Naran (Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa)

 

Naran is a very attractive and pleasant hill station, located in Kaghan valley at the distance of 119 km from Mansehra at the altitude of 8,202 feet. It is most beautiful and scenic location in Pakistan and loving place for trekkers, hikers, and tourists from all over the Pakistan, even from foreign countries.

Due to the beauty of Naran, the record number of travelers visit this to visit different lakes, meadows, and lush green valleys. There number of beautiful lakes around it such as Saif-ul-Maluk and Lulusar Lake. Babusar Top, located at 65 Km from Naran town, is gateway to access the might Karakorum Range valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan. Visitors stay in Naran for a night while traveling toward Gilgit-Baltistan.

In Naran, there are number of hotels of different range. One of the most beautiful is PTDC motel in Naran at the bank of the Kunhar River. Naran is the base camp for lake Saif-ul-Maluk, Lalazar, Babusar, and Noori Top. Weather of Naran is remain cool and pleasant in summer whereas heavy rain and snowfall in winter. Now it is possible to visit Naran in winter season to enjoy snowfall due to wide metallic roads. The weather remains cloudy around the year, so it gives splendid views of sky with patches of clouds.

The region is full of Alpine forests and meadows. Tourists can explore the jungle and wildlife there too. There are number of such jungle sites on trek leading toward the Saif-ul-Maluk lake.

A trek turns to the right side to access Saif-ul-Maluk. It takes 30-45 minutes to access the lake by jeep. One can also enjoy two hours trek from Naran to Saif-ul-Maluk lake. There is a number of glaciers in the passage of Kaghan to Narran and from Narran to Saif-ul-Maluk, and those are real enjoyment in exploring Naran. From the Saif-ul-Maluk lake, a splendid view of Malka Parbat, the highest mountain in this valley. It is your luck to see the clear view of the Malka Parbat peak.

Babusar Pass, a jeep track leads to Chilas on Karakoram Highway. It is an attractive location from where you can see a broader view of the Karakorum Range. The weather of the Babusar Top is always cold, so you must have warm clothes or jacket with you.

Lulusar Lake is another important location to visit on the trek of Naran to Babusar pass. It is wide and long lake on the passage of the Kunhar River. You can touch the waters of lake by going down from the road.

You can also enjoy trout fish in Naran town. Naran is famous for Brown Trout in the Kunhar River.

About Kaghan

Kaghan Valley, a scenic wonderland, is at height of beauty among many beautiful valleys in Hazara in the Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan. It is one hundred and sixty kilometers long valley in the Lower Himalayan mountain range, having an elevation of 2,134 feet to 13,690 feet at Babusar Pass.

The road to Kaghan is a little bit dangerous due to the deep slopes to the river on one side and the lofty mountains on the other side. The valley is fully covered by pine and fir trees densely overgrown with a variety of other plants, except at the Babusar Top area. The Babusar Top is highest point in the Kaghan Valley, and it is a gateway to access Gilgit-Baltistan. One can also get a view of the Nanga Parbat and mountain ranges in the Kashmir region.

The road from Balakot ascends along the Kunhar River that is flowing in deep ridges and through lovely forests. The spectacular views and sceneries are near Shogran, surrounded by peaks and pine forest, covering with a layer of silver shined clouds on the top. From Shogran, you can visit the famous peaks of Siri and Payee, with breathtaking views at their top.

Naran is one of the most attractive hill stations in Kaghan valley, with its pleasant and cool atmosphere. Saif-ul-Maluk lake can be accessed from Naran by a jeep within 30-45 minutes. One can also enjoy two hours trek from Naran to Saif-ul-Maluk lake. There is a number of glaciers in the passage of Kaghan to Narran and from Narran to Saif-ul-Maluk, and those are real enjoyment in exploring Naran. From Saif-ul-Maluk lake, a splendid view of Malka Parbat, the highest mountain in this valley, can be seen in clear weather.

Babusar Pass, a jeep track leads to Chilas on Karakoram Highway. Lulusar lake, on the side of road, gives charming view of the Khunhar River. Traveling from Lulusar Lake to Babusar pass is just like flowing on the top of mountains with a broader view of mountain ranges.

The river Kunhar, originating from Lulusar lake, runs through the valley and merges with the Jhelum River just outside Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir. The shining green water of the Kunhar River with the flowing ranges of mountains, is the real beauty of this valley.

The Kaghan valley has number of lushgreen meadows on the top of mountain ranges, where one observe grazing herd of sheep, goats, etc. The Kundi Meadows, located behind Rajwal villageone, is a lushgreen plain on the mountain top. It can be accessed after 5-6 hours trekking.

Fishing is one of the best sports activities in Kaghan. In the upper parts of the valley, Brown Trout and Mahasher are stocked in pure silvery waters of the Kunhar River. The Kunhar river trout is considered to be the best throughout South Asia.