My friend and I were walking around the crowded bus terminal in Islamabad looking for a ride back home to Lahore on a suffocating summer day. We were barely carrying luggage for two days in our backpacks when suddenly a driver approached us. “Naran, Kaghan,” he touted as we walked by. Usually, we would just ignore such touts since there are way too many of them in Pakistan. But this time, my friend was in the mood for some fun and started haggling with the driver, just for the laughs. Well, that’s what I thought at least because a few minutes later, he proudly announced: “We’re going to Naran for the next few days!”
It’s difficult to not give in to offers to go to Naran. With its green meadows and crystal-clear mountain lakes, Naran Valley is easily one of Pakistan’s most popular tourist destinations and on the bucket lists of many travelers to the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. This was our first time traveling to Naran and our experience couldn’t have been any more magical. Think of fun nights out, delicious food, breathtaking scenery, and meeting awesome people from all across the country.
However, there were also a few things we wish we had known before going to make our trip a bit more… comfortable. Therefore, I decided to compile this comprehensive guide to Naran so you’ll be more prepared when you visit the beautiful Naran Valley.
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Best Time To Visit Naran
The only feasible time to visit Naran is from May until October since heavy snowfall generally causes road closures during other months. It’s important to check prior to your trip whether the roads are open in the area. Visit in late Spring to see snow and fresh-looking landscapes or in Summer to take a break from the heat that is searing other parts of Pakistan. However, keep in mind that July and August have the heaviest rainfall and landslides are likely to happen. This leaves May and June as the best months to visit.
Also keep local holidays in mind. Avoid traveling to Naran over Independence Day if you don’t like huge crowds and do thorough research before traveling over any religious holidays.
How Long Should You Stay In Naran?
In our experience, three days are sufficient to visit the major attractions in and around Naran but of course, you can stay longer to explore more of the area’s natural gems in a relaxed way. After visiting Naran, you can also continue your journey to other beautiful spots in Pakistan’s northern areas like Gilgit-Baltistan to the north or the Swat Valley to the east.
How To Get To Naran
The best way to get to Naran for independent travelers is to hire a private driver in another city. You’ll find plenty of them in Islamabad near bus terminals or any major attraction. It’s important to find someone who is experienced with the dangerous roads in the Karakoram Mountains and NEVER attempt to drive yourself (unless you’re some kind of superhuman who has driven on dangerous mountain passes plenty of times before). Also make sure to negotiate the price well, especially if you’re a foreigner since foreigners get overcharged all. the. time.
If you’re not the type of person who could haggle for hours, it might be a better idea to join an organized group tour to Naran. Local travel agencies offer plenty of them for competitive prices and they are easy to find. The only drawback of group tours is that you’ll have less freedom to explore the area according to your own desires and needs.
There are also regular bus connections from major cities in Pakistan for great prices but I don’t recommend this because you won’t have any freedom to stop by scenic spots on the way and once you’re in Naran, you’ll have to look for new rides to get around.
Read more: Top 10 Taxi Safety Tips For Solo Female Travelers
Our Route To Naran
If you begin your journey in Islamabad, which is the perfect starting point for excursions to Pakistan’s northern areas, there are two major routes to get to Naran. One is quick and easy via the Hazara Motorway, a smooth and modern toll road constructed with Chinese help. The other much more scenic route goes via Azad Jammu and Kashmir and can help you save the fees of the motorway. However, the drive takes significantly longer and foreigners will need to obtain a special permit to travel through Azad Jammu and Kashmir (although nobody really checks).
We took the longer route on our way to Naran but had to spend a night in Balakot when it got dark. On our way back, we took the motorway, which is significantly safer to drive after dark, and made it to Islamabad within a couple of hours. On both ways, we left relatively late at 3 pm. However, if you leave early in the morning you’ll likely make it to Naran within the same day.
Where To Stay In Naran
Once you get to Naran, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options, from cheap guesthouses to higher-end hotels. We always opted for the cheapest rooms we could find, which generally cost us between $10-20 USD per night. We were glad to find out that local hotels rarely check couples’ marriage certificates and let us stay in the same room as an unmarried couple – what a contrast to Islamabad!
It’s also useful to note that in Pakistan, many people are as spontaneous as we and tend to fix their accommodations on the spot. However, during extremely busy times like Independence Day, finding a place to stay can get quite difficult. For those occasions, it’s better to book online in advance.
