A memorable trip to Neelum valley (July 2010)

[ranasherdil]

thanks.. we walked may be a half km ahead of taobut along side river neelum as you know jeep can't go beyond taobut... we just took some pics and went back... i remember that our jeep driver stopped his jeep a little ahead, just a little ahead, of the main point in taobut and when we came back, we came to know that one army personal has removed the air from tyres

there is a long track from taobut that leads to deosai plains in skardu via kamri top... may be some day i will do it Insha'Allah..

Why removed air... from tyre>>???

I think you were not supposed to (allowed) to go beyond taobut. Going along Neelum ahead taobutt is very sensitive and risky. And you were in range of indian guns and there is just near border.

The trek of Kamri is not along river neelum its along the Gagai Nala....

[farooq05]

@ sherdil
Chinar is the name of the tree

@fahim
Nice trip, did you go beyond Taubat?

@farooq05
muzafferabad to taubat is almost 15hrs drive...you won't find a taxi for this, if you find one it would cost you very much as compare to rocket bus fare i.e. Rs. 300 approx. from Muzafferabad to Kel. btw. you missed the same trip in 2009 with us

thnx Ali, i actually meant to ask about private vehicle for a day which can take us till Keran with stop over in between for sight seeing and after night staying and roam around in Keran, we will continue next day for Sharda and onward.. since i will be with family so looking for some convinient options, otherwise roof top of rocket bus must be really adventorous

[farooq05]

farooq, if i remember correctly then i think we hired jeep from sharda on 2.5k per day with fuel for 2 days...

i have no idea about taxi but taxi can't go beyond kel... taxi could be a good option till kel if you can afford it... may be someone else can answer this question better...

thnx Fahim, i think 2.5 k per day with fuel is quite reasonable.. did it take to you till Kel only or Toubat & Shouter as well?

[fahimrauf]

Why removed air... from tyre>>???

I think you were not supposed to (allowed) to go beyond taobut. Going along Neelum ahead taobutt is very sensitive and risky. And you were in range of indian guns and there is just near border.

The trek of Kamri is not along river neelum its along the Gagai Nala....

yes, i understand that its risky... it was fault of our driver..

i never said that kamri trek is along river neelum

[fahimrauf]

thnx Fahim, i think 2.5 k per day with fuel is quite reasonable.. did it take to you till Kel only or Toubat & Shouter as well?

we hired that jeep from sharda for next 2 days and we went up to taobut and then went back to sharda after one night stay in kel and one night stay in taobut... we had plan to go to shounter but we didn't go there due some reasons.. but no matter where you go, the rate would be same like 2.5k with fuel in our case...

[farooq05]

we hired that jeep from sharda for next 2 days and we went up to taobut and then went back to sharda after one night stay in kel and one night stay in taobut... we had plan to go to shounter but we didn't go there due some reasons.. but no matter where you go, the rate would be same like 2.5k with fuel in our case...

thnx. and i m thinking to plan as below;

Day 1 - early morning from Muzaffarabad to Keran and night stay in Keran
Day 2 - Keran to Sharda - night stay in Sharda
Day 3 - hire Jeep from Sharda to Kel to Taubat - night stay in Kel
Day 4 - Kel to Shountoor and then return to Sharda or any place where we will be able to reach before night to minimize our Journey back to Muzaffarabad..

will decide transport mode from Muzaffarabad to Keran by visiting bus stop and meeting locals do you have suggestions or tips? thnx

[ranasherdil]

thnx. and i m thinking to plan as below;

Day 1 - early morning from Muzaffarabad to Keran and night stay in Keran
Day 2 - Keran to Sharda - night stay in Sharda
Day 3 - hire Jeep from Sharda to Kel to Taubat - night stay in Kel
Day 4 - Kel to Shountoor and then return to Sharda or any place where we will be able to reach before night to minimize our Journey back to Muzaffarabad..

will decide transport mode from Muzaffarabad to Keran by visiting bus stop and meeting locals do you have suggestions or tips? thnx

Go all the way to Sharda on Day-1 (Almost 12 hours) but you can save a day. though a little tiresome.

Next full day enjoy sharda... In evening on rocket bus (1.30 - 2.hours) go to Kel.. and 2nd night in Kel.

On Day-3 One full day required for Taobutt. Public Transport jeeps leave early for taobutt... Taobutt journey can be 3-4 hours. You can stay taobutt or proceed back to Kel.

Day-4 is for Shounter valley. or back to Kel/Sharda

Day-5 Journey Back...

