Naran Kaghan Tours
You may have visited Naran Kaghan Valley once in childhood. Those sweet memories of Naran Kaghan are summoning you to a visit to cherish its beauty again. Or even if not, you must give it a chance. To ease your travel desires, we at NatureHikePakistan.pk have designed several well-researched and properly planned Naran Kaghan Tours 2024 for you. These plans are made to help you enjoy a stress-free, luxurious, and adventurous experience.
Client Category of Customized Naran Kaghan Tours:
- Naran Kaghan Couple / Honeymoon Tour Packages are designed to help the newlyweds cherish the new life together with all the luxury and solitude, surrounded by the beautiful nature.
- Naran Kaghan Family Tour Packages are designed to ensure a fun, luxurious, and secure environment for your loved ones to intensify the blood bond and acquire memories for a lifetime.
- Naran Kaghan Students / Friends Group Tour Packages aare designed to have all the fun, engaging activities and games for laughing together, dancing together, and, more importantly, exploring the adventurous destinations together without the hassle of planning all the bits of the tour. You only have to decide what to pack for that memorable tour with your besties.
- Naran Kaghan Corporate Groups / Business Tour Packages are designed to create an environment for the employees to develop a closer connection with each other, enhance their potential for team building, and entertain themselves with nature outside their usual office environment.
We have:
- Naran Kaghan Tour Packages from Lahore
- Naran Kaghan Tour Packages from Karachi
- Naran Kaghan Tour Packages from Islamabad
You can also customize these tours from other cities in Pakistan.
Naran
Naran is a beautiful small town of Kaghan Valley in the Mansehra District of KPK. Most people who visit Kaghan Valley stay at Naran and visit the nearby locations in Upper Kaghan Valley and Gilgit Baltistan. It has both luxury and economical accommodations available. Naran offers pleasant weather during the summer season but closes down during winter due to heavy snowfall.
Naran Bazaar
Naran Bazaar (Market) is always packed up and crowded with tourists and locals roaming around to enjoy the hustle and bustle of the town. You can find all the necessities of life here; shops in the market sell traditional clothes, bags, dry fruits, and handicrafts, and you will also find mobile phone shops. While walking through the market, you will see many hotels and restaurants, giving you an irresistible food aroma and the visuals of yummy food being cooked in front of you, especially the Trout Fish and Chapli Kababs.
Kunhar River
Kunhar River flows through Kaghan Valley from Babusar Top. Glaciers, lakes, and surrounding valleys add to the waters of this beautiful river. Kunhar leaves Kaghan at Garhi Habibullah and finally falls into the Jhelum River near Muzaffarabad city. Various species of fish live in the waters of the Kunhar, but the most famous among them is the Trout Fish. Several people in the valley earn their bread through fishing in Kunhar.
Saif-ul-Malook Lake
Saif-ul-Malook Lake is located north of the Naran. A narrow off-road jeep track leads us to the lake. It is a glacial lake shadowed by the iconic Malika-e-Parbat. Saif-ul-Malook is famous for its fairytales about the Egyptian prince Saif-ul-Malook, who fell in love with an illusional fairy Badri-ul-Jamal, whose vision he saw in a pendant his father gave him. We can leave this story for some other time. Hence, the lake was named after the name of this Arabian prince.
Batakundi
While traveling towards Babusar, the first town after Naran is Batakundi. It is a peaceful, beautiful place to stay at. A jeep track leads to Lalazar Meadows from Batakundi, which takes almost an hour on the jeep. There are several hotels, rest houses, and camping sites in Batakundi. You will also find a small market in the town.
Burawai
Traveling further into upper Kaghan Valley, the valley opens wider and comes the beautiful town of Burawai along the way. There are several hotels, resthouses, and camping site in Batakundi. You will also find a small market in the town.
Jalkhad
Next in line is Jalkhad, another scenic and small town on the Naran-Babusar road. You can camp here. The three foremost attractions in Jalkhad are Noori Top, Tiger Peak, Pyala Lake, and Saral Lake.
Noori Top, Saral Lake, Tiger Peak, and Pyala Lake
Noori Top is a jeepable mountain pass between Kaghan and Neelum Valley. It begins at Jalkhad and ends at Sharda Village in Neelum Valley. There is a lake on Noori Top's premises known as Noori Lake.
