Shogran Siri Paye is one of the least discovered tourist’s attractions in the Kaghan valley of Pakistan. The area is characterized by presence of green pastures, clear flowing water, and scenic beauty of hills and mountains.
It is some kind of an entry point to many, so it offers a getaway into the wilderness and at the same time, provide several jog for trekking, camping and touring activities.
Being the starting point to Siri Paye, Shogran is also a beautiful village with beautiful snowcapped mountains and green hills. Siri Paye, on the other hand, is a beautiful, grassy platform, which is slightly higher than Shogran and considerably more peaceful, with a superb view of Makra Peak.
Thus Shogran Siri Paye is apt for adventurers as well as for those who will just get a feel of the unspoiled scenic beauties of the mountainous Pakistan.
Shogran being located at an average elevation of about 2,362 meters (7,749 feet) above sea level, Siri Paye Meadows, which is located a little higher than Shogran has an average elevation of about 3,058 meters (10,032 feet).
The altitude the Nile Bluffs offers a nearsighted glimpse of the Makra Peak and other neighboring mountains.
This area also has a strategic advantage because of the higher altitude to provide a cool atmospheric climate that visitors will likely enjoy all year round.
The high altitude together with many green fields and calmness gives it the best location for photography, meditation, and trekking activities.
The climate in Shogran Siri Paye is not constant throughout the year, so in order to plan a holiday, it is necessary to learn more about the Shogran Siri Paye Weather of this region.
This makes the summer period between May and September the ideal time to tour the region due to temperature varying between 15 – 25degrees Celsius or 59 – 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
It is cool during this period and the small meadows contain grows and it is the best period to trek and sight see.
The area of Shogran Siri Paye is snow clad in winter from November till March, and temperature can low down to -10°C (14°F). Winter months will require access by four wheel-drive vehicles and activities may be restricted during this period.
However, the snowy environment possesses an entirely different kind of aesthetic value for enthusiasts of skiing or for any tourist who loves photo exercises in the snow.
Shogran Siri Paye can be visited at any time from May to September because of the cool temperature and blooming flowers.
Most denominate it the best time to visit as the month is sunny with clear views of some of the other mountain inclinations such as Makra Peak.
The ideal occasions for undergoing a trekking, horse riding, and enjoying picnicking are the summer months rather suitably.
People who want to see snowy scenes on the ground can also visit between December and February – the winter season.
However, ensure that you know the road condition may not be so good, and that the temperatures are low and may hamper transport.
Ensuring that one gets to Shogran Siri Paye is a little strains as compared to other rallying points of the northern areas of Pakistan.
Other than the one that leads to Shogran from Islamabad, all the roads are asphalted and you get to see high green valleys, rivers etc.
It is approximately 6-8 hours from Islamabad, Naran Kaghan road to reach Shogran. Siri Paye is also accessible by trekking or by hiring a jeep after you get to Siri Paye after arriving at Shogran.
The journey from Shogran to Siri Paye is nothing less than a thrilling and adventurous tour because it requires a Jeeps that moves through steep also bumpy road but the view Hotel draws the attention of every one.
Siri Paye Meadows is the highlight of the Shogran Siri Paye area. It is characterized by midland hills with beautiful tracts of meadowland spots of wild flowers and cattle grazing.
The area is quite peaceful and the vegetation combines well with the beautiful sceneries hence ideal for relaxed photography.
The name “Siri Paye” originates from two local words: Siri, which means lake and Paye as high grazing ground. As the name suggests, the meadows are serene place that’s well off and far from the chaotic everyday life.
The Shogran to Siri Paye distance is about 6 kilometers or 3.7 miles. This may appear to be a relatively close distance, but the physical journey turns out to be difficult since the surface area is composed of steep and rocky land.
The majority transport the short distance by hiring a jeep that takes thirty minutes to forty-five minutes.
There are some charges that Jeep demands for the trip from Shogran to Siri Paye and theses charges can differ from one season to another or even if there are many visitors at one specific period.
A round trip may be usually priced between PKR 3,000 to PKR 5,000. Because of this it is advisable to discuss the fare with the driver in advance especially if the journey is to be made during the holiday seasons when there are usually so many tourists.
The trekking route that attracts many trekkers from Siri Paye is Makra peak which has an altitude height of 3885 meters or 12746 feet.
Because it traverses through rough country, this trek provides adventure enthusiasts with the chance to sample magnificent views from the top.
