Kaghan Valley: Latest Updates for 2013 Season

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amnd (amnd) 2013-06-07 15:46:04 +0500 #161

I think the road is open but I can update you tomorrow as I am going to visit it.

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amnd (amnd) 2013-06-07 15:47:27 +0500 #162

Yes, people have even come on Mira. Just be careful and go slow on bad patches specially after kaghan.

No bypass available for abbottabad. You have to cross it

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lateralus (lateralus) 2013-06-07 15:49:38 +0500 #163

is BABU SIR TOP opened for jeeps? kindly facilitate

amnd;3902874:

Thank you Owais. Babu sir is still not fully open for all cars. I saw a corolla trying to get pass jhalgat but he was back very soon

Road to jhalhat is open but lots of glaciers in between. Cars need to be careful (will upload few pictures once I am back)

Today was very sunny... So much that we had to shorten our stay at Jhalgat. Because of it, river kunhar's level is high.

We hired a local fisherman who charged 2000 plus 100 for the permit. We started from our hotel (PTDC naran) and went all the way to helipad. No luck but at 5pm, we managed to capture a small rainbow trout...

If anyone interested, his name is Zulkarnain. Direct msg me for his number. He also referred a guy in main bazaar who sits in hotel sun rise. His name is Riaz. The guy sells trout otherwise lot of restaurants in main bazaar sell rahu fish. The rate is 3000/kg. Luckily he had 3 small pieces of 300g.

Road to lake saif ul malook is open till lake now.

More updates tomorrow and pictures once I get back to Lahore

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owais8668 (owais8668) 2013-06-07 18:01:13 +0500 #164

amnd;3902874:

Thank you Owais. Babu sir is still not fully open for all cars. I saw a corolla trying to get pass jhalgat but he was back very soon

Road to jhalhat is open but lots of glaciers in between. Cars need to be careful (will upload few pictures once I am back)

Today was very sunny... So much that we had to shorten our stay at Jhalgat. Because of it, river kunhar's level is high.

We hired a local fisherman who charged 2000 plus 100 for the permit. We started from our hotel (PTDC naran) and went all the way to helipad. No luck but at 5pm, we managed to capture a small rainbow trout...

If anyone interested, his name is Zulkarnain. Direct msg me for his number. He also referred a guy in main bazaar who sits in hotel sun rise. His name is Riaz. The guy sells trout otherwise lot of restaurants in main bazaar sell rahu fish. The rate is 3000/kg. Luckily he had 3 small pieces of 300g.

Road to lake saif ul malook is open till lake now.

More updates tomorrow and pictures once I get back to Lahore

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ahh appreciated sir...doing a very good job updating everythng day by day...BEST OF LUCK NJOY...

amnd (amnd) 2013-06-08 05:13:44 +0500 #165

Babu sir is not open officially as of today. Expected to open next week.

Lake is open

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amnd (amnd) 2013-06-08 09:43:23 +0500 #166

Just visited shogran. Road is terrible! However its accessible for all kind of cars. I even took a picture of a cultus only for you.. Will post once I am back. Road is in a bad shape. I had to use 4 wheel couple of times since momentum is lost when you have to stop for an incoming car.

For the past 2 days, sun is blazing like anything and actually it becomes very painful walking in sun. We stopped at pine park for lunch. They are still renovating. Dining hall in bad shape and service is pathetic. I had to literally go and buy mineral water and remind them thrice to bring glasses for water. Food was below average. My advice, avoid it. Weather was just fine but no comparison to Naran. We left soon after the lunch and now back to Balakot.

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aarish (aarish) 2013-06-08 13:42:38 +0500 #167

I came back from Chilas via the KKH yesterday. Babusar Pass still closed or else would've taken that route.

taimur76 (taimur76) 2013-06-08 15:25:01 +0500 #168

yesterday I was in Chilas. went all the way up to Babusar top. on the Naran side its still closed. local guys told its just one glacier and that should be cleared in 2 or 3 days. I am in Gilgit now and tomorrow will got Skardu. its an official trip. will call the guy tomorrow and if he confirmed if its opened, will take that route. In the meantime if anyone of you get info please sms me on my cell# 03344234060

yassir313 (yassir313) 2013-06-08 17:46:32 +0500 #169

Wat about corrola??
If babusar route from naran side ll be open corrola can go through ???

