Photo: Imsami · CC BY-SA 3.0Field guides / Khyber Pakhtunkhwa / Naran & Kaghan Valley / Kaghan Valley
Field guide · Nature
Mansehra
Mansehra District · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
Kaghan Valley
The 155 km valley of the Kunhar River, climbing from 650 m to the Babusar Pass at 4,170 m.
The Kaghan Valley follows the Kunhar River for 155 km through Mansehra District, rising from about 650 m to the Babusar Pass at around 4,170 m. It is one of Pakistan's most visited summer valleys: more than 300,000 people came over Eid al-Adha in June 2024.
Why go
- ✦The Kunhar River from Balakot to Babusar
- ✦Lakes: Saiful Muluk, Lulusar, Dudipatsar
- ✦Malika Parbat, about 5,290 m
- ✦Shogran, Siri Paye and Lalazar
About
Pine and deodar forest gives way to alpine meadows higher up, with glaciers, waterfalls and lakes along the way: Saiful Muluk, Lulusar, Dudipatsar, Ansoo and Payee among them. Malika Parbat (about 5,290 m) is the valley's highest peak, seen from the Siri Paye meadows above Shogran. The valley holds two national parks, Saiful Muluk in the lower valley around Naran, and Lulusar-Dudipatsar in the upper valley along the road to Babusar. Landslides in the 2005 earthquake destroyed many of the valley's roads; they have since been rebuilt.
How to Reach
From Mansehra to Balakot, then up the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad road along the Kunhar River to Kaghan and Naran.
Responsible Travel
Use Leave No Trace principles, carry out all rubbish, avoid disturbing wildlife and livestock, and respect private/community land.
Planning tip
Best Time to Visit, May to September; the upper valley and Babusar Pass open only in summer, and July and Eid holidays are very busy.
Getting there, From Mansehra to Balakot, then up the Mansehra–Naran–Jalkhad road along the Kunhar River to Kaghan and Naran.
Allow, Two to three nights, based in Naran or Shogran.
What to Do
Make Kaghan Valley Part of a Trip
GreenPak resorts and journeys within 5 km of Kaghan Valley.
Nearby
Straight-line distance from Kaghan Valley, within 5 km.
