Shogran Travel Guide: Road, Siri and Paye, Hotels and Food (After 4 Visits)

Visited: first week of October in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and May 2026 · Last checked: October 2026

I have been to Shogran four times: in the first week of October in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and in May 2026 with my wife. Shogran is a very small place, and it has changed a lot in these years. The road is developed, the hotels are better, and prices have roughly doubled.

This guide covers how to get there, where to stay and eat, how I do Siri and Paye, the best month to go, and what to carry.

Shogran at a glance

What changed since my first visit

• The road. The road from Kiwai to Shogran has been developed for the past two years. You can take your own car now, and you do not need a jeep.
• The hotels. The hotels are better now. New hotels are still being built, because it is easy to reach Shogran in your own vehicle.
• The prices. Prices are about double what they were. For example, friends who stayed in Shogran in 2022 told me a room cost about PKR 4,000. The same kind of room now costs about PKR 8,000.

Getting there

From Islamabad to Shogran it takes about 6 hours. The road from Kiwai to Shogran is fully developed, so you can drive all the way up in your own car.

I have never parked a car at Kiwai, so I do not know what it costs. I do not think many people park there anymore, as of 2026.

Siri and Paye: how I do it

I always stay at Shogran to rest. The next morning I take a jeep from Shogran to Siri and Paye. It costs about PKR 6,000, and I spend the whole day there.

If you can, hike to Makra Peak as well. It is the top at that point. It takes about an hour to reach Makra Peak from Paye Meadow.

The hike is a long walk, and honestly it is a little difficult. But the view from the top is worth it.

I do not stay at Kiwai for food or a meal. The only reason to do that is if some condition stops you from reaching Shogran.

What the day looks like. You can have breakfast at any of the spots there. You can easily get paratha, egg, daal and roti.

The rest of the day is for the mountain views and the walks in the valleys, which are breathtaking. Enjoy the walk, and enjoy your own company, or your friends and family.

There is no cellular service at Siri and Paye, so you will have no screen time. Come back before sunset. The jeep track is muddy, and your full 4G coverage comes back once you reach Shogran.

Where to stay in Shogran

Spruce. This is the one I recommend. It has more modern rooms, and each room has its own attached balcony. A deluxe room cost PKR 27,000 a night in May 2026, early in the season.

Cedarwood. It cost PKR 24,500 a night. It feels older, with old furniture and no separate balcony. I go there for dinner instead (see below).

Cheaper local hotels. There are cheaper options for people who do not want luxury. These local hotels have rooms for about PKR 5,000 to 8,000 a night, depending on their location and the type of room. You can bargain, but only by about PKR 500.

If you plan to visit when it is snowy, call the hotel first and ask if it is open. You can find the numbers for Spruce, Pine Park and Cedarwood on Google.

Where to eat in Shogran

Spruce has its own kitchen, but for dinner I prefer to go to Cedarwood. Its restaurant has breathtaking views. If you are not staying there, they charge PKR 1,000 per person extra to visit. A proper meal for two people, with tea, costs about PKR 6,000 to 8,000. It is expensive, but worth it. You can also go in the evening just for tea.

An evening in Shogran

In the evening, walk to the small bazaar. You can enjoy the local eateries, with fast food, desi food, coffee and fries.

Do not shop for anything at the bazaar unless you need it or want something badly. Shogran is very small, so most of the time you will enjoy your own company at your hotel, with your friends or family.

Best months to visit

October is the best month. It is colder than May, the weather is at its best, and there are fewer people. From April to September it is easy to reach, but it is likely to be crowded.

I go in October every year because the rates are usually lower than in May, June and July. There is no crowd, so I can enjoy the peace. We like quiet places and we do not like crowds.

You can also visit when it is snowy if you love snow. Just call ahead to check that your hotel is open.

What to carry

• A jacket. Always carry one. The weather changes at night, so it keeps you warm.
• Gloves: only if you are visiting in a snowy month or on a snowy day.
• Cash. Most places now accept bank transfers, but there are no ATMs or banks in Shogran, so keep cash with you.

How I would plan 2 days in Shogran

1. Day 1. Drive up from Islamabad (about 6 hours), check in, walk to the bazaar in the evening, and have dinner or tea at Cedarwood.
2. Day 2. Take the jeep to Siri and Paye in the morning (about PKR 6,000), have breakfast there, walk the valleys, and hike to Makra Peak if you can (about an hour from Paye Meadow). Be back in Shogran before sunset.

Quick answers

• Do I need a jeep to reach Shogran? No. The road from Kiwai is fully developed.
• Do I need a jeep for Siri and Paye? Yes. I take one from Shogran for about PKR 6,000.
• Is there an ATM? No. Carry cash.
• When is the best time? October.
• Can I visit in snow? Yes, but call your hotel first.
• Is there mobile signal at Siri and Paye? No. Full 4G comes back at Shogran.
• Is Shogran or Naran quieter? Shogran.

Shogran or Naran?

If you are an introvert, you will love the peaceful environment at Shogran. Naran is much more crowded than Shogran.

Naran was quiet when I went in May 2026, early in the season, but in general it is far busier. If you want calm and your own company, I would choose Shogran.

Is Shogran worth it?

Yes. It is a small, calm place, and the road makes it easy now. Go in October if you can, stay at Spruce, spend a full day at Siri and Paye, and keep an evening free for tea at Cedarwood.

These figures are approximate and based on my four visits to Shogran. Prices change, so please check before you travel and read my disclaimer. If you went recently and something is different, tell me on the contact page.