The Valley

A holiday in the Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away, north-east of the Hazara district of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, is an unforgettable experience.

Its mountains, dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and glaciers are still in unbelievable pristine state, and unspoiled paradise. That is why it can be such a deeply satisfying experience to spend a few days in Kaghan. The Valley extends for 155 kms. Rising from an elevation of 2,134 metres to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 4,173 metres. Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May to September). In May the temperature is: maximum 11 C and the minimum 3 C. 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.

Drive to Kaghan, you switch over at Balakot to a jeep. Your first stop is 34 kms. away at Shogran at 2,362 metres above sea level. At Kaghan, the little village that gives the valley its name-61 kms. from Balakot- you get down to stretch your legs.

How to Get There?


The Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi/Islamabad and Peshawar.You can drive in your own or a rented car, taxi, station-wagon or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 kms. from Rawalpindi and 217 kms. from Peshawar. Abbottabad is a charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly green hills.

Balakot



From there you drive 72 kms. to Balakot, the gateway to the Kaghan Valley. Balakot has the shrines of Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Ismail Shaheed Brelvi, the South Asia great freedom fighters.

Kawai


13 miles away from Balakot to Kaghan is Kawai in these 13 miles you'll reach the altitude of 4000 feet starting from 3000 feet which means that you have covered 1000 feet of altitude in just 13 miles. The main place here to visit is Shogran, which is 5 miles jeepable trek now in these 5 miles you'll go up another 3000 feet. Now you are 7000 feet above the sea level and rightly so because Shogran means "Forest in the sky". You'll be able to view the some of the lofty peaks from here which are " Moosa Ka Musalla " and " Makra "having height of 14000 feet, and Malika-e-Parbat (Queen of the Mountains) (17000 feet). Then comes Mahandri village the altitude here is 5,800 feet now the landscape and the scene changes here and becomes wilder the river Mahandri is still with you but you'll feel it much closer to you. Another 11 miles from here is the village Kaghan at 7000 feet is the wonderland here river is 800 feet below the road.

Babusar Pass



The Kaghan Valley is blocked at the end by high mountains but a pass lets the jeep-able road snake over into the Chilas Valley. This is the 4,173 metres high Babusar Pass which commands the whole Kaghan panorama as well as gives you, on a clear day, glimpses of the Nanga Parbat (The Naked Mountain) glistening at 8, 126 metres.

Lake Saiful Maluk



Lake Saiful Muluk has a touch of the unreal about it, nestling 3,200 metres high in the shadow of the Malika Parbat (Queen of the mountains) 5,291 metres 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.

Malkandi Forest

Malkandi Forest is 8 miles on the western slopes of Kaghan is Kamalban, a heavily populated forest of black bears and leopards, which do incalculable harm to the crops and young trees. Killing a bear is a big game and you'll get reward for shooting down a bear from forest officer as well as from the peasants. Besides these you'll be able to find Muskdeer, thar and goral, Chikore and Himalayan pheasants all over the valley. And if you'll go a little higher you'll be able to find red bear, snow leopard and ibex and occasionally a snow partridge or Ram Chikore or Murgh-I-Zarrin.

Lulu Sar Lake

Lulu Sar Lake is 48 kilometers away from Naran, on Naran-Babusar road is Lulu Sar Lake which is wreathed in blue and gold wild flowers, and is the main source of river Kunhar.

Angling

Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown Trout and Mahasher are stocked in the pure silvery waters of Kunhur river between Kaghan and Naran. The Kunhar river trout is considered the best in the South Asia Fishing licenses are issued by either the Fisheries Department at Naran or the Trout Hatchery at Shinu.

Where to Stay



There is the comfortably furnished PTDC Motel Complex at Naran and Balakot, beside hotels and reasonably priced rest-houses.

What To Buy

Kaghan is noted for its artistically-carved walnut handicrafts, embroidered shawls, shirts, woolen blankets and "namdas" (woolen felt rugs).