I left PTDC motel after breakfast and started off at about 9:30 AM from Balakot. I had already booked a room at Perhena cottages located 13 km short of Naran because I dislike crowded places. Naran was expected to be jam packed. Anyway reached there at about twelve and checked in. They charge 5000/- per night for standard room. The location is good, view is nice but rooms are ill maintained and standard of care and cleanliness is not up to the mark. After checking in decided to go to Naran for lunch and cheek jeep rates.
The road from Balkot to Mahandri is excellent, after that there are bad patches due to land sliding and glacier water flowing on to the road. One glacier water flow before Naran is a bit deep and I was reluctant to drive my car through it but I made it without any problem.
At Naran jeep drivers ask for 2200/- for Saifukmalouk and 8000/- for Babusar pass.