Hotels In Naran
Booking.com Booking.comInternet And Connectivity In Naran
Internet
Naran is a popular tourist destination that receives busloads of visitors every day during high season but don’t let yourself be fooled: the connectivity is still a nightmare! While we didn’t expect to have any phone service in the middle of the road, we were quite surprised to find out that even in the town our SIM cards weren’t of great use. For reference, my boyfriend used Zong and a friend of ours used another provider, while I went with Telenor. I was the only one who received any mobile data at all and even that was extremely slow and only worked 10% of the time.
As for WiFi, few places in Naran offered it, not even our hotel. So if connection to the outside world is important to you during your time in Naran, I strongly recommend asking hotels in advance whether they offer WiFi or not.
Power Outlets
Lastly, the power outlets in the area completely freaked me out. While many outlets across Pakistan are suitable for all US, European, or Commonwealth-type plugs, you’ll most likely find only one type of outlet in Naran. And even that might be so bad that you can barely charge your devices without the plugs falling out. Also don’t expect to find more than one outlet per room. And that outlet may be either located high on a wall without a table to put your device on or in the shower…
To minimize the trouble when charging your devices, bring a universal adapter and an extension cord. Below are some recommendations that are universal, meaning they work with any type of plug:
…Or just book a better hotel!
Top 10 Things To Do Around Naran
Yayyy, we’ve finally moved from the more ‘technical’ part of trip planning to the fun part! Most of the activities you’ll see on this list are outside of the town but hey, that’s what your driver for! Here are some of the best activities that you must not miss out on around Naran:
Shop, Snack, And Make New Friends In Naran
To first-time travelers, I’d describe the vibe of Naran as that of any popular vacation spot on earth (minus the alcohol): a bustling small town full of high-spirited tourists from all parts of Pakistan. This implies that the streets are filled with souvenir shops, snack vendors, and overly social vacationers. Start your stay with delicious dried fruits and ‘Starbucks’ chai, shop for some traditional-style dresses and handbags (pro tip: if you have time, do that in Islamabad instead where prices will be more reasonable), and smoke shisha with your new friends that you’ve probably made by simply walking through the streets.
Take A Jeep Up To Saif-ul-Malook Lake
Saif-ul-Malook Jheel is undoubtedly one of the top tourist attractions near Naran but there’s one caveat: it’s only accessible by jeep.
The jeeps in Pakistan’s northwest have a quite interesting history. They were originally used by the Soviet army during the war in Afghanistan in the 1960s but left behind when the Soviet forces had to retreat. This abundance of abandoned military jeeps attracted the attention of many Pakistanis who frequently crossed the border to smuggle the vehicles into the country. The jeeps have been in the area since then and it’s illegal to bring them into other provinces, making them a specialty of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Now you can probably imagine that the rides on military jeeps from the 1960s aren’t exactly smooth but there’s no way I can describe just how bumpy it can get! And now imagine that on one of the dangerous roads in the world! Getting to Saif-ul-Malook Lake is a real adventure!
Enjoy A Boat Ride Across Saif-ul-Malook Lake
You’ll probably feel like a milkshake after the bumpy jeep ride to Saif-ul-Malook Lake but once you arrive at this beautiful lake, you’ll be able to fully relax. And what better way is there to unwind and admire the beauty of the lake than taking a boat ride? You’ll find plenty of pretty wooden boats by the water that will take you across the lake for a small fee. An excellent opportunity to take beautiful photos!
Ride A Horse To A Hidden Lake
Another activity you’ll encounter at Saif-ul-Malook lake is horseriding. There are plenty of adults and children by the lake who offer rides on some of the nicest horses you’ll ever encounter. The duration of the horse rides vary and the fees are minuscule. My boyfriend and I only rode around the lake for half an hour but you can also choose to embark on a seven-hour ride to a hidden lake with the cleanest water that is not even accessible by jeep – again for an extremely reasonable price!
Another thing that made me very happy to see was that the ethical treatment of the horses. Throughout our rides, the trainers were extremely gentle with the animals and let them take a rest to drink and graze whenever needed. And when nobody was riding them, the horses were free to roam across the pasture by themselves.
Marvel At The Majestic Lulusar Lake
“Another lake?” you must be thinking to yourself. But I can reassure you that Lulusar Lake is completely different from Saif-ul-Malook Lake! While Saif-ul-Malook Jheel is surrounded by serene green meadows full of jolly horses and children, Lulusar Lake (which in contrast is very easily accessible by car) appears a lot rougher with its brownish mountain edges that go steep into the turquoise water. There are no boat rides or other ‘fun activities’ around and the winds are much stronger due to the high altitude. Which luckily means that there is significantly less pollution!
Lulusar Jheel is the perfect place to admire the forces of nature and take stunning photos – with or without falcons!
