Naran is the base for Lake Saiful Muluk, Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top in the upper Kaghan Valley of Mansehra District, and the roads above it are usually open only from late spring to early autumn. Plan a Naran Kaghan trip for May to September, with a spare day for weather. Last checked: October 2026.
Quick answer: is Naran Kaghan worth visiting?
Yes, if you travel in the summer window. Naran is a small town at 2,409 m in the Kaghan Valley. The usual season runs from about May to September, and Lake Saiful Muluk is the main reason most people come. Babusar Top, at about 4,170 m, links the valley to Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan when the road is open. Plan for a long drive from Islamabad, cold nights even in July, and weather that can change road access at short notice.
Naran Kaghan quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Province and district | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Mansehra District (Hazara region) |
| Kaghan Valley length | 155 km, from Balakot to Babusar Pass |
| Lowest point of the valley | 650 m |
| Naran elevation | 2,409 m |
| Babusar Pass elevation | About 4,170 m |
| Main river | Kunhar, which runs the length of the valley |
| Typical season | May to September, with roads beyond Naran depending on snow |
| Languages | Urdu is understood everywhere. Hindko is the local language of the Hazara area |
| Currency | Pakistani rupee (PKR). Carry cash, because we could not confirm ATM coverage in the upper valley |
| Nearest airport and railway | None in the valley. Islamabad and Rawalpindi are the usual starting points |
Where is Naran Kaghan?
The Kaghan Valley lies in Mansehra District, in the Hazara region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Kunhar River flows through it past Jalkhad, Naran, Jared, Paras and Balakot before joining the Jhelum. Naran is in the upper valley, about 119 km from Mansehra city and about 65 km from Babusar Top. Jalkhad is roughly 40 km beyond Naran, on the way to the pass.
Many travellers search for Naran and Kaghan as one place. In practice Kaghan is the whole valley, and Naran is the town where most visitors stay. Balakot, at the southern end, is the gateway. For the wider district, read our guide to Mansehra.
A short history of the valley road
The Ayub Bridge over the Kunhar River, built in 1965, connects Balakot and the Kaghan Valley with the rest of Pakistan. On 8 October 2005 an earthquake destroyed the hillside town of Balakot, and the landslides it triggered destroyed many passes in the area. The roads have since been rebuilt, and the road from Mansehra through Naran to Jalkhad now leads on toward Gilgit-Baltistan.
How to reach Naran Kaghan
Road access
Naran has no airport or railway station, so you arrive by road. The usual route from Islamabad runs through Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot, then up the valley on the N-15 to Naran. Abbottabad is 122 km from Islamabad, and Naran is 119 km beyond Mansehra. We could not find a reliable single driving time from Islamabad, so plan for a full day on the road, leave early, and allow extra time in peak season.
| Leg | Distance | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Islamabad to Abbottabad | 122 km | Toward Balakot and Mansehra |
| Mansehra to Naran | 119 km | Via Balakot and Kaghan |
| Naran to Jalkhad | About 40 km | Toward Babusar Pass |
| Naran to Babusar Top | About 65 km | Open to traffic only after snow clearance |
| Naran to Lake Saiful Muluk | About 9 km north, or a 14 km jeep road | Ask your jeep driver for the current route |
Public transport and self drive
Buses and other vehicles run from Balakot to Kaghan and Naran. You can also rent a car or taxi to Abbottabad or Mansehra and continue by local transport. Our public transport guide explains the options, and our self drive guide covers renting and driving. Fill your fuel tank and withdraw cash in Mansehra or Balakot before you head up, because we could not confirm petrol or ATM availability in the upper valley.
Naran to Gilgit-Baltistan over Babusar
When the pass is open, the Babusar road connects Naran with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. This route takes about 7 hours from Diamer to Mansehra, against about 14 hours by the Karakoram Highway. In 2025 the road reopened after being closed for seven months by snow, and drivers are urged to follow safety rules, since the Diamer side sees accidents every year. Read our Babusar Top guide and our Islamabad to Gilgit road trip before you plan this drive.
Best time to visit Naran Kaghan
May to September is the usual season. The Kaghan Valley is closed in winter because glaciers block the roads, which typically melt between February and April. The roads and Babusar Pass usually stay open from May to late September. Opening dates change every year. In 2025 the Babusar road reopened on 23 May after seven months, and the pass usually stays closed from November to June. Older travel guides give mid July to the end of September for the road up to the pass, so check current conditions before you commit.
- May and June: cool days, ice and glacier crossings can still affect the road to the lake, and horses may be needed for luggage.
- July and August: the warmest weather and the busiest weeks. July and August are the wettest summer months in the table, and the monsoon can bring landslides.
- September: cooler, drier and quieter, with the best chance of clear views before the cold sets in.
- October to April: expect snow and closed roads in the upper valley.
Crowds are a real factor. More than 300,000 tourists visited the valley during the June 2024 Eid al-Adha holidays, so avoid public holidays if you want space. Our month by month planner is in best time to visit Naran Kaghan.
