Quest from the last visit of AJK tempted us to a new venture and by thorough study of the PW?s detailed threads we made up minds for soon valley. We were three friends, on 19.4.13 got tickets from Faisal Movers Adda Lahore, boarded on a lazy Karachi time bus for Kallarkahar. He ensured 2 & half hours for Kallarkahar interchange but it took 3 & half hours. Bloody bus dropped at KH service area, after walk in the dark got a chingchi to KH Interchange. A local tried to derail us.
It was 9.20p.m., we fell at food on chappar hotel, praying we get the bus to go ahead to Noshehra. As we missed last local time bus, so in a conflict, to stay at KH or move ahead, suddenly got wan for pail پیل, (a 50 min drive from KH). Driver said we could have another vehicle for Noshehra from that stop. It was 10:45 that wan dropped us again in the dark at pail chowk پیل چوک, except of us and Allah, no one was there. After some walk an angel (bike rider) told us that go ahead for a hotel situated at that road. We tried to hire some vehicle to take us to Noshehra but no vehicle was there as we were too much late. Locals were helpful seemingly yet they were quite dry and dull, blessings of allah were with us. A kind shopkeeper helped us to stay at night. We are left in lurch and got refuge in a Caltex gas station mosque at pale.
Tomorrow on 20.4.2013, we thanked the person and walked for 2, 3 km for the bus on the road leads to Jabba morr, did breakfast at a village hotel then reached to jabba morr and got wan for Noshehra, reached NOshehra at Mehria Hotel by 10.30a.m., checked in and by 12 we hired a Bolan Dabba with friendly local person Mudasser as diver?@800 went to Daip Sharif where the road ended at a locked gate?. No one there to open. Driver asks to move ahead to Uchali but we refuse and take a white stone track ?. Swirling through thorny bushes we followed stream of clear water and came across a descent?. and there was the unbelievable fairy land, a charismatic cascade of greenish water piercing the hearts of rocks.
Day first (20.4.2013)
Daep Sharif cascade
Uchali Lake
Day second (21.4.2013)
Kanhatti garden
Kanhatti cascade
Sultan Mehndi Shrine
Sultan Mehdi Cascade
Sodhi Gardens
Sodhi Rest House
Day Third (22.4.2013) on bikes
Mai Wali Dheri
Khabeki Lake
Third Day we got 2 bikes on rent, and after inquiring from the locals about Maii Wali Dheri, we reached there. Beautiful wheat fields, marvelous straight and zig-zeg roads and breathtaking sights accompanied us while bike riding. Maii Wali Dheri is at a certain height; you can have views of whole valley surrounded by a circle of mountains. Uchali, Khabeki Lakes were also visible, weather was so lovely and supported, and even we had a shower of rain as well.
A local told folklore about Mai Wali Dheri, at the time of partition when there were riots, a mother alongwith her daughter took refuge at this top to save themselves from Sikhs and they prayed to Allah for the safety of their sanctity. After that they both become statue of stones.
Nature was at its best and nature was everywhere, a source of solace, every place just keeps you going away. The gigantic Uchali Lake was at its peak, alluring bluish colour of water was fascinating us. The main attraction of the tour was Uchali Lake and Kanhatti Garden Chashma.
here are the pics during pail chowk to jabba morr..