Visitors make the most of the long weekend by enjoying the last of the snow season before the ice melts
Snow-capped mountains and snow-covered structures attract tourists to the Kaghan Valley. Photo: Express
KAGAN:
Amid laughter, excitement and gently falling snow, 10-year-old Anaya Bibi could barely contain her joy as she experienced snowfall in the picturesque Kaghan Valley for the first time, a dream she had carried since childhood.
Anaya, a fifth-grade student at a private school in Peshawar, arrived in picturesque Kaghan with his grandfather just as the snowfall, which began early Thursday morning, covered the valley in brilliant white. Dressed in a black coat, a woolen cap and holding an umbrella in her right hand, Anaya was mesmerized by the scene unfolding before her against the snowy hills of Malika Parbat.
The magic of the moment was completed when he had a freshly grilled trout and enjoyed a warm winter delicacy at Kaghan Bazaar amidst the cold breeze emanating from the snow-capped Malika Parbat mountains.
“Seeing it snow in the Kaghan Valley was my childhood dream, and today my Baba Jan made it come true,” Anaya said with a wide smile, adjusting her black glasses as snowflakes fell softly around her. He said snowfall in Kaghan was heavier than other tourist destinations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding that grilled trout, fish and chappli kabab “warm hearts and bodies” in such a fascinating climate.
Kaghan’s charm extends far beyond its stunning landscape. During winter, the valley transforms into a food lover’s paradise, where sizzling chappli kebabs and fried trout become an inseparable part of the snowfall experience. On Thursday, restaurants across Mansehra district, especially in Naran and Kaghan, were packed with tourists following rain forecasts issued by the Meteorological Office.
As rain and snow fell on Kaghan, Naran and the famous Saiful Malook Lake, the aroma of spices and fried fish filled the fresh mountain air in these stunning regions of Pakistan. “After Kaghan, we plan to visit Saiful Malook Lake once the weather improves,” Anaya said, adding that the beautiful areas of northern Pakistan should be showcased on digital media to promote adventure tourism and attract foreign investment.
Like Anaya, tourists and locals wandered through the busy markets, attracted by the food stalls that proudly served the freshest catch from the Kunhar River. Trout, especially the prized rainbow and brown varieties, have become a cornerstone of winter cuisine in these valleys. Along with local species like Mushka, Raho, Simon, Pomfret, Mahseer and even lobsters, trout plays a vital role in both the local culture and economy.
“During winter, we receive a steady supply of trout from private fish farms in Kaghan and Naran valleys to meet the growing demand,” said Sajid Ali, a veteran fish seller with over 15 years of experience in Mansehra. “For many visitors, the taste of trout is deeply tied to their memories.”
