"Visit to Naran Valley (forum reply)" Top 5 Page for this destination Naran Favorite Tip by Bokhari76

Favorite thing: QUESTION:

We (me and my wife) are planning to visit northern areas in late june and want to know whether the following plan looks fine:

2 nights in Balakot (including visits to Paras and River Kunhar)
2 nights in Naran (including visit to safe-ul-malik lake)
1 night in Shugran (including visit to Siri paey)

Please advise us:

- whether to include/delete any destination (we can increase number of days);
- safe/comfortable mode of transport and the price for each mode;

ANSWER:

Well plan looks good. I also advise minimum 3-4 nights for this area.

No doubt Balakot itself is a beautiful place & view of Kunhar River is great here but mostly people skip Balakot & directly go to Naran. From Naran you can go to:

1. Saiful Maluk & further to Aansoo Lake( 1 day)
2. Lalazar via Batakundi (1 day)
3. Dudipatsar Lake & Lulusar Lake (1 day)

You can enjoy view of Kunhar River in the way to Naran & even Naran itself is situated on the bank of Kunhar River. So in my openion you may subtract one night from Balakhot & add it to Naran. Otherwise its a fabulous plan.

Note: Don't opt for Aansoo Lake, if travelling with ladies/kids. its a bit tiring.

As far as transport is concerned. You will get local transport (hiace, van etc.) from Balakot to Naran & Shogran. Jeeps are required for further excursions.
Some people hire jeep direct from Abbotabad or Mansehra for the full trip. For complete 5 nights they may charge you around 15000-20000 for 5 nights. In this case driver also works as guide.
Jeep fare from Naran to Saiful Muluk is around 1500-1700 for round trip.

Fondest memory: Kewai is a connection point between Balakot, Shogran & Naran. From Kewai a private Jeep will cost around 400/- till Shogran. If you have time do stop over at Kewai. There is a restaurant which has sitting arrangement in Kewai River. You can sit there and enjoy good recreation in the low waters.

Depart early for Each place: Like from
Balakot to Naran,
Naran to Saiful Maluk,
Naran to Shogran &
From Shogran to Sari Paya.

So you may reach the destination / come back from excursion before night.