Kaghan valley Picturesque by Allah Dad Khan

1. Kaghan Valley

3. • This is Kaghan Valley!
•
• Kaghan is a jewel among the many beautiful valleys in the Mansehra District of
Hazara in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan. This 160 kilometer long
valley is most popular summer holiday spots for both Pakistanis as well as
foreigners.
•
• 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. 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 herds of pack animals, sheep and goats.

7. • Naran
•
• At 7,888 feet above sea level, Naran is the main centre of tourism in the Kaghan
Valley. It is located 82 kilometers from Balakot. The town is situated on the bank
of the Kunhar River at a point where the valley widens. The river is also quite
smooth here and ideal for trout fishing and easy grade river rafting.
•
• With more than 100 hotels, Naran is without doubt the main base for most
tourists. There is one simple bazaar where all the shops, restaurants and hotels are
situated. Naran becomes alive only in summer starting in late May, when the snow
melts and the road to Naran become passable. In winter, a majority of the
population descends to the warmer climates of Balakot and Mansehra. Most
visitors stay in Naran for a few days while enjoying the various day excursions to
Lake Saiful Muluk, Lalazar, Lake Lulusar and Babusar Pass. There are also several
short walks and treks around Naran.