23 Aug-2 Sep 2012: Heavens of Leepa & Neelum Valley, AJK - As Never Seen Before :)

[aesiege]

Why u have to use bypass?

We used main Neelum Valley road.

This is just for information

[aesiege]

1080 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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I went just a little ahead of the tourist lodge to get a good view of bridge area

Dowarian nallah coming from right, taking a u-turn and mixing with Neelum river

1082 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Dowarian bridge from tourist lodge area

1083 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Destination of the day

Dowarian Nallah / Dowarian Nar / Ratti Gali Nalah

Very excited to have eyes on this sight

1084 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Back to the tourist lodge where work was in progress

1085 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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By now we had been told the story of flood on 23rd Aug night by multiple persons. Most of them were saying that we cannot go to the lake as trek has been destroyed and bridges were broken to link the trek over nallahs.

Some said to use the alternate route till jeep track end and then continue on main track.

This was the route being suggested by some people which looked very tough to start the trek.

Red is regular one and yellow was being suggested by people.

1086 by Sabrite, on Flickr

[aesiege]

The things were getting a little confusing but on advice of our porter chacha, we decided to follow the regular route as i was not comfortable at the sight of 4000 ft climb at very steep angle and then drop down 2500 ft just to get to the main trek of the lake :S

His name is Khawaja Mubarak Ali and he solved the confusion for us to go through the main route

1088 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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My rucksack totally customized by one of the porters to his liking

1087 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Waiting game is still on

1089 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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This smile will disappear very shortly

1090 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Here is a little intro of our porter team

Leader of porter team

Khawaja Mubarak Ali

He has back problem but still does this tough job for sake of money. Good companion on the trek and very easy going !!!

1094 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Khawaja Sultan Kashmiri

Young blood, energetic and carefree .... if u ask him then he can run through the whole trek

Very regular smoker and works in Lahore in winter. He was usually the front runner and would complete the stage and then wait for the whole team to get there. He was also responsible for checking bridges, recce missions etc.

1091 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Khawaja Yousaf

When all luggage was set, it was measuring upto 4.5 bags so we hired a half porter for the half bag

Younger bro of Sultan and was getting experience on the trek.

He was the first one we met in bazaar and he helped in arranging other porters.

1093 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Khawaja Amir Farid

Now the core team .... one of the 2 guys who actually did the job of helping us throughout the trek. Educated and also works in lower cities in winter.

1095 by Sabrite, on Flickr

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Now the best performer

Khawaja Aslam Raza

He was the main guy who assisted us throughout the trek. He was the last person of the team and would walk at our pace no matter how slow.

He is also educated, regular internet and facebook user and is holding some positions in local organizations

1092 by Sabrite, on Flickr

[shk_54]

@aesiege
i have never been to neelum valley but i m very much eager to be there..
can u please point out the areas/things one must see
and also wat is the travel time from muzaffarabad
and can we travel on car or hilux??

[waseem14pk]

Not sure which fruit is this

1059 by Sabrite, on Flickr

This is Walnut ( Akhrot) tree

[aesiege]

@aesiege
i have never been to neelum valley but i m very much eager to be there..
can u please point out the areas/things one must see
and also wat is the travel time from muzaffarabad
and can we travel on car or hilux??

If available then take hilux with u as road beyond Keran is not good and depending on season, water crossings may be trouble for the cars.

You can visit following in Neelum Valley:
- Tetwaal sector - border crossing
- Kutton and Jagraan Valley - a hydropower project waterfall and beautiful 4x4 track with amazing views
- Keran - Best place to stay with family
- Upper Neelum village in Keran - Lovely views of Keran on Indian side and village itself.
- Sharda - Explore the town across Neelum river with old university and fort
- Kel - Another major town of the valley
- Arang Kel - 2 hours hiking and u get to see amazing high altitude village with beautiful mountain backdorp
- Shounter Valley - Shounter Lake, Shounter pass waterfall, Domail Bala
- Upper Neelum Valley upto Taobutt - Best and most green part of valley, numerous wonderful villages along the route and explore the area on foot beyond Taobutt. Good for fishing as well and there are no restrictions on fishing for tourists.

[aesiege]

This is Walnut ( Akhrot) tree

Nice !!!

Thx for the information Amer bhai