Naran, Kaghan Valley

Naran
ناران

A view of Naran town, Kaghan Valley
Naran
Coordinates: 34°54′22″N 73°38′58″E / 34.90611°N 73.64944°E / 34.90611; 73.64944Coordinates: 34°54′22″N 73°38′58″E / 34.90611°N 73.64944°E / 34.90611; 73.64944
Country Pakistan
Province Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
District Mansehra
Elevation 2,500 m (8,200 ft)

Naran (Urdu: ناران ‎) is a medium sized town in upper Kaghan Valley in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of the Pakistan. It is located 119 kilometers (74 mi) from Mansehra city at the altitude of 8,202 feet (2,500 m).

Naran is one of the most scenic towns in Pakistan, attracting thousands of tourists, trekkers, photographers and nature-enthusiast, every year. The Kunhar River, swollen by glacial melt, passes through this town as it meanders its way through the valley.[1]

Kunhar river in Naran during the month of June as viewed from PTDC motel

Naran can be considered as base station to scenic destinations like Lake Saif-ul-Malook, Lalazar Babusar, Noori Valley and Purbi Valley.

Accommodation

Naran has more than 100 hotels of various types ranging from high-end luxury hotels to very low priced motels. Tent motels are also present which rent family size tents to tourists to stay in. Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) also has a motel [2] situated in the north of town which can accommodate people on different tariffs, from average rooms to costly huts beside the River Kunhar. A market also exists there where all basic necessities of life are available.

Transportation

Naran is connected by Naran road from Mansehra. In the tourist season (1 June to 31 August) public transport runs daily between Manshera and Naran. Jeeps, rent a cars and taxis are also available from Manshera to reach here. In winter the road which leads to Naran is blocked due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach there.

Weather

In Naran, the climate is cold in winters and mild cool in summers. There is significant rainfall in summers and heavy snowfall in winters. Even the driest month still has a lot of rainfall. The average annual temperature in Naran is 10.1 °C. The region is Alpine in geography and climate, with forests and meadows dominating the landscape below peaks that reach over 17,000 feet. Following is the weather history of Naran.[3]

Climate data for Naran
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17
(63)		 19
(66)		 27
(81)		 22
(72)		 23
(73)		 27
(81)		 24
(75)		 25
(77)		 20
(68)		 15
(59)		 15
(59)		 11
(52)		 27
(81)
Average high °C (°F) 8
(46)		 8
(46)		 11
(52)		 14
(57)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)		 20
(68)		 22
(72)		 20
(68)		 19
(66)		 14
(57)		 07
(45)		 15.4
(59.8)
Average low °C (°F) −15
(5)		 −15
(5)		 −12
(10)		 −5
(23)		 0
(32)		 07
(45)		 10
(50)		 10
(50)		 04
(39)		 00
(32)		 −07
(19)		 −10
(14)		 −2.7
(27)
Record low °C (°F) −9
(16)		 −7
(19)		 −8
(18)		 −1
(30)		 −2
(28)		 5
(41)		 13
(55)		 11
(52)		 6
(43)		 −1
(30)		 −5
(23)		 −15
(5)		 −15
(5)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 11
(0.43)		 26
(1.02)		 40
(1.57)		 27
(1.06)		 24
(0.94)		 27
(1.06)		 30
(1.18)		 30
(1.18)		 27
(1.06)		 24
(0.94)		 30
(1.18)		 13
(0.51)		 309
(12.13)

Hiking, trekking, and off-roading

Lake Saif-ul-Maluk

Naran to Lake Saiful Muluk dusty jeep track is approximately 9 km in length with hiking tracks difficulty level ranging from easy to medium. It can be traveled by jeep in one Hour. Net elevation gain is around 700m (2300 feet).

Ansu Lake

Ansu is tear shaped high-altitude lake situated adjacent to Malika Parbat. It can be reached via 11 km trail starting at Saif-ul-Malook. This trail can be divided in two steps. a) 7 km walk from till base of Malika Parbat. b) 4 km hike up the mountain with net elevation around 1000m (3300 feet). It can be traveled by Trekking in 4-5 Hour. Lake remains accessible from early June till late November, with deteriorating weather making it difficult at start and end of season.

Lalazar

Lalazar is a plateau once known for beautiful wild flowers and soothing pine forests. Though recently cultivation of potato and other corps declined the natural beauty, but still enchanting view of Malika Parbat and lush meadows make it a must visit. Lalazar can be reached through a muddy jeep track of 01 hour starting from Battakundi. Some people prefer trekking over riding the jeep. One famous, moderate trek starting from Lake Saif-ul-Malook through picturesque Hans Gali ends at Lalazar.

Other Tracks (Originating/Ending in Naran Valley):-

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kaghan Valley: There's no place like it Retrieved 26 June 2012]
  2. ↑ "PTDC NARAN Motel". Retrieved 5 September 2013.
  3. ↑ "Weather". Retrieved 5 September 2013.
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