For any average trekker, the trek to Makra peak is somewhat challenging, but definitely worth the effort because of the top of Makra is the perfect viewpoint of the surrounding valleys and mountains.
Generally, the whole trek may take between four to six hours, it all depends with the time you take on the upward movement and the weather conditions.
Since it will be tiring and also you might meet with some changes in the weather or it is very hot, it is advisable to start the trek early in the morning.
Apart from Siri Paye, some of the other tourist’s attractions include the Paprang and the Shinkiari Hut. The other fabulous meadow nearby is Paprang, which is much less visited compared to Siri Paye.
Shinkiari Hut is a short shelter that give the trekkers some relax or they can sit and take some beautiful views of the valleys.
These additional locations are more adventures than the previous one, probably for that special type of traveler, who seeks more than the regular touristic sites.
Shogran does not have many accommodations, most being simple guesthouses although they have improved on the guesthouse hotels. List of hotels in Shogran Valley are below:
Pine Park Shogran
Keeled as Shogran resort and is a perfect place for the tourists with natural scenic beauty and fine accommodation grounds.
Arcadian Sprucewoods Resort
A business friendly luxury hotel/villa that offers tranquility and staffing of services amenities.
Lalazar Hotel Shogran
A cheap hotel that has simply equipped rooms and lovely views.
Hilltop Hotel Shogran
It is a comfortable hotel with welcomes families, and has nice environment.
Green Park Hotel Shogran
It is cheap and close to most treks.
These hotels in Shogran Pakistan provide trends setting facilities, breathtaking scenes, and fantastic proximity to Siri Paye.
For travelers who want to be little more comfortable then Arcadian Sprucewoods Resort is ideal for you. For those who prefer more economical solution, above mentioned are best hotels in Shogran Pakistan offering comfortable accommodations for guests.
The most used entry point to Shogran Siri Paye is Islamabad city, which leads to the place through long, tiring but beautiful journeys.
Road users can equally use the N-15 highway through Abbottabad, Mansehra and Balakot. From Balakot you will move towards the Kaghan Valley, and from Kaghan Valley you will reach Shogran.
It is very picturesque and can take anything between 6 to 8 hours depending on the driver. People coming from other cities like Lahore or Karachi may either drive to Shogran or first fly to Islamabad and then embark on the journey again. The below table explains the routes more specifically:
| Route | Mode of Travel | Distance | Approximate Travel Time |
| Islamabad to Shogran | By Car or Bus | 220 KM | 5-6 Hours |
| Shogran to Siri Paye Meadows | Jeep | 8 Km | 1 Hour |
| Shogran to Makra Peak | Trekking | 6 Km | 3-4 Hours |
| Naran to Shogran | By Car or Bus | 65 Km | 2 Hours |
| Balakot to Shogran | By Car or Bus | 34 Km | 1-1.5 Hours |
Plan Ahead
For travellers who prefer the hotels, the truth is that during the high season reservations get taken up very fast.
Jeep Rides
This road provides leadership from Shogran to Siri Paye and it is bad so only jeeps are allowed to ply on it. Ensure that you hire a qualified driver, they should also agree on the fare before hiring their services.
Dress in Layers
The climate in Shogran Siri Paye is also very changeable, so the clothing of layers is more appropriate. Most times, other than summer, nights can be cold.
Stay Hydrated
Due to high altitude, travellers may be fatigued if they are on trekking activities, proper intake of water and rest should be observed.
Cash Only
There is no ATMs around and Shogran is a very secluded area so everyone brings their own food. Always remember to have money for your trip
Respect the Environment
To ensure clean environment around you avoid littering and respect cultures of the people in the society.
It’s Shogran. There is a mountain that is full of fun and adventure, and then there is a spot to relax at Siri Paye, which is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit anywhere in the world.
It doesn’t matter if you’re interested in trekking to the Makra Peak, rolling around in the Siri Paye meadows, or simply appreciating the scenic views and setting; this destination provides everything you could possibly want.
In spite of the fact that it appears to be a short climb, the journey from Shogran to Siri Paye offers breathtaking vistas and clean mountain air.
Therefore, he comes to the conclusion that if you plan your trip to this amazing region in Pakistan at a time when it is still ideal, if you bring your equipment with you, and if you follow all of the advice that was shown above, then your trip will undoubtedly be one that you will never forget.
The Travel North is focused on capturing and presenting the magnificent scenery of the Northern Areas of Pakistan.
