In the northern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, many beautiful valleys offer heavenly views to tourists. Among those, Naran Valley is one of the most famous and attractive tourist destinations for its pleasant weather during summer vacations. If you plan to visit northern Pakistan, check out these best Places to visit in Naran Valley.
This valley is at a distance of about 240 KM from Islamabad, and basically, it is situated inside the greater Kaghan valley having an altitude of 2,409 metres/7,904 ft. This is a place of interest for thousands of people like photographers, tourists, hikers, and nature lovers, and the most important thing about Naran Valley is that foreign tourists also visit there and appreciate Pakistan for its natural beauty. This valley is known not only for its stunning beauty but also for its rich history from the British Colonial period.
List of Top 15 Places to Visit in Naran Valley
Naran was inhabited by different castes, like Swati, Awan, Kashmiri, Durai, Mughal, and Quresh. Moreover, for tourists, the best time to explore the charm of this valley is from May to September because during this time the season is in its full bloom. Here we have a list of the most beautiful places to visit in Naran Valley:
1. Kiwai Picnic Point
Kiwai is the most charming and aesthetic town, which is the first stop on your way to Naran. It is almost less than one hour away from Balakot. This place is considered one of Naran Valley’s top most visited places and is known for water-soaked chairs and hot food. This town has everything according to the needs of its tourists and you can easily hire jeeps from there to move towards Shogran, Siri Paye, Sharan Forest, etc. to make your journey safe and enjoyable.
2. Shogran Hill Station
Shogran is considered one of the best places for tourists in Naran Kaghan Valley. It is located at a distance of 30 KM from Balakot and is famous for its greenery and panoramic views. This place is recommended for tourists because it offers accommodation facilities like Luxury Hotel and Resorts Shogran, Sprucewoods Luxury Resort etc. From the top of Shogran, you can enjoy the view of the entire valley. Furthermore, during the summer season, the weather remains pleasant there but in winter the weather gets pretty cold, and snow-covered pine trees enhance the beauty of Shogran Valley. So, tourists must visit this place, as it is more suitable for budget and luxurious stay there.
3. Siri Paye
Siri Paye Meadows is one of the top places tourists can visit in Naran Valley. These meadows are located 6 KM from Shogran and one can get there on foot, and those who don’t feel easy walking these bumpy treks can get there by jeep from Shogran. When you reach there, you will notice a swing hanging over the hill and there you can have one of the best swing rides of your life. Tourists in Siri Paye take horse rides and enjoy roaming around the meadows. There is also a blue lake that provides relaxing views for its tourists and guarantees a beautiful time there.
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4. Sharan Forest
Next to Kiwai Picnic Point, there comes Sharan Forest which is 16 KM away from Paris (at a small distance from Kiwai) and you can get there by having a jeep drive. This is the densest forest of Pakistan and tourists can be amused by this thickest forest by camping there. This forest has facilities of huts for the tourists who want to stay there and feel the peace of this dense forest. Moreover, this forest is located at 7,872 ft above sea level, which is why the sounds of falling water, birds, rustling of the winds, and greenery of this wild forest add attractiveness to this place and tourists wish to explore this place wholly.
5. Naran Bazar
Naran Bazar is one of the most appealing places in Naran Valley because this bazaar has different shops where tourists find handmade dresses, bags, caps, mufflers, bracelets, shawls, bangles, household decorations, etc. All these things are made affordable for the tourists and most of the visitors enjoy buying these things, and also capturing pictures by wearing these special handmade stuff.
Naran Bazar is known for its dry fruits as well, and most travelers buy these fruits as this region’s specialty. So, due to its attractive looks, all the markets in Naran Valley get the attention of tourists.
6. River Kunhar
River Kunhar is a perfect opportunity for rafting for its tourists because it offers a thrilling experience in the melting snow and natural sources of water with reasonable packages. This river originates from majestic Lulusar Lake, 177 KM long, and is located in the Indus River watershed basin. Tourists can enjoy a breathtaking river view with the charming sound of water, towering mountains, and heavenly lush green forests.
7. Lake Saif-ul-Mulook
This majestic lake is considered the fifth best tourist place in Pakistan which is located about 8 to 9 KM away from Naran Kaghan Valley. Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is known not only for its eye-catching beauty but also for the famous story of the Prince of Persia and usually local tour guides narrate these fairy tales. This lake is adorned with snow-capped mountains, wildflowers, etc., which is why it attracts thousands of tourists during summer vacations.
Lake Saif ul Mulook is perfect for tourists who like to have adventures because going to this mountain lake by following bumpy roads is kind of a real adventure. So, the visitors can enjoy this magical lake by boating during the daytime and camping at night under the sky, and make their tour unforgettable.
