Alpha Car Rentals

Rent a Car from Islamabad to Naran and Kaghan, with a Driver

Rent a car with a professional driver from Islamabad to Naran and Kaghan, along the Hazara Motorway and Kunhar valley. Start in Lahore or another city with pickup at your door. Your route and travel month determine whether a saloon suits the trip; a Prado or Land Cruiser is our usual suggestion for Babusar. Lake Saiful Muluk is reached by local jeep from Naran.

Naran, Kaghan and Babusar: road notes as of 4 October 2026

Last checked

Latest road card
The latest card found as of 4 October was dated 27 September 2026: Naran and Kaghan roads open. Babusar access was 6 am to 6 pm and Saiful Muluk 9:30 am to 4 pm; KP's 24-hour tourism helpline is 1422.
Babusar Pass
Reopened 25 May 2026. The usual season runs from late May to November, with opening dates set each year by the district administration.
Best months
June and September avoid the summer rush. July to September is monsoon season; allow a spare day.
Jeep fares
The Balakot assistant commissioner fixed 2026 round-trip fares to Saiful Muluk, Lalazar and Babusar from Naran, and Shogran and Siri Paye from Kiwai.
Naran bazaar
The 2026 one-way traffic plan keeps parking outside Naran Bazaar and jeeps out of the main bazaar, making it easier to walk.

Islamabad to Naran by road

Take the M-15 Hazara Motorway towards Abbottabad and Mansehra, then the N-15 through Balakot and Kaghan town: roughly 280 km to Naran. The 120 km motorway section takes about two hours; the 160 km mountain stretch takes four to six. Allow six to eight hours with stops, and one to two extra hours in Eid traffic. A 5 or 6 am start helps you arrive in daylight. Balakot is the usual last fuel stop before the climb; Kaghan town is 23 km, roughly an hour, before Naran.

Rent a car from Lahore to Naran

Lahore to Naran is roughly 640 to 680 km and 12 to 14 hours via the M-2, Hazara Motorway and N-15. For a single-day drive, leave at 4 or 5 am to reach the mountains in daylight. An overnight stop in Islamabad each way turns a three-day Naran plan into five days from Lahore. The car can also collect arriving travellers in Islamabad on the way.

Which car for Naran, Kaghan and the Babusar road

A Corolla or Civic may suit a couple or small family, depending on route and month. A Prado or Land Cruiser is our usual suggestion for Babusar and early- or late-season trips. For eight to thirteen travellers, consider a Grand Cabin; larger groups can ask about a Coaster. Mention Babusar when choosing the vehicle, as a local jeep may suit that day.

Lake Saiful Muluk: by local jeep from Naran

Saiful Muluk is about 9 km above Naran at 3,224 m. The track is for 4x4 jeeps, so take a local jeep from Naran and ask how the lake day fits your trip. Round-trip jeep fares are fixed for 2026 by the Balakot assistant commissioner. The KP road card of 27 September listed access from 9:30 am to 4 pm; start early within that window.

A Babusar Top day from Naran

Babusar Top is 65 km from Naran, about two hours each way, at 4,173 m. The route passes Batakundi, 16 km from Naran, Jalkhad and Lulusar Lake at 3,410 m. Start in the morning and return in daylight. For a Grand Cabin or Coaster trip, check vehicle suitability for your dates; a local jeep is another option. Beyond the pass, the road descends to Chilas and the KKH towards Gilgit and Hunza.

Shogran on the way, and walking the Naran bazaar

Kiwai, about 24 km beyond Balakot, is the turning for Shogran and Siri Paye. Local jeeps handle the climb at fixed 2026 fares. It can fit an early journey north or the return. In Naran, parking and jeeps stay outside the main bazaar, where your driver can drop you for a walk.

When to go to Naran

The Kaghan road reopened in late April 2026 and Babusar on 25 May. Naran is a summer destination; June and September avoid the busiest July and August weeks. Keep a spare day for the July-to-September monsoon. October is cooler, and road access follows snow and weather.

Starting from Karachi

From Karachi, have the car and driver collect you at home for the full road trip, or fly to Islamabad for an airport pickup. Flying saves the long motorway days. Share your preferred starting point when asking for a quote, or compare both options.

Payment and trip policies

Pay in cash, by bank transfer, card or online payment; company bookings can use a monthly invoice. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before pickup. If a car breaks down, another is sent, taking longer in the mountains. The quote itemises parking and fuel. Motorway tolls are extra.

