A Lake Which Fascinates Fairies - Lake Saif-ul-Muluk - Kaghan Valley

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is undoubtedly one of the most scenic lakes of the World. Located at about 30 minute distance from Naran in Kaghan Valley, it is a crystal clear bowl of green water at a height of approximately 10,578 Feet above mean sea level.

It is strikingly beautiful and captures the eyes of the tourists. The effect seems to be magical in every sense of the word.

How to get to Lake Saif-ul-Muluk?

From Balakot, you have to travel North towards the small town of Naran, which in fact is one of the largest towns in Kaghan Valley and the main tourist stop during your trip to Kaghan Valley. Naran is about 90 kms from Balakot or 2.5 hours of drive on car.
After crossing (or in literary terms - Climbing, because the bazaar is all up-hill) Naran Bazaar, you will find a bridge over a narrow stream of water. This water in coming from Lake Saif-ul-Muluk, and the track moving along the stream will guide you to the lake itself.

Although you can reach Naran on your personal car, but trip from naran to Lake Saif-ul-Muluk must not be attempted on it. It is highly recommended that a 4x4 Jeep should hired from Naran till the lake, which is hardly a 35-45 minute journey. The track is small and bumpy and a trained driver will take you up without much hassle. You can hire a jeep from Naran Bazaar or the bridge at the end of the bazaar.

A sunset at Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is an unforgettable experience and if you are fond of camping, then Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is one place you will never like to miss. The only guest room available on the lake-side belongs to the Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Province and you can get it booked from their office in Peshawar, if you are so keen at spending a night there.

There are many famous stories about Lake Saif-ul-Muluk and one of them narrates that fairies come to take bath in this lake during the full-moon nights. I can not comment on the authenticity of these stories, but you will have to spend a night there to find out for yourself - How true are these stories?

Lake Saif-ul-Muluk is an unmissable tourist attraction in Kaghan Valley and any tourist travelling in the valley can not even think of missing it.
I have the honor of watching this lake in different times of the year, starting from March to December and the lake has different colors in every month, yet every color is more beautiful than the others. I have seen it frozen in early March as well.
Have you visited Lake Saif-ul-Muluk and how did you find it? Feel free to share your experience below in Comments Section!

Pakistan's Best Heritage Site: Lahore Fort

One of my all-time favorite UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in Pakistan is Lahore Fort. I absolutely adore the grandeur and splendor of Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort.
Lately during one of my recent visits to Lahore, I stole a few minutes while travelling on GT Road to capture some images of Lahore Fort, that I promised to send to a friend abroad. Since I did not have much time at hand, so while I was entering Lahore on a family trip, I just parked my car in the parking lot, brought ice cream for kids and went inside to take the photos.
It was a long time since I visited this place but I found it as magical and attractive as ever before.

Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque face each other and offer a great heritage tour, if someone plans to visit there. Where else can you find so many historical places in near vicinity to each other?

Although "Lahore Fort & Shalamar Gardens" is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Danger, but still Lahore Fort is a huge fort with a lot of historical buildings, monuments and gardens. Badshahi Mosque has a magnificent museum depicting various items of Muslim history. Between these two mammoth structures lies the Bara-Dari (Building with 12 doors), that you can see in the above picture as well.
Minar-e-Pakistan (Minaret of Pakistan) is also located across the road, which is a modern architecture building. It was constructed to commemorate the passage of Pakistan Resolution on 23 March 1940.
I will get some more photos to share with you as soon as I visit the place again - which I am anxiously waiting as well.

Shandur Polo Festival at HIGHEST POLO GROUND of the WORLD in Pakistan

As Shandur Polo Festival is about to start in a couple of days, so I thought to give it some rightly deserved place on my Pakistan Travel Blog. You can view some of the most beautiful pictures underneath, while you can also see the Beautiful Postage Stamp issued by Pakistan Post here: Shandur Polo Festival Postage Stamp

Historical Polo Match at the Highest Polo Ground of the World is played between the teams of Gilgit and Chitral as the culminating point of the festival and the highlight of the Event.
Military Bands marches at the start of Shandur Polo Festival.

Horses and riders get ready for another exhibition of courage and strength at the Shandur Polo Ground.

Polo gets underway. Riders fight for glory.

Shandur Polo Ground is an absolute beauty at the height of 3,700 meters above mean sea level, which turn out to be a massive 12,650 Feet - Most of the countries DO NOT have a mountain peak of that height ;)

Lovely view of Shandur Free Style Polo

Para Gliding at such a height can also be fun to watch and perform.

Naran from a distance after the 1st Snowfall of Winter 2009 in Naran, Kaghan Valley

Here is a beautiful picture of the sbow-covered Naran Town from a little distance.

Mountains surrounding Naran - All covered with heavy snow!!!

1st Snowfall of Winter 2009 in Naran, Kaghan Valley

Check these cool and exclusive photos of the 1st Snowfall of Winter 2009 in the beautiful town of Naran in Kaghan Valley, Pakistan.
The first photo was taken inside Naran town:

A lot of snow. Isn't it?

You are missing Snow. I can bring some if you want. There is a lot of snow here and not many volunteers to take away ;)

A "Lovely" Trip to Lulusar Lake in the last week of October 09

A lovely trip to Lulusar Lake is definitely a treat but how about going to Lulusar Lake in the last week of October? Believe me it was still a treat while the mountains were covered in a beautiful white sheet of snow. The road and the mountains around the Lulusar Lake were also white as the fleece of Mary's Little Lamb - I hope that you remember "Mary had a Little Lamb - Its fleece was white as snow" :) So check these cool photos out:

A photo on the road to the magnificent Lulusar Lake:

A photo of the road on the edge of Lulusar Lake - The snow is getting thicker and thicker.

A beautiful view of the gorgeous Lulusar Lake:

Here is another photo of a magnificent view near the lake:

A trip to Babusar Pass in Early Winter Season

I happened to visit Babusar Pass on 23 October 2009. Although the greenery is almost finished, but still the views were absolutely Magnificent. It was chilling cold in the way as well as on the top. Here are a couple of photos of the visit.

The first one is the photo taken from the top of the Babusar Pass and features the view of the valley towards Chillas. The spiral-curling road finds its way down from the top very quickly. It looks just like a spring.

The 2nd one is a lovely photo of snow-covered portion of the Babusar Pass.

Here is a magnificent photo of the vast pastures of Gitidas from Babusar Pass. In the middle you can see the famous Polo Ground which features many Polo games during the summer season. At this point in time, the green pastures have been withered, entire area has been vacated because of the fear of arrival of harsh winter season and the mountains have been covered with white snow. Still the creativity of Allah Almighty can be seen clearly.

A Helicopter Joy Ride from Gilgit to Naran in Kaghan Valley

A broken bridge between Gilgit and Danyore- A town across Indus river near Gilgit. The bridge on KKH is broken for the last 15 months, I think. I don't know for how long it will remain as such. It is a huge inconvenience to the travelers as they have to cross the river from another bridge after traveling a long distance cross country.

A worth-watching site from the top, isn't it?

An aerial view of Karakoram Highway. A treat to watch from above. I salute those who have laid their lives in construction of this magnificent 9th Wonder of the World.

Colors of nature are so prominent in this snap. Brown mountains, Green patches of trees, Deep-Green River Indus and a cool suspension bridge - What else can you wish to give a treat to your eyes???