Enjoy An Even More Majestic View From Babusar Top
Do you want to conquer the tallest mountain near Naran? Then drive just a little bit north of Lulusar Lake to the majestic Babusar Top! At an elevation of over 4,000 meters above sea level, Babusar Top offers the most amazing view of the region you can get. The mountain pass connects Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Gilgit Baltistan and the viewpoint itself is already part of GB (sorry KPK for this one!).
Without a doubt, there are countless amazing photo opportunities on Babusar Top but be prepared to deal with significantly colder and windier weather than what you’re used to. Luckily, there are plenty of vendors around selling hot chai and pakora to warm you up and raw onions to beat the altitude sickness.
Get Soaked In Ice Water Inside A Glacier
Having traveled to Naran in mid-August, we were very pleasantly surprised to still get plenty of first-hand experience with ice thanks to the glaciers in the region. Well, I took the term ‘pleasant’ back as soon as I entered a dripping glacier cave for one of those supposedly insta-worthy shots. Ughhh I really can’t stand getting wet nor getting cold, could there be any worse combination?
For reference, the glacier cave we visited was the one on the road from Naran to Saif-ul-Malook. Ask your jeep driver to make a quick stop for you there.
Drink Your Water Straight From The Source
With so many rivers, lakes, and glaciers around, it’s no wonder that the Naran Valley is also home to countless waterfalls and freshwater springs. And where does your expensive bottled water come from again? Ah yeah, the mountain spring!
You probably get what I’m saying. The water from the mountain springs in the Naran Valley is so pure that you can easily drink it without any health concerns. In fact, most people stop on the road to fill up their water bottles at the springs. For that specific reason, a lot of springs have special pipes installed to help travelers bottle their water without getting soaking wet.
Indulge In Delicious Local Specialties
Pakistan’s cuisine is as diverse as its geography and consequently, a lot of the food you’ll find in Naran will be different from what you might be used to from Lahore or Karachi. While traveling through the area, I strongly encourage you to make efforts to try as many local dishes as possible. One of the most famous specialties of the Naran Kaghan region is trout. You’ll find plenty of restaurants by the road that serve fresh trout directly from the river.
Other delicious things to try include the local variations of pakora and karahi as well as local honey and apples.
Support The Hardworking Local Children
Lastly, one of the most impressive observations you’ll make in the villages around Naran is the beautiful local children selling anything from snacks to souvenirs on the road. It’s important to keep in mind that at a young age, these children are already extremely hardworking and spend all day crafting and selling new things in order to support their families. The prices these children charge are obviously very minuscule and hardly match the amount of effort that goes into the goods.
For these reasons, it’s never a bad idea to stop by the street and buy from the children. Our support is even more important in the light of the current pandemic since the lack of tourism has resulted in severe financial hardship for local families. The flower crown you can see me wear in many of my photos was also crafted by a local boy who only charged 100 rs (~$0.60 USD) for this piece of art. The crown lasted no longer than a day but the beautiful memories of it will remain forever.
Health And Safety Concerns
Now that we’ve gone through all the fun things to do around Naran, we unfortunately have to shift our attention to the less enjoyable parts again. Being located in the Karakoram Mountain Range and connected with other places by the world’s most dangerous roads, there are obviously some health and safety concerns when traveling to Naran. Luckily, many uncomfortable experiences can be avoided by following a few simple safety tips.
Road Safety
As I already mentioned earlier, the roads around Naran are extremely dangerous, and only experienced drivers should sit behind the wheel. In addition, avoid driving at night and during bad weather. Landslides are your worst enemy.
You should also be very cautious when walking through the narrow streets in Naran. It often gets extremely crowded and super easy to get hit by a car.
Read more: Stuck On The World’s Most Dangerous Road: Pakistan Travel Stories
Sexual Harassment
The same crowds that put you at risk of getting hit by a car also put women at risk of sexual harassment. Unfortunately, this problem is widespread throughout all of Pakistan and exacerbated by crowded places such as Naran during high season. While unwanted sexual advances are never the victim’s fault, there are a few steps to decrease the risk of falling victim to sexual harassment:
- Avoid the worst crowds
- Don’t go outside without one or more male companions
- Always walk in front of your companions but keep the distance small
- Dress modestly at all times (i.e. cover your arms, legs, chest, and shoulders)
- Consider wearing a hijab if you have an ‘exotic’ hair color to avoid unnecessary attention
Read more: Is Pakistan Safe For Women Travelers? Here’s What It’s REALLY Like
Altitude
Located at 2,400 m above sea level (with some places on this list at up to 4,000 m above sea level), it’s not uncommon for travelers to experience altitude sickness in Naran. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and shortness of breath. The best way to avoid altitude sickness is to ascend slowly and visit the places with the highest altitude last while constantly staying hydrated. However, if you do happen to get sick, try eating raw onions (the local cure that you’ll find at all restaurants) or pack some relief drops such as the ones listed below:
Find all product recommendations + more in this complete Pakistan packing list!
