Things to do in Naran Kaghan, attraction, and Must visit places
Naran is a medium-sized town in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province’s Mansehra District, in the upper Kaghan Valley. There you have lots of things to do in Naran Kaghan, attraction and Must visit places because it is located at an altitude of 8,202 feet, 119 kilometers (74 miles) from Mansehra city (2,500 m).
Naran is one of Pakistan’s most beautiful cities, attracting thousands of visitors, hikers, photographers, and nature lovers each year. As it meanders through the valley, the Kunhar River, swollen by glacial melt, passes through this area.
Change is the spice of life, and it’s essential to break up the daily routine. People usually schedule a pleasant trip to a lovely location like Naran Kaghan. Visitors flock to Naran Kaghan as the summer season approaches, and the region boasts many scenic wonders.
We will fill several pages in our life’s book by traveling around the world. Each page tells a different story, each one more beautiful than the one before it. Similarly, the places in this world are stunning, each one more so than the last. Pakistan also has a host of beautiful locations. One of them is the Naran-Kaghan Valley in KPK.
During their seasonal holidays, the majority of people intend to visit beautiful locations. The majority of them choose to travel to Pakistan’s beautiful northern regions, such as the Naran Kaghan Valley. The Kunhar River flows through Kaghan Valley, which is a lovely river valley.
Top things to do in Naran Kaghan & visit the top places
Here we discuss some famous places in Naran Kaghan. We do many things and activities to have fun and come out of our daily routine lives to see these places.
Exciting? Let’s dive into this.
First things first; How to get to Naran Kaghan from Islamabad?
This is the most frequently asked question. And the answer depends on where you are planning to visit Naran Kaghan. For the head start, let’s start from Islamabad because Islamabad is the gateway if you want to visit Naran Kaghan from Sindh or Punjab.
By bus
To get from Islamabad to Naran, you must first travel to Mansehra. There are two options for getting there: a local bus from Rawalpindi’s Pirwadhai bus station or a Daewoo bus from Rawalpindi’s Daewoo terminal. Daewoo is a good choice because it’s cozy, has reclining seats, and is air-conditioned! PTDC used to connect Rawalpindi and Naran directly, but it was not operational in writing.
Daewoo does not have direct service to Mansehra; instead, you must take a bus to Abbottabad. This three-hour bus ride costs 390 Rs per person. Several are available during the day, so check the Daewoo bus schedule online.
A Daewoo minivan will most likely be waiting for you when you arrive at the Daewoo station in Abbottabad to take you to Mansehra. The ride takes about half an hour and costs 40 rupees per passenger. There will be minibusses at the dropoff point if you take a local bus from Rawalpindi to Manshera. If you don’t know where to go, ask around, and someone will point you in the right direction.
When you arrive in Mansehra, turn left and walk 500 meters down the road to your right, facing the main road. A minibus terminal can be found here. The cost of a ticket to Naran is 300 Rs per person. When the minibusses are loaded, they leave in around 3.5-4 hours.
Top places to visit in Naran Kaghan
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk ranked as Pakistan’s fifth-best tourist destination by The Guardian appears to be a slice of heaven on earth. The beauty of Saif-ul-Maluk is reflected in the greenish-blue crystal clear and freezing water, which is surrounded by giant glaciers, like Malika Parbat.
The sacred lake is located near Naran, at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley, and in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is Pakistan’s highest alpine lake at an elevation of 3,224 meters and 10,578 feet above sea level.
Many tourists consider Lake Saif-ul-Maluk to be a must-see attraction while visiting Naran. This lake, which is over 10,000 feet above sea level and surrounded by mountains, was named after an Egyptian prince and is located over 10,000 feet above sea level.
Lake Saif-ul-calm Maluk’s surface represents the surrounding mountains in its waters, producing a one-of-a-kind environment. Lake Saif-ul-Maluk is about five miles from the city and is accessible through a one-hour Jeep ride or a two-hour hike.
Babusar pass
Babusar top, along with Saif ul Maluk lake, is a popular tourist destination in Naran Kaghan. This point’s versatility stems from the fact that it is Naran Kaghan’s highest point, at 4,173 meters (13,691 feet) above sea level. You can strap yourself in and prepare to walk a few hundred meters to the top, where you can take photos with the National Flag in the chilly breeze.
The pass is the highest point in Pakistan’s Kaghan Valley. The pass connects the Kaghan Valley to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway via the Thak Nala. It’s one of the world’s most popular hairpin routes. Naran is 80 kilometers away from Babusar Pass.
The scenery of the Kaghan valley is at its most dramatic on the way to the pass. The road is large enough to accommodate all types of vehicles. With a variety of nearby attractions, the area has become a popular tourist destination over the years.
This mountain pass is the highest point in the Kaghan Valley, so it is still covered in snow. But, when the snow melts in the summer, the roads are cleared, and it always rains there. A bridge in the shape of a stony minaret stands at the top of the pass, symbolizing the area’s highest point.
Lalazar Meadows
Lalazar is a tourist destination in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, situated at an elevation of 3.123m (10,246ft) above sea level in the upper Kaghan Valley of Mansehra District. Every driver’s ability and bravery are put to the test on the way to the summit. It’s not recommended for those with vertigo or a fear of landslides.
Lalazar Road is the most dangerous route to the summit. It is located to the south of Batakundi (a turn to the right before the village, coming from Naran). The 4.2-kilometer trail features breathtaking scenery, spectacular views of pine forests, and pleasant weather. It’s a typical Pakistani mountain path, with the Kunhar River on one side and hills on the other. Lalazar is close to the well-known Babusar Pass.
