Beautiful Valleys and lakes of Pakistan

River Kunhar in Naran, Kaghan Valley






Lake Saif ul malook in summers





Lake saif ul Malook in winters


The Kaghan Valley is located in Pakistan northeast of Hazara, NWFP province ( now Khyber Pakhtoon Khuwa). It's one of the valleys that's relatively easy to reach from Rawalpindi / Islamabad.
The mountain scenerey, the dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and glaciers are the main reason to come here. The Valley extends for 155 km rising from an elevation of 2,134 meters to its highest point, the Babusar Pass, at 4,145 meters. Further north from from Babusar Pass, a jeep track leads to Chilas, which is now on Karakoram Highway (the road that connects Islamabad to Xinjiang province of China via Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab Pass). Before Karakoram Highway was opened in 1978, the only road access to Gilgit was through Kaghan Valley.

Naran is the best base for treks and walks in the valley. There are some options for accommodation here and some restaurants. Naran is best reached by jeep from Balakot some 200 km north of RawalPindi / Islamabad.

The best time to visit Kaghan is in summer months (May to September). From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road beyond Naran, snow-bound throughout the winter, is open right up to Babusar Pass. Movement may be restricted during the monsoon season due to heavy rains and landslides.

In summer it is possible to continue to Gilgit Valley - one hell of a trip with incredible views - but roads are not always in tiptop condition so it may involve some hard work to get to the other site of the mountains.