Unique Places in Naran

Kaghan valley is basically unexplored. There are several side valleys/options available that can be discovered. But you need time.

Just like an iceberg..we only know about 10% of this valley...rest is still to be discovered.

There are numerous side vallies that one can explore. And it would be advisible if you do decide to explore, hire a local guide.

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Enroute towards Babusar Pass, on the old route to Gilgit before KKH was built, lies an ellusive lake called Lulusar.

From Naran, Lulusar is almost 4.5 hours jeep drive North. It is said that the river flowing through this valley, Kunar, starts from this lake. If you keep on travelling further up, you will reach Babusar Pass, which gives a good view of Nanga Parbat. After hair raising, hair-pin turns, you again climb down and reach Chillas and the KKH.

Before going towards this lake, you need to check with the local establishement to ensure that the route is cleared from landslide or the road is clear.

You will beed a Jeep (4x4) and an expert driver who has gone there before. Cost is around Rs. 3000 to 4000 (may have increased due to surge in petroleum prices). Take all your essentials as you will not find any on the way. Though there are villages/hamlets along the way, but not what you may be looking for.

Depart Naran early in the morning to ensure that you return before nightfall.

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If you happened to reach at the height of 16,490 ft: you’ll find mostly barren rocks, old ice glaciers, rare plantation and lots of clouds, because clouds mostly roam at this height.

Have you ever got a chance to take a deep breath in white calm clouds? All the thanks, praises to AL-MIGHTY ALLAH, WHO gave me this chance many times. Such moments cannot be explained in words.

On July 26, 2004 according to a plan, me and my friends left Islamabad for Naran. And on July 27, 2004 we were at famous Lake Saiful Maluk by a Jeep. It was a cloudy season there. We hired a guide for our next journey.

I already heard some myths about this area that “Whoever went in that area, never came back”, which I found to somewhat true at the end of our beautiful journey that why some people never came back.

In the middle of the day, we started trekking into the rocky areas. This trek started at the other end of Saiful-Maluk. Base camp of Malka-e-Parbat (Plus 17,000 ft) a very beautiful mountain peak was the target. This whole trek is rocky, but full of beautiful sceneries.

In the Camp at night, I realized that it was a Full Moon Night and the scene out of our camp was awesome. “Try to imagine that full moon was rising behind Malka-e-Parbat’s beautiful snowy peak and clouds were doing a calm and slow dance on it and the moon light was making such a beautiful light effects with those clouds and the cool and light reflections from the snow on the peak.”

In the morning we started climbing towards Ansu Lake. It was almost 3-4 or 5 hours hike and one of the toughest hike of my life. Because we reached at the altitude where Oxygen decreases and air pressure was lower and so we started feeling tired.

In the afternoon we reached the peak where Ansu lake can be seen. It was a cloudy season and initially the scene was cloudy as well, but then clouds disappeared and Ansu Lake get visible. It was first discovered by Pakistan Air Force Pilots in 1993 while flying low in that area.

From Besal there are various side valleys that one can go to. But you should take along a local guide. There is a 2-3 day hike towards Lake Daday pat (4000m) and further down the valley to Lake Saral.

Counsult Foot print or Lonely Planet handbook on how to get there.