We reached Shogran at around 1:30 pm and got ourselves checked in at Pine Park Hotel, which is the best place to stay at Shogran (so we were told). The season is off these days (September) and all the hotel rooms were available at throwaway prices. We had the option of getting a standard double room with mattress OR there was another attractive deal of getting a cottage with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. We decided to pamper ourselves, and got a cottage. Normal rate of a cottage during season is Rs.7,000 – 8,000 per night however, due to off season, we got it really cheap at Rs.2,200 after much haggling ? with hot water throughout the day (normally hot water is available only for 4-5 hours daily in the morning from 6-11 am).
The room was fine and the hotel was also nice, but the food was really pathetic and so was the tea. However, the breakfast was really nice and we had Parathas, Omlette and Toasts. We tried tea at 3 different restaurants just to have a better taste, but could not find a perfect cuppa tea at Shogran. So if you are a tea lover, don’t forget to take your own kettle and ingredients. The only good food that we could find was the dinner at a place called Manshi Bareeze restaurant (referred by Mr. Liaqat, the caretaker of the Governor House) , which is not far from Pine Park hotel. Karahi Chicken and Channay Ki Daal with fresh roti by the log-fire was really interesting and we ate well, finally.Next day we had plans of visiting Sri and Paya, the two places we had as a must see on our agenda, but unfortunately, it started raining the next morning and we were told by the hotel management not to go to either of the places, as it was a tricky and dangerous route in rain (one has to go there by 4WD jeep, available for hire at the hotel). So we dropped the idea and left for Naran, which according to the hotel management is a safer bet and one can do travel to, even during rain (the road by the way, is not all that good to travel by a saloon car). We left for Naran at around 12:30 and reached Naran by 4:00. The total distance from Kidwai to Naran is approx. 80 kms, but the road makes it a travel of approx 3 – 3:30 hours.
The room was fine and the hotel was also nice, but the food was really pathetic and so was the tea. However, the breakfast was really nice and we had Parathas, Omlette and Toasts. We tried tea at 3 different restaurants just to have a better taste, but could not find a perfect cuppa tea at Shogran. So if you are a tea lover, don’t forget to take your own kettle and ingredients. The only good food that we could find was the dinner at a place called Manshi Bareeze restaurant (referred by Mr. Liaqat, the caretaker of the Governor House) , which is not far from Pine Park hotel. Karahi Chicken and Channay Ki Daal with fresh roti by the log-fire was really interesting and we ate well, finally.Next day we had plans of visiting Sri and Paya, the two places we had as a must see on our agenda, but unfortunately, it started raining the next morning and we were told by the hotel management not to go to either of the places, as it was a tricky and dangerous route in rain (one has to go there by 4WD jeep, available for hire at the hotel). So we dropped the idea and left for Naran, which according to the hotel management is a safer bet and one can do travel to, even during rain (the road by the way, is not all that good to travel by a saloon car). We left for Naran at around 12:30 and reached Naran by 4:00. The total distance from Kidwai to Naran is approx. 80 kms, but the road makes it a travel of approx 3 – 3:30 hours.
Ruins of Muree
Chair liftMurree is known as the Queen of Hills. Murree is only an hour's drive northeast of Islamabad and an ideal getaway if you are tired of the heat of the capital. Murree is one of the most popular summer resorts in Pakistan.At the northeast end is Kashmir Point, with views across the valley of the Jhelum River into Azad Kashmir. At the southwest end is Pindi Point, looking back towards Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Between the two runs The Mall, at the center of, which is the main shopping area, where most people congregate. Chair Lifts in Murree give a ride from Bansara Gali (below Murree) to Pindi Point, the other to the top of Patriata hill (on the road to Karor).On the way to Murree you can also visit 'Chatter Park' a small theme park. There are also many other parks on the way into Murree.
Siran and Kunhar (Nain Sukh?) are well known rivers of the district. The Siran issues from Panjool and flows through the western plain of Pakhli. Two canals have been taken out from the Siran river, the upper Siran canal at Dharial and lower Siran canal at Shinkiari. From Pakhli the Siran runs into the Tanawal hills and joins the Indus at Tarbela in the north west. Its total course is between 70 to 80 miles, and it irrigates 6,273 acres of land. The Kunhar bursts out from the lake Lulusar at the head of Kaghan valley and after a turbulent courses of 110 miles falls in the river Jehlum at Pattan. Since the land upon its bank is little level therefore, its water is not used for irrigation purposes. Some other notable bourn and nullahs which flow in district Mansehra are Pootkattha (Mansehra), Nadi Unhar (Shergarh), Butkus (joins the Siran near Icharian) and
Mansehra is a gate way to the tourism. And has played and playing a vital role in the development of tourism. Mansehra itself is a little city but lies in the center that’s the reason it is very important. Mansehra is a beautiful area and has very famous areas around itself which are always very brilliant and give a nice look to the eyes and are the best example of the natural beauty. I was always keen to let people know that how important it is to have a special arrangement to coming to this area. First of all I want to give a little bit of summary of what to see here. Very west of the city Mansehra, there lies an area named as TANAWAL which is such big area that contains 84 villages in itself. This area is very good and attractive and is full of Pine trees. Unfortunately this area is never given importance that’s the reason it doesn't have any special arrangements for the tourists to stay. So if one is interested to come to TANAWAL then he must go early in the morning and must be back before the sun set.