Naran weather by month
Naran has a cold, high altitude climate, with an average annual temperature of 4.7°C, and summer highs rarely pass 18°C.
| Month | Mean high | Mean low | Rainfall | Snowy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −3.4°C | −11.4°C | 59 mm | 14 |
| April | 11.3°C | −1.3°C | 101 mm | 7 |
| May | 15.2°C | 4.3°C | 79 mm | 5 |
| June | 17.4°C | 7.8°C | 48 mm | 0 |
| July | 18.1°C | 9.7°C | 102 mm | 2 |
| August | 16.5°C | 6.8°C | 107 mm | 3 |
| September | 14.8°C | 3.3°C | 56 mm | 0 |
| October | 10.6°C | −1.3°C | 37 mm | 4 |
The lake and the passes are colder than Naran town, so pack for near freezing mornings even in summer.
Places to visit in Naran Kaghan
Lake Saiful Muluk
Lake Saiful Muluk sits at about 3,224 m in Saiful Muluk National Park, above the tree line, and is one of the highest lakes in Pakistan. It covers about 2.75 km² and is up to about 34 m deep. It freezes over in winter and can be cut off by snow and landslides. The legend tells of a prince of Egypt who falls in love with a fairy princess at the lake. In summer, jeeps run from Naran, and the jeep road is about 14 km, roughly half an hour. If the road is closed, the walk is described as an easy, gradual three hours, and the full walk from Naran takes four to six hours.
Access can change quickly in the monsoon. In August 2026 the Mansehra administration lifted a weeklong ban on recreational activities at the lake that was imposed over landslide and cloudburst fears. Visitors were allowed between 9:30am and 4pm, and police could close the road again if the weather worsened. These rules may change, so ask in Naran before you go. Read our full Saiful Muluk Lake guide.
Lulusar Lake
Lulusar Lake lies at about 3,410 m and is the main source of the Kunhar River. It is part of the Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park, near Babusar Pass. It is a good camping spot just before the final climb to the pass. See our Lulusar Lake guide.
Dudipatsar Lake
Dudipatsar is a more demanding trip. It is about nine hours by jeep from Naran on a very difficult road, with no hotels or restaurants, and many people go by horse instead. Our Dudipatsar Lake guide has the details.
Babusar Top
Babusar Top, at about 4,170 m, is the highest point in the valley that cars can easily reach, and it links Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with Gilgit-Baltistan. The road is one of Pakistan’s most dangerous, with brake failure from inexperienced driving a common cause of accidents. Police posts and mobile towers were set up at the top in 2025. Read our Babusar Top guide.
Lalazar and Shogran
Lalazar is a high meadow at about 3,123 m. Shogran, at about 2,362 m, is a separate hill valley near Siri and Paya, often combined with a Kaghan trip. Our Shogran guide covers it in detail.
Malika Parbat
Malika Parbat is the highest peak in the valley, at about 5,290 m. You can see it from several points in the upper valley, but climbing it is a mountaineering project and not a day trip.
Less visited stops
If the lake is crowded, spend time at Ansoo Lake or the glaciers in our Two Glaciers guide. Camping at Lulusar on the way to the pass also gets you away from the main crowd. Each of these needs more time and a check on current access.
Things to do in Naran Kaghan
- Visit the lakes: use our lakes in Naran Kaghan comparison to choose by effort.
- Fish for trout: brown trout and mahasheer are stocked in the waters between Kaghan and Naran. Licences are issued by the Fisheries Department at Naran.
- Walk along the Kunhar River: the river runs through Naran town and is an easy evening walk.
- Drive to Babusar Top when the road is open, and continue to Chilas if you are heading to Gilgit-Baltistan.
- See things to do in Naran Kaghan with family for easier stops.
Adventure activities
Walking is the main adventure activity. You can hike to Lake Saiful Muluk, and a longer trek heads up the valley from Naran toward Babusar Top, with Lulusar Lake as a camping stop. Our hiking adventures in Naran and Kaghan guide lists routes. In May and June, large ice and snow patches can remain on the paths, so go with a local guide if you are unsure of the ground.
Photography spots
Early morning is usually the calmest time at Lake Saiful Muluk, when the water is stillest and the light is soft. Lulusar Lake and the view from Babusar Top suit wide views, and Naran’s river and bazaar suit street scenes. Ask before photographing people, especially women, and do not fly drones near police posts or at the passes without checking local rules.
Where to stay
Naran town has the widest choice of hotels and guesthouses, and Shogran is a quieter alternative at the southern end. Book early for summer weekends and for Eid and other public holidays, when the valley fills up. We list hotels in our top hotels in Naran Kaghan Valley guide. Check current rates and availability directly with the hotel, because prices change by season.
What to eat
Small cafes and restaurants in Naran’s market serve freshly caught trout and Pakistani dishes, and guesthouses and hotels also provide meals. Ask where the fish comes from and how it is priced, and follow our street food safety tips if you eat at roadside stalls.