A one-day trek from Jalkhad leads us to Saral Lake. There is another trek from the Noori top via Saral Pass, but this one is more challenging than the one from Jalkhad.
Many people visit Kaghan to summit Tiger Peak every year during summer. Tiger Peak is named because of the unique pattern, which resembles the stripes on a tiger's skin. This pattern can be seen while traveling from Babusar to Naran.
There is a small lake in Jalkhad named Pyala Lake. Pyala means bowl in the Urdu language. It is named Pyala Lake because the lake's shape resembles a bowl.
Besal
The next town in the valley is Besal or Besar. The landscape completely changes here. The valley broadens up with huge mountains surrounding it. A two-day moderate-level trek to Dudipatsar Lake begins at Besal, which passes through the Mullah ki Basti. Here at Besal, you will also find the famous Moon Restaurant. A permission letter is required to do this trek, which you can get from Moon Restaurant. All of this area comes under the Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park.
Lulusar Lake
Lulusar Lake is the largest lake in Kaghan Valley. You must have an aerial view to witness this lake all at once. The water of the lake is teal-colored. It is a glacial lake and a significant tributary of the Kunhar River. A few temporary food stalls are near the lake and on the road. Lulusar Lake in winter remains completely snow-covered. It is a part of Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park.
Gitidas
Gitidas is a vast meadow to the left of Naran-Babusar road, surrounded by sky-scrapping peaks. Here, the valley opens up to show its wonders.
Babusar Pass
Babusar Pass is the last and the highest point on Kaghan Road. The road becomes quite zigzag and steep after Gitidas. On clear days, one can see Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi Peak, Shandur Pass, Gitidas, and lower Kaghan Valley from the top of Babusar Pass. This pass leads to Gilgit Baltistan via Chillas. There are several temporary food stalls and restaurants at Babusar Top to entertain the tourists. The best time to visit Babusar Top is in summer, from May to September.
Ansoo Lake
Ansoo in Urdu translates to a teardrop. The Lake's shape resembles a teardrop, so it is named Ansoo Lake. It is located north of Naran. One can trek from Saif-ul-Malook Lake towards Ansoo Lake during summer, using a hiking track leading to Malika Parbat's base camp and towards the Lake. It is a one-day trek. You can also hire mules from Saif-ul-Malook Lake to reduce the time and tough grind of hiking to the Lake.
Kiwai Waterfall
Kiwai Waterfall is a small waterfall in the Kiwai town of Kaghan Valley. This waterfall is reached by hiking along the water streams. There is a small market and a number of hotels in Kiwai. Many tourists come here to visit Shogran. A jeep track from Kiwai takes us to Shogran and Siri Paye.
Shogran
Shogran is a hilltop tourist destination that attracts many tourists as it remains open throughout the year. From Kiwai, you can hire a jeep to travel to Shogran. There are many economical and luxury accommodations available at Shogran.
Siri Paye
The same jeep track from Kiwai to Shogran, will take you to Siri Paye meadows. Siri is a small seasonal lake, which shapes up as a pond during rains and dries up in winter or late summer. It is located on the left side (while driving towards Paye Meadows) of the Siri-Paye road. Paye Meadows is located at the end of this jeepable road. The vast grasslands of Paye attract many shepherd herds during summer. One can also sight or trek to Makra Peak from this location.
Sharan Forest
Sharan Forest is the neighbouring hilltop destination of Shogran. The jeep track to Sharan Forest begins at Paras; this town is located on the Kaghan road after Kiwai. It is a narrow and steep track that leads us to the beautiful summer camping and glamping destination of Sharan Forest. You can also stay at the government-run pods located here. Sharan is a thick Deodar, Cedar and Pine forest. Here is the A Complete Travel Guide to Sharan Forest.
Manshi Top
Manshi Top is at an altitude of 9000 ft. A 2-3 hour long steep hike in the dense Sharan Forest leads us to the majestic Manshi Top. On clear days you can see Allai Valley in the Northern direction, Makra Peak, Siri Paye, and Shogran, Malika-e-Parbat, Saif-ul-Malook Lake, Manoor Valley, and Musa Ka Musallah.
