Keeping in view the road conditions, it is possible that I have to change the plan. Any references up there, for hotel stay and guides?
4- What would be the estimated cost of the entire trip for 2 people (keeping in view it would be start of the season). Rough estimates for Jeep rent from Naran to Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar and back and Shogran to Siri Paya and back?

Any mechanic's workshop up there, just in case. Although I am 99.99% sure that there would be no problem with my ride

Looking forward to a detailed reply from some friend... Stay blessed

engineermali (engineermali) 2012-05-22 15:26:28 +0500 #127

faheem_shahzad;3373888:

I am planning a 4-5 days trip to Shogran (including Siri Paya) and Naran/Kaghan valley (including lake Saif-ul-Malook and probably Jalkhad and Lulusar lake). This trip is planned in 2nd week of Jun and I am doing this with family.

Here is my travel plan:

1- Drive from ISB to Naran (June 8, Friday) and reach around 2pm. sight-seeing in and around Naran Bazaar (suggestions welcome) and night stay in Naran.
2- Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar Lake (June 9, Saturday)
3- Drive to Shogran, from Naran (Sunday, June 10 Morning). Cover Siri-Paye via Jeep same day.
4- Head back to Islamabad.

I have following questions.

a) I am planning to drive my 98 model Mehran. I am used to driving in mountains and have done Murree-Muzaffarabad-Nathiagali , and Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa plenty of times myself without any problem on the same car. Even then, since I would be going myself to Naran/Kaghan for the first time, what necessary precautions I shall take before pursuing the journey.

2- Any advise on the travel plan itself? Any alteration or special recommendations?
3- Keeping in view the road conditions, it is possible that I have to change the plan. Any references up there, for hotel stay and guides?
4- What would be the estimated cost of the entire trip for 2 people (keeping in view it would be start of the season). Rough estimates for Jeep rent from Naran to Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar and back and Shogran to Siri Paya and back?

Any mechanic's workshop up there, just in case. Although I am 99.99% sure that there would be no problem with my ride

Looking forward to a detailed reply from some friend... Stay blessed

i have the same plan in july ...... but my journey will start from quetta till those areas in probox

aesiege (aesiege) 2012-05-22 15:35:08 +0500 #128

faheem_shahzad;3373888:

I am planning a 4-5 days trip to Shogran (including Siri Paya) and Naran/Kaghan valley (including lake Saif-ul-Malook and probably Jalkhad and Lulusar lake). This trip is planned in 2nd week of Jun and I am doing this with family.

Here is my travel plan:

1- Drive from ISB to Naran (June 8, Friday) and reach around 2pm. sight-seeing in and around Naran Bazaar (suggestions welcome) and night stay in Naran.
2- Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar Lake (June 9, Saturday)
3- Drive to Shogran, from Naran (Sunday, June 10 Morning). Cover Siri-Paye via Jeep same day.
4- Head back to Islamabad.

I have following questions.

a) I am planning to drive my 98 model Mehran. I am used to driving in mountains and have done Murree-Muzaffarabad-Nathiagali , and Daman-e-Koh and Pir Sohawa plenty of times myself without any problem on the same car. Even then, since I would be going myself to Naran/Kaghan for the first time, what necessary precautions I shall take before pursuing the journey.

2- Any advise on the travel plan itself? Any alteration or special recommendations?
3- Keeping in view the road conditions, it is possible that I have to change the plan. Any references up there, for hotel stay and guides?
4- What would be the estimated cost of the entire trip for 2 people (keeping in view it would be start of the season). Rough estimates for Jeep rent from Naran to Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar and back and Shogran to Siri Paya and back?

Any mechanic's workshop up there, just in case. Although I am 99.99% sure that there would be no problem with my ride

Looking forward to a detailed reply from some friend... Stay blessed

Just break the drive to Lulusar and Saif-ul-Muluk in 2 days. I hope so roads will be open by 2nd week of June inshallah. Then you can visit Lalazaar and Saif-ul-Muluk on one day and Jalkhad and Lulusar on other day. If u don't have extra day then u will have to start quite early to squeeze both destinations in one day and will have to skip Lalazaar.

The drive is very simple till Naran except that the patch between Kaghan and Naran needs extra care. There are quite a few water crossings and that part of road is not in good condition.

It would be safe to keep a budget of around 25K.

Jeep estimates are somewhat like this:

Saif-ul-Muluk and Lalazaar ----- 3K
Babusar top ----- 5-6K if u r going till Lulusar only then may be around 3-4K (negotiable)
Sri Paye from Kiwai is around 3K. From Shogran, rates will be lower (almost half).

Mechanic shops are available and hopefully u won't need them

aesiege (aesiege) 2012-05-22 15:52:26 +0500 #129

double post

engineermali (engineermali) 2012-05-22 16:19:00 +0500 #130

konsaaaa

savage_zubair (savage_zubair) 2012-05-22 16:38:25 +0500 #131

Faheem, If leave Islamabad at 8a then only U are going to reach naran by 4pm if u drive directly without stopping. Here are some suggestions:

Leave Isd at 8 am and go directly to naran. Spend the first night there and visit Jheel Saiful maluk and Lalazar the second morning and night stay at Naran.
3rd day, leave for Shogran and spend the night. Next morning go to Siri and Paye and come back and drive back to Isd or if U wish, u can spend a night at shogran. This will be easy and will not be hectic ok.

