Hello explorers!
I have made my trip from Bhakkar to Naran via Khushab, Pail, Padarhar, Kallar Kahar, M2, Texila, Khanpur Dam, Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot to Naran. My trip was on Altis 1.8 Corrolla 2007; the persons boarded thereon were all my family with three kids.
The travelling overall has proved to be average due to start of Ramazan ul Mubarik. This time the weather during the period overall remained hot with just a few drops of rain in Naran soon after arrival. After Mahandri the patches in intervals continually at every 5/7 kilometers in the road are very terrible for low ground vehicles. These patches are caused due to multiple reasons as due to flood 2010 as well as the landslide occurred in February 2011. The work speed is very slow rather dead slow; a few points on the road are destroyed by the contruction work. High ground vehicles as Hilux, double cabin etc are recommended only to enjoy the trip.
From Mahandri these patches are much in number:'( thereby causing embarrassment and disturbance of mind. With family at such confusing points it is very difficult to cover the scene for assistance of others however it is very clear that the road condition after Mahandri upto Naran is very discouraging. The glacier lying just 14 kms short of Naran was vanished away due to Sun. There was just a stream there instead.
From Khushab to Kallar Kahar total distance 76 kms is a pleasant experience for driving when you pass through Salt Ranges and enter into the valley of Pail; Pail is almost a plain with greenary all around after covering the zig-zag road for 10 kms. From here all above upto Kallar Kahar the valley is green although a bit hot. In rainy season, the clouds keep it engulfed all the time with frequent rain. From Khushab to Kallar Kahar we cover the distance in almost one and quarter hour.
From Taxila to Khanpur the road can be used for suicide of the vehicle. Khanpur Dam weather was intorlerably hot. Surfing, kyaking and boating is common in the bluish green water. This exculsive trip might be pleasant for water lovers. From Khanpur to Haripur no change is visible in road condition. From Taxila to Haripur via Khanpur Dam total distance of 34 kms was covered in almost two hours.
Scorching heat was there on 31.7.11
My journey starts at 6am from Bhakkar and comes to an end at 4.50pm after reaching Abbottabad.
My further details about points, travelling and fares with tariff would be in next threads.
