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Tag: kaghan valley

  • Shogran or Naran? Which One to Pick After 4 Visits (Crowds, Hotels, Food, Weather)

    Shogran: first week of October in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and May 2026 · Naran: several visits, most recently May 2026 · Last checked: October 2026

    Shogran and Naran are both in the Kaghan side of the mountains, only a drive apart, and most people pick one without knowing much about the other. I have been to Shogran four times and to Naran several times, most recently in May 2026. I prefer Shogran, and this post explains why, who should choose which, and what each costs.

    If you like your own company and not crowds, read the Shogran section first. If you want a base for the Babusar road, Batakundi and Lulusar Lake, Naran makes more sense.

    Shogran vs Naran at a glance

    ShogranNaran
    CrowdsQuiet and peacefulMuch more crowded in general (empty when I went in May 2026, early in the season)
    Best monthOctoberOctober for peace, or April and May to escape the heat of the plains
    Getting thereAbout 6 hours from Islamabad. The road from Kiwai is fully developedOn the main highway. About 12 hours from Faisalabad
    Hotels, per nightLocal hotels PKR 5,000 to 8,000. Spruce PKR 27,000. Cedarwood PKR 24,500 (May 2026)Luxus PKR 14,000 (usual PKR 17,500) in May 2026
    Meal for two with teaPKR 6,000 to 8,000 at CedarwoodAbout PKR 4,000
    Things to doSiri and Paye, Makra Peak, the small bazaar, tea at CedarwoodSaif-ul-Malook, and the road to Batakundi, Lulusar Lake and Babusar Top
    AirClean air, less pollutionNot noted

    If you want quiet, choose Shogran

    If you are an introvert, you will love the peaceful environment in Shogran. Naran is much more crowded. In my experience, Shogran has less crowd, cleaner air and less pollution, and most of the time you enjoy your own company at your hotel with your friends or family.

    I travel in October because the rates are usually lower than in May, June and July, and there is no crowd. My friends and I like quiet places, and Shogran in the first week of October is exactly that.

    One honest note: Naran was almost empty when I went in May 2026, early in the season. But in general it is far busier than Shogran, especially from April to September.

    If you want the Babusar road, choose Naran

    Naran is the better base if you want to drive towards Babusar Top. From Naran it is about 70 km and 2 to 3 hours to the top. It is also the gateway to Batakundi and Lulusar Lake. I think the drive from Naran to Babusar Top is the best part of that side of the mountains. The top itself is only for tea, pakoras and a view.

    Saif-ul-Malook is also near Naran. I have only been once, and I do not like this lake, because it is easy for everyone to get to. A jeep with a driver costs about PKR 5,000 today.

    Cost: where your money goes further

    • Hotels. Shogran has cheap local hotels at PKR 5,000 to 8,000 a night. The two well-known hotels, Spruce and Cedarwood, cost PKR 27,000 and PKR 24,500 in May 2026. In Naran, Luxus cost me PKR 14,000 against its usual PKR 17,500.
    • Food. A meal for two with tea is about PKR 4,000 in Naran, against PKR 6,000 to 8,000 at Cedarwood in Shogran.
    • Activities. The jeep to Siri and Paye costs about PKR 6,000. A jeep to Saif-ul-Malook costs about PKR 5,000.

    Weather and the best months

    October is the best month for the weather in both places, and the nights are colder. April and May are good if you want to escape the summer heat of cities like Faisalabad and Lahore. Always carry a jacket.

    I would avoid Murree and Nathia Gali if you want quiet. In my opinion they are too crowded.

    Which one should you pick?

    • You like quiet and your own company: Shogran, in October.
    • You are going with family: Shogran has a calm setting, and Cedarwood is a good choice for families.
    • You are driving on towards Babusar, Batakundi or Lulusar: Naran.
    • You are on a tight budget: Naran for meals and a local hotel in Shogran for rooms.
    • You want a bonfire night with friends: Spruce or Pine Park in Shogran.

    Quick answers

    • Is Shogran quieter than Naran? Yes, much quieter in general.
    • Which is cheaper? Naran for food. Shogran for rooms if you choose a local hotel.
    • Which is better in October? Shogran. It has the best weather and the fewest people.
    • Do I need a jeep for Shogran? No. The road from Kiwai is fully developed.

    Related: Shogran travel guide · Shogran, Naran and Babusar Top in May 2026 · Spruce vs Cedarwood vs Luxus Naran · Food prices in Shogran and Naran

    This comparison is based on my own visits. Prices and crowds change, so please check before you travel and read my disclaimer. If you visited recently and something is different, tell me on the contact page.

  • 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

    Shogran quick factsDetails
    Best monthOctober. It has the best weather and fewer people.
    Time from IslamabadAbout 6 hours
    Road from Kiwai to ShogranFully developed. No jeep needed.
    Jeep from Shogran to Siri and PayeAbout PKR 6,000
    Local hotel, per nightPKR 5,000 to 8,000, depending on location and room type
    Spruce (deluxe room) or Cedarwood, per nightPKR 27,000 at Spruce and PKR 24,500 at Cedarwood (May 2026)
    Dinner for two at Cedarwood, with teaAbout PKR 6,000 to 8,000
    Mobile signalNone at Siri and Paye. Full 4G at Shogran.
    ATMs or banks in ShogranNone. Carry cash.

    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.