there are some places in the world that make you stop , and take a deep breath and just stare at them. Naran Kaghan valley is one of them. located in the District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa ,Pakistan,
this valley is not just A tourist Destination. it is an experience from golden meadows glowing at sunrise to Glacier,Lakes that mirror the sky . Naran Kaghan has something that no Photographer can full capture.
if you are looking for some place like that then Naran Kaghan is the best destination for you trip.
A Valley With Many Faces
The valley goes from 155 km starting from the small town Balakot to the iconic Babusar Pass, passing through ever-changing sceneries like a show putting in front of your eyes a new painting each couple of miles.
You’ll drive through pine forests, rivers, villages at small towns nestled on side of the valley and, all of the sudden, find yourself in front of a view taking your breath away.
Naran site at approx 2500 altitude is the center of the valley. During summer, this little town is very busy and crowded with people from everywhere in the world, hotels,
food stalls and the omnipresent Kunhar river roaring next to you.
Step out, however, from this lively place, and the noise disappears completely, leaving just you and a quiet, imposing, enormous nature.
"The valley does not ask for your attention. It simply takes it — gently, completely, without warning."
Lake Saiful Muluk — The Crown Jewel
If you visit naran but don’t see the Lake Saiful Muluk then it mean you didn’t saw anything! Sounds harsh but it’s definitely true. Lake Saiful Muluk is a high mountain lake 3,224m above sea level and one of the most beautiful places you will find in whole Pakistan.The water is an incredible, deep, clear blue and on days when the wind dies down, the snowy mountains that loom all around it seem to reflect perfectly off the surface in an almost ethereal way.Three sides of the lake are enclosed by mountain walls with a glacier valley appearing at the far end which draws you further and further into the amazing view.You can walk around the edges of the lake over a stony path, ride there on horse back or just sit and stare at this stunning lake; all three seem like perfectly acceptable things to do.
The journey from Naran to the lake is usually undertaken by 4×4 jeep due to the steep, unpaved track-a bumpy but exciting journey in its own right.
Once there the cool mountain air and the incredible views combined with the quiet of the lake’s location make every single bumping meter worth it.
The Terraced Hillsides and Golden Sunsets:
However, many people forget to appreciate the agricultural aspects of the Kaghan Valley-this is actually one of the more underrated features. The mountains are carved into stepped terraces, formed by the villages of locals who have lived there for many years.
These e stairs climbing up the mountain seem likes to particularly glow in the golden hour; the sun, hovering low behind the mountains, illuminates the whole valley in a beautiful warm amber.
Small stone houses and wooden huts can be seen on the terraces and tall, pine-like trees accompany them. This picture, I feel, would be very at home in a painting, or the setting of a fairy tale told when you are a young child.
The simplicity of this image, the calm flow of mountain life, has a soothing quality.
For photographs, this is a heaven; no matter which direction you are pointing your camera, there is a detail to be snapped-a dusty trail winding on; a stand of pines; a house with a bright red roof reflecting the last rays of sunlight.
Babusar Pass — The Road to the Sky:
To the North side of Kaghan, There lies the Babusar Pass, the highest spot of Kaghan valley around 4173 meter above from the sea level.
and it link the valley to Karakoram Highway. The pass over Babusar is a treat itself-high mountain meadows, cattle and nomadic herders roam the fields, the views seem to go on forever in all directions.
Babusar pass is open to vehicles only for a few months of the year, usually July to September, which heavily depends on how snowy it is each year.
When it’s open, there are usually thousands of tourists, and I can see why-standing on the pass, nothing but sky and mountain range surrounding you, you feel insignificantly small. In a good way.
"At Babusar, the clouds are not above you. Sometimes, they are right beside you — drifting past at eye level like slow, quiet travellers."
What to Eat, Where to Stay:
The town of Naran does not have a problem with the food and lodging. The local ‘dhabas’ that are very similar to roadside restaurants offer fairly plain but tasty food.
Daal, hot naan from a tandoor, a warm cup of chai with the mountain breeze streaming in the window, honestly, one can have a meal like that in no place finer than the valley. Some places also offer karahi and grilled trout caught fresh from Kunhar River which is a definite delicacy.
Accommodation facilities vary according to the prices and there is something for everybody. From modest guesthouses to moderately better hotels, Naran has it all.
A truly Adventurous option is Doing camping by the river or Lake, during the summer times, that’s the most beautiful spot to stay and have fun.
Best time to visit:
You can travel to Naran valley from May till October. Most tourist choose to visit during June and July for lush green meadows and clear roads. Do not visit Naran during monsoon season i.e.
Late July to August since roads may be blocked due to landslides.
Getting there;
Naran Kaghan Valley can be reached by car from Islamabad within 5–7 hours by road (the length of travel time can vary based on traffic and road conditions).
The route passes through Abbottabad and Mansehra on its way up to the valley. Road travel to Naran from Abbottabad is along Kunhar River and although the views along the road are beautiful the road itself is sometimes narrow,
twisty and treacherous – so it can be dangerous to drive at night and in heavy traffic.
A Place that Stays with you :
There are certain places where once is enough: take your photos, get out and get going. Naran Kaghan Valley is not one of them. If you go one time, you will almost always come back. Perhaps it is the natural beauty of the land which seems, really, untamed. Perhaps it is the tempo of life there, which has more to do with breathing deeply than watching the clock. as it’s the constant transformation of the mountain view according to the light, the position of the sun, and the slow procession of clouds.
Naran and Kaghan has staying power. Even after you have returned to the world of traffic and to-do lists, you will recall that golden slope, that clear lake mirroring the sky, that time when the fog fell right at your eye level on the pass. And you will yearn for a return trip.
The fact is? You will want to go.
Final Thought:
This valley isn’t just a location on a map. It’s a feeling. It starts slowly- when you first lay eyes on the river, and when you see your last trace of it from your rear view mirror, winding down the road and out of the valley. You’ll enter it like a traveler. But somewhere in between all of the crazy mountain roads and chilly lake waters, and the smell of pine in the cool morning air, it happens. The valley starts to feel like a guest. A visitor into something that’s been around forever, something that will go on forever. Go there. Take that jeep ride up to the lake. Sit there for an hour and listen to the wind blow by the water. Have a chai and watch the clouds roll through the peaks. Talk to the locals. Take a wrong turn down a mountain trail. And when it’s time to leave, stay a little longer. You’ll never forget Naran Kaghan valley, and you’ll be glad it won’t forget you. Travel fast, but pack light.
