Getting There
Lake Saif ul-Malook is located at a distance of 250 km from Islamabad, while the track distance from Naran to Lake Saif ul-Muluk is about 8 km and takes 40-45 minutes on one side.
By Roads: Starting the journey on Hazara Motorway, one will reach Abbottabad and then Mansehra city. From Mansehra city on Karakoram Highway one has to take the Naran Babusar top road that will lead straight towards the valley of Naran Kaghan Via Balakot. After Naran valley, tourists can visit the Saif ul Malook by hike and by Jeeps.
By Air: The nearest airport that can be used for air travel Lake Saif-ul-Malook is Islamabad International Airport
By Train: If you want to go to Lake Saif-ul-Malook by train from any part of the country, there is no train available to go to Lake Saif-ul-Malook. So you can get off at Rawalpindi station or Peshawar station and go to Lake Saif-ul-Malook by car, bus and Jeep
What to Expect
There are a lot of things to do to have the best time at the Saif Ul Malook. Some of the most interesting ones are waters sports, camping adventure, walking around the lake, horse or pony riding, Snow sliding on the glacier, food adventure, and much more. Travelers can enjoy boating on the crystal clear water of the lake.
Camping adventure over the lake is the most recommended one to have different views of the lake. From sunny to shinny Milkyway over the mighty lake with Malika Parbat at the backdrop. The lake has a lot of restaurants with a beautiful view of Saif ul Malook lake.
One can enjoy the local cuisine over there. After the food adventure, Travelers can enjoy horse or pony riding around this mighty lake. Also, capture some beautiful views of the lake the mountains around.
Moreover one can have a peaceful walk around the lake or to the mountains to have a smooth time with nature. One can also enjoy the snow sliding from the glaciers around the lake to have some adventure and unforgettable memories for a lifetime. There is a lot more that one can do at this amazing touristic sight Saif Ul Malook. For sightseeing around the lake, there are caves that one can find after a few walks.
History
The Lake Saif Ul Malook was a lake of fairies; it was the lake where all the fairies from Koh Kaaf (a mountain where there’s a secret fairyland) would come to take baths. Among them was a beautiful Fairy named Badi ul Jamal. Saif Ul Malook is the Prince of Egypt who himself was very handsome and had many riches from his forefathers.
One night he dreams of a lake and the fairy Badi ul Jamal. Waking up to reality, he goes to his father and tells him about his dream of the beautiful fairy and a lake with whom he instantly falls in love. He asks his father how he can find this fairy and be with her. His father tells him to forget about the dream because, in reality, he is human, and she isn’t. The prince defying the words his father said, leaves, and travels to find his fairy.
After many years, he ends up in Naran, Pakistan where he meets a saint. Upon listening to his story, the saint tells him that there is a mountain hill with a stone behind it, where you need to pray for 40 days after which, you will know how to find your fairy. After 40 days of worship, the prince was able to control two Jinns, who give him a ‘Sulemani Cap” (the invisibility cap).
Facilities Available
- A lot of hotels and motels are located on the road side with beautiful views of the mountains.
- Bazaars with local food and handicrafts are the main attraction of the area.
- Landline and mobile connectivity makes it comfortable for the tourists to communicate.
- Local tourist’s guides are also available for tourist facilitation.
- Local and private transport is easily available 24/7.
The lake resembles a large bowl of water, with a lower score and a higher bottom. Trout, algae, planktons, and other animals benefit from its biodiversity. Trout fishing is a popular pastime in this region.
