Makra Peak is a picturesque place in the Mansehra district of the Hazara region in Northern Pakistan. A single 7-kilometer road leads uphill to Shogran, a tourist resort with numerous hotels; the track continues to climb up to Siri Paye. Hiking on Makra is difficult due to the snow and the slope of the mountains, especially in winter (December-March), but in summer it is easy for beginners with good physical fitness and hiking practice to climb to the top.
Height & Weather of Makra Peak
Makra Valley is an amazing beauty located in the Mansehra district of the Hazara region in northern Pakistan. The height of Makra Peak is 3885 meters (12,746 feet) and it takes 4-8 hours to reach Makra Peak Shogran Valley Summit from Siri Paye Meadows Base Camp. The Trek to the Summit is considered moderate to difficult due to the snow, but easy to do as we break the snow as a team instead of burdening one trekker. The weather of Makra Peak remains cool throughout the year. In summer, the weather is consistently cool to mild.
Location of Makra Peak
The iconic Makra Peak in the Shogran Valley is located southeast of Kiwai and south of Paye Meadow. From Kiwai, a 6-kilometer-long road leads uphill to Shogran. You can also go to Shogran in your own car. Shogran is a tourist resort with many hotels; the track continues to climb towards Lake Siri and ends at Paya. A moderate trek of four to six hours (depending on the trekker’s fitness) from Paya leads to Makra Top.
Climbing Makra Peak
Makra is an easy-to-climb peak with a moderate level of trekking difficulty and does not require any technical climbing skills or knowledge to climb. However, hiking on Makra becomes difficult with the snow and the slope of the mountains. Deaths tend to occur in bad weather, especially dense fog and due to the steepness of some sections. The waters from the mountain glacier feed the Kunhar River.
Visitor’s Attraction in Makra Valley
From Makra Top, visitors can enjoy the picturesque view of the Kaghan Valley on one side and the mesmerizing Kashmir on the other. Many other famous mountains like Malika Parbat, Chambra, Musa Ka Musalla, and Shingri can also be seen from the top.
Route to Makra Peak
About 62 km (38 mi) from Mansehra town on the Kaghan Road comes Kiwai. From Kiwai, a single road (about 7 km) leads up to Shogran. It is a famous tourist resort and has several motels where tourists can stay. Now comes the trekking part of the trip.
You can hire jeeps, horses, or ponies from Shogran for the trek if you don’t prefer tourism. The Jeep can take you all the way to Siri. The walking tour starts from Siri. If you wish, you can also hire ponies or horses for the rest of the trek to Makra Peak Base Camp. It takes about 4 hours, depending on the fitness level of the trekker.
The second approach is from Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu Kashmir, nearly 35 km to Makra base camp called Bheri, and from Bheri a 5 to 6-hour trek to Makra peak.
Islamabad to Makra Peak
Makra Peak Weather typically varies from Normal to Cold, and the Trek Conditions are considered Moderate to Hard.
Day 1: After an 8:30 AM breakfast in Balakot, transition to a 4×4 Jeep for Seri Paye, aiming to reach Paye by noon. Upon arrival at noon, set up the campsite at the base, allowing time to explore the area and marvel at the snow-capped mountains. Enjoy some leisure moments before and Cap off the day with a communal dinner at the Campsite.
Day 2: Begin the day with a 4:00 AM breakfast, followed by commencing the hike to Makra Peak Summit around 5:00 AM. The ascent is estimated to take approximately 5 hours. Return to the campsite by around 4:30 PM, and spend another night at the camps.
Day 3: An early breakfast kicks off the day’s activities. Transition to Jeeps for Kewaei, and then shift to a Bus for the journey back to Islamabad. The estimated arrival time in Islamabad is around 5:00 PM.
Tourist Guide and Safety Precautions:
While Makra Peak presents an accessible climb, it’s highly advised to refrain from attempting it during adverse weather conditions. Ascending the mountain can be exceedingly perilous, particularly in stormy or foggy weather. For individuals with respiratory issues, it’s advisable to steer clear of the trek and ascent.
