Tips for Trip to Naran Kaghan Valley

[Adnankhalid2095]

Greetings!

I plan to take a trip to Naran/Kaghan athe end of May 2017. I will be going in my own car, Suzuki Swift GLX 2017 Model, with 2 of my friends.
I need guidance from you guys about the costs and sights that we should see. The plan is to go to Isb(from Lahore), and after a nice lunch/brunch go towards these places.
We are planning for a trip of 2-3 days.
Please guide me about the security situation there (theft, robbery etc.), and also about how much it will cost us, and if the car is a good option for the trip?

Thank you

[farrukhzeeshan]

Road is very good all the way till Naran. Just a couple potholes near Naran but any car can manage it if you drive carefully. So, your car is good for this trip. Why you want a stopover in Islamabad. If you will stop for lunch in Islamabad, you will be late to reach Naran and miss lot of beautiful views on the way due to darkness. Remember, Naran is just a town, with hotels, shops etc.

You only have 2-3 days, out of these, 2 days are required for travelling.

Leave early from Lahore, as early as you can make it, I usually try to leave just after Fajar prayer. Skip Islamabad, you can have lunch at Kiwai, There is nothing much to see or even stop before Kiwai.

I think you can only manage to visit Saif ul Malook in this short tour. Otherwise, Shogran, Siri Paye, Lalazar, dudipatsar are worth visiting places.

If you are not scared of water, you must try rafting at Kunhar.

Regarding security, the area is more secure than Lahore, no theft or robberies.

You have not mentioned your budget, but you can find hotels in every budget from as low as Rs.1000 to Rs. 8 to 10 thousand per night.

[farooq05]

last year road opened for Naran around end May and road ahead of Naran took further time so check the details before you depart. secondly, there is a big glacier just before Naran and in early season it troubles all types of cars in terms or clearance as well as skidding.. these are the only issues you may face in early season otherwise no tension..

[Adnankhalid2095]

That's amazing advice. Thank you so much.
I've decided to make the trip of 6 days instead, to make use of my free time as much as possible.
As far as the budget is concerned, will Rs. 15-20K per head be enough for the trip? Including all expenses, like fuel, hotels, food etc.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Its good that you managed some more time. One cannot do justice with the beauty in the north of Pakistan, it requires ample time to explore it.

Your budget is more than enough for the whole trip, including fuel, accommodation, food etc.

You need to have very good bargaining skills, for rates of hotels, jeep rentals etc. You will be surprised that how much you will save by bargaining.

[niazi.muzaffarkhan]

very rightly said by farrukh zeeshan
Naran and especially its nearby areas are worth seeing. you must keep in your plan Lake saif ul malook, you may visit it same day if you reach till 2 pm, or if you have ample amount of days visit it next day. you will have to hire a jeep for that
next day you may visit babusar top.
shogran, sirri and payee are awesome places and you will love them. Again you will have to hire a jeep. you can spare a day for them or visit them on your way back (if you start your day early) and then in evening leave for abottabad or islamabad, or you can stay in a hotel at shogran also for that night.
and as already mentioned by mr farrukh, it will help you a lot if you bargain regarding hotel prices (rates may vary a lot).

Food won't be an issue at naan. Roadside trout Best wishes

[Adnankhalid2095]

Great Advice Sir!

I will keep all of these amazing suggestions in my mind.
One last thing, if I go after Ramzan, because I may not get free before it starts, would it be better, or worse, or the same when it comes to sight seeing?

Thanks in advance

[pwuser153043702635]

Asslam o Alaikum sir
V hv planned a 5day tour to naran kagan.confused about packing regarding weather.having 2 kids aged 2years n 1year .can u plz guide me what kind of essentials should i pack

[pwuser153043702635]

Sir can u guide me what to pack for naran kagan having 2toddlers along with.much confused

[farrukhzeeshan]

Please read my post from another thread:

I used to take my babies (few months old) to northern areas, now they are 4/5.5/7 years old and going 3/4 times a year since they were few months old. Even did winter trips.

We went till Khunjerab border and on our way back used to come direct from Gilgit to Lahore in 18 hours continuous drive.

Alhamdulillah they are brave, bold and stronger than kids of their age.

As suggested by @mehran you should carry bottled water with you and never use water of local area for the child. Water must be lukewarm.

Get a good quality thermos which keeps liquid hot for upto 24 hours, and a 12v electric kettle/mug to use in car as in those areas power will not be sufficient to use 220v kettles as they draw upto 1500 watt.

Get bodysuits for the baby and good quality sleeping bag something like:

Carry cot is must as baby and the mother gets tired by holding in the lap, carry cot should be flat one instead of curved, so baby can sleep easily

A front baby carrier, you will not be able to enjoy yourself without it as holding the baby and walking will kill your back

Most important thing is to take disposable scented diaper bags, please be a responsible tourist and don't throw diapers in open, you can keep used diapers in your car without any odour and dispose them in proper dustbins

Also carry wrapping sheet, medicine (like panadol, caricef syrup), mittens, woolen caps which cover ears as well.

If you don't have this stuff, buy it, as it will be best investment and will serve you for years and babies to come.

Weather is not very cold these days, so go without any fear, InshaAllah everything will be good.

Have a safe trip.

You can read some more suggestions from this thread: https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/travelling-with-an-infant-4-months-old/841748/19

[saadzzz]

AOA all i am also planing to go to naran in July 14th. Called almost all the rest house everyone is asking around 10k per night as its a peak season. Found one cottages asking for 5k per night. We are 12 in total, made the calculation @ 15k on 6 ppl. All cannot pay.

Please guide me further is this cost feasible per head? Also some of my family member made me confused regarding hotel rates as when ppl reach on spot hotel owners ask for more instead of the rate decided.

P.S we will b staying in naran no further site seeing as some old family members cant travel more......

[farrukhzeeshan]

Please avoid Naran and drive 15km more and stay at Batakundi. It takes almost 25-30 min from Naran.

Naran is just a town with bazar,hotels, restuarats and shops, nothing else. Crowded, traffic jams in the morning and evening.

Batakundi will be peaceful and hotels will be half the cost of Naran. Regarding hotel rates, I found it opposite, you always get cheaper rate on the spot instead of prior booking.

You can spend the days in Naran and can drive in the evening to your hotel at Batakundi.

[ali.umair20001]

Very good suggestion by @farrukhzeeshan. Can you please share the name of a hotel or two at Batakundi and approx rates? Clean and well managed hotel to live with family.

Thanks