Kaghan valley is considered to be a jewel amongst the beautiful valleys of the Mansehra district in Pakistan. The valley is approximately 160 kilometers long and is a popular summer holiday resort for tourists from both within the country and abroad.
Salient features:
Following are the salient features of Kaghan valley
Kunhar river – the main feature of the valley
Gujar nomads with their cattle
Honey sellers
Potato farms
Trout fish
The popular languages spoken in the valley are Hindko and Gojri while the national language Urdu is also widely understood. Kaghan valley is situated at an approximate distance of 250 kilometers from the capital, Islamabad. The road that leads to the valley passes through different towns and cities, notably Taxila, Abbotabad, Mansehra and Balakot. The last city/town that comes before the start of Kaghan valley is Balakot.
Balakot was the place of an important historical battle between the Sikhs and Muslims in the early 19th century and is also home to the grave of Syed Ahmed Shaheed, an important Muslim leader. Tourists coming from far flung areas usually prefer to stay at Balakot for the night before officially venturing into the scenic valleys of Kaghan.
Kawai
After entering into Kaghan, the first town that comes our way is Kawai. Kawai is situated at a distance of 24 kilometers (15 miles) from Balakot and is home to a small number of people. The track that passes through Kawai winds through thick forests of pine and can be extremely prone to landslides in wet weather.Shogran
After crossing Kawai, visitors find themselves in Shogran, a heavenly place with beautiful views. Shogran is situated at an altitude of 2400 (7500 feet) meters above sea level. At this altitude it stands well above the valley. Shogran has a number of guest houses that can be used as an abode for the night. Most well-known is the forestry department rest and guest house. Shogran offers magnificent views to three beautiful snowcapped peaks, namely: Musa ka Musalla Makra Malika ParbatSiri Paye
Once you cross Shogran, a steep climb leads you the stunning plateau of Siri and Paya. Siri and Paya is a plateau right above the scenic Shogran. Paya is instantly recognized for its beautiful lake that reflects the greenery around it. Further ahead, at Siri the plateau is situated. Siri Paye can be reached through a jeep drive or a 2.5 hour hike from Shogran. Paya is situated at a height of 11,200 feet or3414 meters. The distance between Siri and Paya can be bridged in 15 minutes via jeep. There is a forest rest house situated at Siri.Manna Meadows
Manna Meadows are situated at an altitude of 8000 feet above sea level. It takes approximately 4 hours from Paya to reach Manna meadows via a hike. The best time to visit Manna Meadows is July/August because it is this time of the year when the flowers are in full bloom. There is also a 3hour hiking track from Manna Meadows to Shogran. Sharan A 16 kilometer jeep track from Paras which is situated at the opposite bank of river Kunhar leads to Sharan. Sharan is situated at an altitude of 7872 feet. It is part if the mountain range which boasts Musa ka Musalla as its highest peak at 13,372 feet.Shinu
Another town in the vicinity of Sharan worth mentioning is Shinu. The town is well known for its Trout hatchery which is a rich source of trout fishes. Tourists can purchase a fishing license at Shinu which allows them to fish in the well-stocked river.Jared
Jared is a small town known for its handicrafts. The handicraft business is run both privately and in collaboration with the government. The government also runs a handicraft development center at Jared. The handicrafts sold at Jared mainly comprise of:- Carved furniture
- Handmade woolen shawls