Sharan Waterfall
Sharan Waterfall is a 45-minute to 1-hour-long downhill hike from Sharan Camping Pods. A muddy, steep track leads us to the Sharan Waterfall, which falls into the Kunhar River. The trail is not paved correctly, so taking a local guide with you is advised if you go for the first time. It is a beginner-level trek.
Kaghan to Kashmir Route
The Kaghan to Kashmir route starts from Bisian Balakot and ends at the Muzaffarabad city via Garhi Habiullah city. It is almost 28 to 30 km long track, which takes nearly 1 to 1.5 hours. This route is suitable for all sorts of vehicles.
Things to do in Naran Kaghan
FAQ's
Kaghan Valley is located in the Mansehra district in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It begins at Garhi Habibullah, located between the Mansehra and Muzaffarabad cities, and ends at the Babusar top in northwest Pakistan along the Kunhar river, which flows throughout the valley. Kaghan Valley shares its boundary with Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan.
Naran is a small town in this valley, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is the most visited tourist attraction in Kaghan Valley.
The best time to visit this Valley is from May to September. The summer is quite pleasant, and the weather remains mild and cold with a few rain showers, which increase during the monsoon season. The snow melts into the Kunhar river during this duration, and the valley changes into a lush green heaven. Whereas in winter, Naran receives heavy snowfall and remains closed to tourists. During winter, many tourists only go up to only Shogran and other lower parts of Kaghan Valley.
One can drive to Naran in Kaghan Valley using all sorts of vehicles, but 4×4 vehicles are recommended. Kaghan road is carpeted and well-maintained, but it closes down in the upper parts of the valley in winter due to heavy snowfall.
You can take a local bus from Islamabad/Rawalpindi to reach Naran Kaghan Valley or travel by local vans from Mansehra. The best way is to join our weekly packaged tours to travel to Naran Kaghan Valley, which are economical and hassle-free, or customise your trips with us.
Various accommodation options include hotels, guesthouses, resorts, and camping sites. Many accommodations are basic but more luxurious options, including private properties and government-run guesthouses.
Yes, there are several adventurous trekking routes; some of them are:
- Siri Paye Meadows to Makra peak trek
- Besal to Dudipatsar trek
- Gitidas to Sat Sar Mala trek
- Jalkhad to Saral Lake
- Danna Meadows trek
- Sharan Forest to Manshi Top trek
- Ansoo Lake trek
- Musa ka Musalla trek
- Tiger Peak trek
- Churko Peak trek
- Besal to Ratti Gali trek
- Kuch Gali trek in Manoor Valley
- Burawai to Dowarian
- And various other treks in the surrounding valley
Some of the lakes in Kaghan valley are:
- Saif-ul-Malook Lake
- Dudipatsar Lake
- Ansoo Lake
- Lulusar Lake
- Saral Lake
- Sambaksar Lake
- Dharamsar Lake
- Sat Sar Mala Lakes
- Noori Lake
- Siri Lake
The highest point is the Babusar Pass, which stands at an elevation of 4,173 meters (13,691 feet).
The highest peak is Malika Parbat. This peak can be seen from Saif-ul-Malook Lake. It remains covered in snow throughout the year.
The flavors of the surrounding region heavily influence the local cuisine in Kaghan Valley. Some popular dishes include Tandoori Chicken, traditional Pakistani dishes like Biryani, Karahi, live BBQ, the famous Peshawari Chapli Kabab, grilled and fried trout fish, and desi Chinese. You can also get fast food at many restaurants. The most popular restaurant destination is Naran Bazaar, and how can one forget about the Moon Restaurant in Besal, Naran, and Balakot?
Several hotels and restaurants offer credit card transactions, and several banks have installed ATMs; their use is limited in the region, so it is advised to carry enough cash.
Only some parts are accessible in winter, whereas Naran remains closed in winter due to heavy snowfall. Before planning your trip, it is best to check the weather conditions and road status.
There is no specific restriction on the clothes you wear in the area, but it is recommended to dress modestly and respect the local customs and culture. It is also recommended to dress in layers and bring warm clothing as the weather can change quickly.
The main source of income is agriculture, tourism, hotel management, and other small businesses like small shops selling daily-use goods and restaurant managers.
The local languages are Hindko and Gojri, whereas many speak the national Urdu Language.
Yes, it is safe for tourists; however, it is advised to travel in groups to specific locations.
3g and 4g mobile network coverage are available in Naran by different service providers.