Kaghan
The Valley
A holiday in the Kaghan Valley, the Himalayan hide-away, north-east
of the Hazara district of Pakistan’s
North West Frontier Province, is an unforgettable experience.
Its mountains, dales, lakes, water-falls, streams and glaciers
are still in unbelievable pristine state, and unspoiled paradise.
That is why it can be such a deeply satisfying experience to spend
a few days in Kaghan. The Valley extends for 155 kms. Rising from
an elevation of 2,134 metres to its highest point, the Babusar Pass,
at 4,173 metres. Kaghan is at its best in the summer months (May
to September). In May the temperature is: maximum 11 C and the minimum
3 C. From the middle of July up to the end of September, the road
beyond Naran, snow-bound throughout the winter, is open right up
to Babusar Pass. Movement is restricted during the monsoon season
also.
Drive to Kaghan, you switch over at Balakot to a jeep. Your first
stop is 34 kms. away at Shogran at 2,362 metres above sea level.
At Kaghan, the little village that gives the valley its name-61
kms. from Balakot- you get down to stretch your legs.
How to Get There
The Kaghan Valley is accessible by road from Rawalpindi/Islamabad
and Peshawar.You can drive in your own or a rented car, taxi, station-wagon
or bus to Abbottabad which is 122 kms. from Rawalpindi and 217 kms.
from Peshawar. Abbottabad is a charming town spread out over several
low, refreshingly green hills.
Balakot
From there you drive 72 kms. to Balakot, the gateway to the Kaghan
Valley. Balakot has the shrines of Syed Ahmed Shaheed and Ismail
Shaheed Brelvi, the South Asia great freedom fighters.
Kawai
13 miles away from Balakot to Kaghan is Kawai in these 13 miles
you'll reach the altitude of 4000 feet starting from 3000 feet which
means that you have covered 1000 feet of altitude in just 13 miles.
The main place here to visit is Shogran, which is 5 miles jeepable
trek now in these 5 miles you'll go up another 3000 feet. Now you
are 7000 feet above the sea level and rightly so because Shogran
means "Forest in the sky". You'll be able to view the
some of the lofty peaks from here which are " Moosa Ka Musalla
" and " Makra "having height of 14000 feet, and Malika-e-Parbat
(Queen of the Mountains) (17000 feet). Then comes Mahandri village
the altitude here is 5,800 feet now the landscape and the scene
changes here and becomes wilder the river Mahandri is still with
you but you'll feel it much closer to you. Another 11 miles from
here is the village Kaghan at 7000 feet is the wonderland here river
is 800 feet below the road.
Babusar Pass
The Kaghan Valley is blocked at the end by high mountains but a
pass lets the jeep-able road snake over into the Chilas Valley.
This is the 4,173 metres high Babusar Pass which commands the whole
Kaghan panorama as well as gives you, on a clear day, glimpses of
the Nanga Parbat (The Naked Mountain) glistening at 8, 126 metres.
Lake Saiful Maluk
Lake Saiful Muluk has a touch of the unreal about it, nestling
3,200 metres high in the shadow of the Malika Parbat (Queen of the
mountains) 5,291 metres high. You can go boating on the lake and
hear the local legend about Prince Saiful Muluk who fell in love
with a fairy. Further up are quaint woodland villages; Battakundi,
Burawai, Besal Gittidas and Lalazar.
Malkandi Forest
Malkandi Forest is 8 miles on the western slopes of Kaghan is Kamalban,
a heavily populated forest of black bears and leopards, which do
incalculable harm to the crops and young trees. Killing a bear is
a big game and you'll get reward for shooting down a bear from forest
officer as well as from the peasants. Besides these you'll be able
to find Muskdeer, thar and goral, Chikore and Himalayan pheasants
all over the valley. And if you'll go a little higher you'll be
able to find red bear, snow leopard and ibex and occasionally a
snow partridge or Ram Chikore or Murgh-I-Zarrin.
Lulu Sar Lake
Lulu Sar Lake is 48 kilometers away from Naran, on Naran-Babusar
road is Lulu Sar Lake which is wreathed in blue and gold wild flowers,
and is the main source of river Kunhar.
Angling
Fishing is the chief sport in Kaghan. Brown Trout and Mahasher
are stocked in the pure silvery waters of Kunhur river between Kaghan
and Naran. The Kunhar river trout is considered the best in the
South Asia Fishing licenses are issued by either the Fisheries Department
at Naran or the Trout Hatchery at Shinu.
Where to Stay
There is the comfortably furnished PTDC Motel Complex at Naran
and Balakot, beside hotels and reasonably priced rest-houses.
What To Buy
Kaghan is noted for its artistically-carved walnut handicrafts,
embroidered shawls, shirts, woolen blankets and "namdas"
(woolen felt rugs).
Source: Ptv.com.pk
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