Snowfall Turns Babusar Pass into a White Wonderland

APP

Babusar Top: Fresh snowfall and moderate rain at the breathtaking Babusar Pass in Upper Kaghan have transformed the region into a winter wonderland, thrilling tourists and plunging temperatures across the high-altitude pass.

Families from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa flocked to Babusar Top—standing tall at 13,691 feet above sea level—where swirling snow, mist-covered peaks, and icy winds turned the journey into a memorable adventure. Known for its unmatched mountain splendor, Babusar Pass connects Upper Kaghan in Mansehra with Chilas in Gilgit-Baltistan and remains a top attraction for nature lovers.

Among the delighted visitors was Malaika Bibi, a seventh-grade student from Peshawar, who experienced snowfall for the first time. Accompanied by her parents, Malaika described the trip as the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream.

“I had been waiting eagerly for this snowfall. My father promised me this trip, and today my childhood dream came true,” she said, laughing as she tossed snowballs at her brother. She expressed awe at the frozen glaciers, snow-clad mountains, and the serene beauty unfolding along the Naran–Babusar route.

Tourists were particularly captivated by landmarks such as Malika Parbat, Saiful Malook Lake, Ansu Lake, and Lulusar Lake, each presenting a dramatic contrast of icy blues, white peaks, and lush green valleys. The cold waters of the Kunhar River, sightings of trout fish, and cascading Sowani and Sooch waterfalls added further charm to the journey.

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Local roadside markets in Bhattal town drew visitors with offerings of traditional woolen chaddars and locally sourced Palosa and Ber honey. Umar Khan, a honey seller, told APP that the prized honey—mainly sourced from Karak and Lachi Kohat—is known for its purity and is even exported to Gulf countries.

Despite the enchantment, concerns over environmental degradation were also evident. Tourists and locals pointed to unplanned roadside construction, deteriorating road conditions, weak communication networks, and the rapid melting of glaciers—clear indicators of climate change affecting the fragile mountain ecosystem.

Another tourist, Nasir Khan from Wapda Town, Nowshera, shared his experience of traveling from Naran to Babusar Pass by jeep. “We enjoyed traditional Chappli Kabab and Peshawari pulao in Naran before heading to Saiful Malook Lake, famous for the folklore of Prince Saiful Malook and fairy Badri Jamala,” he said. Hiring a jeep for Rs20,000, the family navigated snowy bends and steep ascents, marveling at brown trout swimming in icy waters under falling snow.

Pakistan is home to several historic mountain passes, including Khyber, Bolan, Lowari, Malakand, and Broghail, but Babusar Pass, visitors say, stands apart for its dramatic snowfall, panoramic Himalayan and Karakoram views, and raw, untouched beauty.

The route’s gradual ascent unfolds a rich tapestry of dense forests, alpine meadows, rivers, and unexplored waterfalls, culminating in the thrilling final stretch of hairpin bends leading to Babusar Top. From the summit, tourists are rewarded with sweeping views of surrounding valleys, including parts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

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The pass has long fascinated adventurers. Renowned Irish travel writer and cyclist Dervla Murphy, in her 1960 travelogue Two Wheels Over Nine Glaciers, described her bicycle journey from Naran to Gilgit via Babusar, praising the hospitality of locals and the region’s stunning natural landscapes.

However, the road remains challenging, especially for inexperienced drivers, due to landslides, glacier falls, snowfall, and dilapidated patches. Climate change impacts are increasingly visible, with accelerated glacier melt posing long-term risks to the area.

Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism Authority is planning major investments to promote sustainable tourism. Omair Khattak, General Manager Investment, said Babusar Pass would be linked with the Ghanool Mansehra Integrated Tourism Zone (ITZ), being developed with World Bank support.

Under the initiative, ITZs will be established in Ghanool Mansehra, Mankiyal Swat, Madaklasht, and Thandiani, with Ghanool and Mankiyal serving as pilot projects costing Rs5.5 billion and Rs2.9 billion respectively. Modeled after tourism zones in Malaysia and Indonesia, the projects are expected to generate nearly 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and attract USD 2.8 billion in investment.

For now, Babusar Pass remains more than just a route—it is an adventure marked by drifting clouds, sudden snowfall, and awe-inspiring mountain scenery, offering visitors an unforgettable encounter with Pakistan’s highland beauty.