Planning a trip to Naran Kaghan in Eid. Need advise!

[jdoe54445]

Hi guys! I'm planning a trip to Naran Kaghan during Eid so I thought I should get advise from gurus. If anyone can help I would really appreciate it as I haven't been there before.

I'm planning on 2 nights and 3 days (leaving 28th morning and back on the 30th of June). It's going to be a family trip (3 of us).

I live in Islamabad and according to google maps there two routes. One through Haripur and the other through Muzaffarabad so I need advise on which road to take. I've been to muzaffarabad and the road is not bad but I haven't been on the road further to know the condition. And traffic conditions during Eid?

I have a Toyota Corolla 2009 and about 1Lac miles on it. I also have a Civic 2012. Which would be a better choice for the trip? My Plan is to visit Siri Paye, Lake Saiful malook, and also Babusar top (the only 3 places I know about ) and of course other attractions of the area (kindly suggest some). Also if there are any decent hotels (for families).

As for the budget any idea how much It'll cost? I heard some places I need to hire a 4x4 so how much would that cost. The only bigger expenses would be I guess Petrol, accommodation right?

Can anyone kindly suggest a plan. Would really appreciate it. Thanks guys.

[ahagrarian]

Well, 3 Days plan is not gonna help you a lot with family in my opinion, you should extend it to at-least for 5 days. As per route, you should go from Haripur-Abbaotabad-Mansehra-balakot-Kaghan-Naran. The best and shortest route. Of-course traffic factor will be much higher, so you should plan accordingly that you cross abbotabad at night and reach mansehra in very early morning. I have traveled many times at night till mansehra, no issue at all. Road scenery starts after mansehra til naran, so it should be a day-light journey. Consider one day the driving time to reach naran as there is alot to see on the road in between mansehra and naran. Toyota will be the best choice, although every car is best till naran. On 2nd day, visit lake saif-ul-mulook on a 4*4 ride and make a trip to babu-sar-top on your own car, you'll pass through payala lake and if you want, visit lulu-sar lake on a 4*4 ride. Come back and stay in Naran. On day 3, go to shogran on your car and then hire a 4*4 to visit siri paye and stay in shogran. On day 4, travel back to your home.
In Naran , every hotel above 3,000 PKR is best family hotel, otherwise stay in PTDC motels.
Estimated Trip cost; May vary
Fuel ; 3-4K maximum.
Jeep Fare; 2K for Saiful-Mullok(Return)
Jeep fare ; 1500-2K Lulusar lake(Return)
Jeep Fare ; 1800 for siri paye (Return)
Hotels;
Naran ; 3K-6K/Night
Shogran; 2K-4K/night.
Note; Check-out time is 12PM
Food: As per your taste but for a medium taste 1500-2K/Meal

[saad2000]

Yar bhot Rush hoga EID pe, Ap ko mansehra se hee Traffic ka andaza hojae ga , agar phir bhi jana ho tou please Book Hotels before leaving, keeping in mind koi Room 8K se kum nahi hoga jo room normal days main 2500-3000 ka mil jata hai , Jeep walay aj kal 3500-4000 le rahay , but on eid days they will charge 6-8K( Not confirmed , you will have to call the hotels to get latest prices)
above all yar bunda chill kernay jata hai, wahan Eid days pe pora mulk aya wa hoga !
I myself wanted to visit from karachi, but postponed it to Mid August!

i have done a little research on Hotels due to this, sharing contact numbers, i hope you will find it useful.
i haven't Checked/Visited these hotels personally but you will find pics on JOVAGO or Facebook easily.

Waqar Naran Driver: 03425214140 ( He owns a JDM vehicle basically a Driver but have good sources on hotels and friendly and helpful ) Went with Family twice booked him. you may use my Name as Reff. ( Saad From Karachi).
Just call him to get an idea of traffic and hotel rates etc . i won't force anyone to book him.

Regards .

[ahagrarian]

@saad2000 very helpful, My suggestion also is to postpone it for some time.

[saad2000]

Places to visit are Shogran, Siri Paye, Naran, Saiful Mulk, lulusar, Babusar Top. Rest you will cover in between or on way to these places such as: KIwai, Corolla/Civic can do this easily as you will see Mehran/Cultus on these routes as well.
but i will suggest to make plan for atleast 4 nights 5 days to cover the beauty in these places.
SiriPaye and SaifulMulk will be done via Jeep .
im not sure about Jahalkand and lulusar i think you will need Jeep for this also

Despite of few bad patches because of streams the roads till babusar are in good condition

[saad2000]

[muneeb991]

As everyone is advising,i myself will also advice you not to visit Naran in Eid days.You may visit it in the end of July and travel in weekdays to avoid rush nd extreme hotel charges!
Please do not travel on the Muzzafrabad to Garri Habibullah nd then Mansera route.That route is way too too long from Islamabad.Will add 3 to 4 hours extra nd ive traveled on that route last year. Totally deteriorated and quite dangerous with extreme bad patches in the start.Nd that route is usually used by truckers nd army caravans so the other route is best!You may not be able to rush but tourists ka liye bethar hai as many restutants nd tuck shops but Muzzafrabad wali road paar there are hardly any small dhabas even!

[farrukhzeeshan]

Muzaffarabad - Garhi Habibullah road is rebuilt recently. Went to Shogran via this route last month you can drive fast without an issue and almost no traffic.

[saad2000]

[saad2000]

[naumananjum]

it is advised not to plan any tour during eid holidays.