Naran Kaghan vs Swat in August 2020

[saifcis]

Dear Pakwheel Travel Gurus.

I am planning a tour with my family from Karachi (kids under the age of 6), for the first time by road in 2nd week of Aug. There is a tie between Naran, Kaghan vs Swat.

Please guide which is more preferable in terms of

1. roads
2. tourism facilities ( food + hotels availability)
3. Surrounding area.
4. weather
5. people attitude
6. Security situations
   Regards,
   Saif

PS: I'm aware of the COVID Situation and might delay to last week of August based on the availability of the hotels.

[pwuser154876941961]

Naran Kaghan Shogran would be a better option if you haven’t visited it in past..... Roads are almost carpet till Naran and even Babusar top you can go by car but other places like lakes etc you would need to heir jeep....
Plus if you can plan it in 3rd week of August, hotel rates would be less as the season would be towards closing...

[saifcis]

Thanks Umair

I've been to Naran/Kaghan and Swat in past but that was almost 5 years back. These trips were done by hiring a car from Islamabad all the way up to Naran/Kaghan and Swat. This is the first time i'll be travelling by road all by myself.

Just to let you know that we'll be travelling in two cars. Civic Reborn Automatic and city 2016 manual. Our main concern are the curvy and bumpy roads . Getting the cars up to the mountains and bringing it down from the hills

[fahadmalik11]

i suggest you to visit swat and kalam valley. People are friendly and caring. You can see malam jabba in swat valley and ushu forest, mahodand lake in kalam. roads are in good condition

[saifcis]

Thank you Fahad,

Once we reach mingora, how many days of stay in swat do you suggest for places to reach with family. Also, what places do you suggest. Thanks again

[tourist]

Most of the way ahead from Kalam is
unmetalled. Though car can be driven but Jeep is preferable.

[fahadmalik11]

From mingora first go to malam jabba 1 night stay there and next day go to kalam visit ushu forest and mahodand lake. there are many beautiful lakes in kalam valley to explore but you have kids. You can see kandol lake, spinkhor lake in utror valley near to kalam.

[fahadmalik11]

but keep in mind after eid there is huge rush of people in both naran and swat side. i think you have to plan at end of august or in september start

[kailash.kumar1305]

I have been to all mentioned places. I would suggest you to visit Naran Kaghan till Babusar with family. Swat side would have been preferred if you were travelling with friends due to road conditions for Kalam etc.
You can easily go to Kaghan, Naran, Shogran, Babusar on your car and visit Saif-Ul-Mulook Lake and Siri Paye on jeep.

[raza988]

As far as people's behaviour is concerned. Swat is a better option. There are many new built hotels at malam jabba. Road from bahrain to kalam is now complete. But from kalam onward; you will have to hire a jeep upto mahodand.

[krafiq]

Be prepared for long queues and traffic jams. I have traveled back from Naran to Islamabad on the 5 August. Saw long queues of cars waiting to get in, loads of foot fall in bazars of naran

[kb1980]

[kb1980]