Type of Attraction: Sightseeing, Landmarks, Adventure
Activities: Bonfire, Camping, Boating, Zipline, Hiking, Trekking, Shopping, Rafting, Paragliding, Fishing
Check-ins: Kaghan Valley, Mansehra, Naran Bazaar, Babusar Pass, Gilgit, Hunza, Lake Saiful Muluk, Lulusar Lake, Lalazar, Ansoo Lake, Dudipatsar Lake, Siri Paye, River Kunhar, Balakot, Abbottabad
Naran Valley
Location: Naran is a town and popular tourist destination in the upper Kaghan Valley in the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is located 119 kilometers from Mansehra City at an altitude of 2,409 meters. It is located about 65 kilometers away from Babusar Pass.
Importance: Naran is famous as a tourist destination, owing to its pleasant weather in peak season every year thousands of tourists rush to explore the valley. It is also the gateway to Gilgit Hunza in Summers by Babusar Pass. Naran Bazaar is very crowded in the summer with hotels and restaurants offering their services. It is one of the most beautiful parts of northern areas in Pakistan which is elevated 2500 meters above sea level. Its beauty attracts a lot of people towards itself and thus it is a famous resort for tourists and trekkers. Three days are sufficient to visit the major attractions in and around Naran but of course, you can stay longer to explore more of the area’s natural gems in a relaxed way.
There are so many rivers, lakes, and glaciers around, it’s no wonder that the Naran Valley is also home to countless waterfalls and freshwater springs. The water from the mountain springs in the Naran Valley is so pure that you can easily drink it without any health concerns. In fact, most people stop on the road to fill up their water bottles at the springs. For that specific reason, a lot of springs have special pipes installed to help travelers bottle their water without getting soaking wet.
The only feasible time to visit Naran is from May until October since heavy snowfall generally causes road closures during other months. It’s important to check prior to your trip whether the roads are open in the area. Visit in late Spring to see snow and fresh-looking landscapes or in Summer to take a break from the heat that is searing other parts of Pakistan. However, keep in mind that July and August have the heaviest rainfall and landslides are likely to happen. This leaves May and June as the best months to visit.
Climate: The weather in Naran is very cold. The ice on the tops of the mountains never melts, even in the months of June and July, the glaciers and mountains are covered with snow. There’s no doubt that you’ll have to pack warm clothes in Spring and Fall. But in summer you’ll still need a thick jacket whenever you climb to higher altitudes. Rain is very common in Summer, so make sure to bring an umbrella or raincoat as well as durable shoes, but on the other hand, Naran air is extremely dry, it almost feels like you’re in Las Vegas! Make sure to bring enough moisturizing products.
Distance: The total distance between Islamabad and Naran Valley is approximately (270 km) 6 hrs via Hazara Motorway/M-15 and Mansehra – Naran – Jalkhad – Chilas Rd/N-15.
Kaghan Valley:
The Kaghan Valley is an alpine valley located in the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The valley covers a distance of 155 kilometers across northern Pakistan, rising from its lowest elevation of 650 m to its highest point at the Babusar Pass.
Its mountains, dales, lakes, waterfalls, streams, and glaciers are in an unspoiled paradise. That is why it can be such a deeply satisfying experience to spend a few days in Kaghan. Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May to September). In May the temperature is a maximum of 110c and a minimum of 30C.
Kaghan is a beautiful place to visit. Its valleys, Lakes, Mountains, and Glaciers make it like the wonderland of Pakistan. Normally it is known together with Naran Valley which is very next to it. Both valleys are called Kaghan Naran as one place.