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waleed80 (Waleed Akhtar) 2013-06-09 04:35:05 +0500 #170

guys i m planning a trip with my family to Kaghan Naran next week. will be having a reliable 4x4 InshAllah with me. can somoene please guide me where all to go ? three years back i went on my car but i only went till Naran, from where i took a jeep to Lake Saiful Malook and came back. when i came back, ppl told me i just wasted my time and there were so mnay lakes etc to bee seen in the surrounding areas. this time i dont want to waste my time. can someone please guide me about a two night or a three nights stay in naran and what all to see around. i mean till where the 4x4 goes, from where i have to get horses etc etc. please guide. thanks

irfannaqvi (irfannaqvi) 2013-06-09 12:21:23 +0500 #171

I also want to go Naran Valley with my wife after Eid on My ALTO,, Can Alto go there in August, Please tell if anybody know,

omair.a (omair.a) 2013-06-10 05:20:39 +0500 #172

Pakwheelers.. Doing a great job updating us all on the most recent conditions. Appreciate it.

I'm planning to come to Naran with my family next week via PTDC's bus from isloo. Anyone have any idea if it's any good?

Dear amnt, Can you please tell a bit about the hotel in Naran? Since it's the peak season, how much are they charging? I believe you're staying at PTDC's motel.. What are their charges? Are there any other good places to stay? from your recent posts, i have gathered that the weather is generally very sunny. How are the winds? Any rains so far? Can you get away with light summer clothing in the day?

omair.a (omair.a) 2013-06-10 06:07:39 +0500 #173

Dear amnd, Thankyou for your updates. I'm planning to come to naran in the next week. Want to ask about the hotels there? Since it's the peak season they must be charging a lot. Can you give me an idea of what are the current room rates? You are staying at the PTDC motel.
Do you have standard room or the hut? What are PTDC motel rates for this season?

From your posts I gather that it's pretty sunny these days. how ar the winds? Any recent rains? Can you get away with half sleeves during the day? The nights, as you mentioned, are cold. Does one need jackets/gloves etc or is it manageable?

amnd (amnd) 2013-06-10 10:33:27 +0500 #174

Omair, peak season has just started so i suggest booking the room well in advance is a better option specially if you would like to stay in PTDC. I booked Surti Cottage which has 2 rooms. The price is 16000/night. There standard cottage is around 6000k/night. PTDC head office is in Islamabad 051-9203223. You can book on phone but you need to pay in advance. No need to physically visit, just talk to them and they will give you their online account number. pay them and they will send you the room permit.

I believe there are few other hotels which i have heard are good but i have always been staying in PTDC since they have a huge area with reasonably well maintained lawn and river side is beautiful. Ideal for families.

Its definitely very sunny so i suggest covering your head and using sun block is recommended. UV index is high. Nights are chilly. We were taking 1-2 blankets. However, if you get a rain shower (which is common), even the day will be cooler so do take warm clothes.

I will post pics in a day or two.

amnd (amnd) 2013-06-10 10:36:00 +0500 #175

I won't recommend although it is doable if the road is open and glacier is clean. a lot of wear and tear and cars are usually not meant for these roads

amnd (amnd) 2013-06-10 10:41:15 +0500 #176

Waleed, what sort of 4x4 you are referring to? i went in a prado TZ, however, its not recommended to take it up to lake saif ul malook due to its size. Local willy's jeep is ideal for it.

I suggest, you visit Lalazar, Lake Lulu sar and Babu sir pass and if you are little more adventurous and up for trekking, lake dudi patsar is also a good place to visit, though i won't recommend it with family. Stop by at shogran and visit Siri Paya.

There are few other places like Sharan, Searl Lake, Ansoo lake but not at all recommended with family.

asadsethi (asadsethi) 2013-06-10 16:22:39 +0500 #177

i hav been to saiful malook several times in my tz prado, it goes just fine, better than the willies

omair.a (omair.a) 2013-06-10 18:06:54 +0500 #178

Recent travellers to Naran. Can you please tell what are the hotel rates in naran these days?

Anyone ever heard of Green Park Hotel? How are the rooms there?

Can you recommend any hotel that has nice, clean rooms? Don't need flashy, expensive hotels... A nice, clean room with a view will do.

How about the food in the bazar. How much does the food cost?

waleed80 (Waleed Akhtar) 2013-06-11 03:12:42 +0500 #179

thanks for the recommendation. and i have already been to the lake few years back in a Parado TZ. went like a charm

amnd (amnd) 2013-06-11 03:58:58 +0500 #180

Great... Best of luck and keep us posted

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