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk is situated at 3000+m, about 40 minutes jeep ride from Naran. Best time to visit is early in the morning when the air is cool, resulting in a picture perfect reflection on the lake. Camping facilities are also avaialbe, but you will have to check with the hotel that you will stay at. Nice view of Malaka Parbat.A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake, which discuss a prince who fell in love with a fairy princess. The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.
Lake Saif-ul-Maluk is situated at 3000+m, about 40 minutes jeep ride from Naran. Best time to visit is early in the morning when the air is cool, resulting in a picture perfect reflection on the lake. Camping facilities are also avaialbe, but you will have to check with the hotel that you will stay at. Nice view of Malaka Parbat.A fairy tale called Saiful Muluk, written by the famous sufi poet Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, is associated with the lake, which discuss a prince who fell in love with a fairy princess. The impact of the lake beauty is of such extent that people believe that fairies come down to lake in full moon.
Abbottabad Cricket Stadium
Night View in abbottabad
Night View in abbottabadAbbottabad is the most exquisite major city of Pakistan not far from Islamabad. It is north-west of Islamabad just 65 miles away on a beautful road that leads to Muzaffarabad, capital of the Pakistani controlled Kashmir (Azad Kashmir), the Kaghan Valley, Gilgit, Skardu and China. This city is at the begining of the world famous "slik route", that is now considerd as a living wonder of the world. This road ultimately leads to mountains like the K2, Nanga Parbat and many other world's highest mountains that are more than 8,000 metres above the sea level.Abbottabad is also home to the Pakistan Miltary Academy (PMA), Kakool. So be aware that there is a large military presence in the town.Evergreen Abbotabad has a cooler weather in the summer and snowfall in the winter. A lot of fresh water springs and surrounding snow top mountains.Abbottabad is also known as city of schools and colleges there are 33 medical colleges in pakistan while 5 of them are in abbottabad it is a beautifull city.Its lovely to go up to the top of Shimla Pahari and look down upon Abbottabad and hear the sounds of the town wafting upwards.
Lake Saiful Malook 
Inside the Gracier
Lake Saiful Malook
Naran is the middle point of Kaghan Valley and it is a place where you defiantly want to spend few days of your leisure. This is the place of out-door pleasure. Here you'll depart from the river Kunhar and on both sides of road there are vast fields. Don't look here and there the melody you are hearing is provided by the river Kunhar who is with you on same level. If you like climbing this is a place for you because there are mountains all around you. You can explore the scenic and picturious landscape and valley's by climbing up hiking.
Golden Temple of the Sikh's; Amritsar - LEH, India
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The Golden Temple of the Sikh's in Amritsar, India. 1977.
The wheat and barley harvest has begun and crops are being harvested in preparation for the long, cold winter ahead.
Our group cycles over the Altit Bridge, which connects the small village of Altit with its neighbor, Karimabad, in the Hunza valley.
The early morning sun hits 7754 meter high Rakaposhi, once called, "the greatest manifestation of mountain grandeur I have ever seen," by the intrepid explorer Wilfred Thesiger.
Baltit Fort, the former home of the Mir of Hunza
Altit is a small suburb of Karimabad, the largest town in Hunza, with spectacular views and a lifestyle that alleges that many of its inhabitants live to be well over 100 years old.
View of the Hunza River Valley at Passu. This was the route taken by various British legations to Kashgar during the days of The Great Game...the great politicial game of intrigue between Russia and the British Empire in Indai. The trip from Lahore to Kashgar could take six to eight weeks...in good conditions
Zaver Pearl Continental Hotel Gwadar
The beautiful town of Passu sits along the Hunza River, at the base of the Passu Glacier. Several years ago the glacier and melting snow, mixed with rain, caused major flood and runoff damage resulting in the damming of the river. Pakistani airforce jets had to bomb the dam to allow the river to run and prevent further flood damage to the valley.
Hunza, a remote mountain kingdom, may have been the inspiration behind James Hilton's "Shangri-La." The area opened up in the 1970s following the completion of the Karakoram Highway (KKH); an engineering marvel tracing the old silk route from Pakistan into China.
The fair skinned and light-eyed Hunzakuts claim to be descendants of soldiers lost from Alexander's army as he invaded India. Their language, Burushaski, provides linguists an enigma as it is unrelated to any other language known to man.
The beauty of this mountain paradise is matchless; from the soft blossoms of the apricot trees to the dark snowcapped rock monuments of Rakaposhi (7788 m.) and recently climbed Ultar (7388 m.) jabbing a vivid blue backdrop high above.
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