Exploring Neelum Valley (10-13 July)

[imarshad]

Assalam u Alaikum,
Month of July....Maximum Temperatures....Habs.... After doing lots and lots of research on internet we decided this year's destination was Neelum valley. After some very good information provided by coflicted and some other research we set off to visit Neelum Valley on 10th July and returned safely home on 13th July.

Our Rides:
Honda City 2003 Model
Mehran 2008 Model
(Yes we reached all the way to Kel on our cars)

Route Info:

Islamabad-Lower Topa (Murree) (Roughly 55 KM) (1 Hour)
We took the Murree Expressway and rather then turning towards Murree from Musiyari we went straight and reached Lower Topa.
Lower Topa - Kohala (Roughly 40 KM) (1-1.5 Hour)
the road condition is good. We took the Phagwari route rather than taking the Bhurban-Deval route. Although the Bhurban-Kohala route is shorter but it is more steep and more dangerous.
Kohala - Muzaffarabad (Roughly 40 KM) (35 Min)
The best possible road condition for our whole trip.
Muzaffarabad - Nusehri (Roughly 42 KM) (2 Hours)
The road is completely under construction. After the first few kilometers the metaled road disappears and you will be driving in mud/Bajri/stones etc.
Nusehri - Athmuqam - Keran - Dawarian (Roughly 68 KM) (At least 4-5 Hours)
Absolutely the worst road condition possible. Almost no metaled road. All of it is under construction. Machines are continuously working in the area and on many places you will be required to stop and wait for the machines to clear your path. On many places they are blasting the mountains to widen the road and hence there is dirt almost every where.
Dawarian - Sharda (Roughly 32 KM) (1 -1.5 Hour)
This patch is a real surprise. It is a metaled road and probably the best one in the whole Neelum valley.
Sharda - Kel (19 KM) (1 -1.5 Hour)
Again the metaled road will disappear and you will be moving over stones/dirt/mud and many water springs.
Kel - Shounter valley (20 KM) (2.5 - 3 Hours)
Absolutely hardcore Jeep track. No other vehicle can reach here.
Kel - Taobut (60 KM) (3 - 3.5 Hours)
Mild jeep track. Probably any vehicle with high clearance can reach here.

[imarshad]

We started our journey at about 6:30 AM from Islamabad.

Our Bags(Rucksacks) are ready

Leaving Our Home In Islamabad

[imarshad]

Reached Murree (Near Lower Topa) around 8:00 AM. Just had a little detour to New Murree to visit our plot there and then started again towards Kohala after taking our breakfast near Phagwari (Jungle Hotel). Some Pics near Lower Topa

Reached Kohala at about 1030 AM

[imarshad]

Just 10 KM before Muzaffarabad is a plave called Rarrah. It is famous because here River Kunhar from Kaghan valley joins Jehlum river.
The river coming from top is Kunhar while the one coming from Right is Jehlum.

[Sojourn]

Nice coverage.Neelum Valley is arguably the greenest and picturesque valley in Pakistan/AJK.

Hassan

[imarshad]

Thanks Hassan for the reply.... Yes Neelum valley is the most green valley specially after Keran (Neelum).

[Sojourn]

Keran is also a part of neelum valley. The route beween Kel & Toubat is heavenly. Can't wait for more pics. Whic camera you'd used? Excellent results.

Hassan

[imarshad]

Reached Muzaffarabad and went to Domail (Where Jehlum River meets Neelum River).

Coming Right to Left is River Neelum while under the bridge is River Jehlum.

Ancient ruins under the Quaid-i-Azam bridge.

[imarshad]

I used my Sony Cybershot W70 (7 Mega Pixel) but I took most of the pics using 3 MP settings).

[imarshad]

At this point (Domail) there used to be a food street. It was demolished by the breakage of the Zalzal lake (Near Chikar Hatian Bala) in February 2010.

Food Street Board is all that is remaining of the street.

There used to be railing alongside the river

This was the actual Food Park/Street.

Old Bridge over River Jehlum.

[imarshad]

We went to Muzaffarabad Bus stand to ask about Bus Timings and road conditions. They told us that road condition is not so good but cars can go all the way upto Kel if driven carefully.
Our initial plan was to park our cars in Muzaffarabad at my brother's friend place. But after hearing from the drivers of Hiaces and other we decided to take our cars to at least Sharda.

Bus Timings:
First Bus leaves at 0500 AM upto Sharda only
Then at 0600 AM and 0800 AM upto Kel.
After this there is no bus to Kel till evening. Most of the buses go to Sharda during daytime.
Approximate time for buses is 11-12 hours from Muzaffarabad to Kel.

[osama96]

Good yar very nice pics

[imarshad]

We left Muzaffarabad at about 1200 AM and moved towards Nusehri. After leaving Muzaffarabad and a few kilometers the road ceased to exist. It was only dirt/mud/stones and Bajri. The road was under construction.

Under construction Road

Dirt Flying from the road

Mud and Water

Stones

[zahid135]

Beautiful

[fahadkhalil]

I have been to kel; shountar and helmat on a jeep.

I seriously wonder how city managed to kel. I guess green number plate answers the question

[speedster_101]

I seriously wonder how city managed to kel. I guess green number plate answers the question

+1

[imarshad]

Mehran was supposed to be more vulnerable to these areas....

[imarshad]

From Muzaffarabad to Nusehri the road as well as the scenery was not much to speak of.

Barren Mountains

[imarshad]

Just past Nusehri is the site for NEELUM JHELUM HYDROPOWER PROJECT.
They will be building a Dam on Neelum river over here and through tunnels(28 KM long) the water will be passing through turbines and will produce electricity (About 1000 MW).
The construction site with the tunnels visible

For more details about the Dam you can visit the following address
NEELUM JHELUM HYDROPOWER PROJECT

[khahsan]

misuse of government vehicle..aham aham..