@krash need help planning an emergency tour to naran and nearby places.
Been there, but didnt visit any place except saiful muluk.
Its a 3-4 day tour and i have to leave tomorrow.
Here, brother. So since I don't know the specifics, I'll be making some assumptions and decisions on your behalf. If you have any corrections or questions please let me know.
Firstly, I'm going to guess you're going with the family.
I will recommend making Naran as your base. My reasoning is that it will allow you better and quicker access to the rest of the valley.
Naran
Pros over other towns:
- Better/quicker access to the rest of the valley
- Better/More hotels
- Better/More restaurant options
- Better/More facilities
- More things to do within and around the town itself
Cons over other towns:
- Crowds from hell. I can't overstate this fact.
- The town is ugly and uninviting
- More inflated pricing
If you absolutely do not want to deal with the crowds, we can talk about Kaghan or Shogran.
PTDC
For your hotel my first choice would be PTDC, then DeManchi, and then Millennium. The latter two are 'flashier', newer, and, maybe, with better facilities. I picked PTDC because,
- Right at the edge of the town, which keeps it away from the worst crowds.
- Don't need to drive through the very crowded traffic through the town every day for locations further north.
- Located right at the banks of Kunhar.
- Big private lawns where the family can spend quality time; fishing, picnics, afternoon tea, late night BBQ, etc.
- Private huts make the stay a very different experience than generic hotel rooms.
Places to Visit (in no particular order)
You've already seen most of the regular touristy spots while on your way through the valley to Babusar last time. Some off the main raod suggestions below.
- Beyond Saif-ul-Malook:
If you haven't gone beyond Saif-ul-Malook then do so. It's a beautiful little trail up till Malika Parbat's Base Camp and then to Ansoo Lake. The lake itself has been disgraced by those crowds, however, most of them never go beyond its southern banks and so those areas remain relatively pristine. The number of people that go on this trail has increased since the last time I was there 10 years ago, so might not be exactly as I remember. You can hire Mules/'horses' till the base camp for the kids and those who get tired. Beyond it it gets a little steeper (Nothing serious at all though. Almost anyone can do it). This would be a complete day's activity. Just the trail till the base camp will be a very decent day spent. You don't need to go up till Ansoo Lake if you don't feel like making the effort with the family or are short on time.
- Shogran
Shogran itself has met the same fate as Saif-ul-Malook because of the crowds. It still gives you some beautiful panoramic views of the Kaghan and the AJK valleys below which are worth seeing at least once. You'll get off the main road (Mansehra-Naran highway) right at Kiwai and then drive up the Shogran road. The drive isn't bad either.
- Siri Paye
Siri Paye is a high altitude meadow, of sorts. Beautiful place. It's a short trail further from Shogran. Pretty sure you can hire a jeep from Shogran to take you there as well.
- Sharan Forest
It's a small forest on the opposite side of the Kunhar from the Shogran hill. There's a resort near it too. Pretty place. You'll get off the main road (Mansehra-Naran highway) at Paras and then take the Sharan road across the river. Might want to ask the road condition from a local at Paras. If bad, hire a jeep. You can also rent cabins there if you decide to spend the night.
- Dharamsar and Sambaksar Lakes
This is worth it. I'm sure when you were driving up the Babusar pass last time you saw gorgeous lush green plains with snaking streams below to your right. The lakes are located there. The way to them is a jeep track which leads off from the main highway just before you reach Babusar Pass. The jeep takes you most of the way and then you have a short trek to Dharamsar Lake. You can hire a jeep from the Babusar Pass to take you there. The lakes are ok but the jeep ride and the places surrounding the lakes are spectacular. So even if you don't want to trek, do take the jeep ride down there. There aren't really any tourists there either which is a major positive.
- Lalazar
You drive till Batakundi and then hire a jeep from there till Lalazar. This is another high altitude meadow. Ask a local or the jeep driver and he'll take you to a quiet spot. Gives you pretty views of the surrounding peaks and the valley below. I'd leave this one for last as a back up.
- Dudipatsar Lake
This one's a toughy to recommend for a family. I'll still give you the details shortly.
ps: You might want to call one of the hotels in Naran and confirm that there are no travel restrictions in place for there.
pps: Wanted to get this to you asap. Will be adding more to this soon. At work, so a little challenging.
