8 Don’ts of Nathiagali Kalabagh Trip

Nathiagali Kalabagh, Pakistan are sister towns in the Galiat hill station of Murree hills. Gora Sahib used to cool off here in the summer months when they got tired of patronizing turncoats and thieves, all year round.

Height of Nathiagali Kalabagh, Murree

At at height of 2410 m, the weather of Nathiagali Kalabagh PAF Base is snowy in winters, but never really hot in summers.

Distance of Nathiagali Kalabagh from Islamabad

Nathiagali Kalabagh is 3 hrs and 90 km from Islamabad

Nathiagali map, route, location and pics are pasted below for your reference.

Nathiagali Kalabagh Annual Average Weather

Now comes my not-to-do list for Nathiagali Kalabagh:-

Don’t drive to Nathiagali during rush hours.

The 3 hours’ drive from Rawalpindi is heavenly early in the morning, before bazaars’ open along the road. After that, it’s a nightmare. Get to Nathiagali early and set off on the picturesque

• Pipeline trail to Ayubia or
• Hike to Miranjani top (2900m)
• Hike to Mukshpuri Top

You will feel nature’s healing touch the moment you leave the metaled road.

Don’t leave without a booking to stay at night.

It might snow or you might not be able to navigate across a sea of vehicles returning, so have contingency plans to stay the night there. There are many good hotels at Nathiagali to stay. You can cover Kalabagh PAF Base while staying at Nathiagali resorts. Hotel Elites and Alpine are relatively better hotels.

Don’t forget your Parka (weatherproof jacket)

Nathiagali Kalabagh was designed as old England, and that’s what they got— unpredictable weather. The cool breeze, low clouds, sporadic rain, and fog greet you while walking along the old England road in Nathiagali.

St Mathew’s Church

This road starts from the Victorian Governor’s house and ends at the all-wood Saint Mathew’s church. Even the pulpit of the church is made of wood. Behind the church is a fantastic view of Kashmir Valley.

PRO TIP

Don’t sit inside the vehicle.

Try getting a 4×4 and sit in the daala ‘cabin’. The real views between Murree and Nathiagali are high over your head and can only be seen when you have open-air transport. You will definitely see the pesky monkeys, pheasants, and the intelligent hi-altitude raven. Rows and rows of pine, oat, and maple trees.

Don’t forget to visit Green spot, PAF Base Kalabagh

Nathiagali Kalabagh has the thickest untouched pine forest anywhere I’ve seen. The usually tiny monkeys have grown twice the size shaking down unsuspecting tourists of their edibles. There you can rope climb and amateur-ski at its slopes. This was a mountain artillery training center of the British raj and they sure knew where to pitch a tent. PAF Base Kalabagh is famous for its Green spot skiing slope for amateurs like me.

Don’t come down to eat if you plan to go back the same day.

Do your thing. Go see

• Ayubia chairlift,
• Nathiagali waterfall.

People keep asking about Nathiagali Beach. Naturally, you can’t have a beach this high, Nathiagali beach is an exclusive seafront inside naval complex Karachi. Take your food with you to save time. Preferably do one activity each day to savor it. You can come back the next weekend for the next.

Don’t ever stop at Murree.

Muree is an urban jungle now. The Goras would be twisting in their graves to know what we have done to their precious getaway. That’s how we desis show passive aggression. There is mostly no water in the taps anyways. Just go straight to Nathiagali and stay at the several motels there. Do stop at the now-defunct second Murree Brewery factory short of the city.

Don’t take a lady friend there in your private car.

The police there are called the anti-lady friend squad. Their job is to wave by terrorists and empty the pockets of unmarried couples. Mixed tourist groups are fine. In fact, the trails around Nathiagali are packed with tourists on weekends.

If you want a little more adventure then make a loop on the way back through Abbottabad and stopover at Thandiani that chilly year-round. It’s a 5 hours’ drive from Nathiagali to Rawalpindi, but it is fun.

Don’t miss PAF Base Kalabagh

PostScript.

They have made an artificial lake at Samundar Katha at Nathiagali, that is worth visiting. 

Bon Voyage!