Aoa
Trip to Neelum Valley on bikes with my two friends was awesome. 3 nights and four days of this trip was great. Trip Details:
From : 20 May, 2012
To : 23 May, 2012
Rides : Honda 125
Trip Pictures : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150805398966792.393623.660956791&type=1&l=d3b4e34b2b
We started our journey on 20th May, 2012 at 5: 00 AM from Adyala Road, Rawalpindi. Via Murree Motorway and Kohala we reached Muzafarabad at 9:15 AM. There we had done breakfast and re-fuelled our bikes.
After some rest, we started again for Keran at 10:30 AM.
Muzafarabad to Keran : 100 KM.
On the way to Keran, we had done photography at different points. Riding on plain and some dirty(un-even) patches of road was fine. Throughout the way, we have found army check posts, where they enlist our names and ID Card number.
At 2:15 PM, we reached Athmuqam. There we found last petrol pump. After Athmuqam, we have found many fuel agencies but they have their own rates. Re-fuelled bikes and again started for Keran at 2:40 PM.
At 3:10 PM, we reached Keran, booked a room in Tourist Motel. Hotel charged us Rs. 1600 per night. Here is a Pakistan-India border. India is across the river. We had lunched at Nagdar which is on 5 minutes of drive from Keran. Back to Keran after lunch and spent night in Motel. Weather condition was not good. Whole night rain didn't stop.
Next day 21 May, 2012, after 9: 00 AM we started again for Kel.
Keran To Kel : 60 KM
This day was very hectic for us because of rain and road. On the way, we found many water channels (Nallah) and crossing them was very difficult. After 45 or 50 Km we reached Sharda. Before Sharda we have found a biggest water channel that was very difficult to cross specially on bikes. Depth was equivalent to Tyres + stones on base. Balancing bike is a big issue.
Didn't stop in Sharda and continued our journey towards Kel.
Sharda To Kel : 20 KM
Road from Sharda to Kel is raw (kachi). Rain made it very slippery and muddy. You have to be very very careful in this situation. We have continued our journey in rain and found a very lengthy patch of muddy area. That was very very hectic and unbearable. Depth reached to tyres axles and driving was not a kids play. After crossing that raw patch we finally reached Kel at 3:30 PM in not a good condition :(. Here we again booked a room in Tourist Motel (Rs. 1600 per night). Had a meal and spent night and cancelled the program for next day to move forward to Toabat due to bad weather condition.
Next day 22 May, 2012 at 10: 00 AM or 10:30 AM, cloudy weather but no rain, we started again back towards Keran with full safety measures. Crossed dirty muddy patch safely and reached Sharda at 12: 00 PM and visit the University and Fort. Again started at 1:00 PM and visit Upper Neelum Valley and reached back to same motel in Keran at 3:30 PM. Shugal Mela and photography in evening and spent night in peace on LOC
On 23 May, 2012 at 7: 00 AM, planned back to Rawalpindi. Reached Muzafarabad at 10:30 AM. Tuned and washed bikes and done lunch. Left Muzafarabad at 12:30 PM and reached Rawalpindi at 5: 00 PM safely.
Overall trip was great with experiences. We tried to manage all things for safe journey.
Rack Sack
Your Miscellaneous clothing items
Puncture Kit + Tubes + pump
Clutch, Brake and Accelerator wire
Head Light Bulb
Plug
Chain Locks
General Medicines
Rain Coat
Emergency Lights
But now come to know that some things you must care about for long journey on bike.
A good rain coat (Trouser + Upper)
Long rubber shoes
A good rack sack rain cover
Take Care
Allah Hafiz.