KAGHAN : THE VALLEY OF LAKES

INTRODUCTION:

BEAUTIFUL VALLEY OF KAGHAN

One of the places I have never been to but so much want to visit is the Kaghan Valley ..why ? because I want to see the Saiful Muluk lake in full moon, they say that the rays of the full moon give the feeling as if fairies are descending on the lake from the sky…now that would be a sight worth seeing..

p.s I always thought that Naran and Kaghan were names of a single place:P because who so ever went to visit anyone of the places also visited the other and when asked they would say “we went to Naran Kaghan” not entirely my fault is it:P

FACTS ABOUT KAGHAN VALLEY:

Going upwards from Abbottabad and north east of Mansehra District you will reach Kaghan Valley.

Most of the valleys are named after the rivers which flow or the people who discovered them but this valley is named after the town Kaghan, instead of the river that flows throughout the valley the Kunhar river.

Babusar pass is the highest point in the valley and is at the height of 13,690 ft, whereas the valley has a premises of 155 km.

The languages locally spoken are Gojri and Hindko and no worries if you don’t know them both because Urdu(the national language) is also commonly understood.

The people of the valley are basically the herders and you will find them every where along the road side, in pastures, moving their herds according to season.

HOW TO REACH KAGHAN:

If you choose to visit Kaghan between the months of May to September, you have made the right choice. Summers are the best season to visit the valley.

Kaghan can be reached via road from Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot. You will be travelling on the road beyond Naran valley which will open onto the Babusar Pass. Also consider the monsoon season while planning to visit because the roads are blocked and movement is restricted during that time due to the heavy rainfall.

Again buses and taxis will take you there but going by your own vehicle is much preferred.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN KAGHAN:

Glaciers, dales, mountains, lakes, streams, waterfalls, forests, villages…you name it. Everything beautiful is there and what makes it more attractive is that it is still not polluted by humans..i suggest one should plan a visit before it does.

Among the various places some which friends and family highly recommend of visiting include:

SHOGRAN VILLAGE:

SHOGRAN

A village surrounded by mountain peaks covered in forests and the river Kunhar flowing through it…seems like a wonderland. The famous Siri paye lake is found there.

LAKES:

Dudipatsar Lake, Saiful Muluk Lake and Lulusar lake are most famous among the dozens found the valley.

THE DUDIPATSAR LAKE:is hard to reach and involves a hiking of tough 7

hours but the effort is worth the green pastures and blue green water of the lake that welcome you.

DUDIPATSAR LAKE

THE LULUSAR LAKE offers the most breath taking view with its snow capped mountains, its L shaped lake in which the blue green water stands still reflecting those mountains and imagine flowers everywhere in all most every possible color …..simply wow..

LULUSAR LAKE

THE SAIFUL MULUK LAKE:

SAIFUL MULUK LAKE

Now that’s where Naran comes in..a 3 hour drive from Shogran village will take you to Naran from where you can go to visit the famous Lake Saiful Muluk.

Its your own choise wether you want to walk to the lake or hire a jeep.

The lake is famous for a folktale “Qissa Saiful Muluk”, a folktale about a Persian price and a fairy and the lake being their meeting spot.

The lake is an oval in of one mile diameter 10,587ft above sea level and has the clearest water with a greenish tone.

CAMPING: while you are there in Naran visiting the lakes you can also go and do camping on the Babusar Top.

FISHING: the chief sport of the valley, you can enjoy fishing in the river or can just visit the fishing farms as there are many local fish farms there offer the best quality of fish. Trout and Mahasher are the yummy types which are famous and are stocked in silvery waters.

WHERE TO STAY:

PTDC NARAN

Apart from the local rest houses and hotels available, there is a PTDC (Pakistan tourism) motel complex at naran and Balakot so suit yourselfJ

SHOPPING :D

My favourite part..now in Kaghan one of the handicrafts you should buy are the artistically carved Walnuts,I have seen some of them..my friend brought them and they were awesome…and another famous thing are the Namdas, the woolen felt rugs while woolen shawls, embroidered shawls and shirts are also avalibale.

These places have cottage industries running and you can find yourself having excellent bargains.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS:

DUDIPATSAR LAKE

It is a must must must place to visit and my friends and family have highly recommended it and I will make sure that I do visit it asap:) and so should you.