All about the Fantastic Attractions and Things to do in Naran

Naran is the most famous tourist destination in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. This well-known Valley is 270 kilometers away from the country's capital, Islamabad. One of Pakistan's most picturesque cities that are popular with both domestic and foreign tourists. Naran offers a wide variety of activities, which draws numerous tourists from around the world to this Valley each year. 

You can go rafting on the rivers, camping, fishing on lakes, hiking and trekking and exploring all the Valley's top attractions. Summers is the peak season when people rush to explore Naran because of its pleasant weather and peaceful and friendly environment. The residents of Naran are very welcoming as well. 

Best Time to Explore Naran Valley

Summers are also the best time for the hotels in Naran to earn their earnings for the whole year. The stay in Naran should be the last thing to worry about because the hotels in Naran offer the best services for their guest's comfortable and enjoyable stay. Many luxurious four- and five-star resorts and hotels in Naran are open during the season. Some of the Naran hotels also offer guests discounts during this time. These hotels are at a prime location which is a blessing because then you don't have to travel for hours to explore and left out on things to do in Naran. 

So why are you still waiting? So that you don't miss out on all the fantastic things to do in Naran, make a trip with your friends and family. Naran is the best place if you want to relax and take time out from your hectic routine. Trust me; I have been there. As soon as you reach Naran, you get to know that the hype by the tourists, photographers, bloggers, bloggers, trekkers, and nature-enthusiast is genuine.

Naran’s Top Attractions

You can do many adventurous things in Naran to make your trip memorable.

Exploring Naran: 

The first thing among the popular activities in Naran is to explore new places. You can travel to a diverse range of tourist attractions. But the most significant attractions in Naran are Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Shogran, Balakot, Kunhar River, Lalazar, Sharan Forest, and Makra Peak.

Lake Saif-ul-Malook

Jheel Saif-ul-Malook is a mountainous lake at the northern end of the Kaghan Valley in the Mansehra district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is 3,224 meters above sea level. Also, it is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan. Jheel Saif-ul-Malook is a beautiful lake to visit in the summertime because the weather in these months remains pleasant. However, there is limited access during winter due to heavy snowfall and landslides. 

Balakot

Balakot is a worth visiting town in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The earthquake in Kashmir destroyed the whole city. The reconstruction took place with the great assistance of the Government of Pakistan and Saudi Public Assistance for Pakistan Earthquake Victims, a Saudi relief organization, in 2011. The residents were to leave the town, but they stayed and insisted on building their houses again. The city is called the New Balakot City, but the original Balakot is still considered a national heritage.

Shogran

Shogran is a very appealing hill station situated on a plateau in the Kaghan Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. It is 2,362 meters above sea level and is 34 kilometers away from Balakot and 212 kilometers from Islamabad. The splendor of this location is difficult to express in words. The scenic beauty and lush green grasslands give a very relaxing feeling.

Shogran Weather:  The weather here is most pleasant during the summers between June and August. In winter, there might be a risk of heavy rainfall leading to blockage of the roads due to land sliding. Residents of Shogran welcome visitors with an open heart every year. They are also excellent travel guides as they know the area well. In Shogran, communication won't be a problem as mobile network service is also available by Telenor and Zong.

The Kunhar River

The Kunhar River, originally known as Nain Sukh, is a 166 kilometers long river located primarily in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northern Pakistan. It is in the Indus River watershed basin. It originates from Dharamsar Lake and runs throughout the Kaghan valley. The glaciers of Nanga Parbat, Lake Saif-ul-Malook and Lake Dupidat are the branches of the Kunhar Rivers. The Kunhar River is famous for fishing and water sports. It is also known for its delicious trout. Thousands of people go there for fishing and rafting every year.

Lalazar

Lalazar is another pretty tourist spot in Naran Kaghan Valley. It is 3123 meters above sea level. It is not so easy to travel on the deadly Lalazar road, but the landscape is what makes people take it. The Lalazar road is 4.2 km long but can be super challenging for most drivers. The Kunhar River flows along the road, covered in pine forests. The weather is perfectly splendid here in the summer. The environment here is very serene.

Sharan Forest 

Sharan Forest is the greenish, most non-commercial area of Naran Kaghan Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is rich in vegetation, not so populated by travelers and tourists, and extremely pleasant. Thankfully Sharan forest has been saved from all kinds of exploitations. Along with a peaceful environment that we can enjoy here, the temperature is also pretty great. It ranges from 15 to 25 degrees. You can go trekking and horse riding here too. The question is, why should we go to Bali when we have our very own Sharan Forest?

