Getting There
The road beyond Balakot was once fit only for four wheel drive vehicles. Visitors had to leave their cars in Balakot and rent jeeps for the onward journey. Today, the road is suitable for all kinds of vehicles up to Naran and Jalkhad, adding a little flavour of the old days. However, there are a couple of glaciers that have not yet lost their snowpack in the early tourist season, and are difficult to cross with cars.
From mid-June onward the road to Naran is open for regular cars, vans and coaches. If you are driving, always start early in the morning to safely reach your destination well before dark.
Buses to Mansehra originate from Pir Wadhai bus stand in Rawalpindi. From Mansehra, one can find direct van service for Balakot, Kaghan and Naran.
One can also hire a jeep from Balakot to go anywhere in the Kaghan Valley. There are plenty of private jeeps for hire at Balakot, Kewai, Shogran, Kaghan and Naran to go on various day trips.
What to Expect
The Kaghan valley, famous for its bewitching splendor and natural beauty, is one of the most charming tourist resorts in the scenic Hazara division. At a distance of 64 km from Balakot, it offers resplendent beauty surrounded by magnificent mountains, magical glaciers, enchanting waterfalls, and sweet lakes with plenty of flora and fauna.
The valley is about 160 km long and between 1000 m to 4000 m above sea level at different places. Noisy Kunhar River with its icy water flows through the picturesque valley. The river water carries with it the delicious trout fish, famous for its rich taste being the most sought-after food item for visitors and tourists.
At peak summer when plains boil with scorching heat the valley regains its life. Kunhar River with its surging waters treacherously edges Kaghan and two other small towns, Balakot and Naran situated on its banks.
The spring season that brings with it the unfading fragrance of beautiful flowers and plants, witnesses the quick movement of nomads along with their cattle towards the upper pastures of Kaghan Valley and the return journey begins in autumn when they come down after this seasonal migration. The movement is going on since ancient times.
History
The Naran-Kaghan Valley of KPK is renowned for its history dated back to British Colonial period. Since the Stone Age to the current era, the region had inhabited several casts like Swati, Awan, Kashmiri, Durai, Mughal, and Quarish.
The region is rich in terms of historical buildings and monuments. There are Buddhist temples and stupas, monuments of the Islamic period, Hindu’s and Sikh’s temples, Buddhist monasteries, and buildings of the Colonial period. Moreover, there are several folklores, archaeological graves, and differentl egendary buildings that are famous for their historical background.
During your visit to Naran-Kaghan Valley of KPK, you can take your family to visit these historical graves and buildings. Tour Mover guide will definitely accompany you in exploring these sites. The valley features pine forests, alpine meadows, crystal clear lakes and cool mountain streams. Kunhar River, the main feature of the valley, is famous for its trout fish.
Nestled along the banks of the river are the towns of Balakot, Paras, Mahandari, Kaghan and Naran. The local people are friendly and simple. Gujar nomads are one of the most interesting features of the Kaghan Valley. They take their herds of cattle to the high pastures of the upper Kaghan Valley in spring and bring them down again in autumn.
While going to Kaghan you will find them camped along the road in their traditional tents or moving up and down the valley with their herd of pack animals, sheep and goats.
Facilities Available
- Local guides are available
- People of Kaghan valley are very hospitable
- Hotel and Guest House are available in Kaghan valley
- Kaghan valley can be accessible thought local transport and can book a car on rent.
- Tourism Department helps the Tourist/ Visitors through providing broachers in both Urdu and English languages. The local Police and the local Guides can speak multi languages (i.e local languages, Urdu, English and some of them can speak Chinese also).
- There is a bus stand in Kaghan valley for public transportation.
- Filling stations are available in Kaghan valley which includes Petrol and Diesel.
- Taxis are available in Kaghan valley on daily rent basis.
- Shops are available in Kaghan valley
- Kunhar River – the main feature of the valley
- Gujar nomads with their cattle
- Honey sellers
- Potato farms
