Government-run motel in Naran offering clean comfortable rooms at reasonable prices. Basic but well-maintained with helpful staff and restaurant. Good base for exploring Kaghan Valley and Lake Saiful Muluk.
PTDC Motel Naran sits in the main bazaar area of Naran, a small town in Kaghan Valley at approximately 2,409 metres above sea level in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The motel is operated by the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, a government agency that maintains a network of rest houses and motels across the country's major tourist destinations. Naran sits at the junction of the Kunhar River and the road leading toward Lake Saiful Muluk, making it the primary overnight base for visitors to Kaghan Valley. The bazaar and shared jeep stand are within a short walk of the property.
The motel follows the utilitarian standard expected of PTDC properties: clean functional rooms with solid furniture, tiled bathrooms, and gas or electric heating for the cold mountain nights that occur even in July and August. Mountain views are visible from the upper floors and from the property's common areas. The building lacks the aesthetic ambition of private boutique properties but compensates with maintained infrastructure and reliable cleanliness.
An in-house restaurant serves Pakistani meals — rice dishes, curries, kebabs, daal — throughout the day and into the evening. Breakfast options include paratha and eggs. The menu is straightforward and priced for the domestic tourist majority who form the bulk of Naran's visitors.
The motel also functions as an information point: staff can direct guests toward shared jeep transport for Lake Saiful Muluk, which is 15 kilometres away and closed to private vehicles. Day trips to Babusar Pass (76km), Shogran (45km), and Lulusar Lake can be arranged through the front desk. The property has parking for private vehicles, relevant as most Naran visitors arrive by private car or hired jeep. Families and domestic road-trip groups make up the majority of the clientele, with the summer season (June–September) being the only viable period for visits given heavy winter snowfall.
Amenities
- restaurant
- heating
- parking
- mountain views
- tourist information
Location
Main Bazar, Naran, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
34.9053, 73.6550 View on map
Highlights
- Government-operated motel with reliable standards in Naran's main bazaar
- Walking distance to shared jeep stand for Lake Saiful Muluk and Babusar Pass routes
- In-house restaurant serving Pakistani meals and breakfast throughout the day
- Parking available for private vehicles and hired jeeps
- Tourist information and day trip arrangement for Kaghan Valley destinations
Tips for visiting
- Naran fills to capacity during Eid holidays and peak summer weekends (July–August); book at least two weeks ahead for these periods as accommodation across the town is heavily oversubscribed.
- Pack warm clothes even for summer visits — Naran's elevation means night temperatures drop below 10°C and mornings require a jacket even on sunny days.
- The road to Lake Saiful Muluk is closed to private vehicles; shared jeeps from the bazaar stand near the motel are the only option and leave when full, typically from early morning.