The route from Naran to Sharda is among the most physically demanding and scenically magnificent overland journeys in Pakistan. Crossing from the Kaghan Valley in KPK to the Neelum Valley in Azad Jammu & Kashmir via Babusar Top (4,173m) and a series of increasingly remote mountain tracks, this route passes through landscapes that very few tourists ever see — the transition from the Himalayan foothills of Hazara to the deep forest gorges of AJK is one of the most dramatic geographical shifts a vehicle journey can produce in Pakistan.
The Route: Naran to Sharda via Babusar and AJK
The complete route covers approximately 280km one-way and requires a minimum of 2 days of driving (with overnight stops). The terrain is challenging throughout — many sections are classified as extreme offroad and require not just 4×4 capability but high ground clearance and differential locks.
Stage 1 — Naran to Babusar Top (85km, 3–4 hours): The well-known Babusar road climbs through Lalazar, Besal and Lulusar Lake before reaching the 4,173m pass. This section is the most maintained part of the route and is navigable by standard 4×4 jeeps. Cross into Gilgit-Baltistan at the summit.
Stage 2 — Babusar Top to Chilas (60km, 2 hours): Descend the northern face of Babusar via a series of steep switchbacks to Chilas on the Karakoram Highway. The Karakoram Highway provides brief respite — paved, well-maintained. Rest stop and fuel at Chilas (last reliable fuel station for this route).
Stage 3 — Chilas to Minimarg (80km, 3–4 hours): Leave the KKH at the Chilas junction and take the Skardu Road southeast through increasingly remote terrain. Pass through Chagarkhan and Alam Bridge before the road climbs into Minimarg — a high-altitude valley at 3,200m used as a seasonal army garrison and summer grazing ground. This section transitions from KKH standard roads to serious mountain tracks.
Stage 4 — Minimarg to Sharda (55km, 3–5 hours — EXTREME OFFROAD): This is the most demanding section. The track crosses Burzil Pass (4,100m) — a high mountain saddle connecting GB to AJK — through terrain that is passable only July–September when snow has cleared. Beyond the pass, the track descends dramatically into the Neelum Valley, reaching Sharda village on the banks of the Neelum River.
About Sharda — The Ancient University Town
Sharda is a small village on the Neelum River in AJK, but its historical significance far exceeds its modest present. The site was home to the ancient Sharda Peeth — one of the great centres of Hindu and Buddhist learning of the first millennium AD, considered one of the three most sacred sites of the Sharda script (the ancestor of all modern Kashmiri scripts, Gurmukhi and Takri). The ruins of the Sharda temple complex, perched on a hillside above the Neelum River, are visible from the village — stone walls of remarkable solidity for structures over 1,000 years old, with carved niches and pillar bases still clearly defined.
Scholars believe the Sharda Peeth at its peak attracted students from across South and Central Asia, making it comparable in regional importance to Nalanda or Taxila. The combination of this extraordinary historical layer with the breathtaking natural setting of the upper Neelum Valley creates an experience with no parallel elsewhere in Pakistan.
Jeep Requirements for Naran to Sharda
This route is not for standard 4×4 jeeps. The Burzil Pass section requires: Differential locks (front and rear) — sections of the track include loose rock inclines where traction control alone is insufficient. High ground clearance (minimum 300mm) — boulder crossings on the Minimarg side require significant undercarriage clearance. Snorkel air intake — several river crossings in the GB section can be wheel-axle deep in June. Recovery gear — high-lift jack, traction boards, tow rope and shovel are mandatory for this route. Vehicles suitable: Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series (strongly preferred), Mitsubishi Pajero (older body), Nissan Patrol. Not suitable: standard Toyota Prado, Fortuner, RAV4 or similar urban 4×4 vehicles.
Permits Required
AJK entry via the Burzil Pass route requires: AJK Entry Permit (obtainable in Muzaffarabad or Mansehra, 1–2 days in advance), Neelum Valley Permit for upper Neelum destinations. Pakistani national ID card for all travelers. NaranTours manages all permit logistics for booked tours. International visitors require additional NOC from Ministry of Interior — arrange minimum 2 weeks in advance.
Best Season
The Burzil Pass section is passable only mid-July to mid-September — the narrowest seasonal window of any route in this guide. Even within this window, check conditions 48 hours before departure as early or late snowfall can close the pass without notice. The NaranTours coordinator monitors pass conditions through army contacts at the Minimarg garrison.