Camping at Siri Paye Meadows: The Ultimate Guide
Camping trips are the best way to escape the hustle of everyday life.
If you have a Monday-to-Friday job like me and are looking for a weekend getaway, you should consider a camping trip to Siri Paye Meadows in Shogran Valley. Though there are several options for a weekend camping trip from Islamabad such as Miranjani, Mushkpuri, Sharan Forest, etc., Siri Paye is hands down the best. Surrounded by Makra Peak, Malika Parbat, and Musa ka Musala, Siri Paye is a plain lush green meadow with two petite lakes—Siri Lake and Paya Lake.
In this article, I am going to share the details of my weekend camping trip to Shogran Siri Paye Meadows with you. I made the camping trip to Siri Paye in August 2023.
Read on, plan your camping trip to Siri Paye on the coming weekend, and spend a night in the lush green mountains under the starry skies.
Location of Siri Paye Meadows
Siri Paye Meadows is located at an altitude of 10,032 feet (3,058 m) above sea level and is only about 7km away from Shogran and 15km from Kewai Waterfall. From Islamabad, Siri Paye Meadows is at a distance of 235km, and from Balakot the traveling distance to Siri Paye is 35km.
How to Get There
Traveling from Islamabad, you will cruise through Hazara Motorway, pass Abbottabad, Mansehra, Balakot, and eventually hit Kewai. From Kewai, it’s a breezy 30 to 45-minute drive to Shogran Valley.
There are two ways to get to Siri Paye Meadows from Shogran Valley: either rent a jeep to take you to Siri Paye in about 45 minutes or hike your way there, which takes around 3 hours.
| Heads-up! Rugged with mud, big rocks, and hairpin turns, the Jeep ride is a wild one. On the other hand, the trek to Siri Paye is easy to moderate but can get really slippery when it rains, which often happens out of the blue. |
The charge for the jeep ride to Siri Paye Meadows from Shogran roundtrip was five thousand on my visit. But you can always haggle a bit. Jeeps usually take you there and give you an hour or so and bring you back to Shogran. But when you are planning on camping at Siri Paye Meadows, you will have to make a deal with your Jeep driver.
As I was planning on camping at Siri Paye with my friends, we made a deal with the Jeep driver. He was insisting that we pay five thousand for each trip because his jeep would be consuming the same amount of fuel. But we negotiated and settled for four thousand for each trip—eight thousand in total. We paid four thousand when he dropped us at Paye Meadows and asked him to come pick us up the next morning at 11 a.m.
Where to Camp in Siri Paye Meadows?
You can set up your camp anywhere in the Siri Paye Meadows but most campers tend to camp besides the Siri Lake. Many also camp beside Paye Lake, near Paya camp village, or in the maidan.
Here is a little detail about each camping spot in Siri Paye Meadows:
Camping Besides Siri Lake at Siri Ridge
About 5km away from the Shogran Valley, Siri Lake is situated at an altitude of 8572 feet (2612 meters) above sea level. Siri is a small lake, but its crystal-clear water, reflecting the surrounding mountains and clear skies never fails to bewitch onlookers.
You can set up your camp beside this lake if you love water bodies. You get to witness the reflection of the setting and the rising sun in the lake, which is an amazing experience. There are many vendors and a small forest rest house at Siri so, many tourists often prefer to camp here at Siri than at Paya meadows. Given that locals are staying close, one feels a bit safer while camping. This is the reason that most families tend to camp here at Siri Ridge.
Camping Beside Paya Lake in Paye Meadows
At Paye meadows, there is another beautiful lake. Paya Lake is even smaller than the Siri Lake but it is equally magnificent. If you want to peak the Siri Paye Meadows and set up your camp at the top, you can set your camp beside the Paya Lake. There are not many vendors here. So, make sure that you are fully prepared when camping here.
Renting a Tent at Paye Meadows
If you did not bring your camping gear but want to spend the night in the Paye meadows, you can consider the option of renting a tent there. Locals have set up a few tents at the Paye meadows. The charges for the tent can be anywhere between 2,000 to 5,000, depending on the occupancy level. You will also get quilts and pillows in the tent.
You can also consider setting up your camp beside these tents. Knowing that you are surrounded by fellow tourists and natives will allow you to sleep with peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Weather at Siri Paye Meadows?
The weather is quite mild during the summer months, from June to August, with the daytime temperature ranging around 20°C, but it gets a bit chilly at night. So, if you are planning to camp at Siri Paye Meadows, pack your blanket.
During the winter months, December to February, the lush green Siri Paye Meadows turns to a white snow meadow, with both Siri and Paye Lake frozen. During winter, the daytime temperature mostly remains under 10°C and at night it often drops as low as -3°C. It is advised not to camp at Siri Paye Meadows during winter months unless you are accompanied by a team of professionals. It makes for a good winter survival expedition.
Is It Safe to Camp at Siri Paye Meadows?
Siri Paye Meadows is completely safe for camping—there is no threat of wild animals or dacoits. Though leopards and other wild creatures roam in Siri Paye Meadows and surrounding mountains, locals often tell tales of coming across leopards and other wild animals but they are harmless—unless you threaten them first by throwing stones at them.
What is the Best Place to Camp at Siri Paye Meadows for Families?
For families, the best place to camp would be close to the vendors at Siri Ridge. But you can also camp at Paye Meadows without any worry as it’s all safe.
If you are too concerned about the safety of your family, you can consider camping on the lawns of the hotels in Shogran Valley, where you are staying.
Where to Camp at Siri Paye to Avoid People Running Around You in the Morning?
Very few people stay at Siri Paye Meadows. And those coming from Shogran Valley would reach here late, as they would have to get up, get fresh, do breakfast, rent a jeep/hike, and come. So, you can have a peaceful sleep up to around 10:00 am.
Are there any Public Restrooms at Siri Paye Meadows?
Yes, there are public washrooms at Siri Paye Meadows, but they are too dirty to use. So, if nature calls, go squat in nature because the washrooms stink. “Poop with a view” is what a friend quipped while sharing his experience.
Is Wood available for a Bonfire at Night at Siri Paye Meadows?
Yes, you can gather wood from nature and can also get it from the vendors at Siri Paye Meadows. But if it rained, the wood you will collect from nature might not burn. And also, vendors might be short of supply of wood. So, it is best that you get the wood from Shogran Valley and bring it to the top with you in the jeep.
Is Water for Drinking and washing Available at Siri Paye Meadows?
You will find drinking and washing water at Siri Paye Meadows, but it is too costly. So, it is best that you bring a gallon of water with you. You can get a gallon of water from Shogran Valley and bring it in the jeep with you.
However, if you are lucky local kids roaming around at Siri Paye Meadows might bring you water from nearby streams for a hundred or two.
