Hy fellow members! I have just visited Kaghan valley of Pakistan and I want to share the memories of that remarkable joruney to happiness and joy. Below I am giving photos and details of the places where I have been.
Kaghan Valley
The
Kaghan Valley (
Urdu: وادی کاغان) is a valley in the north-east of
Mansehra District of the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of
Pakistan. It attracts many tourists from around the world. The inhabitants were affected by the
earthquake disaster on 8 October 2005.
The Kaghan valley is named after the town of
Kaghan rather than for the
Kunhar River which flows through the length of the valley. The valley extends 155 km, rising from an elevation of 2,134 feet (650 m) to its highest point, the
Babusar Pass, at 13,690 feet (4,170 m). Popular languages are
Hindko and
Gojri, while
Urdu, Pakistan's national language is also familiar among the locals. The region is Alpine in geography and climate, with forests and meadows dominating the landscape below peaks that reach over 17,000 feet.
Kunhar River
The
Kunhar River (
Urdu: دریائے کنہار) also known as
Nain Sukh Persian: "
eye's repose" is 166 kilometres (103 mi) long river, located primarily in the
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, northern
Pakistan. It is in the
Indus River watershed basin.
Route
The river originates from
Lulusar Lake, nearly 48 kilometres (30 mi) upstream from
Naran Valley. Waters of
Dudipat and
Saiful Muluk Lakes feed the river besides glacial waters from
Malka Parbat and other high peaks in the valley. The Kunhar flows through the entire
Kaghan Valley, Jalkhad, the Naran Valley,
Kaghan,
Balakot, and
Garhi Habibullah.
The Kunhar River's
confluence with the
Jhelum River is outside
Muzaffarabad, in the
Azad Jammu and Kashmir province, Pakistan.
Lake Saif-ul-Malook
Lake Saiful Muluk (
Urdu: سیف الملوک) is a
lake located at the northern end of the
Kaghan Valley (
34°52′37.34″N 73°41′37.71″E) near
Naran. It is in the north east of
Mansehra District in the
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province,
Pakistan. At an altitude of 3,224 m (10,578 feet) above sea level it is amongst one of the highest
lakes in Pakistan.
The weather here is moderate during day time while the temperature drops to minus degrees at night.
A fairy tale called
Saiful Muluk, written by the famous
sufi poet
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake.
[1] It is the story of prince of Persia who fell in love with a fairy princess at the lake.
[2] The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.A poet and writer from Balakot Ahmad Hussain Mujahid wrote the story of Saiful Muluk in prose depicting the local version.
Lake Lolopatsar
Dudipatsar Lake
Dudiptsar Lake or
Dudipat Lake is a
lake encircled by snow clad peaks in
Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park. The lake lies in the extreme north of the
Kaghan Valley, in the
Mansehra District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in northern
Pakistan. The word "dudi" means white and "sar" means lake. This name has been given to the lake because of the white color of snow at surrounding peaks. In summer the water of the lake reflects like a mirror. The word "sar" is used with the name of each lake in the area, translating as 'lake.'
Ansoo (Tear) Lake
Lalazar Plateau
Lalazar plateau is at an altitude of 10,200 feet (3200 m) above sea level. Its 21 km away from Naran via Battakundi. Some 16 Kilometers from Naran is the Battakundi, another enjoyable spot, the turning point for Lalazar. It is known for its colourful flowers and intoxicating scents. There is a jeepable road from Naran to Lalazar and return trip would cost you Rs.1,000 ( US$17 appox ). Journey tip is almost one hour.
Shogran Plateau & Siri Paye Lake
Shogran is a village situated on a green plateau in the
Naran Valley, northern
Pakistan at a height of 2,362 meters above sea level. The village was affected by the earthquake of 2005 when some building were damaged.
[1] It is only 10 km from
Kiwai village and 34 km from
Balakot. The road from
Islamabad to Kiwai is metalled and measures 212 km. From Shogran, you can ride a jeep or horse or hike to several picturesque places like Siri,
Paye and
Makra Peak. Hotels and motels are easily available at affordable costs. The local people are friendly and helpful.
Sohni Fall
I hope you have also fell in love with this lush green valley. I am waiting for your comments.