Naran Jeep Rent 2026: Official Fares and How to Hire

Naran jeep rent is not a free-for-all any more. In 2026 the Assistant Commissioner's office in Balakot notified fixed tourist fares for Naran Bazaar: Rs 5,500 per jeep to Saif ul Malook, Rs 4,500 to Lalazar, Rs 4,500 from Batakundi to Lalazar and Rs 12,000 to Babusar. These are the numbers to hold in mind when a driver quotes you, and they give you something firmer to negotiate against than the old habit of haggling from scratch.

This guide sets out the official fares, what the different routes involve, how to hire a jeep well and where the rules and reality differ. Fares change, so treat every figure as a 2026 figure and check the current posted rate in Naran.

Where do these fares come from?

They come from a notification by the Assistant Commissioner's office in Balakot, issued after a stakeholders' meeting on 22 May and reported by ProPakistani in July 2026. It set out revised tourist transport fares for Naran Bazaar during the season, with effect immediately.

The same notification banned two-way traffic in the bazaar and prohibited parking inside it, and directed the Kaghan Development Authority to set up a tourist complaint desk and put up signs. That desk is the place to take a dispute about a fare.

The notified figures are per vehicle, not per person. Whether the fare for Saif ul Malook covers the return trip and waiting time is something the notification, as reported, does not spell out, so agree it with the driver before you set off. Our Saif ul Malook jeep fare guide goes into that route in more detail.

Which jeep routes are there?

Saif ul Malook

The most common trip. The track from Naran is about 8 to 9 km and takes roughly 40 to 45 minutes one way, on a rough climbing road that ordinary cars are not suited to. It is a jeep job, and the driver is part of the safety. The lake is usually reachable from around May to October depending on snow, and access can be restricted in bad weather. For the lake itself, see our Saif ul Malook lake guide.

Lalazar

The meadow above Batakundi is reached by jeep from Naran or from Batakundi, at the same notified fare of Rs 4,500. If you are staying at Batakundi, the shorter run from there is the sensible way to do it. Our Lalazar guide and Batakundi guide cover both.

Babusar

The listed fare is Rs 12,000 by jeep and Rs 9,000 by Suzuki Carry or yellow cab to Babusar Top. That is a long day trip, not a quick hop, and it depends on the pass being open. Check the road first with our Babusar Pass guide.

Batakundi

Batakundi sits on the main road, so it is reached by ordinary car and does not need a jeep. The notification as reported lists no fare for a jeep to Batakundi itself. Agree a price separately if you want a driver.

Other jeep fares in the same notification

The same notification also covers the lower valley: Rs 4,500 by jeep from Kiwai to Shogran, Rs 8,000 from Kiwai to Siri Paye and Rs 5,500 from Shogran to Siri Paye. If you are combining Naran with Shogran, those are the figures to check drivers against, and our Shogran jeep fare guide and Siri Paye guide go into them.

How to hire a jeep in Naran

1. Go to the stand, not the tout. Jeeps wait on the bazaar side. Choose a jeep yourself instead of following someone who approaches you on the road.
2. Ask the fare first, then say the notified figure. "The Balakot fare for Lake Saif ul Malook is Rs 5,500 per jeep" is a calm and effective opening.
3. Agree what it covers: the return trip, how long you can stay, and whether the driver waits.
4. Look at the jeep. Brakes, tyres and seats matter on a track like this. Some vehicles are old and worn, and you are entitled to ask for another.
5. Pay at the end, or pay part beforehand and the rest when you are back.
6. Ask if a shared seat is possible if you are travelling alone or as a couple and do not want to pay for a full jeep. Shared arrangements are informal and not covered by the notified per-vehicle fares.

Can you negotiate?

You can, but the room has narrowed. The notified figure is a ceiling that drivers should not exceed, and in quiet weeks or on weekdays a driver may accept less. In a crowded weekend or around Eid, you may find fewer options. Older online posts and some operator pages quote lower jeep fares, some from years back, so do not be surprised by the gap between those and 2026 figures. Fuel and season have both moved.

If a driver asks for more than the notified fare, say politely that you know the notification, then ask another driver. If you need to escalate, use the complaint desk the administration has directed the KDA to set up.

Do you need to book a jeep in advance?

Not usually. Jeeps are plentiful in season, and the stand system works on the day. Booking ahead makes sense in two cases: if you have a group needing more than one jeep, or if you are on a tour where transport is included. Our tours page lists our own trips, and the trip cost picture is in our Naran trip cost guide.

When are the jeeps not running?

Snow and glaciers close the tracks through winter and into spring, and monsoon weather can close them at short notice. In late July 2026 a cloudburst washed away part of the Saif ul Malook road and stranded around 200 jeeps until visitors were evacuated, and access was banned for a week and reopened on 7 August with travel allowed between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Police can close the road immediately if weather worsens. If the jeeps are not going, do not pay a driver extra to go anyway.

Frequently asked questions