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Shogran perches upon a beautiful green plateau at a height of 2,362 metres in Kaghan Valley, 34 kilometres above Balakot. It is purposely not on the main Naran highway, and is therefore much more peaceful than Naran. It is accessed by taking a jeep track from the N-15 at Kiwai, up the hill. Siri Paye has meadows situated above Shogran, at approximately 3,058 metres, and offers views of Makra Peak, Musa Ka Musallah and Malika Parbat.
The combination of a hill station at 2,362 metres, and alpine meadows at a further elevation of seven hundred metres, makes a case for considering Shogran and Siri Paye as independent travel destinations, as opposed to just side trips from Naran.
Shogran and Siri Paye tour packages from our Islamabad office is what HospitalityTours.com.pk offers. We include a private vehicle to Kiwai, a confirmed jeep for the Shogran track and Siri Paye meadows run, a hotel in Shogran of your choice, advanced bookings for horse riding or a trek to Makra Peak, and a schedule that gets you to Siri Paye before the clouds start to cover the meadows. Send your travel dates and group size to us on WhatsApp. Contact information is at the end.
The journey from Islamabad
Shogran is approximately 225 kilometres from Islamabad and takes 6 to 7 hours to get to via the Hazara Motorway and Balakot. About 4 kilometres before Naran, on the N-15, you turn towards Shogran at the village Kiwai. The jeep track branches off at Kiwai, where standard vehicles park and jeeps are hired for the climb. The track is steep and is only navigable by jeep for now. The jeep mafia at Kiwai resists improvements to the track. It is unlikely the situation will change.
The jeep ride takes around 30 - 45 minutes to reach Shogran and the most scenic (and only) way to reach the destination. The jeep track off Kiwai in a good 4x4 is a nice, adventurous drive.
Best to fill up with fuel and cash at Mansehra for the drive on the N-15, as the cash and gas issues are the same on the drive to Naran.
What Shogran and Siri Paye contain
The plateau at 2,362 metres is flat enough to easily walk around which is rare in the mountain terrain of KPK. The settlement and surrounding meadow fields are within green, open pasture. On clear days views lake towards Makra Peak and Musa Ka Musalla, with the valley far below and at times the cloud fills the space below the plateau.
This is the look of Shogran: a green island in the sky, which is why the clouds come in the afternoons, especially in the summers. Earliest is best.
Siri Lake is located at 2,590 meters, on the jeep track leading to Paye meadows from Shogran. Small, clear and best before the day-trip jeeps arrive. A great place to take a load off on your way to the upper meadows.
Paye Lake is located at 2,895 meters in the meadow of Paye. This area, known as Siri Paye, includes both the Siri and PayeElevations and the landscape connecting the two: a high mountain bowl of wildflowers, with summer meadows, snow, and views to Makra, Musa Ka Musalla and even Malika Parbat at 5,290 meters.
To get to the meadows, there is a trek of about an hour from Shogran or a three hour trek on a track that is above Siri Lake.
Wildflowers are at their peak in the late spring to early summer. In the fall the grass turns and in winter the meadows hold snow at which time many visitors come to the meadows.
Makra Peak
At 3,885 meters, Makra is the highest accessible peak from Siri Paye Meadows. A four-hour trek from Paye to the summit is on the border of Kaghan valley in KPK and Azad Kashmir. The peak offers a unique view of both sides of Kaghan and Azad Kashmir, with Malika Parbat within clear view.
Makra is considered a real mountain trek and not a hill walk. Fatal accidents have occurred with bad weather, there are no marked routes, and a guide who is aware of the conditions is necessary. Climbing Makra is possible during the summers and early autumns, but not recommended during winters.
The most sought after activity in Shogran is horse riding on the Siri Paye meadows. The meadow offers the perfect spot for real rides. With snow covered mountains providing a stunning background, this is the area people come to photograph. Local operators provide horses for this activity in Shogran. A confirmed booking is advisable for groups rather than negotiating in the morning.
Two nights, three days, weekend. On the first day, travel from Islamabad to Shogran to reach there before the afternoon. On the second day, get on a jeep to Siri Paye meadows at sunrise to enjoy horse riding on the meadow. Return back to Shogran in the afternoon. On the last day, leave to back to Islamabad. The perfect weekend structure offers a relaxed meadow enjoyment and rest of the time is spent on the plateau.
Three nights, four days. The first day is Islamabad to Shogran. The second has an optional start at Siri Paye to see the sunrise at the meadow. The third day can contain a difficult hike to Makra Peak, or, for those who prefer, another start at Siri Paye to view the meadow again. The fourth day returns to Islamabad.
Combined Naran and Shogran four nights Start in Islamabad and take the N-15 to Naran, stay for two nights, visit Saif-ul-Malook and Lulusar, head to Kiwai for the third night and then go to Shogran. The fifth night return to Islamabad. This combination allows you to explore the high valley and the side plateau in one trip without going back to Islamabad.
Photography package. The second visit is to Shogran for two nights. The package is focused around the light. The first morning is at Siri Paye to see the view before the clouds, the first afternoon is at the plateau in the forest. On the second morning, Siri Paye is again on the itinerary and afterward, the lake circuit is done with a return drive.