Weather
There’s no doubt that you’ll have to pack warm clothes in Spring and Fall but what about the summer months, when daytime temperature range in the lower twenties? Sorry, you’ll still need a thick jacket or two to throw on whenever you climb to higher altitudes. I regret having brought nothing but a flag to protect myself from the cold winds on Babusar Top.
Rain is very common in Summer, so make sure to bring an umbrella and/or raincoat as well as durable shoes.
And last but not least, the air in Naran is extremely dry, it almost felt like in Las Vegas! Make sure to bring enough moisturizing products, this is not the right time to neglect your skincare routine. These are some of my favorite moisturizing products for different budgets:
- Facial mist: use whenever you face feels dry
- Moisturizing cream: use at least twice daily after washing your face
- Lip balm: apply whenever your lips feel dry
- Eye drops: apply whenever your eyes feel dry
Dust
On a similar note, the roads in Naran can get quite dusty, which becomes especially apparent when riding jeeps. By the end of our trip, my nose was literally black inside and I contracted an infection that kept bothering me for over two weeks. To avoid a similar fate, keep your windows closed while driving and make sure to wear a high-quality mask to keep the dust from reaching your respiratory tract.
Food Safety
Food safety is a widespread concern across Pakistan and the reason behind my three hospital visits within a month. While it’s crucial to follow the basics like avoiding tap water and raw foods, you should also remember to sanitize your hands and surfaces frequently, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
Mosquitos
Mosquitos in Naran are more of a nuisance rather than a health risk but it’s good to be prepared and keep these nasty little things out before your arms become all red and swollen, especially at night. These are some of the best products to help you get rid of mosquitos on the road:
Where To Go Next
Thanks to its location along the Karakoram Highway, Naran is the perfect stopover enroute to other destinations in northern Pakistan such as:
And if you have some more time left, I strongly recommend you to also pay a visit to the stunning south and explore destinations such as Karachi and the Makran Coast of Balochistan!
Conclusion
The Naran Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in all of Pakistan and attracts massive crowds of tourists from all across the country. This makes it the perfect destination for a fun getaway and meeting new people but there are of course also many quiet spots in nature that are absolutely worth seeing. Naran is also an excellent destination for adventure seekers where you can ride old military jeeps across the world’s most dangerous mountain passes and discover secret spots on the back of a horse. Therefore, it’s worth checking out for every type of traveler and I hope this guide will be of great value to any first-time traveler.
Amazing! Horse riding at the lake looks so much fun. Thanks for including the safety info too, that’s so useful to know
It certainly was a lot of fun!
Thank you for creating this guide! I would love to visit Naran, Pakistan some day.
I hope you get to visit one day, the place is amazing!
As a nature lover, I’m intrigued already 🙈
The local nature is truly breathtaking!
That sounds like such a beautiful place!!
It absolutely is!
Wow, what a comprehensive post and your photos are lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Definitely landed on my bucket list! Thank you for sharing.
Wow what a detailed and informative guide! I’ve heard such amazing things about traveling Pakistan. It looks breathtaking! Can’t wait to travel there one day 🥰
So informative I love it!
This is a great guide. I don’t know about many places in Pakistan but it looks beautiful. Would definitely want to visit someday.
What an incredible experience – and your photos are beautiful. I’d love to get to Pakistan for a visit someday!
It sounds like this was a true adventure from beginning to end. I would love to go to such a beautiful and enchanting place!
Hey Arabela,
Thank you for covering Naran Nahan on your blog. I am originally from Balakot and own a travel company and Pakistan and offer tour to Naran. I must say that you given information is 100% true. I can’t believe that an International travel can have such details. Specially, You shocked me with Jeep smuggling fact.
I don’t you’re still in Pakistan or not. In case if you ever would like to visit Naran AGAIN, do let me know. I’ll be more than happy to take you over there and will show you some hidden germs as well..
Thank you so much for your kind words. I have been to Balakot myself a few times and must say that the place is also very lovely. Can’t wait to revisit Naran!
Thank you for responding. Ping me when you again plan to visit it. Hope to see you soon.
Love reading your blog ❤️
Pakistan has never really been on my list but this blog post really make me change my mind. The landscape looks so beautiful and it seems you had a really great time! I hope one day I get the chance to experience this country on my own 🙂