The Siri Paye Meadows is just located ahead of the Shogran Valley. Do you know Siri Paye is not a single tourist destination? Yes, these are two separate destinations. Siri Meadows and the Paye Meadows.
If you are planning to similar trip to Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows. Then this is the right blog post for you.
Why not avoid all the overcrowded tourist attractions in northern Pakistan and spend a weekend in Shogran Valley and explore Siri Paye in its place?
Recently, I have been traveled to a beautiful Shogran Valley in June 2023.
I started my journey from Hyderabad to Faisalabad by train. I booked a sleeper in a train a week ago, because on the spot there are just open tickets to stand, not empty seats. The ticket price from Hyderabad to Faisalabad is Rs 1900 ($7) for economy-class seating arrangements. At the same time, Airconditioned business and Standard class have prices from Rs 3000 to 5000 ($11 – 20). The train journey took 18 hours.
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Group Tour from Faisalabad
From Faisalabad, I joined a group tour named National Tours. They have reasonable rates from other group tours. They took us on 3 3-day tours to Naran, while 3-day tour to Swat, and a 3-day tour to Kashmir. The price is almost the same for all 3-day tours which is about Rs 11,000 ($40).
We started our journey from Faisalabad at 9 pm on a coach. The coach has 20 seats including folding seats. Folding seats are worst for traveling because you don’t lean on them, I strongly don’t recommend it. The coach was fully packed means too crowded.
With the view of milky morning mist, light clouds in the sky, and lush crops, we are reported to have entered the beautiful place of Kaghan Valley at 10:20 am.
Kiwai Waterfall
Kiwai a small city is 23 km from Balakot. Waterfall Cafeteria Kiwai is just around the corner on the road, where the beds and chairs are in the cold water, and drinking Tea is making you feel amazed.
Along with tea taking off some pakoras (fritters) or chips also feels joy. Many people stop to get the real feel of the waterfall by putting their feet into the water while sitting on beds or chairs.
Pro Tip: You can also get breakfast, lunch, dinner, or brunch in the middle of the small waterfall before heading up to Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows.
If you go to the left side of the road, a slightly better environment has been created by placing beds under the bridge, where you can sit on a swing and relive your childhood memories.
On the right-hand side of Kiwai, a path is seen going up, this road leads to Shogran Valley after 7 km in the form of a paved road, at a height of 7,800 feet (2,377 m). It is a good attraction to visit in every season.
Shogran Valley
Shogran Valley is located 30 km from Balakot City. It is not on the main highway N-15. You have to take a Jeep to go there. The jeep fare will be around Rs 12,000 ($40) for a round trip.
We stopped at 11 am at the hotel in Kiwai near the way turn off to Shogran Valley for breakfast. Breakfast and dinner were included in the trip.
For breakfast, we had Paratha, Omelet, Gram (Chana), and Tea. Breakfast was nicely cooked and served. A boo fey system was there, which means you can eat whatever you want.
After getting breakfast, we booked a jeep on the spot and we had a lot of people in a group. The fare we paid is just Rs 1000 ($4) per person for a return journey.
Firstly, we arrived at the wonderful and amazing Shorgan Valley. It is just 7 km from the N-15 highway also called Naran Mansehra Highway.
If you are a good driver and your car is in good condition, you can drive your car to Shogran, and if your car is asthmatic, then you have to get a jeep from Kiwai. There are very good high-quality hotels and guest houses in Shogran. Apart from this, camping is also possible for backpackers.
From Kiwai to Shogran, a broken-down paved road winds its way through trees leading to Shogran.
Shogran to Siri Paye Distance
At a distance of 6 km from Shogran, there is Paye Meadows, and ahead of 3 km is Siri Meadows.
People usually call Siri Paye Meadows which means it’s one place, but it is not one, Siri Meadows is a different place and Paye Meadows is a different place. I knew it when I visited these places.
There is a jeep track in the middle of the jungle above Shogran. It would not be wrong to call Paye Meadows the Melbourne of Pakistan. The green carpet everywhere refreshes the eyes, the grazing animals at this place 9,500 feet (2,895 m) above sea level give a fascinating sight. If you get a chance, you must enjoy horse riding here.
If you are into hiking, an average 3-and-a-half-hour trek above Paye will take you to the 13,600-foot (4,145 m) cloud-studded peak of Makra Pahar (Insect Mountain). But you need to be prepared and have a guide as the weather here deteriorates very quickly. From Makra you can reach Patahka (town) through Jhalkand to Neelam Valley. From Makra you can walk to Jhalkand while there is a jeep trek from Jhalkand to Patahka. You can camp here, there are only tent hotels. Mobile charging arrangements are also available on the solar system.
Tent facilities are available here for two people to 25 people.
One important thing to note is that if you have come to visit for a few hours, you must take water bottles or toiletries with you. When we came here, we had to buy water from the camp hotel for the washroom.
Where is Siri Paye located?
Shogran is a mountain peak hill resort of over 7,800 ft (2,377 m) in the Kaghan Valley near Kiwai. It is located 200 km from Islamabad between Balakot and Naran on the N-15 highway.
Shogran Valley is the entry to the lovely Siri Paye Meadows, which covers the mountain peaks of Kaghan like a soft blanket at an altitude of 9,500 ft (2,895 m).
weather in Shogran
The weather of Shogran is moderately pleasant in summer and cold and snowy in winter.
Maybe you have a chance to see snowfall here if you are visiting in January or February. It’s also possible to visit Shogran in winter to observe the snowy landscape and snowfall. but amenities may be limited and it will get very cold. Don’t expect running water and heating, travel at your own risk.
