For the last 20 days or so I was planning my trip to Neelum Valley upto Taobutt. I posted a thread also but did not get response. I kept searching reading PWs trips to Neelum but still remained thirsty for requisite latest information. Then I PMd to some PWs to get specific info which I got. I would like to thank especially to Mudassar Bhai from Sialkot to whom I talked about 40 minutes and gathered very useful info and suggestions from him.
Wednesday, 20-05-2015
So, I with my spouse and three kids (12y, 13y, 8m) started our journey from Lahore at 0600 PST. We stayed at Bhera for almost 30 minutes and reached Islamabad around 1115 PST and without staying there reached Kohala Bridge around 1400 PST.
Paid Zohar there and had lunch which was tasteless and at the same time expensive too. Can you believe that we ordered a Chicken Karahi, a plate of Chicken Pakoras, a Nestle Podina raita, a Nestle Mineral Water and 5 or 6 rotis and the bill was Rs.3250/= (with 20% service charges J ). Pehle mintay karte hain k ajain ajain or baad main chhill utarte hain. Sitting arrangement and site are good although. So we reached Muzaffarabad around 1800 PST. I went straight to Sangam Hotel. They charged me Rs.4000/night (although he initially said Rs.5000/-). Good hotel for family. As kids were not happy with lunch menu so they insisted me to find some fast food there and we found Mr.COD there and had dinner (Rs.2000 family deal 4 fish burgers + 4 chicken piece + French fries + drinks). Nice and fresh food with nice presentation. Came back to hotel with plan to leave early next morning for Kel visiting Kutton, Keran Sharda on the way.
Note: I took express motorway route for Kohala Bridge but when express way ended instead of turning left towards Jhika Gali I kept going straight and it took almost one and half hour or may be two hours to reach Kohala bridge. Road condition was also not good and it was quite quite boring route. So always go to Jhika gali and then turn right towards Bhurban road and a road goes downwards to Kohala bridge before Bhurban which I found marvelous when I took it on my return, smooth and carpeted (a bit steep though) .
Thursday, 21-05-2015
Next morning we ordered breakfast with paratha, omelet, and especially instructed ?karak? tea which cook made perfectly so I gave him Rs.100/= Inaam J (breakfast was complementary).
So we left Muzaffarabad at 0930 PST for our ultimate destination Arang Kel via Kutton, Keran, Sharda and Kel.
We stayed for a while at Dhani Water Fall. Mere dono betay wahan nahanay k liyai bohat excited thay but Abshar k onchai or thanda pani dekh kr iraday se munkar ho gaye J so after staying 30 minutes there we resumed our journey and reached Athmuqam around 1300 PST. My intensions were to touch Kutton for a while and then to Keran. We took left from Kundal Shahi to Kutton. The road was at steep 70[SUP]0[/SUP] angle. I managed to cross this patch of road but then ahead of me there were all stones welcoming us at the same angle. My car absolutely refused to climb even after unloading my family. A local military driver took my car and done the job. After enjoying that little but heavy water fall we decided not to go ahead of this point so came back to Kundal Shahi and continued our journey. Our next destination was Keran and we reached there 1430 PST. There are two main places to stay one is AJK Tourism and other is Valley Tracker both are wonderful places to stay or to spend time. At Athmuqam we bought a Water Melon and Bananas so we enjoyed these fruit there at river bank. My kids were so excited to know that India is on the other side of river.
As I had planned to park my car there at Keran, I started searching Jeep wala and found him. After some bargaining, ifs and buts, Rs.13500/= per baat mukki with fuel. Mene kaha bhi k yar tum ne hamain kel le ka jana hai or wapis lana hai bus but he said dehari to puri he lain *** na so did not waste time and parked the car there infron of AJK Tourism (free of cost) and resume our safar to Kel. (I think agar un se dehari mukata or fuel khud dalwa k deta to shyd kuch kam ho jata khrcha).
While going to Kel from Keran I thought that I have made a very wise decision by not taking my car upto Kel. One can go upto Kel but only those who don?t love their ride. It is totally rough and tough route so I will not recommend, I repeat I will not recommend to take your car upto Kel. (agay tuadi mrzi J )
We did not stop at Shardah because it was dark by that time. But one spot I will mention here (also will upload picture) i.e. Neelum Star Review Restaurant and Picnic Point. I paid Maghrib there and enjoyed Karak Tea, Pakoras and French Fries. It was quite cool by that time so my 8 month daughter was wrapped into warm clothes by her mother. We reached Kel around 2100 PST and stayed at New Abshar Turk Guest House. We have to stay at this ordinary guest house as Govt. Guest house was already booked. Socha raat he guzarni hai na to no tension. Ordered Chicken Buryani on Kids farmaysh and was served after one and half hour but was tasty. We paid 3000 (I think) including stay, dinner and breakfast.
Friday, 22-05-2015
This was the much awaited day because we were going to our prime destination Arang Kel. I tried to arrange 2 horses for my wife and kids but unsuccessful. Hotel boy told that we can make it. Its all about passion and himat. Local boys make it in 30 minutes while guests take 2 to 3 hours, depends upon their functional capacity and passion. He advised us to go their by our own legs. I made up mind. Told family that we are going at our own. Picked up two local boys. One took my little daughter and 2 sons. Other picked our bag and remained with me and my wife. Team 1 (my kids) reached there in 40 minutes unbelievable and Team 2 (we) took 2 hours L . One should have chew gum in mouth and water bottle in hand otherwise it will be very difficult. As we reached upto peak a beautiful valley welcomed us. Believe you me we forgot all our last 2 hours hiking, tiredness as it was so beautiful scene in front of us. A lush green valley surrounded by mountains, Subhan Allah. I will recommend all of you who have not visited this place to go and see the utmost beauty at least once in your life. Hamain samajh ni a rahi thee k kis kis taraf rukh kar k pics lain. My kids found there, their favorite game cricket and started playing with locals. Around 1200 PST dark clouds came there and it started drizzling with fast cool breeze. It was cool by that time but after half an hour clouds gone, breeze stopped and sunshine came again. Lovely weather I mean. We took Awami Guest House (again pretty ordinary but very nice people). Lunch, evening tea with pakoras and French Fries and breakfast next morning = Rs.3250/=.
Forgot to mention those 2 boys we hired as guide *** porter cost us Rs.1500/= (1000 to one who remained there and came back with us next morning while 500 to one who just dropped us there and came back same evening).
Saturday, 23-05-2015
We left Arang Kel at 0900 PST and came back to Kel around 1015 PST. As it was sloping all the way so we managed to came back in lest time but keep remember it takes less time but your legs starts shivering as you have to restrict them from running while coming down. Our Jeep man was waiting for us so we immediately seated and started our return journey to Keran where we reached by 1400 PST. Took lunch at AJK Tourism Resort. Very good Chicken Karahi much appreciated by my kids and bill was only Rs.950/=. Weather was also marvelous at Keran we again enjoyed River Neelam Bank with India on the other side. Took our Car and left Keran at 1500 PST. Our plan was to stay at Muzzaffarabad but we changed it and hit Rawalpindi at 2200 PST. Stayed overnight there at our relative place.
Sunday, 24-05-2015
Left Rawalpindi at 1100 PST and were back home in Lahore at 1500 PST.