The Makra peak

The Makra peak is a scenic mountain top in the Mansehra District in the Hazara Region of the Himalayas in northern Pakistan. It is 3,885 meters high and almost 200 kilometers from Islamabad on Naran Road. After nearly 9-hours of trekking, you can reach the top of Makra Peak. It is mainly famous for trekking and hiking. Many casualties also occur due to its steep track and snow. But it still doesn't stop the tourist from reaching the top. I suppose it's because the Hazara view is worth all the pain.  

Popular Things to Do in Naran

There are many places, but here are some of my recommendations that you must visit whenever you are in Naran. 

Hiking and Trekking in Naran 

Another thing among the things to do in Naran is Hiking and trekking. The best way to enjoy our mother nature is by doing so. They help us to look closely at the beauty of nature. In Naran, there are many opportunities for experiencing hiking and trekking. There are many tracks in almost every famous town. The summer season is the best time for hiking and trekking in Naran. Even though its summer time, the weather there is quite pleasant. So don't forget to grab your warm clothes, food and water bottles. Considering that a hike or trip may last for hours, it is crucial to stay hydrated and active when participating in one.

Lalazar is about 10,499 feet above sea level and has one of Naran's most beautiful hiking tracks. Lush greenery and colorful flowers cover the beautiful track. There are two tracks to reach Lalazar, one is for jeeps, and the other is for walking. It is a 6-7 hours long trail, and along the track, you'll also witness the Jheel Saif-ul-Malook.

Another hiking track is reaching the Babusar top. Babusar top is at an altitude of 13,900 feet. You'll need hiking sticks for this track because it's rough. The trail is steep and has a lot of stones on the way. You need to be careful and take all the precautionary measures. 

We can also trek to reach Ansoo Lake, situated at 13927 feet. It has two trekking routes. The first is a steep track from Saif-ul-Malook of about 6 hours. The other one is from Mhandri, which is 40 kilometers from Naran. 

After 7 to 8 hours of trekking from Besal at Kaghan Valley, you can reach Dudipatsar Lake. This stunning lake resides at Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park.

Rafting

Another fun thing among the other things to do in Naran is Rafting. Rafting is something that the sweltering summer heat craves upon. Luckily Kunhar River provides the finest services. Many groups are there which ensure the safety of the tourists with their trained and experienced staff. Trainers and permanent guides obsessed with River Rafting are always there for help. Also, they offer training programs. River Rafting is a fun, adventurous activity one can do whenever they visit Naran as it is just a few hours’ drive away.

Fishing at Lakes in Naran

Fishing is another fun activity that is popular for things to do in Naran. Doing Fishing at Naran's beautiful lakes is a next-level thing. The crystal clear freshwater of the lakes at Naran makes fishing more exciting. One of the most famous places for fishing in Naran is the lake Saif ul Malook. It is known for its delicious trout. 

Sustainability and protection of nature and wildlife are a must. For this purpose, certain fishing gears and nets are not allowed because they might affect trout breeding. Other than these, you can take your fishing gear or take them on rent from Bazar and enjoy your time there. 

Camping Sites in Naran

Camping is also a part of the list of things to do on Naran. It is the one thing that makes your travel experience the greatest; at least, I do. Most people love sleeping under the sky and counting the stars. The government of Pakistan has organized many camping pods for the people to promote tourism. These camping sites are at Saif-ul-Malook, Lulusar Lake, Dudipatsar Lake, Babusar Top and Balakot. They have enough space to accommodate people even during the peak time of the year. 

During trekking, some people build their tents and stop on their way to enjoy the magnificent view. You should adequately make arrangements if you want to camp anywhere in Naran. Keep all your essentials, including food, water, tents, sleeping bags, a first aid kit, emergency lights, torches, toilet kit etc. Camping in Naran pays off as you see the starry nights and clear sky. 

Final words:

Stop overthinking and start planning because, trust me, Naran is not a miss. You don't need to be concerned about lodging. Many hotels in Naran are providing their top services for that. Also, don't worry about not making the best trip because there are many things to do in Naran. You won't even get to complete all of them but what you can do is make the most of it.