A friend of mine is planning a trip to Pakistan in the summer,… and is wondering what are the different options to set up a tour from Islamabad to Naraan?
Any online bookings? Package deals? Are the rates different for adults and kids?
How much will it cost to just rent a van/jeep from Islamabad (with or w/o driver) and get to Naraan and get a hotel separately? Any online resources?
Other than Naraan… what are some other places beyond that (I already told him about Shogran and Kaghan, which are on the way to Naraan).
Instead of doing it online a telephone call to PTDC would be more reliable.
The road from Islamabad to to Balakot is very good and you dont need a jeep. Just book rooms at Balakot PTDC and drive there. Its a riverside hotel service is very good (atleast was 5-6 yrs ago). Jeeps can be booked as well. Stay the night in Balakot and then move on. In Naran he can get a hilltop cottage, they are something that shouldnt be missed views are magnificient. Kaghan (Kunhar) Trout is a must have as well.
A night or two in Shogran isnt bad either.
Other places beyong naran are Lalazar and Lake Saifulmalouk. If he is more adventurous he can go to places like Upper ShaRaN or Babu Sar Top. Both are nice places.
I dont have any price data cuz I havent been there in years.
According to PTDC website a double room in Balakot is Rs1980 and a hill top in Naran is Rs 4356. There are cheaper options available though. If you are a couple with 2 children you can just ask for extra matresses in a double room.
PTDC arranges tours every year for Swat, Kaghan/ Naraan,Sakardu, Abotabad, Nathia gali etc. For people coming from out of pakistan(with family), these trips are best.
If anyone knows alot about pakistan, travel wise then it will be no problem for arranging tour himself
The good news is that the road from Balakot to Naran is fully metled. So anyone can go in normal car.For going to Shugran, Sri, Paya, Babusar Top and Lolusar Top, Saifulmalook etc one need to hire jeeps which are easily available
The safest and easiest way of going to Naran is by arranged tours. This way one is releived from the hastle of arrangements during the tour
There site had info about destinations and facilities not much help in online booking
PTDC
Information Service), P.O. Box 1465, Agha Khan Road, Markaz F-6 (Super Market), Islamabad 44000, Pakistan.
Tel: (+92-51) 9212760, 9202766 Fax: (+92-51) 9204027, 2274507
E-mail: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Minister of Sports, Culture, Minority Affairs and Youth.
Tel : 051-9210108 Fax : 051-9224697
Culture & Heritage Pakistan Tours (pvt) Ltd Ecotourism Society Pakistan.
