The splendor of Kaghan Valley: Story of a lost paradise- Last part

The splendor of Kaghan Valley: Story of a lost paradise- Last part

Babusar Pass

Passing through the last summer settlement of Kaghan Valley at Gittidas, Babusar Pass is the next stop. Along the way, Gujar nomads spend the summer months on this high pasture with their herds of sheep and goats. The last 7 kilometers to the top is a steep
climb. From the stone cairn marking the highest point of the pass, many take the time to enjoy the gorgeous vistas surrounding Kaghan and Babusar Valleys and the white topped snowy mountains in the backdrop. Chilas town is 50 kilometers from here.
Once only a rugged four-wheel track, the road through Babusar pass is now a furnished metal road and can be treaded on low-clearance cars. The highest point is somewhere around 15000feet above sea level and on a clear day, presents a view of the ninth highest
mountain in the world, the dreaded Nanga Parbat in the east.

Naran to Neelam (Noori top & Noori Pass)

One can reach Sharda (Neelam valley AJK) by using the Noori nar pass which starts from Jalkhad. It’s a 27 km long Jeep trek with breathtaking views of Naran valley & ends at Surgan Nala, Sharda District Neelam AJK.

There are few lakes located near Noori Pass.

1-Noori Lake (Near top of the lake about 1hour trek from top)
2-Dodhi Pat Lake (the most beautiful lake of Naran valley)
3-Saral Lake (Located in Neelam ditrict and it’s a 4-5 hours further trek from Dodipit sar lake towards Neelam valley)
4-Sat Sir Mala (small but exotic seven lakes located high in Naran valley) 

There are also few beautiful lakes situated high in Babusar Pass like Sambak Sir Lake (near Gitidas) and Gitidas Lake, Surkhail Lake.
One can also reach Chilas by using Batogh Pass & can see the Batogha Lake at the top. But as compare to Babusar Pass, Batogh pass jeep trek is very tough & requires a good 4×4 vehicle as well as a skilled driver.
Criminal negligence on part of both the provincial as well as the federal government, has dealt a severe blow to the tourism in the region. Not only the foreigners even the local populace of the country is barely aware of the hidden treasures accessible to
them.

Khyber Pakhtoonnkhwah boundary ends at Chilas from where the newly promulgated Gilgit-Baltistan province takes over. Chilas is also the site for the Diamir-Bhasha Dam which was inaugurated yet again by the current government few months back.

Northern Areas Transport Corporation (NATCO) operates extensively in the region and a vist to these serene places can be arranged through their transport services available in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. 

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Posted by Naveed A Bari on Jan 25 2012. Filed under Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry