Along the banks of the Kunhar River are the towns of Balakot, Paras, Mahandari, Kaghan and Naran. The people in these towns are quite innocent, peace-loving and friendly. The first stop for visitors to the Kaghan Valley is Balakot. Balakot is a modern town that has good facilities for visitors and you can easily find buses that will take you to Naran. From Balakot when you travel further into the Kaghan Valley, the road leads to the beautiful mountain top of Shogran. From Shogran you can enjoy exotic views of the snow-capped peaks and the trip stands incomplete if you do not visit Siri Lake and the lavish green Paya meadows.
The next main stop on the trip is the town of Kaghan after which the valley finds its name. This town too is quite traveler-friendly with lots of amenities and interesting places to visit. The town of Naran, which is the main destination for visitors is about 24Km from Kaghan. Once in Naran, there are ample places to visit and pleasant surprises to look forward to. The highlight of the Kaghan Valley is the Saif-ul Malook Lake, it is easily accessible from Naran. Located at the base of the Malika Parbat, it is a true marvel of nature. If you are in for an adventurous trek of 5-6 hours then opt for a trek to the beautiful Ansoo Lake, the shape of which resembles a tear-drop.
Moving further up the valley from Naran is the Lalazar Lake. Lalazar is popular for its pleasant ambiance and quiet surroundings. Travelling further up, you will reach the largest lake of the Kaghan Valley, the Lake Lulusar. The lake is the origin of the Kunar River. Travelling further you will reach the 7 lake of the Saat Sur Mala after which is the Babusar Pass.
The best things to shop in the Kaghan Valley include locally manufactured woolen garments and handicraft items. You can also find some beautiful carved furniture made from walnut wood and numda rugs.
Visitors can find a variety of traditional Pakistani dishes and freshly caught and cooked fish at the restaurants in the Kaghan Valley. All the food provided in the area is halal. Most of the guest houses and hotels have small cafes and restaurants that serve delicious dishes.
Finding a Masjid in the Kaghan Valley is not difficult. You can always ask your tour guide or driver to stop at one of the Masaajid in the towns in the valley. Balakot, Kaghan and Naran have Masaajid where you can attend prayers.
Reaching the Kaghan Valley is pretty easy. The area can be reached by road from the towns of Abbottabad and Mansehravia the Karakuram Highway. The best means of visiting the Kaghan Valley is by hiring a vehicle or taxi.
