A holiday in the Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away, north-east of the
Hazara district of Pakistan¹s North West Frontier
Province, is an unforgettable experience. Its mountains, dales, lakes, water-falls,
streams and glaciers are still in an unbelievably
pristine state, an unspoilt paradise. That is why it can be such a deeply satisfying
experience to spend a few days in Kaghan
Valley at Shogran and Lalazar or PTDC Motel Complex at Naran.
The Valley extends for 155 km rising from an elevation of 2,134 meters to its
highest point , the Babusar Pass, at 4,145 meters.
Kaghan is at its best in summer months (May to September). In May the temperature
is: maximum 10.55°C (51°F) and the
minimum 2.8°C (37°F). From the middle of July up to the end of September,
the road beyond Naran, snow-bound throughout
the winter, is open right up to Babusar Pass. Movement is restricted during
the monsoon season also.
The Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi, Islamabad and Peshawar.
You can drive in your own car, rented
car, station wagon or bus to Abbotabad (116 km from Rawalpindi/Islamabad and
217 km from Peshawar). Abbotabad is a
charming town spread out over several low, refreshing green hills. From there
you drive up to Balakot (72 km), the gateway to
Kaghan Valley. Here you have to switch over to jeeps for your drive to Shogran,
Kaghan and Naran, the half-way point and
the base camp for the whole valley. From here you can ride a jeep or horse or
hike to lakes, valleys and peaks.
Lake Saiful Muluk has a touch of unreal about it, nestling 3,200
meters (10,500 feet) high in the shadow of the Malika Parbat
(Queen of the mountains) 5,292 meters (17,360 feet) high. You can go boating
on the lake and hear the local legend about
Prince Saiful Muluk who fell in love with a fairy. Further up are quaint woodland
villages: Battakundi, Burawai, Besal Gittidas
and Lalazar.
The Kaghan Valley is blocked at the end by high mountains but a pass lets the
jeepable road snake over into the Gilgit Valley.
This is the 4,145 meters (13,600 ft) high Babusar Pass which commands the whole
Kaghan panorama as well as gives you, on
a clear day, glimpses of the Nanga Parbat (Naked Mountain) glistening at 8,126
meters (26,660 ft.)
Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown trout and Mahasheer are stocked
in the pure silvery waters between Kaghan and
Naran. The Kunhar river trout is considered best in the sub-continent.
Fishing licences are issued by either the Fisheries Department at Naran or the Trout Hatchery at Shinu (Rs. 10 per day).
PTDC Motel Complex at Naran offers comfortable accommodation. There are many
hotels and reasonably priced
rest-houses, too. Youth hostels are at Balakot, Naran, Sharan and Batakundi.
Kaghan is noted for its artistically-carved walnut handicrafts, embroidered
shawls, shirts, woollen blankets and Œnamdas¹
(woollen felt rugs).
For assistance, contact:
Tourist Information Centre, Abbotabad. Tel: 2446