Kaghan Valley

Kaghan Valley کاغان Upper Pakhli
Valley
Kaghan photographed during autumn, c. October 2015
Kaghan Valley Show map of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Kaghan Valley Show map of Pakistan
Coordinates: 34°50′N 73°31′E / 34.833°N 73.517°E / 34.833; 73.517
Country	Pakistan
Province	Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
District	Mansehra
Tehsil	Balakot
Elevation	2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Time zone	UTC+5 (PST)

The Kaghan Valley (Hindko, Urdu: وادی کاغان) is an alpine valley in Balakot Tehsil, Mansehra District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.^[1][2] The valley stretches 155 kilometres (96 mi)^[3] across northern Pakistan, rising from its lowest elevation of 650 m (2,134 ft) to its highest point at the Babusar Pass around 4,170 m (13,690 ft). Landslides triggered by the devastating 2005 Kashmir earthquake destroyed many passes leading into the valley, though roads have since been rebuilt. Kaghan is a popular tourist attraction in Pakistan.^[4][5][6]

The Kaghan Valley is located in the Hazara region of Pakistan,^[8] and borders the Pakistani-administered territories of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to the north and east, respectively. From here the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad (MNJ) Road leads to Gilgit Baltistan.^[9] The 155-kilometre-long valley is enveloped by the Lower Himalayan mountain range, resulting in an alpine climate and the prevalence of pine forests and alpine meadows.^[10] Alongside the flow of the Kunhar River, the valley features glaciers, crystal-like clear lakes, waterfalls and frosty mountain streams.

The natural fresh water lakes of the valley including Lake Saiful Muluk, Pyala Lake, Ansoo Lake, Lulusar Lake, Dharamsar Lake, Dudipatsar Lake, Siri Lake and Payee Lake attract tourists every year and some other lakes are still undiscovered. The lower parts of the valley constitute Naran region and Saiful Muluk National Park with Saiful Muluk Lake while the upper parts in the north constitue Lulusar-Dudipatsar National Park covering along the Naran-Chilas road the Dhramsar, Dudipatsar, Lulusar and six other lakes and hilly areas of the Himalayan Range. The Babusar Pass, which is nearly the end of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa territory lies within the latter.^[11][12][13]

The Kaghan is known for its scenery and landscapes, resulting in its popularity as a summertime resort amongst locals and tourists alike.^[14]

Most of the communities residing in the region include Syed, Pathan Khan, Durrani (Jadoon), Mughal, Swati and Gujjar families settled here from their ancestors.^{[citation needed]}

The Kaghan Valley can be reached by road via Balakot through Mansehra and Abbottabad. In Balakot, public buses and other vehicular transport can be used to travel to the valley. Additionally, the Kaghan Valley can also be reached from Peshawar or the national capital of Islamabad by renting a car to Abbottabad or Mansehra; tourists can then order a taxi or other available methods of public transport to go to the valley.

The valley is always accessible during the summer and closed to visitors during winter. This is because glaciers block the roads leading to the Kaghan during winter, although these glaciers typically melt between February and April. From May to the end of September, the roads and Babusar Pass remain open. In May, temperatures can reach up to 11 °C (52 °F) and stoop as low as 3 °C (37 °F).^[15]

The folk tale of Lala Afghani and Sohni (Lalazar) is intricately linked to the romantic saga of an Afghan youth named Lala and a local maiden named Sohni. Rooted in the cultural fabric of the region, this narrative unfolds as Lala, while passing through the village, becomes enamored with Sohni. However, societal disapproval prevails, leading to the tragic demise of the young man at the hands of the local community.

The site of Lala's sacrifice has since gained renown as Lalazar, with "Zar" signifying the location where Lala made the ultimate sacrifice for his love. Notably, the adjacent forest is christened Sohni da Banr, translating to the forest of Sohni.^[16]

In contemporary times, Lalazar has evolved into a well-known village, emerging as a burgeoning tourist destination within the Kaghan valley. Simultaneously, Sohni da Banr retains its prominence as a distinguished forest in the area, preserving the essence of the timeless tale of Lala Afghani and Sohni. The rich cultural heritage associated with Lalazar continues to attract visitors, offering a glimpse into the enduring allure of this captivating narrative.^[16]

The romantic saga of Munshi and Darshi (Paras) unfolds against the backdrop of a renowned village called Paras in the Kaghan Valley.^[16] During the British colonial era, Munshi, employed as a worker for a company, toiled in the local forest. It was here that he became entangled in a love affair with Darshi, a girl from the community. The clandestine meetings of Munshi and Darshi became the talk of the town, with their love story gaining prominence in the region.

However, societal resistance prevailed, and Munshi faced rejection from the locals, ultimately meeting a tragic end at their hands. The site of this fateful event garnered fame as Darshi da Banr, signifying the forest of Darshi. This woodland has since become a popular destination within the valley, celebrated for its breathtaking beauty, diverse wildlife, and suitability for hiking adventures.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Kaghan Valley.

• Kumrat Valley
• Naltar Valley
• Neelum District
• Swat District

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