Getting around Naran
Most of the sights are reached by road from Naran town. Jeeps take visitors to Lake Saiful Muluk in summer, and horses are available on rougher tracks. Agree the fare and the waiting time before you set off. For Babusar and Chilas, check road status with the district administration or your hotel the same morning.
Estimated costs
We have not verified current prices for Naran, so we are not publishing rupee figures that could mislead you. These are the items to budget for:
- Fuel or a car and driver from Islamabad
- Hotel nights, which rise sharply at weekends and holidays
- Jeep hire to the lake and any horse hire
- Meals, including fish
- A trout fishing licence, if you plan to fish
Our Pakistan travel cost guide helps you estimate the rest.
Packing checklist
- Warm layers, a windproof jacket and a rain shell, because nights can fall near freezing even in summer
- Sturdy shoes for wet, uneven paths
- Sun protection, since the air is thin and the sun strong at altitude
- Cash, a power bank and any medicines you need
Read our what to pack for Naran Kaghan list and the broader northern Pakistan packing list.
Travel tips
- Start early. Mountain weather is usually clearer in the morning.
- Avoid public holidays if you can, since the valley gets very crowded.
- Check road and weather updates the evening before each excursion.
- Carry enough cash and fuel from Mansehra or Balakot.
- Respect local dress norms. Modest clothing is the safe choice in a conservative region.
Safety tips
- The upper valley and the Babusar road are steep, and the pass sees casualties each year. Use an experienced driver, check your brakes, and do not drive after dark.
- Landslides and cloudbursts are a risk in the monsoon, which is why access to the lake was restricted in August 2026. Follow instructions from police and the district administration.
- The lake is above 3,200 m. Go slowly and read our altitude sickness guide.
- See our monsoon travel guide.
Responsible tourism
Take your rubbish with you from the lakes and meadows, since there are few disposal points. Stay on existing paths in the national parks, do not feed wildlife, and follow fishing rules. Buy from local shops and hire local guides and drivers where you can. Ask permission before taking photographs of people.
Emergency contacts
Rescue 1122 and the police number 15 are the standard emergency lines in Pakistan, but confirm them locally before you travel. Mobile coverage can be limited in the upper valley. Mobile towers were made working at Babusar Top in 2025, but signal still varies, so tell someone your route and expected return time.
Nearby attractions
- Shogran for a quieter hill stay
- Babusar Top and Chilas for the road into Gilgit-Baltistan
- Abbottabad on the way up
- Swat, if you are choosing between the two valleys
Suggested 3 day Naran Kaghan itinerary
This plan assumes the roads are open and starts from Islamabad. It leaves out drive times we could not verify, so keep a buffer day if you can.
Day 1: Islamabad to Naran
- Leave early, drive through Abbottabad and Mansehra, then up the valley from Balakot.
- Fill fuel and withdraw cash in Mansehra or Balakot.
- Check in at Naran and rest, since the town is at 2,409 m.
- Walk along the Kunhar River and eat trout in the market.
Day 2: Lake Saiful Muluk
- Check road and weather status at breakfast, then take a jeep to the lake in the morning.
- Walk around the shore, and allow time for the walk back if the road is closed.
- Return to Naran in the afternoon and visit the bazaar.
Day 3: Upper valley or return
- If Babusar Top is open, drive toward Jalkhad and the pass, stopping at Lulusar Lake, then return to Naran or continue to Chilas.
- If the pass is closed, stay in the lower valley and visit Lalazar or Ansoo Lake, or head back toward Balakot with a stop at Shogran.
If you are travelling with children or older relatives, our family friendly destinations list and the Naran family guide suggest easier stops.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need for a Naran Kaghan trip?
Three days is a workable minimum from Islamabad: one for the drive, one for the lake and one for the upper valley. Add a fourth day as a buffer for weather.
Which province is Naran Kaghan in?
Naran and the Kaghan Valley are in Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
How high is Naran?
Naran is at 2,409 m. The valley rises from 650 m near Balakot to about 4,170 m at Babusar Pass.
What is the best time for a Naran Kaghan trip?
May to September is the usual season, with September quieter than July and August. Check road conditions before you leave, since opening dates change each year.
Is there an airport or railway station near Naran?
No. Travellers usually fly into Islamabad or take the train to Rawalpindi, then continue by road.
How far is Lake Saiful Muluk from Naran?
It is about 9 km north of Naran, and the jeep road is about 14 km of roughly half an hour in summer. Ask your driver for the current route and time.
Is Babusar Top open all year?
No. The pass usually stays closed from November to June because of heavy snow, and in 2025 the road reopened on 23 May.
Conclusion
Go between May and September, keep a spare day for weather and confirm the road each morning before you set off for a lake or pass.
Sources
- Dawn: Babusar road reopens to traffic after seven months
- Dawn: Mansehra administration lifts ban on Saiful Muluk travel