Following are the salient features of Kaghan Valley
- Kunhar River – the main feature of the valley
- Gujar nomads with their cattle
- Honey sellers
- Potato farms
- Trout fish
Lake Saiful Muluk:
No trip to Naran-Kaghan Valley is complete without a visit to the legendary Lake Saiful Muluk. The lake is named after Prince Saif-ul-Muluk, who fell in love with a fairy from the mountains. At 10,500 feet, Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is surrounded by impressive snow-clad mountains and crowned by the summit of Malika Parbat (Queen of the Mountains). In winter, the lake is covered by a sheet of ice, while in April, when the ice begins to melt; miniature icebergs can be seen floating on the surface of the lake. The mountain right behind the lake is called Malika Parbat.
From the lake, one can trek up to the Saif-ul-Muluk glacier which is located southwards. One can also trek over a 4300-meter pass and reach the settlements on the other side of the lake.
The clean and crystal-clear water of this lake presents an amazing view when the reflection of the mountains is visible. Its silence talks to your soul, its beauty muses, and its breeze whispers to the poet/poetess inside you.
Burawai:
This valley is located in the Naran Valley and near the famous Lake Saiful Muluk on the road which connects the KPK with Gilgit-Baltistan via Babusar Pass.
It takes about 7 to 8 hours to reach here from Islamabad via Mansehra or Muzaffarabad Kashmir.
A couple of kilometers from Burawai towards Jalkhad is a small body of water with a lush green island perfect for camping and fishing.
Babusar Pass:
Babusar Pass or Babusar Top is a mountain pass in Pakistan north of the 150 km long Kaghan Valley, connecting it via the Thak Nala with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. It is the highest point in the Babusar Valley that can be easily accessed by cars.
From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road beyond Naran is open right up to Babusar Pass. However, movement is restricted during the monsoon and winter seasons, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow.
The most beautiful place in the northern areas is “Babusar Top” – Famous for its thriving natural life, marvelous landscape, and mountain vistas. The snow-covered mountain enhances the beauty of the place. The magnificent view from that top is breathtaking. The place is at so much height that you almost hit the clouds there, the refreshing cool air keeps on passing through your soul and you feel like you are literally standing in Heaven.
Lulusar Lake:
Lulusar Lake is also known as the Unspoiled Gem in the High Mountains. The word “sar” is derived from Pashto, which means top or peak. Lulusar is the name of the mountain that constitutes the river. Lulusar is a historic place because, during the War of Independence in 1857, 55 participants were arrested from here. It is 48 kilometers away from Naran, on Naran-Babusar road, just before the final grade to Babusar Top, and surrounded by tall peaks is the 11,000 feet high Lulusar Lake out of which river Kunhar issues with redoubled strength to flow down the valley first as placid blue stream and then a roaring torrent until it joins the Jhelum. Lulusar Lake is wreathed in blue and gold wildflowers and is the main source of river Kunhar. Lulusar is just one of many high-elevation lakes that sit along the crest of the ridge. Lulusar Lake is said to be one of the most tranquil spots in the Kaghan Valley; the lake is fenced by snow-capped mountains whose image is reflected on the standstill blue-green waters of this approximately three kilometers long lake. This is surrounded by snow-capped hills whose purple and white forms are reflected in the green-blue waters of the silent lake, making it one of the most beautiful spots in the valley.
Ansoo Lake:
Ansoo Lake is a tear-shaped lake located in Kaghan Valley in the Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the province of Pakistan. The lake is situated near Malika Parbat, the highest mountain in Kaghan Valley. It is located at an elevation of 4,245 meters above sea level and is considered one of the highest lakes of the Himalayas Range.
A jeep can take you from Mahandri Bazaar to village Behari which is another beautiful place with amazing things to witness. Then after trekking for about 7 hours, green meadows called Dher come. Then finally you can reach Ansoo Lake.
Pyala Lake:
Pyala Lake is a round lake in Jalkhad, Kaghan Valley, Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is about 40 kilometers (25 mi) from Naran. Pyala Lake is undeveloped, but significant, as it is a bowl-shaped lake atop a mountain, situated on the way to Lulusar Lake from Naran. It is a stunning lake and a place of interest for tourists.