Abbottabad
It is a charming town spread out over several low, refreshingly
cool and green hills. Abbottabad is 116 km (2 hours) from Rawalpindi
and 208 km (3 hours) from Peshawar. Places worth visiting in Abbottabad
are: Simla Hill, Ilyasi Masjid etc.
Abbottabad, is 1,222 m. above sea level, is a
neat and clean town in a spacious valley surrounded by green hills.
It is a popular summer resort. It serves as a base for trips to
Kaghan valley and the Gallies. PTDC maintains a Tourist Information
Centre here to facilitate the visitors. Places worth visiting
in and around Abbottabad are; Ilyasi Mosque with a water spring,
Shimla hill view point. Thandiani is another attractive hill resort
30 km east of Abbottabad at an altitude of 8,800 feet.
Balakot
Kaghan valley starts from Balakot, which is famous for the Mausoleum
of two Muslim warriors Syed Ahmed Shaheed Brelvi and Shah Ismail
who laid their lives fighting against Sikhs in the 18th century.
Balakot is situated at the foot of the mountains that goes thousands
of feet above. The toy huts, which are amazingly perched on their
slopes. On other side is the Kunhar River, which accompany you
all along your journey. The river is muddy in the plains but as
you go towards the mountains it becomes clearer. The road to Kaghan
is frightening because on your left are the deep slopes to the
river and on your right are the lofty mountains
Balakot was the most affected area in the earthquake of 2005,
in which the city was totally collapsed and the hotel / tourism
industry was badly affected. The rehabilitation and reconstruction
of the city is in process and a PTDC Motel is also being constructed.
Around Kaghan
Lake Saiful Maluk & Lalazar: Lake Saiful Muluk has a touch
of the unreal about it, nestling 3,206 metres high in the shadow
of the Malika Parbat (Queen of the mountains - 5,291 m). You can
go fishing or boating in the lake and hear the local legend about
Prince Saiful Maluk who fell in love with a fairy. Further up
are quaint woodland villages, Battakundi, Burawai, Basal, Gittidas
and Lalazar. At a distance of 19 km from Naran, Lalazar is unique
place for a day excursion.
Lake Saiful Maluk the lake is accessible by jeep
or by trekking because there is a mere trek to reach the lake.
It is almost impossible to describe the beauty of this lake, which
is like mirror at the altitude of 3200 meters. The Queen of the
Mountains is standing in the east and looking her image in the
mirror of Lake Saiful Maluk. You can spend few days here to monitor
the guards of lake, which are towering peaks and spread all around
the lake.
Lake Saiful Muluk is situated at 3000+m, about
40 minutes jeep ride from Naran. Best time to visit is early in
the morning when the air is cool, resulting in a picture perfect
reflection on the lake. Camping facilities are also avaialbe,
but you will have to check with the hotel that you will stay at.
Nice view of Malaka Parbat
The Land of Fairies " Five mile away another
3000 feet above the Naran is Fairy Tale Lake.Local legend relates
that Prince Saif-ul-Muluk fell in love with a fairy from the mountains.
One day, he saw her bathing in the stream and crept up and stole
her clothes. To preserve her modesty the not-so-reluctant fairy
promised to be his wife. The fairy's demon lover appeared in time
to see the happy pair together, and in a fit of jealous rage flooded
the entire valley. Saiful Maluk the lake is accessible by jeep
or by tracking because there is a mere trek to reach the lake.
It is almost impossible to describe the beauty of this lake, which
is like mirror at the altitude of 3200 meters. The Queen of the
Mountains is standing in the east and looking her image in the
mirror of Lake Saiful Maluk. You can spend few days here to monitor
the guards of lake, which are towering peaks and spread all around
the lake.
How To Get There?
Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi/Islamabad
and Peshawar. PTDC runs its seasonal coach service between Rawalpindi
and Naran from 1st June till 31st August. For bookings, please
contact any of PTDC Tourist Information Centres. The Kaghan Valley
is blocked at the end by high mountains but a pass lets the jeepable
road snakes over into Chilas Valley. This is 4,173 m high Babusar
Pass, which commands the whole Kaghan panorama as well as gives
you, on a clear day, glimpses of Nanga Parbat (the Naked Mountain)
glistening at 8,126 m.
Where To Stay?
There are many moderately priced hotels, motels in Kaghan Valley
at Balakot, Shogran, Kaghan, and Naran. More over, the comfortably
furnished PTDC Motel Complex at Naran and Balakot, welcome the
visitors to Kaghan Valley.
What To Buy?
Kaghan is noted for its artistically carved walnut handicrafts,
embroidered shawls, shirts, woollen blankets and "Namdas"
(woollen felt rugs).
Naran
Naran is the middle point of Kaghan Valley and it is a place where
you defiantly want to spend few days of your leisure. This is
the place of out-door pleasure. Here you'll depart from the river
Kunhar and on both sides of road there are vast fields. Don't
look here and there the melody you are hearing is provided by
the river Kunhar who is with you on same level. If you like climbing
this is a place for you because there are mountains all around
you. You can explore the scenic and picturious landscape and valley's
by climbing up hiking. If you like fishing get your fishing license
we have trout and mahasheer for you fishing here for tourist is
must.
Malakandi Forest:
8 miles on the western slopes of Kaghan valley is Kamalban,a heavily
populated forest of black bears & leopards,which do incalculabe
harm to he crops & young trees...but forget all about it &
enjoy the nature at its best...
Lalazar:
Lalazar Plateau another pleasant 1/2-day jeep excursion from Naran
is up to the Lalazar Plateau. A jeep track climbs up the plateau
from battakundi, some 16 km N of Naran. Located at 3,200m, this
beautiful, meadow is awash with colourful alpine flowers in spring
and summer, and set amongst the cool pine forests. A footpath
leads from Lalazar Plateau down to lake Saiful Malik, taking 5-6
hrs.
Lalusar lake:
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.
Battakundi:
A small & beautiful village about 16 Km from Naran is the
turning pint for Lalazarconnected via jeepable road with plateu
of rare scenic beauty.
Babusar Pass:
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.
In May 2001, we decided on a trip to the Kaghan
Valley, one of the most picturesque vales of Pakistan, which boasts
deep forests, lush green meadows, and high alpine lakes, surrounded
by snow-capped mountains. Kaghan Valley starts from Balakot and
extends 160 km, ending at Babusar Pass (which is at 4,175 meters).
Lovely Lakes & Meadows:
If you love hiking, trekking or fishing, then Kaghan Valley is
like heaven. There are many lakes and meadows high up in the mountains
waiting for you. Some of them are: Lake Lulusar, Lake Dodipatsar,
Danna Meadows, Sharan, Sri, Paya, Makra Peak, Malika Parbat and
Musa Ka Musalla (Prayer Mat of Moses).
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