Asslam O Alaikum Dear PakWheelers:
Let me introdce myself first. I am frequently visitor of Pakwheels Forum and a silent user. I was planing a trip of Hunza but shortage of time and non availbility of friends delayed my plan. As winter season is going to start I decide to pack my bag and go for any destination if Hunza trip isn't achieveable. Neelum Valley was also on my list and I have read many threats and do have some knowlege of places. (thanks to all Pwers members for providing detailed information of our beautiful Pakistan).
The winter season in Valley is going to start. So We witnessed autum season and in Arrangle Kel there was some snow as well. While weather wasn't clear, there was clouds and showers of rain. There is whole new world differnet from our areas. The people are very kind and friendly. We exchange phone numbers with many locals with a hope to visit them again.
-------Members:
-RAJA UMAIR ALI (me)
-Usman Virik. (My Uni fella and close friend)
-Shahid Abbas. (Classmate and close friend)
-------Itinerary
>07 November 2015:
LAHORE TO MUZAFRABAD. (10 Hours Travelling time)
Initially plan was to leave for Rawalpindi by train. Train had to leave at 7;00 am in morning. We couldn't catch up the train because my friends slept over night, didn't pick my call and call me around 7;00 am. We than decided to go with niazi express till Rawalpindi. We left Punjab University around 9;00am and take 10;15am bus to Peshawar with stopover in Rawalpindi.
We reached Rawalpindi 4:30pm.
Left for Muzafrabad around 5:00pm on Toyota Hiace.
Reached Muzafrabad 8:30pm.
We decided to stay in MZD for night and get a good sleep.
>08 November 2015:
MUZAFRABAD TO KEL. (10 Hours Travelling time)
After breakfast we left for Sharda on Coaster 9:45am.
Reached LAWAT Piyan and take break for Lunch 2:45pm.
Reached Sharda 5:15pm.
Left for KEL 6:00pm and reached KEL around 7:45pm.
It was all dark in KEL and totally blackout. We asked for Lahori Hotel as our conductor guide us that it's a good hotel to stay. The main bazar of KEL was muddy path as it was rained last day.
Lahori hotel was house full. We met another guy their and he offers us to stay in Neelum Guest House that have no loadshedding because they have connection with army.
Locals told us that there is loadshedding for one day after every month or week.
We ate dinner from Lahori hotel and stayed in Neelum Guest house for night with 3 beds bedroom.
I asked him about the fares of room but he was nice guy and told me We will discuss it later. You need to rest now.
We get a good night sleep.
>09 November 2015:
KEL TO ARRANGE KEL. (2 Hours track without lift, depend on your speed.)
We get up early in the morning around 6:00am. Our plan was to take 7:00am local jeep to Taubutt but when we reached at stop that was a bad news waiting for us. The jeep was booked and their was no seat left.
We cancelled our plan to go Taubutt as we wanna return on same day.
We change our plan to explore Arrange Kel and delayed Taubutt plan for next day.
After having breakfast we left of Arrange Kel around 8:15am. My friends was taking pictures and selfies and talking to local kids as It was 9 November and their was ambiguity whether there is Iqbal Day holiday or not among students so All of them was waiting outside school.
We reached near Neelum River Bridge and hire a guider (that's interesting story how We hired them for their services. They were local kids).
We startd our track 9:00am and reached Arrang Kel around 10:45am.
Explore Arrange KEL for 4 hours and have delicious soup in Muskdeer Resort.
As raing started and We left Arrange Kel at 2:30pm.
The track was muddy and slippery. We reached at River Neelum at 3:20pm.
Reached Turbat hotel at 5:00pm. The hotel was recommended by our guider.
We had dinner in Turbat hotel and go to our room straight away.
It was raining all day from 12:00pm. So we didn't explore anyother side of KEL and We was tired as well. We reached in our room around 8:15pm.
So went to sleep.
>10 November 2015:
KEL TO RAWALPINDI. (13 hours travliing)
It was raining all night and track of Taubutt track became dangerous becase of landsliding etc and locals advise us not to go Taubutt. If snow started near soon. You will have problems coming back.
There was only one coaster leaving for Muzafrabad at 7:30 am. We get on the coaster in rush as conductor and keeper of guest house knock our room door and told us there is no other coaster coming from Muzafrabad. So we have to take that Coaster towards Muzafrabad.
Our plan of going to Taubutt was cancelled because of bad weather condition.
We reached Muzafrabad at 5:00pm.
There was a landslide on our wayback to MZD near Nohsehri.
We decide to continue our jorney towards Rawalpindi and take coaster from MZD adda at 5:30pm.
We reached Rawalpindi around 9:30pm. We all were tired and exhausted. My friend Usman cousion have home Rawalpindi, We decided to stay there for night.
>11 November 2015: (5 to 6 Hours)
RAWALPINDI TO LAHORE.
Left Rawalpindi for LAHORE around 12:00pm.
Reached Lahore. 6:00pm.
-----------Budget--------------
>Lahore to RWL. NIAZI express. 2250rs (750/head)
>RWL to Muzafrabad. Toyota Hilux. 780rs (260/head)
>Muzafrabad to Sharda. Coaster. 960rs (320/head)
>Sharda to Kel. Coaster. 240rs. (80/head)
>Kel to Muzafrabad. Coaster. 1140rs. (380/head)
>Muzafrabad to Rawalpindi. Coaster. 750rs. (250/head)
>Rawalpindi to Lahore. 1800rs. (600/head) Paid by our host, tongue emoticon
Room Fares:
>Muzafrabad. AL-Habib Hotel. 700/night. for one night. 3 beds bedroom.
>KEL. NEELUM Guest House. 700/night. for two nights. 3 beds bedroom.
Meals & Refreshment:
Around 3000rs.
Trip Total Cost. 15000rs approximately.
Per head Cost. 5000rs
I hope I covered all aspects of my trip. If you guys need any information Please ask freely. I will try my level best to answer it.
I hope you will enjoy the travelogue.
Stay Tuned.
Best Regards.
Raja Umair Ali.