Islamabad, Pakistan: Since domestic tourists are traveling extensively to Kaghan/Naran Valley for enjoying the vacation, they must consider the following points:
The road from Islamabad/Peshawar to Mansehra is excellent due to construction of Hazara Motorway. After the Mansehra mess starts.
Mansehra bypass to Balakot 44 Km road is taking around 1 and a half hour to 2 hours in cars (subject to the condition of the car) as no annual patching work has been done on this road from Itr sheesha to Balakot. Previously this journey took 1 hour or less.
Balakot to Kiwai (24 Km) road condition is driveable in 45 minutes to 1 hour but from Kiwai to Mahadari will take over 1 and half hours.
The road is better from Mahadari to Kaghan but 24 Km road from Kaghan to Naran bazaar will take over 2 hours.
From Naran to Babusar Pass (80 km plus) will take 3 hours or more due to bad road conditions.
From Babusar Pass to Chilas zero point, the road is good.
From Chilas zero point to Raikot Bridge (around 74 km plus) will take over 2 and half hours to 3 hours due to very bad road conditions.
From Raikot Bridge to Gilgit road is ok. From Gilgit onward Hunza, the road is good.
Back journey via KKH:
Road condition from Chilas onward to Dasu is worst. This 125 km patch will take 5 to six hours because there is no road at all after 35km from Chilas towards Dasu.
From Dasu to Patan and onward to Besham, the road is ok. From Besham to Thakot, road is good and then the driver can take Thakot to Mansehra expressway which is perfect to drive but it is not dual carriage to please avoid over speeding.
From Mansehra, one can take the motorway for Islamabad.
