Salam PakWheelers!
I am planning to go on week long vacation with my family. My priority is Hunza, Khunjerab pass IF babusar pass is open, otherwise Neelum Valley.
My ride will be Toyota Corolla between September 25 - Octobar 15 {is this a good time, what about wather? rains, etc, will babusar pass be open until mid Octobar?}
Want to stay in good quality hotels bcz my wife and 3 year old daughter will be traveling with me, so please feel free to suggest any good hotels/ restaurants.
Please reveiw the itinerary and give any suggestion.
NOTE: This is my first time travel to these areas, so as much as guideance/information is given will be much appreciated.
Day 1. Leave Gujrat early in the morning at Balakot (refill Fuel) - Shogran night stay (Pine park hotel, any other suggestion?)
Day 2. Visit Sri Paye, lunch and leave for Naran, visit lake Saifulmalook ( stay at PTDC Motel, any other suggestion?)
***********IF BABUSAR PASS IS OPEN ************
Day 3. Naran --> Babusar Pass --> Gilgit (PTDC Motal), If time/weather permit(2,3 hours to sunset at Gilgit) go to Hunza. [Makesure Tank is full at Chillas]
If Naran --> Gilgit: then [PTDC Motal, or suggestion?] night stay (visit NLI bazaar, if time permits).
Day4. Gilgit --> Naltar (hire jeep from Nomal, park car there, only jeepable) visit lakes, comeback and go to Hunza/Karimabad
If Naran --> Hunza: stay at any good hotel near main bazzar e.g. (Hunza Serena Inn 92 5813 457660, hilltop +92 346 5233792 / +92 58134 57145 sales@hilltophunza.com
Day 4. Baltit fort, Altit fort, explore bazzar, refreshments at Kha Basi Cafe, cafe de hunza-walnut cake, do some shopping (any shor/item recomended??) and for night stay Eagles Nest
Day 5. Leave early morning, go to Khunjerab pass [PSO sost-refill tank if needed, Glacier Breeze Passu- try famous appricot cake], Hussaini bridge, on the way back visit Attabad lake, Ganesh. Night stay in Hunza/karimabad {any good hotel recomendation}
Day 6. Leave early for Naltar, rent a jeeb from Nomal, visit lakes, go to Gilgit PTDC Motal (or any other good hotel? or place to stay?)
Day 7 Leave early morning for Naran/Chillas
If Babusar Pass is not open
Gilgit --> Chilas (Shangrilla or Fairy Meadows Hotel, any other suggestion?)
Day 8. Chilas --> Besham (stay at PTDC Besham: 0996-400301,448,574) OR Mansehra ( Karakoram Hotel or better) OR Abbotabad or Continue
Otherwise
Day 8. Naran - Home
*********IF BABUSAR PASS IS NOT OPEN *************
Day 3: Naran --> Muzaffarabad via Gharhi Habibullah (if stay needed Sangam Hotel OR PC Muzaffarabad)
Can we continue to Keran on same day? how long it will be?
Day 4: Muzaffarabad to Keran: At Kutton (take a long break)---> Keran by 15:00pm (AJK Tourism OR Valley Tracker OR suggestion?)
Day 5: Keran to Kel: Upper-Neelum, At Shardah (stay there as much you desire)-->then 1 hour Kel (jeep hire , stop for sometime at Neelum Star Review Restaurant and Picnic Point.
---> Kel --- Stay at Govt. Rest house. (night stay) OR Army guest house OR any quality hotel?
Day 5: Kel to TaboBatt and back Kel for nigh stay
Day 6: Kel to Arang Kel- treking/horse riding --- Stay? MuskDeer Resort? Army guest house? or any other suggestion?
Day 7: Arang Kel --to Kel, then back to Murree -- (PC Bhurban or Kotwal Hotel OR any other option?).
Day 8: Murree - Islamabad - Home