Balakot

Balakot is the most important town in the Mansehra district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is located on the right bank of the Kunhar River. The Kunhar River flows in a very clam channel after crossing Balakot instead of narrow and sharp gorges in the Kaghan Valley.

Shrines of Shah Ismail Shaheed

In history, Balakot is famous due to the battle between Syed Ahmad Barelvi of Tahreek-ul- Mujahideen and the Sikh empire in 1831. Shah Ismail Dehlvi was killed in the battle and then Tahreek was defeated by the Sikh due the death of Syed Ahmad Barelvi and Shah Ismail Shaheed. Visitors can also visit the shrines of Syed Ahmad Shaheed and Shah Ismail Shaheed by crossing the river to opposite side near the bridge over the Kunhar River.

Balakot - Gateway to Kaghan Valley

Balakot is the gateway of Kaghan Valley, a lush green valley that connects the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with the Gilgit-Baltistan through Babusar Pass. Balakot was severely damaged in 2005 earthquake, later it was rebuild by assistance of Government of Pakistan. The New Balakot city was also developed at some distance as the fault line passes through the main Balakot town.

Refuel your vehicle

While visiting the Kaghan Valley or going to the Gilgit-Baltistan, Balakot is the major stop to purchase required items and eatables at affordable prices. Trekkers and Hikers normally purchase their required gear for the expected expedition from this town. It is a big marketplace as compare coming towns in the Kaghan valley. There are also good restaurants, so visitor also enjoy their breakfast or lunch while passing from there. One of the crucial thing is the refueling of your vehicle as it becomes difficult arrange fuel in most of the upper valleys. Balakot is the last major station to fill your tank, then you will get major station in Chilas, whereas in the Kaghan Valley it becomes difficult to get proper fueling station.

Prefer Cash Money

Another major activity in Balakot is to withdraw required cash money using ATMs . Cash money required in most of the cases while paying hotels charges, dining charges, jeep fare, or shopping in traditional local markets. Normally digital cash, JazzCash, or EasyPaisa facility are normally not available in most of the hotels and restaurants. Jeep drivers and small shopkeepers only accept cash money. Due to non-reliable communication network in mountain areas, it becomes difficult to use ATM if luckily available in any major town in the Kaghan Valley.

Affordable and Cheap Hotels

In Balakot, you will get cheap and affordable hotels as compare to upper valley. It would had better to stay a night in Balakot, if it is getting dark while traveling toward Kaghan Valley or Gilgit-Baltistan. The upper Kaghan valley is highly mountainous and gives scenic views of pine forests and mountain ranges with cloud patches. It would be recommended to avoid driving at night, so stay anywhere to wait for the next morning to continue. Second point is

The Upper Valleys of Kaghan

The upper valley from Balakot is the kaghan that is cool and pleasant, whereas lower part of the valley from Balakot has moderate atmosphere, mostly hot in summer. After crossing the bridge over the Kunhar River, the dense pine forest valley of Kaghan is started and cool and pleasant breeze welcomes you. Instead of that Balakot is famous for wider scenic view of the Kunhar River. Most of the visitor coming or return loves to stay there on the bank of Kunhar River to take tea and some eatables. It gives some relaxation after an exhaustive drive from Islamabad to Balakot or from Naran to Balakot. Pleasant wind flowing over the surface of water give refreshing and unforgettable feelings.

Rafting Kunhar River

The Kunhar River is an excellent spot to perform rafting. You can enjoy rafting in the river here. You can find rafting service provider near the bank of river, and hire the services with proper guide to enjoy this water sports. Care must be required while doing rafting in the river as the flow of river is much fast, so one must wear life jacket and other required rafting gear with a proper guide if one does not have much expertise.

The Kunhar River now flows calmly in wider channel without any noise as in the narrow gorges of the Kaghan valley. From here, the Kunhar River continues its journay and finally confluences with the Jhelum River near Kohala Azad Kashmir.

Attractions in Kaghan Valley

The upper valleys, known as Kaghan Valley, are the most favorite tourist spots in summer as well as winter season. Except Babusar Pass, all of the spots are available in summer as well as winter. Babusar Pass is closed from late October to April, when heavy snowfall blocked all of the roads and trails. Naran is most famous place to perform different Alpine Expeditions to explore Saif-ul-Maluk lake, Ansoo Lake, Lulusar Lake, and Babusar Top. In the lower part of the Kaghan valley, Shogran Resort is lush green plateau for family trip and Sharan Forest is moderate type of trekking expeditions. Achieving the summit of Makra Peak and Musa-Ka-Mussalla Peak are for adventurous and advance level of trekkers.

If you want to plan any type of expedition or family tour, then explore our comprehensive travel guide about the Kaghan Valley.

Are you are comping from Lahore or Islamabad? Make sure to check out our complete Lahore to Naran distance guide or islamabad to Naran distance guide to review the exact guidelines about highways and motorways and toll charges to reach at Balakot to start your adventure in the Kaghan Valley.

About Mansehra

Mansehra is located at the distance of 221 km from Peshawar on Karakoram Highwary N-35. It is very important location as a gateway to Gilgit-Baltistan through Karakoram Highway or through Babusar Pass in the Kaghan Valley. It has very pleasant weather due to surrounding valleys such as Kaghan and Kashmir.