River running through a northern Pakistani valley

Hill station · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Naran

Naran is a town at about 2,409 metres in the upper Kaghan valley, Mansehra district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It sits on the Kunhar river and is the base for Lake Saif-ul-Malook at 3,224 metres and for the Babusar Pass road at 4,173 metres, which links Kaghan to Gilgit-Baltistan.

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The story of Naran

Naran is snowbound for much of the winter and effectively operates from May to October. Lake Saif-ul-Malook lies about 9 kilometres away by jeep track and is fed by the Malika Parbat glaciers; Malika Parbat, at 5,290 metres, is the highest peak in the Kaghan valley. Babusar Pass, usually open from early July to September, offers the shortest route from the valley to the Karakoram Highway at Chilas.

What to see in Naran

Lake Saif-ul-Malook
Glacial lake below Malika Parbat, reached by jeep or a 3 hour walk.
Lulusar Lake
The source of the Kunhar river, about 48 km north on the Babusar road.
Babusar Pass
4,173 m road pass into the Indus valley at Chilas.
Lalazar meadow
A high plateau above Battakundi with views to Malika Parbat.

Landscape of Naran

Babusar Pass

4,173 m road pass linking Kaghan to Gilgit-Baltistan, open July to September.

Malika Parbat

The highest peak in the Kaghan valley at 5,290 m.

Lalazar meadow

A pine-fringed plateau above Batakundi.

Rivers and lakes of Naran

Saif-ul-Malook

A glacial lake at 3,224 m, ice-free from late June.

Kunhar river

Runs 166 km down the valley, known for its trout.

Lulusar Lake

The source of the Kunhar, on the Babusar road.

Food of Naran

Trout

Kunhar trout grilled at riverside stalls through the summer.

Heritage of Naran

Takht-i-Bahi

UNESCO listed Buddhist monastery, first century CE.

Peshawar Museum

One of the world's largest Gandharan sculpture collections.

Kalash valleys

Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, with their own calendar and festivals.

Culture and crafts of Naran

Truck art

Hand-painted trucks and rickshaws, a craft trade worth millions of rupees a year.

Bazaars

Copper, cloth, spice and book markets in every old city.

Festivals

Basant, Urs gatherings, Shandur polo and the Kalash calendar.

Wildlife of Naran

Markhor

Chitral Gol National Park holds one of the strongest populations.

Himalayan ibex

High ridges above Chitral and upper Swat.

Snow leopard

Recorded in Chitral's high side valleys.

Best time to visit

May to September; Babusar Pass usually opens in early July.

Getting there

About 6 to 8 hours by road from Islamabad via Mansehra and Balakot.

Nearby places

Questions about Naran

When does the road to Naran open?+

The road is normally clear from late April or May; the higher Babusar Pass beyond it opens around early July.

How far is Lake Saif-ul-Malook from Naran?+

About 9 kilometres by rough jeep track, or a walk of roughly three hours.

Photographs of Naran

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