Re: naran,kaghan?
Hi There,
I have been to Kaghan Valley two times.. First in July 2005 (Just 3 months before earthquake) and second time on July 2008
According to July 2008 experiences, The road from Islamabad (Islamabad - Abbottabad - Mansehra - Balakot) is fully paved and in very good condition. However, road from Balakot - Kiwai - Paras - Mahandri is not so good and is being re-constructed. It seemed like the road was fully destroyed because of the earthquake. The road is often closed during working hours for repair and their is long queue of cars/jeeps/buses. The road is not paved but it is flat.
After Mahandri (Mahandri - Kaghan Town - Naran), the road is perfectly OK, the quake luckily didn't hurt it.
If you want to go further than Naran then its also good road till JalKhad (Naran - BattaKundi - JalKhad). There is no paved road after Jalkhad.. The further road is only accessible via 4x4 Jeep (if you want to go to Basel and Lulupatsar Lake).
I didn't go to Shoogran in July 2008 so I can't tell you about its condition but I think it is also destroyed and right now only reachable by 4x4 Jeep from Kiwai.
Conclusion: If you are going on your car, its perfectly alright.. However, Radial tyres and small air compresser is must incase of flat tyre. If you are going by public transport and on a tight budget, then you can reach to Abbottabad via Daewoo Bus (from Lahore or Islamabad) and then you can reach Balakot on a HIACE van or a Taxi. And from Balakot, you can get a BUS to reach Naran. Bus is prefered over HIACE on Balakot-Naran route because it is open and you wouldn't feel suffocated in it. In HIACE, you feel to vomit becoz of suffocation and you also feel dizzy if you are not a frequent traveler of HIACE.
For your convenience, I'm posting link to the photo album of my both tours so that you can see & judge the area. Happy Traveling...
July 2005 Tour: facebook.com/album.php?aid=5219&id=666727175&l=18e0a72aba
July 2008 Tour: facebook.com/album.php?aid=48782&id=666727175&l=3b493eeb91
*** Please put http www because it wouldn't allow me to post it before 25 posts. I'm sorry mods if I broken rules by posting urls in this way. You can edit them out if it is not allowed.**
P.s. Especially watch Pic # 52 in July 2008 album to know about the current road condition.
Have a great journey :)
- Sufian The travel maniac