One of the pleasures of visiting the Kaghan Valley is the picturesque drive from Rawalpindi to Abbottabad and onwards to Balakot, transferring to a four-wheel drive vehicle for the continuation of the journey to Naran, where the rest houses, hotels and motels are located. The Kaghan Valley is 154 Km long, rising to a height of 4,148m at Babusar Pass in the north. This is an ideal area for trekking and trout fishing and is a paradise for the botanist.
Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is one of the most popular scenic spots in the valley. This deep blue lake offers an awe-inspiring view of Mt. Malika Parbat - Queen of Mountains (5,291m). Shogran, Lake Lalusar and Babusar Pass are three places that make this Himalayan hideaway an unforgettable experience. The local people have retained their traditional hospitality and way of life. Time seems to stand still here when compared to the tumultuous roar of the nearby Kunhar River.
A) LAKE SAIF-UL-MULUK - Half Day
A short jeep ride from Naran brings us to enchanting Saif-ul-Muluk Lake. This lovely lake lies at a height of over 3,000m above sea level and is guarded by a ring of forbidding peaks. The crystal clear waters of the lake mirror the azure sky, with its complement of fluffy clouds and reflections of Malika Parbat Peak. The melting snows and glaciers of the mountains feed the lake through a myriad of torrents and streams.
A short jeep ride from Naran brings us to enchanting Saif-ul-Muluk Lake. This lovely lake lies at a height of over 3,000m above sea level and is guarded by a ring of forbidding peaks. The crystal clear waters of the lake mirror the azure sky, with its complement of fluffy clouds and reflections of Malika Parbat Peak. The melting snows and glaciers of the mountains feed the lake through a myriad of torrents and streams.
B) BABUSAR PASS - Full Day
The summit of Babusar Pass (4148m) is reached after traversing 70 Km of narrow, winding road from Naran. Once the pass is attained, a fantastic panorama of eternally frozen peaks and windswept valleys lies before the visitor. Nanga Parbat (8125m) magnificent in her gleaming gown of snow can be seen on a clear day. Babusar Pass, gateway to the mountain passes linking Gilgit to the Kaghan Valley is only open from July to September, the remainder of the year it is buried under many tons of snow.
The summit of Babusar Pass (4148m) is reached after traversing 70 Km of narrow, winding road from Naran. Once the pass is attained, a fantastic panorama of eternally frozen peaks and windswept valleys lies before the visitor. Nanga Parbat (8125m) magnificent in her gleaming gown of snow can be seen on a clear day. Babusar Pass, gateway to the mountain passes linking Gilgit to the Kaghan Valley is only open from July to September, the remainder of the year it is buried under many tons of snow.
C) LALUSAR LAKE - Full Day
At the extreme northern end of the Kaghan Valley about 50 km from Naran on the Naran-Babusar road is Lalusar Lake, surrounded by clusters of wild flowers in a carpet of blue and gold. This is the source of the Kunhar River, which winds through the length of the valley. Lake Lalusar offers a splendid opportunity for fishing in dark blue waters surrounded by high mountains. The serene beauty and peace, which permeates the Kaghan Valley, makes this an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection.
At the extreme northern end of the Kaghan Valley about 50 km from Naran on the Naran-Babusar road is Lalusar Lake, surrounded by clusters of wild flowers in a carpet of blue and gold. This is the source of the Kunhar River, which winds through the length of the valley. Lake Lalusar offers a splendid opportunity for fishing in dark blue waters surrounded by high mountains. The serene beauty and peace, which permeates the Kaghan Valley, makes this an ideal spot for relaxation and reflection.
D) LALAZAR - Full Day
The idyllic plateau of Lalazar lies at an altitude of 3,000 m and is two and half hour jeep drive from Naran. The air here is cool and pleasantly redolent with the scent of the surrounding forest of pine and fir. The plateau offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing, mountaineering, hiking, and nature watching.
The idyllic plateau of Lalazar lies at an altitude of 3,000 m and is two and half hour jeep drive from Naran. The air here is cool and pleasantly redolent with the scent of the surrounding forest of pine and fir. The plateau offers plenty of opportunities for relaxing, mountaineering, hiking, and nature watching.
E) SHOGRAN - Half Day from Balakot While driving to Naran, a visit to Shogran is a highly recommended side trip. About 12 km from the village of Kawai, on the main road, a steep climb through dense forest of fir and pine brings you to a plateau of great scenic beauty. Here on the grassy plains one can experience the grandeur of Musa-ka Massala Peak (4,267m). Rest houses, hotels and huts for summer retreats are available for a tranquil holiday.
F) ABBOTTABAD - Half Day from Abbottabad
Abbottabad, developed into a cantonment during the days of the British, is now a popular hill resort. Simla Hill, a nearby viewpoint, gives a bird-eye view of the town. At Ilyasi Mosque, another place of interest, the water running from various springs is sacred for many of the people. Abbottabad bazaar is a hub of activity where the mountain people and the local population mix with one another to trade.
G) NATHIAGALI - Full Day from Abbottabad Abbottabad, developed into a cantonment during the days of the British, is now a popular hill resort. Simla Hill, a nearby viewpoint, gives a bird-eye view of the town. At Ilyasi Mosque, another place of interest, the water running from various springs is sacred for many of the people. Abbottabad bazaar is a hub of activity where the mountain people and the local population mix with one another to trade.
Nathiagali is reached by means of an uphill drive through spectacular pine forest. It offers a fine view of the Potohar plateau and the snow capped peaks of Kashmir and Kohistan. On a clear day the majestic peak of Nanga Parbat can be seen in the distance. A quiet hill station, Nathiagali is set in a lush green landscape interspersed with bright floral colours, making it a popular holiday resort.
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