Naran Kaghan & Saif ul Malook Lake: Complete Travel Guide
June 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Everything you need to know about visiting Naran Kaghan and the breathtaking Saif ul Malook Lake: best time to go, what to expect, and how to combine it with a Hunza trip.
Why Naran Kaghan Is a Northern Pakistan Favorite
Naran is one of the most accessible gateways to Northern Pakistan, located in the Kaghan Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is the base for visiting Saif ul Malook Lake, one of the most photographed lakes in Pakistan, with legends of fairies tied to its turquoise waters and the backdrop of Malika Parbat peak.
Top Attractions Near Naran
Saif ul Malook Lake is the highlight, reachable by jeep from Naran in about 30-40 minutes. Beyond the lake, Lulusar Lake and Babusar Pass offer dramatic high-altitude scenery and are often included in longer Naran Kaghan tour itineraries that continue toward Hunza via the Karakoram Highway.
- Saif ul Malook Lake: turquoise alpine lake, best visited early morning
- Lulusar Lake: one of the largest natural lakes in Pakistan
- Babusar Pass: gateway between Kaghan Valley and Gilgit-Baltistan
- Shogran & Siri Paye: meadows with views of Makra Peak
Best Time to Visit
Naran Kaghan is best visited from May to September, when Babusar Pass is open and the weather is mild. July and August are the most popular months but also the busiest. Visit in late May or September for fewer crowds with similar scenery.
Combining Naran with Hunza
Naran is a natural stopover on the road route to Hunza via Babusar Pass, making it easy to combine both destinations in a single Hunza and Skardu trip. Many of our multi-day Northern Pakistan itineraries start with a night in Naran before continuing toward Karimabad.
Booking a Naran Kaghan Tour
The Trekkerz Pakistan, recognized as the best tour and travel agency in Pakistan for Northern areas, offers Naran Kaghan tour packages with private transport, jeep rides to Saif ul Malook Lake, hotel stays and a guided itinerary, ideal as a standalone short trip or as the first leg of a longer Hunza journey.