Best Sharan Forest Travel Guide Before Visit

I embarked on this journey during the first week of June this year. This is a comprehensive account of our Sharan trip, with the goal of aiding others, so be warned—it will be lengthy.

We aimed to discover a new destination that was relatively close and could be experienced in under two days. Initially, we set our sights on Shogran, but changed our plans at the last moment to explore Sharan. I had only heard about it a few times, and it was largely unexplored territory for us. After having visited various mountainous areas, we were eager to experience a different landscape and scenery, and a forest appeared to be an enticing new option.

Before I delve into the review, I’d like to mention that Sharan is a naturally preserved forest area in KPK, with tourism only beginning there about 8-9 years ago. If you’re planning to visit or are already going, please, please, please take care of this place, avoid littering (it’s basic courtesy!), and honor the environment and nature. Bring large bags or containers to carry out your trash. We have very few forested areas remaining in our country; let’s not ruin them.

Now, regarding the review, Sharan is located in the Kaghan Valley of KPK and can be reached by jeep from Paras. The road is extremely bumpy and hazardous, and you will lose signal; there is no electricity available, so keep that in mind. Power is accessible only during the day and is very limited at night. The positive aspect of this is that it offers a natural adventure away from all artificial elements.

Travel Route & Transport:

Traveling from Islamabad to Sharan takes about 6.5 hours in total. You spend nearly 5 hours driving by car or bus to Paras, followed by a 1.5-hour off-road jeep ride from Paras to Sharan. The journey follows the Hazara Motorway, passing through Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, and finally, Paras.

The path is very straightforward, with excellent and recently constructed roads, making it almost a direct route. You can also drive your own vehicle to Paras, where you can park (with parking fees ranging from 500-1000rs per day) and then take a jeep from there to Sharan. The jeep fares are approximately 1000-1500rs per person.

The jeep ride is quite rough, featuring steep and sharp turns, and you cross over the Kunhar River bridge from Paras to the mountain of Sharan at the beginning. Essentially, Sharan and Shogran are two neighboring mountains. Upon reaching Sharan, there are camping pods situated at various distances, so you’re all set for your stay.

Where to Stay:

We chose to stay at the Pakistan Youth Hostel in Sharan. This is a tourist facility created by the government, with both camping options and pods available. The camps can be booked for Rs. 2500 per night, while the pods cost Rs. 5000. The camps are equipped with a few sleeping bags, cushions/pillows, and a mattress. They may not be the cleanest, but they’re manageable.

The hostel features a communal dining hall, kitchen, and multiple washroom facilities, making it a semi-public area. Again, it’s not the tidiest, but it’s bearable. We opted for a camp during our stay, and it was quite enjoyable. The wooden pods come with a bed and some mattresses but lack washrooms. You can also bring your own tents and set up camp around the youth hostel.

Just beyond the Youth Hostel, there are additional pods and glamping options that you might want to explore for your accommodation. The Youth Hostel serves as a decent resting point for an adventurous trip.

Food Availability:

Our trip spanned 2 days. For breakfast on the first day, we dined in Balakot. At Sharan, we had paratha and sham ki chai at the Youth Hostel, followed by dinner featuring Karhai Roti. Breakfast at Sharan included Omelette Paratha, Chanon ka Salan, and Chai. These meals were part of our trip costs, so I’m unsure of their individual prices, but they should be reasonable. The food was delicious, made fresh, and flavorful, Alhamdulillah.

Places to Explore:

Sharan is a forest with a river running through it.
– You can explore its many hiking trails, trek down to the river, and follow the stream,
– visit Sharan waterfall, which requires about a half-hour hike from the youth hostel,
– and trek to Manshi Top, which takes roughly 2.5 hours from the Youth Hostel. (We couldn’t go there due to an itinerary conflict).

Alternatively, you can simply unwind in the hostel area, enjoy the shade of the trees, play with the hostel dog, or take a short stroll. In the evenings, you have the option of having a bonfire or stargazing. And oh, the stars look amazing! The lack of light pollution reveals a breathtaking view of the night sky. Coupling that with the soothing sounds of the nearby flowing river creates a heavenly atmosphere. Overall, it was a wonderful experience. Two days is an ideal duration to savor this place.

Temperature & Climate:

We greatly underestimated this factor and ended up feeling quite cold in our summer attire, haha. I checked Google (it indicated 15 degrees at night), verified with our tour manager, and the conclusion was that a light sweater or shawl would suffice for the temperature at Sharan. It turned out to be quite different.

People were genuinely dressed in heavy jackets, even layering up two or three times, and the temperature was likely well below 10 degrees at night. We managed to get through this in lawn and cotton clothing, camping under the open sky—that was another adventure wrapped up, but the lessons to remember are: Prepare thoroughly.

Even though Sharan isn’t at a high altitude, it is a dense forest filled with trees, so little sunlight penetrates, and with a river running through, it creates a rather chilly atmosphere. The temperature is much more comfortable and enjoyable once the sun appears, but it doesn’t start warming up until around 11:00 am.

The locals informed us that the area is accessible only for a few months during the summer and is entirely closed off in winter due to heavy snowfall. So yes, pack your jackets and shawls, and don’t solely depend on Google. Be sure to check the weather before you visit this breathtaking tourist spot.

Total Cost:

The trip cost was 22,000 for a couple, not including the jeep fees. When adding jeep charges, the total came to 25,000 for two people. This covered transportation, accommodation, meals, and toll fees. Alternatively, you can also make the journey using your vehicle or take a Daewoo bus.

Your car (if it’s not a 4-wheeler) can only take you to Paras. You’ll need to figure out the Daewoo bus route on your own; to my knowledge, it takes you to Abbottabad. From Abbottabad, you can use local buses to reach Paras.

You also have the option to hire a rental car or a driver, depending on what’s more convenient for you.

Conclusion:

A lovely short weekend getaway. It’s a gorgeous spot, and I genuinely hope it remains this way without being spoiled by the local tourism in the future. Please, please, please, make an effort not to disturb the area and its natural beauty. If you can afford this trip, you can certainly manage a few shoppers and bags to dispose of your trash properly. Be considerate. And enjoy your travels!