8. Ansoo Lake
Ansoo Lake is known for its tear-drop shape and is one of the hidden lakes in Pakistan which is situated amidst the Himalayan Mountains near Naran. It is 10 KM away from Lake Saif-ul-Muluk. This lake is suitable for the interests of trekkers and hikers because it serves for fishing and camping as well. Ansoo Lake is surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks and glaciers, and the lake’s pristine waters make the tour truly mesmerizing. So, by visiting this lake, tourists can enjoy the views of Malika-e-Parbat, nearby villages, and mountain treks as well.
9. Batakundi
when it comes to the places to visit in Naran Valley, Batakundi is the most famous and attractive destination for tourists. It is located about 15 KM from Naran, in the Kaghan Valley. Along with water streams, green and snowy mountains, and Tiger Peak views, there are many affordable hotels to meet the taste and food quality of the tourists. Batakundi’s destination provides quite a wonderful view due to its pine forests and fruit orchids. Tourists can have a lot of fun there, and enjoy the tranquillity of the town alongside the rivers, forests, and mountains.
10. Burwai
This wonderful town is next to Batakundi and near Lake Saif-ul-Malook, on the famous road which is a connection between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit Baltistan. This valley meets the interests of the tourists as it has green meadows and trees, which is why this place is known for its flora and fauna. Tourists can enjoy there because this place is the start of natural beauty in Naran Valley. So, you must visit this green jewelry of Naran Kaghan Valley.
11. Dudipatsar Lake
Dudipatsar Lake got its name due to its snowy-covered white mountains. This lake is known as the Queen of Lakes for its spectacular beauty and clear, sparkling water that feels like glistening glass. Tourists can reach the city by taking a drive to Jhalkand in the Naran Valley. After the drive, you can enjoy 4 to 5 hours of trekking and calm yourselves with mesmerizing views.
For more information, the best time to visit this lake is from June to August because, after this time, visitors can face difficulties due to heavy snowfall. So, people who want to enjoy and feel the details of this beautiful lake must visit during the recommended season.
12. Lulusar Lake
While visiting Naran Valley, tourists must get to one of the most popular and beautiful lakes of Pakistan i.e. Lulusar Lake. It is part of Lulusar-Dodipat National Park (a home to beautiful lakes), almost 500 KM from Naran Town and tourists can easily reach there by vehicle. The lake is in the middle of brown mountains and its bluish water and wildflowers together enhance its beauty. People can sit there, and enjoy the mesmerizing view to calm their souls, but boating is not allowed in this lake. So, one must visit there and the lake is perfect for photos and videos.
13. Lalazar Meadows
Lalazar Meadow is a plateau known for its natural beauty, 21 KM away from Naran. The beauty of this place is enhanced by the wildflowers, and snow-capped mountains and provides opportunities for hiking, trekking, and fishing. While visiting this place, one thing to keep in mind is that the road towards Lalazar Meadows is jumpy and steep, so the visitors who cannot afford trekking and long walks, can hire a jeep to reach their destination to enjoy the view and natural beauty.
14. Noori Top and Noori Lake
Other best places to visit in Naran Valley are Noori Top and Noori Lake. One can get to the Noori Top by vehicle, and normally it takes one and a half hours via Jalkhand-Sharda road from Naran. It is a magnificent mountain top with its treacherous landscape and is the best place for hiking and exploring natural beauty.
Moreover, Noori Lake is an hour away from Noori Top through hiking. This lake is famous because it remains frozen for 11 months and melts hardly for a month, so is appealing to the senses of all the tourists and they never miss the chance to get to this lake.
15. Babusar Top
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Naran Valley is Babusar Top which is the highest top in the Naran Kaghan Valley and is highly recommended to enjoy the region’s scenery. This top is located in the north of the Kaghan Valley and it connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan with Gilgit Baltistan region in Northern Pakistan.
As Babusar Top is the last point of Naran Kaghan Valley, people get there to enjoy meadows, mountains, and valleys by having hot tea and snacks, and enjoy jeep trips as well. This is a heaven for photographers, fritters sellers, and tea makers to comfort tourists during their visit and help them cope with cold weather. Babusar Top can be visited from May to September because it gets temporarily closed during winter season, just for some safety reasons.
Wrap up
This article has mentioned all the important and famous places to visit in Naran Valley. It provides all the necessary information about the places that promise the tourists to enjoy natural beauty, lakes, valleys, tops, wild forests, etc. in beautiful Naran Valley. During summer vacations, people can get there to relax and feel free from worldly chores and have quality time there, amidst the mountains, glaciers, and lakes.