[fahimrauf]

thnx. and i m thinking to plan as below;

Day 1 - early morning from Muzaffarabad to Keran and night stay in Keran
Day 2 - Keran to Sharda - night stay in Sharda
Day 3 - hire Jeep from Sharda to Kel to Taubat - night stay in Kel
Day 4 - Kel to Shountoor and then return to Sharda or any place where we will be able to reach before night to minimize our Journey back to Muzaffarabad..

will decide transport mode from Muzaffarabad to Keran by visiting bus stop and meeting locals do you have suggestions or tips? thnx

let me suggest few changes

Day 1 - Instead of staying in keran why don't you go all the way to sharda and stay there... it would be better

Day 2 - Explore sharda till noon and then leave for kel and stay there... you can use rocket bus for transportation or you can go on public jeep...

Day 3 - early morning hire a jeep or use public jeep to visit taobut..u can stay there or you can come back to kel...

Day 4 - very early morning visit shounter and drive back to kundal shahi (here jagran nallah joins river neelum) and stay there...

Day 5 - early morning visit optional jagran valley (16km from kundal shahi) and drive back home OR skip jagran valley and drive back home...

[farooq05]

thnx Sherdil and Fahim bros, actually i am just thinking to avoid long journey as i will be with wife and a 3 years daughter, that's why i thought to stay half way but your options can really save me complete day.. will keep this option depending upon the mood and time:)

Is good accomodation available in toubat for family stay and how would be weather in toubat in night.. i think it must be cold in night?

Your advice for Jagran valley on return jouney seems a very nice option.. will plan accordingly..

[fahimrauf]

thnx Sherdil and Fahim bros, actually i am just thinking to avoid long journey as i will be with wife and a 3 years daughter, that's why i thought to stay half way but your options can really save me complete day.. will keep this option depending upon the mood and time:)

Is good accomodation available in toubat for family stay and how would be weather in toubat in night.. i think it must be cold in night?

Your advice for Jagran valley on return jouney seems a very nice option.. will plan accordingly..

do not plan to stay in taobut with family... there is no reasonable accomodation for family in taobut.. and yes, toabut will be cold in night...

[ranasherdil]

thnx Sherdil and Fahim bros, actually i am just thinking to avoid long journey as i will be with wife and a 3 years daughter, that's why i thought to stay half way but your options can really save me complete day.. will keep this option depending upon the mood and time:)

Is good accomodation available in toubat for family stay and how would be weather in toubat in night.. i think it must be cold in night?

Your advice for Jagran valley on return jouney seems a very nice option.. will plan accordingly..

Regarding weather, Sharda Kel & Taobutt has almost same weather (might be minor differnce)...

Regarding Hotel at taobutt. there is a single hotel... I don't think so i would be good option with family... due less facilities.. *(But me not sure)

[sajidahmed]

I agree with farooq and i will do the same , like 5 to 6 hour journy and stay
In this way we can enjoy more
I am leaving on 3rd for ISB and on 5th to Rawalakot will spend 3 days there, banjosa, toli pir and lasdana then bagh

From this point i am confused can i go to Mzaffarabad or i have to come back all the way to isb and go again via murree expressway? (i have carolla)

[fahimrauf]

I agree with farooq and i will do the same , like 5 to 6 hour journy and stay
In this way we can enjoy more
I am leaving on 3rd for ISB and on 5th to Rawalakot will spend 3 days there, banjosa, toli pir and lasdana then bagh

From this point i am confused can i go to Mzaffarabad or i have to come back all the way to isb and go again via murree expressway? (i have carolla)

you can definitely go to muzafarabad from bagh.. see this map below

[sajidahmed]

but some one is telling that road at chikar is damage and car can not pass from that point

[ranasherdil]

the other route is through Kohala....

[fahimrauf]

but some one is telling that road at chikar is damage and car can not pass from that point

well i m not aware the current situation of the road.. i traveled through that route back in 2009.

[nomi700]

Are there any good places to stay at Bagh? What is the road condition from toli peer to lassdanna and then to bagh?? What is the travel time??

[fahimrauf]

in the last post of trip sharing i was posting the pics of our journey from kel to taobut.. i am continuing on that..

beautiful village of Sardari

Taobut

Day 03 continues..

[farooq05]

do not plan to stay in taobut with family... there is no reasonable accomodation for family in taobut.. and yes, toabut will be cold in night...

thnx for these info and will plan accordingly..

[Dolphin]

This yaer i was planning to visit Kaghan valley , but after watching yours images and experience I am thinking to change my plan.
would u plz guide me:
Timeing Lahore to Muzzarabad?
Muzzarabad beyond approchable my car ALTO?
Gas/petrol availability
Road condition?
Time taken?
stay availabily of hotels etc?
weather temperture?
Family travel?