In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, my family planned a trip to Naran Kaghan Valley located in the north of Pakistan. We decided to go during the declining time of the first wave of Covid-19 as most of the other Northern Areas were closed during winters. We all looked forward to a few days of escape to the scenic dreamlands of mountains and flowing rivers.
Day 1: Shogran, Siri and Paye Meadows
On our way to Kaghan valley, we stopped at Kawai, a town where we enjoyed lunch by a flowing water spring. We parked our car and rented a Jeep to visit Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows.
Shogran, a hill station located at a height of 2,362 meters above sea level, had a unique calmness and scenic beauty that was unmatched. We stayed there for almost half an hour and then continued our journey towards Siri and Paye Meadows.
Siri Paye is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3058 meters above sea level. The path to it was an adventure in itself, with only a track for 4 by 4 vehicles that was full of jumps at every moment. After spending almost an hour at Siri Paye, we returned to Kaiwai to bring back the car and start our journey towards Kaghan Valley. We reached Kaghan at around 9:00 PM and went to our hotel for dinner.
Day 2: Naran Valley, Lake Saif ul Malok
After exploring Kaghan Valley, we continued our journey towards Naran Valley and reached there at around 1:00 PM. We then took a Jeep to visit Lake Saif ul Malok, located near the Naran Valley at an elevation of 3,224 meters above sea level. The clear water of the lake reflecting the surrounding objects made for an incredible spectacle. It was freezing cold there, but we enjoyed snacks and coffee. I made sure to keep my mobile data off during visits to these sights to absorb all of nature's beauty in my mind. After spending almost an hour, we headed back to explore the Naran Market and then had dinner.
Day 3: Lulusar Lake & Babusar Pass
Lulusar Lake, located at a height of 3,410 meters above sea level, is the main source of the Kunhar river that flows through the entire Kaghan Naran Valley. The lake is 48km away from Naran and is a well-carpeted road that links Naran to Chillas, and further leads to Babusar Pass. After staying there for some time, we headed towards Babusar Pass, a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4179 meters above sea level, which is almost 80 km from Naran. The route towards the top of Babusar Pass had sharp and steep turns, and the car's brakes needed to be in good condition. The view from the top was breathtaking, with the pass always covered in snow, although the snow melted in the summer. The chilly wind blew all the time there, and we left at 4:00 PM, as it was almost a 2-hour drive back to Naran, and we needed to reach our hotel for rest and dinner.
Day 4: Last day
On our last day, we checked out of the hotel at 9:00 AM and started our journey towards Lahore. We stopped along the river Kunhar to rest and enjoy trout fish before bidding farewell to the scenic beauty of Naran Kaghan Valley.
Conclusion
Our trip to Naran Kaghan Valley was a memorable one. The beauty of the mountains, flowing rivers, and high mountain lakes were breathtaking, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. We had an amazing time exploring different parts of the valley, including Shogran, Siri Paye Meadows, Naran Valley, Lake Saif ul Malok, Lulusar Lake, and Babusar Pass.
Throughout the trip, we also had the opportunity to try different local cuisines and snacks, which added to the overall experience. It was a great way to connect with nature and spend quality time with family.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has affected travel plans for many people around the world, it was still possible to enjoy the beauty of the northern areas of Pakistan while following all necessary safety protocols. We were glad to have taken this trip and made unforgettable memories.
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