The best time to visit Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows is in summer from June to August. I had been there in June and the weather was pleasant. This is a hilly area weather can change at any time, warm to cold or cold to warm. Make sure you have warm clothes in your backpack.
In the daytime temperatures go around relaxing 20°C. Expect both sunny and rainy weather, which gives Siri Paye Meadows its energetic green color.
Must pack a blanket If you are thinking of spending a night there.
Check the road conditions before starting your trip and look out for landslides and weather.
How To Get To Shogran
The easiest way to get to Shogran individually is by your own car, an energetic biker can take their bike too. From Islamabad to Shogran, you have to drive about 4 hours to reach Kiwai, then take a jeep. The jeep will take an hour to reach Shogran. When you come back this jeep will take you back. The drive is about 8 hours from Lahore to Shogran by your own vehicle.
National Tours and some other companies also offer group tours to Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows from Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad. You can also make customized tours with this company.
You can also travel to Balakot by public transport bus, but it’s time-consuming. It will get a little cheaper for backpackers who always trying to budget like me.
Hotels In Shogran
There are limited hotels in Shogran including the Pine Park Hotel, Cedarwood, and the Arcadian Shogran. You may ask about tents to camp in Siri Paye Meadows or use your camp.
Booking.comThings To Do In Shogran
There are so many things to do in Shogran Meadows. Here is the list of activities and attractions of Shogran:
9Trek from Shogran to Siri Paye
Shogran is a valley and Siri Meadows and Paye Meadows are no doubt one of the top tourist attractions. The trek can take 3 to 4 hours by walk to reach lush green Siri and Paye Meadows. It’s an easy trek. Make sure to start early to make it back before gets dark.
Siri Meadows is a separate destination and Paye Meadows is a separate destination, as we mentioned above earlier.
8Take a bumpy Jeep ride
No worries, if you are not good at trek. Just get the same jeep from Shogran to Siri Paye Meadows. Jeep takes approximately 1 hour on the mountain road, you can get the experience of the bumpy jumpy road. It is good to book the same jeep that gets you from Kiwai to Shogran.
7Sit on the swing in Siri Paye
This is the best spot to sit on a swing in Siri Paye Meadows, which is hanging over the hill. This is one of the best swing rides of your life, no doubt.
6Take a Horse ride
If you are tired or want to roam around the lush green meadows then must try horse ride. It has some fee to hire a horse.
5Siri Paye Lake
Siri Paye Lake is a blue lake in Siri Paye Meadows that undertakings beautiful views and relaxing times.
4Camp in the meadows
If you are staying at night then must camp in nature, not in a hotel or cottage. You have to chance to get a milky sky at night if the sky is clear.
3Short hikes around Shogran
you can do short hikes and treks around Siri Paye Meadows to feel Shogran’s beauty. You can ask the guide if you need it from your hotel staff.
2Spend a Night by the Bonfire
A night will be incomplete Without a bonfire. It is the easiest way to warm yourself on cold nights. Get a cup of tea and take a sip slowly-slowly while getting on a bonfire.
Costs of the trip
We were with a tour company and had to pay Rs 11,000 ($40) for each person. This was a 3-day trip.
Take the bus a mode of public transport and go camping at night instead of hotels if you on-budget traveler or backpacker.
Read also: – 2 weeks itinerary backing guide in Pakistan
Precautions while traveling to North Pakistan
There are a few things for safety under consideration. Let’s take a look.
Road Safety: The Shogran roads are bumpy paved roads. Check weather conditions before traveling.
Health: Height sickness is exceptional in Shogran but it can be a little hard to hike at higher altitudes. Don’t be too harsh on yourself and avoid hiking at night. Also, check the water before drinking or getting filtered, even if it comes from natural waterfalls.
Where To Go Next
Shogran isn’t only a great tourist attraction for short escapes, but also a seamless stop as part of a bigger tour of northern Pakistan. Here’s where you can go after Shogran:
1Shogran to Naran
After visiting 8 hours of daytime at Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows we had back to Kiwai on the main N-15 highway and traveled towards Naran.
The distance from Kiwai to Naran is about 70 km. The road condition is too bad and it took 3 hours to reach Naran. You have to wait a long due to dam construction. Avoid the N-15 highway if your destination is Gilgit-Baltistan, not Naran.
Naran is one of Pakistan’s most trendy tourist cities located in the Naran Kaghan Valley. From there you can explore many beautiful places like Saif-ul-Malook Lake, Lulusar Lake, and Babusar Top.
Babusar Top is 70 km from the Naran Valley. We missed to get there because it was closed due to too much snowfall.
It is located at a height of 15,700 ft (4,815 m). Babusar Top almost remains closed for 8 months of the year due to heavy snowfall.
FAQs
Q: Is Siri Paye Meadows a single tourist attraction?
Ans. No! Siri Meadows is different and Paye Meadows are different attractions, but they are near to each other.
Q: How to get to the Shogran to Siri Paye?
Ans. The distance is about 7 km from Shogran to Siri Paye Meadows. You can hike for 3 to 4 hours or get a jeep ride that takes 1 hour on the bumpy road.
Q: How to get Siri Paye from Islamabad?
Ans. There is a 4-hour drive from Islamabad to Kiwai, then you can get a jeep to Shogran and Siri Paye Meadows.
Q: Can we travel to Shogran and Siri Paye by bus?
Ans. Yes! You can. You can get a bus from Islamabad to Balakot City. Then, take a van ride from Balakot to Naran and get off at Kiwai. Now, hire a jeep solo or wait to fill the jeep to take you to Shogran and Siri Paye. The jeep fare for a single person is around Rs 1000 ($4) for return.
If you are traveling by bike ride from Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Hyderabad, or any other city, then here is the guide on how to ship bike by Pakistan railway.