Many egos have been shattered on this journey. It’s not for the faint of heart, and beginner drivers can avoid it. It’s a tense jeep ride with several twists and turns. During the summer, the road can be very congested, with several twists and turns leading to the top. The road is extremely steep and narrow. The track is 4.2 kilometers long and begins at Batakundi. The elevation gain is 431 meters over this stretch.
Lalazar is a meadow 13 miles north of Naran. The natural surroundings are what make this a desirable place to visit. Lalazar is surrounded by a pine forest and is situated near the local mountains. Visitors have also remarked on how beautiful the view of the valley below is from Lalazar, which is located at 10,500 feet above sea level.
Ansoo lake
The Ansoo lake, or tear-shaped lake, is located at 13,927 feet above sea level in the bed of Malika-i-Parbat, Kaghan valley’s highest mountain range. It is still untouched because tourists visiting the valley for its scenic beauty were unable to reach it due to the rugged terrain of the high mountains.
Due to its eye-like appearance, this lake is well-known. It stands at a height of 4,245 meters. Ansoo Lake is accessible in the middle of the summer, and the trek from Lake Saif ul Maluk takes about 7 to 8 hours. The hike to Ansoo Lake is challenging, but the view of the lake is well worth it.
Ansoo Lake is a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Another incredible feat of nature can be found in the KPK’s Kaghan Valley. This lovely tear-shaped lake can be located near Malika Parbat, in Kaghan Valley, at an elevation of 13,927 feet. The Himalayan region’s highest lake. It is one of Kaghan Valley’s most picturesque tourist destinations.
Route and the lake are snow-covered the rest of the year. The months of July and August are the best times to visit Ansoo Lake. Because you cannot let mountain climb alone, remember to bring your TourMover guide with you. Bring along your hiking sticks, a pair of soft jogging shoes, warm clothing, plenty of water, and food. A great mountain climbing tip is to always bring dates and dry fruits with you to refuel.
Lalusar lake
Lulusar is a group of mountain peaks and a lake in Pakistan’s Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province’s Kaghan Valley. In Pashto, the word “sar” means “top” or “peak.” The highest point is 11,200 feet (3,410 meters) above sea level (N35.0804 E73.9266). The scenic and vast Lulusar Lake, a popular tourist attraction, is well-known in the region.
It flows southwest through the Kaghan Valley and the Naran Valley, passing through Jalkhand, Kaghan, Jared, Paras, and Balakot before joining the Jhelum River. The lake is much larger than the other lakes in the Kaghan Valley. It has mirror-like water that reflects the surrounding snowcapped Lulusar mountains, making it a natural tourist attraction.
During the summer, the lake and the Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park attract many domestic and foreign tourists. The Naran-Babusar road connects Gittidas east of the lake to the Karakoram Highway and the mountaineering hub of Gilgit via the Babusar Pass, the highest point Kaghan Valley.
The largest lake in the Kaghan Valley, Lulusar Lake, draws visitors. It is also convenient to get to; being just 30 miles from Naran and a Jeep ride is easily affordable. In the winter and early summer, however, the lake is closed due to snow and rain. Visitors comment on how the lake’s smooth surface waters reflect the surrounding mountains, creating a very picturesque environment.
Things to do in Naran Kaghan
Naran is well-known for a reason. There are several lakes to enjoy, and Naran is also the starting point for several hikes. Lake Saif-ul-Malook is the most prominent lake near Naran. While it is possible to hike to the lake, most people choose to take a Jeep. There has been talking about constructing a cable car, but nothing has been finalized as of yet.
Travel from Naran to Chilas (valid for those traveling to Fairy Meadows) is possible in the summer, but only when Babusar Pass is available. It first opened on June 21st, 2016. The Karakoram Club keeps track of the status of passes in the north on Facebook. Check out our guide on how to get from Naran to Chilas and the Fairy Meadows if you’re interested in taking this path.
So there you have it: a quick guide to getting from Islamabad to Naran by public transportation, complete with recommendations for where to stay and things to do. If you have any additional questions, please leave them in the comments section.
Hiking and Trekking in Naran Kaghan
Hiking and trekking offer an ideal opportunity to interact with nature. Naran Valley is a must-see for adventure seekers who want to learn about Mother Nature and its inspiring beauty by hiking and trekking.
When it comes to the wild organic beauty of the valley’s lakes, mountains, and passes and the convenience of being relatively close to the capital in terms of drive time, you couldn’t have picked a better spot for your trekking/hiking adventure.
For solo travelers, parties, and even families, the Naran-Kaghan valley is perfect. Hike or take a bone-chilling trip to the legendary lake Sail ul Maluk, which has focused on much folklore and Sufi poetry. And see non-commercialized lakes hidden among mountains as treasured jewels while also getting all of your thrill-seeking adventures needed meeting.
Fishing in Naran Kaghan
The Naran-Kaghan Valley is also known for its fish, with many fishing spots that close during the autumn breeding season. Even though the central Naran city is being increasingly commercialized, you will find yourself in a signal and wifi-free zone here. Take advantage of the unplugged lifestyle and the romantic night skies! The Naran Bazar is always open for signs, food, and shopping.
Camping and Clothing
Because the weather in Naran is so changeable, you’ll want to bring layers of clothing that you can layer on and off as required. Bring sweaters and coats with you while hiking because it can get cold at any time. Waterproof jackets and hiking boots, as well as an umbrella if you have space in your bag, are also recommended.
Before your hike, break in your hiking boots to make sure the sole is sturdy. Bring a sun hat and a wool scarf, as you will almost certainly require both. Gloves that are waterproof and warm enough for the cold are also essential. If you’re camping overnight, you’ll also want sandals so you can take off your hiking boots at the end of the day.
Camping can be a soul-enriching experience when visiting Naran Valley. Visitors and trekkers may either bring their tents and accessories or hire them. In the summer, there are camping sites in the Kaghan Valley and surrounding areas that can handle many visitors.