The Kaghan Valley situated in Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan. This Valley is a popular tourist attraction in Pakistan, because of its pleasant weather and its natural charm. The valley has been built after the colossal Earthquake in 2005.
The Valley stretches at 155 kilometers (96 miles), its highest point is at elevation of 2,134 feet (650 m), the Babusar Pass (Babusar Top), at 13, 700 feet (4,176 m).
Trekking and Hill Walking
Kaghan is a magnificent hill-station with a wonderful trekking trails and lush green scenery. There are numerous trekking routes in the Valley. Naran, Shogran and Sharan are fantastic hill-stations for outings for leisure-seekers for short trips, side-walks or nature study-walks.
River Rafting:
River Rafting and Kayaking are newly-introduced sports, along the Kunar River. Kunar River is a lifeline of Kaghan Valley, with excellent rafting waters. Some parts of the River, between Naran Vallley, are technically suitable only for experienced white water paddlers. Above Naran and below Balakot are suitable for the beginners, for fun-lovers and is relatively at easy level. Kunar River Rafting Enterprise (Pvt.) Limited offers basic and advanced training courses in running waters during October and April respectively. It organizes rafting joy-ride during June and August, for common tourists, who visit Kaghan Valley.
Jeep Safari:
Tourist can enjoy short jeep rides to Sri Paya, Saiful Muluk, Lalazar and Shogran. Kaghan Valley is ideally famous for thrilling jeep rides from Naran to Babusar Pass and Noori Top (12780 ft.). These places, with unique landscape and blessed by nature. When you want to go on long journey on jeep, make sure you should accompany a competent driver and your jeep must be in a good working, for a safe journey on the rough and patchy roads.
Fishing:
Fishing in the Kaghan Valley is another favourite hobby of the tourists. Fish-hunting of brown and rainbow trout in the crystal clear water of lakes and in the Kunar River, is a pastime for leisure-lovers. A fishing permit will be issued by the Fisheries Department at Shinu or Naran. Tourists can get angling equipment on rent from Naran Bazaar, or bring the gadgets along with them. Fishing-nets and use of explosives, is prohibited for fishing in rivers and lakes of the Kaghan and adjacent Valleys.
Mahasher:
Kaghan is heaven of fisheries. Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout and especially Mahasher are abundantly found in pure silvery waters of the Upper side of the Valley. Trout of Kunar River is considered the best throughout the Sub-Continent. Fishing licenses are issued by the ‘Fisheries Department, Naran or by the ‘Trout Hatchery’ at Shinu. There are some private trout fish farms at Kawai (or Kiwai) and at Kahania as well. Angling equipments are easily available here.
Mountaineering:
Mountaineering and Rock Climbing in Kaghan Valley, has a lot of potential. Malika Parbat or “Queen of Mountains” (5, 290 m) is the highest peak in the Kaghan Valley; which is climbed by the European as well as Pakistani Climbers.
Author : Fehmeed Fareed Khan
Bio : Fehmeeda Farid Khan is a freelance Content Writer, Reporting Analyst and a Translator as well. She assists M.Phil Scholars with their Thesis work. Being a Physically Challenged Person, she is an Advocate on Disability Issues. Working for Environmental Awareness is her another attribute.