The road is being repaired and the patches are being covered and in June, InshAllah u won't find any difficulty. Just get a checkup done of your car, get the tyres checked and keep an emergency light and necessary tools with U. Also carry rain coats as it might rain in this season and u will enjoy by wearing them and roaming around. Also carry umbrellas.

Stay at Pine Park in Shogran and Sarhad Tourism in Naran. both will cost you around 2000 per night after bargaining due to high season.

Rest is all good. Happy and safe journey..

savage_zubair (savage_zubair) 2012-05-22 16:41:37 +0500 #132

Or even the hotels can charge you around 3000. They will start at 3500 but u have to bargain hard... Best of luck..

faheem_shahzad (faheem_shahzad) 2012-05-23 04:32:43 +0500 #133

aesiege;3374353:

Just break the drive to Lulusar and Saif-ul-Muluk in 2 days. I hope so roads will be open by 2nd week of June inshallah. Then you can visit Lalazaar and Saif-ul-Muluk on one day and Jalkhad and Lulusar on other day. If u don't have extra day then u will have to start quite early to squeeze both destinations in one day and will have to skip Lalazaar.

The drive is very simple till Naran except that the patch between Kaghan and Naran needs extra care. There are quite a few water crossings and that part of road is not in good condition.

It would be safe to keep a budget of around 25K.

Jeep estimates are somewhat like this:

- Saif-ul-Muluk and Lalazaar ----- 3K
- Babusar top ----- 5-6K if u r going till Lulusar only then may be around 3-4K (negotiable)
- Sri Paye from Kiwai is around 3K. From Shogran, rates will be lower (almost half).

Mechanic shops are available and hopefully u won't need them

Thanks for a detailed reply dost.. I have one more question. Since I am a bit adventurous by nature, tell me if the road from Naran to Jalkhad will be open 15 days from today? If yes, is it OK that I drive my Mehran 98 to Jalkhad myself? I have heard that the scenary on this road is amazing and I just want to experience it myself since I don't know WHEN again I will get a similar chance.

faheem_shahzad (faheem_shahzad) 2012-05-23 04:39:22 +0500 #134

savage_zubair;3374477:

Faheem, If leave Islamabad at 8a then only U are going to reach naran by 4pm if u drive directly without stopping. Here are some suggestions:

Leave Isd at 8 am and go directly to naran. Spend the first night there and visit Jheel Saiful maluk and Lalazar the second morning and night stay at Naran.
3rd day, leave for Shogran and spend the night. Next morning go to Siri and Paye and come back and drive back to Isd or if U wish, u can spend a night at shogran. This will be easy and will not be hectic ok.

The road is being repaired and the patches are being covered and in June, InshAllah u won't find any difficulty. Just get a checkup done of your car, get the tyres checked and keep an emergency light and necessary tools with U. Also carry rain coats as it might rain in this season and u will enjoy by wearing them and roaming around. Also carry umbrellas.

Stay at Pine Park in Shogran and Sarhad Tourism in Naran. both will cost you around 2000 per night after bargaining due to high season.

Rest is all good. Happy and safe journey..

Thank you zubair. I am planning to leave as early as 06:00AM so that's not an issue (reaching early @ Naran). About road clearance, who can tell me about the latest road condition (say on Jun 6th or 7th) because I will be leaving on Jun 8th. One more thing, is it OK to drive Mehran 98 from Naran to Jalkhad myself (any recommendation) because this car is real tough and has good road clearance. I am planning to get a routine check-up of my car done on 2nd and 3rd June by the way.

I am trying to get some references @ Pine Park and Sarhad tourism. Let's see if they work

Looking forward to your reply to my above query..

faheem_shahzad (faheem_shahzad) 2012-05-23 05:03:05 +0500 #135

Good Luck man and do share your experience

savage_zubair (savage_zubair) 2012-05-23 05:34:56 +0500 #136

Faheem, pls note this number of a local guide in naran, Malik Idrees 03075145312 and u can confirm the road conditions with him before leaving. The machinery is working to clear the roads day and night and i think if the weather remains clear, they will be able to clear road till jalkhad by 15th of june. regarding saiful malook and lalazar, they will also be open for jeeps by 2nd week of June.
Rest u can contact Mr.Idrees for latest updates.

An adivse, bargain directly with hotel ppl as it is an understanding between guides and hotel and they pay comission to guides and charge high from u ...

savage_zubair (savage_zubair) 2012-05-23 05:36:10 +0500 #137

U can also search internet and get numbers of pine park and sarhad hotel and book them so that u dont face any problem... But do bargain hard buddy

aesiege (aesiege) 2012-05-23 09:00:27 +0500 #138

Usually by 15 June, roads are clear for cars till Jalkhad. Lets see what happens this year.

Keep track of updates here and if u can change dates then adjust your trip once roads are cleared.

faheem_shahzad (faheem_shahzad) 2012-05-23 09:05:40 +0500 #139

Zubair, a friend of mine has just told me to drop the idea of Jalkhad and Lulusar lake He said it takes 6-7 hours hike to reach Lulusar lake.. Is this correct?

Secondly, can I reach Jalkhad on my own car (provided that road gets cleared by then) or is it also a 4x4 affair?

aesiege (aesiege) 2012-05-23 09:15:43 +0500 #140

hahaha i think u need to spend some time going through the threads and actual pics here on PW rather than listening to your friend

Lulusar Lake is on main Babusar road and once glaciers are gone, all types of cars would be going there.

Road till Jalkhad is in great shape subject to clearance of glaciers and some water crossings