Winter snow package. This package is for December to February. Shogran typically has three to four feet of snow in a normal winter and is a white meadow. The track from Kiwai requires a jeep with chains. Siri Paye in deep snow is a different destination and sees far fewer visitors compared to the summer. The hotel options that are operational in winter are also far fewer than in summer.
Shogran Hotel Market
The Shogran hotel market contains private mid-range hotels and a PTDC Motel. Currently, no international hotel chains are operating in the area. Some hotels that appear in verified hotel lists for Shogran and the Kaghan Valley include Pine Park Hotel. Located on the PTDC Motel Shogran management is by the government, and it is the most reliable hotel option.
In the case of Shogran, the view from the hotel room is the most important factor, as the reason to stay is to view the beautiful plateaus of Makra and Musa Ka Musalla. Find out which direction the room is facing and if the view is direct or not, as hotels on the edge of the plateau have better views.
For any hotel in Shogran, the most important question is the timing of the available hot water supply, and the schedule of the hotel generators. The Shogran plateau at an altitude of 2362 metres has cold nights year round, and a hotel that switches off heating in the early hours is not comfortable in May.
Shogran is one of the best family oriented hill station destinations near Islamabad. The Shogran plateau is flat with easy access and loaded with greenery. The area is also suited for riding horses. The altitude at 2362 metres is ideal with no acclimatization issues. Siri Paye by jeep is a good activity for kids, who like to take a bumpy ride.
Makra Peak is not suitable for young kids. Summiting the peak requires stamina, and the trek is 4 hours.
A Shogran-Naran booking offers the ideal chance to explore both Shogran and Naran in a single outbound trip without returning to Islamabad.
Specific experiences that are best captured by a package booking, rather than a DIY trip, can be hard to come by. No package can guarantee the experience of Shogran’s Siri Paye Meadows, but certain packages can offer you the opportunity to photograph the scene of Shogran’s Siri Paye Meadows before a single soul comes to spoil your view of the mountains. Two nights is the best amount of time for this trip. The first morning is for confirming your booking, the second morning is enjoying the view you helped pay to create.
The Shogran plateau, coupled with a trip to the meadow of Siri Paye, also offers a prime retreat location for groups, while maintaining distance from the rat race that has become daily life for corporate employees in and around Islamabad. For 15 to 20 employees, arrangements need to be made to reserve multiple jeeps for Kiwai, along with confirmed group booking rooms.
Different arrangements for the Kiwai jeeps need to be made for the group, along with the transportation time. Navigating the Kiwai jeep scene in the morning can be especially long and frustrating.
More than most locations, it also matters what side your room faces at your hotel, which your hotel should be able to confirm for you prior to booking.
Remind Jeep owners to arrange for an early morning pick up to Shogran, for getting to the meadow before 8 a.m. The cloud level is very low by 11 a.m., which changes the location of the meadow.
For Makra Peak, hire a guide that has traversed the route this season. Start before 9 a.m. Avoid uncertain weather.
Bring cash from Islamabad. There is no ATM in Shogran. Kiwai has some supplies. Jeeps, horse owners, and hotel kitchens are cash only.
Avoid the Eid holidays and 14 August weekend. Shogran fills up way faster than anticipated with bookings on these dates.
Confirm the hotel is open and the kitchen is active in winter to plan a trip in December. Some properties close. Shogran has some winter access.
How far is Shogran from Islamabad? Approximately 225 kilometres, 6-7 hours if you take the Hazara Motorway and N-15 plus the jeep ride from Kiwai.
How do you get from Islamabad to Shogran?Drive to Kiwai on the N-15 Kaghan Valley road, then hire a jeep for the track to Shogran. Standard cars park at Kiwai.
What is the altitude of Shogran? 2,362 metres, 7,749 feet.
What is the altitude of Siri Paye? Approximately 3,058 metres, 10,032 feet, at the meadow level. Paye Lake itself is at 2,895 metres.
How do you reach Siri Paye from Shogran? Either take, 1 to 2 hours, a jeep on a rough road, or take a 3 hour trek through the forest.
Do you need a guide for Makra Peak? Yes. There are no marked trails, and the route can be fatal in a storm. The correct option is to hire a guide with knowledge of the conditions on the trail.
How many days do you need for a Shogran package? You need a minimum of 2 days for the plateau and Siri Paye. 3 days are needed for Makra or the second meadow.
Can you visit Shogran in the winter? Only partially. The road to Shogran from Kiwai track requires a jeep with the appropriate equipment for heavy snow. Make sure to confirm the hotel and the status of the road before visiting in the winter.
Can you visit Shogran and Naran together? Yes. You can take this route and drive to Shogran from Naran via the N-15 and Kiwai. You can stay for a night or two on the plateau.
We can arrange your trip based on the dates you specify and the group size. Packages can be built around the meadow, Makra Peak, horse riding, winter snow, or the Naran and Shogran circuit. We arrange everything from the hotel to the Kiwai jeep and Siri Paye departure, and confirm the guide for Makra before booking anything.
WhatsApp: +92 341 111 3777
Email: info@hospitalitytours.com
Head office: Office No. 2 & 3, Ground Floor, Parish Rose Plaza, Opposite NUST Gate 4, Sector H-13, Islamabad