Cars for a Naran and Kaghan trip: our usual suggestion, confirmed for your dates before you book

Toyota Corolla GLi / XLi4 passengers + driverCouples and small families; suitability depends on route and month
Honda Civic4 passengers + driverCouples or small families, matched to route and dates
Toyota Prado6 passengers + driver, 4x4The Babusar Top day, and trips early or late in the season
Toyota Land Cruiser7 passengers + driver, 4x4Babusar, or over the pass towards Chilas, with more luggage
Toyota Grand Cabin14-seat listing, high roof; confirm layoutNaran families and groups of eight to thirteen
Toyota Coaster22 seats; confirm layoutNaran trips for college, company and large family groups

Sample itineraries

From Islamabad

Three-day Islamabad sample, adjusted for the Kaghan road and weather.

  1. Day 1: Islamabad to Naran

    Leave around 6 am via the Hazara Motorway, Mansehra, Balakot and Kaghan: about 280 km and six to eight hours. Evening in Naran.

  2. Day 2: Babusar Top, then Lake Saiful Muluk

    Drive to Babusar via Batakundi and Lulusar, about two hours each way, returning by lunch. Visit Saiful Muluk by local jeep within its late-September access window, 9:30 am to 4 pm.

  3. Day 3: Down the valley to Islamabad

    Return through Kaghan and Balakot, with an early-start detour by local jeep from Kiwai to Shogran. Reach Islamabad in the evening.

From Lahore

Five-day Lahore sample, with a night in Islamabad each way. Valley conditions may change the plan.

  1. Day 1: Lahore to Islamabad

    Take the M-2, four to five hours, with a break at Kallar Kahar about 225 km out. Night in Islamabad.

  2. Day 2: Islamabad to Naran

    Take the Hazara Motorway to Mansehra and N-15 through Balakot: six to eight hours, reaching Naran in daylight.

  3. Day 3: The pass and the lake

    Visit Babusar and Lulusar in the morning, then Saiful Muluk by local jeep in the afternoon. Night in Naran.

  4. Day 4: Naran to Islamabad

    Return down the valley and motorway after a morning by the Kunhar. Night in Islamabad.

  5. Day 5: Islamabad to Lahore

    Return on the M-2 to Lahore by the afternoon.

Cars for the trip

See the full fleet

Questions people ask

Can I rent a car from Lahore to Naran?

Yes. Pickup is at your Lahore door for the whole journey. Allow 12 to 14 hours each way; a night in Islamabad in each direction makes a five-day Naran plan.

How many days do we need for Naran and Kaghan from Islamabad?

Two to three days is typical. Three gives a drive up, a day for Babusar and Saiful Muluk, and a drive back. A fourth separates the pass and lake days; Lahore adds a day each way.

How do we get up to Lake Saiful Muluk?

By local jeep from Naran, on the 9 km track to the lake at 3,224 m. The late-September 2026 access hours were 9:30 am to 4 pm. Ask how this jeep day fits your car trip.

Which car is best for Babusar Top?

We usually suggest a Prado or Land Cruiser. A saloon depends on route and season; groups in a Grand Cabin or Coaster should check the Babusar leg for their dates. A local jeep is another option.

Is Babusar Top open in October?

As of 4 October 2026, the latest KP road card listed Babusar open from 6 am to 6 pm. October falls within its usual late-May-to-November season. The 24-hour KP tourism helpline, 1422, gives the day's status.

Is the driver's food and stay included?

Yes. Your Naran quote includes the driver's meals and room for the nights away.

Can a normal saloon car go to Naran?

It depends on the route and time of year. Share your dates, group size and whether Babusar is included so we can match a Corolla, Civic or 4x4 to the journey.

Do you send cars to Karachi for a Naran trip?

Yes. Start at your Karachi home or fly to Islamabad and meet the car there. We can quote either option; flying saves motorway travel days.

Can we go to Naran in winter?

Naran is a summer destination, with valley roads usually opening in May and Babusar from late May. For a winter snow trip within a day of Islamabad, consider Murree and the Galyat.

Can we travel to Naran in the monsoon?

Yes, allowing a spare day for weather. After rain, enjoy streams from the bank and let the driver adjust each day's timing. June and September are often recommended for Naran and Babusar.

Can we stop at Shogran on the way?

Yes. The turn at Kiwai is about 24 km beyond Balakot, with local jeeps to Shogran and Siri Paye. Allow time for it when planning an early drive north or the return.

Can we cross Babusar and carry on to Hunza?

Yes, in season. Babusar descends to Chilas and the KKH for Gilgit and Hunza. This needs a longer plan and car advice; mention Hunza when booking with Naran as your first stop.

Book your car

WhatsApp +92 311 2847167 with your Naran dates, group size, starting city and planned Babusar or Saiful Muluk visits. We reply with a car suggestion and trip quote.

Book nowWhatsApp +92 311 2847167

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