Ajk

[sahar.iqbal.87]

AoA everyone.

After the immense guidance, suggestions, info, recommendations and advice I received from this forum for my North Pak trip this year, I thought I'd plan ahead and do the same for a potential North Pak trip in Summers 2014 Insha Allah. I want to discover AJK this time - more specifically, by crossing the Noori top.

The first query which I have is whether I should take the Isb - Muzaffarabad - Sharda - Naran - Isb route or the other way around i.e. Isb - Naran - Sharda - Muzaffarabad - Isb.

Secondly, I am planning to visit after Ramadan so that should be July/Aug - I believe Noori top will be open at that time?

Thirdly, which places must I see? I know of the popular spots but would like to visit some places which are off the beaten track. The only point to bear in mind is that I will be travelling with my aged parents so the places should be accessible and if we are spending the night, then comfortable accommodation is a must. I haven't yet penned down an itinerary, need your help. I am aware that there exists threads on this forum on AJK but it's a bit of a hassle finding the relevant ones.

Thanks in advance!

[asifcae]

in jul/aug noori top will be open..

i suggets u take route from naran into kashmir and when u reach sharda u shud c the ancient university/ruins there.. in adition to this u shud vist both shonter and taobat norther up Kel.....

off beaten tracks in this area are treks so u cannot do that with oldies.....

[kashmirtravelguide]

Dear,

If you want to travel ajk only then the Neelum Valley via muzaffarabad is the best route, from naran the route is not good enough. till keran we have the best roads infrastructure with accommodation facilities.

Plan your trip via KashmirTravelGuide | Visit Azad Kashmir , Neelum ValleyKashmirTravelGuide | Visit Azad Kashmir , Neelum Valley proper guidance(no charges)

make your mind to visit kutton , keran , sharda , kel , arrangkel , helmet , taobut.

For noori top the kaghan route is good for you.

These places are really attractive.

Tour attractions in Neelum ValleyKashmirTravelGuide

Regards,

Manger KashmirTravelGuide.com

Tour operator in neelum valley.

[kashmirtravelguide]

Dear sir,

visit KashmirTravelGuide | Visit Azad Kashmir , Neelum ValleyKashmirTravelGuide | Visit Azad Kashmir , Neelum Valley

Regards,

AoA everyone.

After the immense guidance, suggestions, info, recommendations and advice I received from this forum for my North Pak trip this year, I thought I'd plan ahead and do the same for a potential North Pak trip in Summers 2014 Insha Allah. I want to discover AJK this time - more specifically, by crossing the Noori top.

The first query which I have is whether I should take the Isb - Muzaffarabad - Sharda - Naran - Isb route or the other way around i.e. Isb - Naran - Sharda - Muzaffarabad - Isb.

Secondly, I am planning to visit after Ramadan so that should be July/Aug - I believe Noori top will be open at that time?

Thirdly, which places must I see? I know of the popular spots but would like to visit some places which are off the beaten track. The only point to bear in mind is that I will be travelling with my aged parents so the places should be accessible and if we are spending the night, then comfortable accommodation is a must. I haven't yet penned down an itinerary, need your help. I am aware that there exists threads on this forum on AJK but it's a bit of a hassle finding the relevant ones.

Thanks in advance!

[aks_e_ahmed]

this is too much early planing but as asif bro suggest this is the right way to approach there ..>!

[sahar.iqbal.87]

Thanks asifcae. Yes I was inclined towards this route too - just wanted to confirm

[sahar.iqbal.87]

this is too much early planing but as asif bro suggest this is the right way to approach there ..>!

I have time on my hands now...better plan ahead than leave it to the last...

[farooq05]

how your trip to North was, do you have details/pictures to share with everyone here?

[mudasernaeem]

In Kashmir u should visit "Arrang kel" just 1.5 hour hike and u can Also hire horses easily from "Kel"

Boss agr yaha na gy to kashmir jany ka faida nhi

[sahar.iqbal.87]

how your trip to North was, do you have details/pictures to share with everyone here?

It was a memorable and fantastic trip Alhamdulillah. I had meant to share details and pics but got extremely busy upon returning. In short our itinerary was:
1. Peshawar
2. Dir via swat
3. Ayun & Chitral
4. Mastuj
5. Phander
6. Hunza
7. Gulmit
8. Khunjerab excursion
9. Naltar & Gilgit
10. Skardu
11. Astore
12. Chilas
13. Naran
14. Balakot
15. Isb via Nathia Gali

Our tour operator Mr Ishaq Saqi of Gondogoro Travels and Tours arranged an excellent tour for us.

[sahar.iqbal.87]

In Kashmir u should visit "Arrang kel" just 1.5 hour hike and u can Also hire horses easily from "Kel"

Boss agr yaha na gy to kashmir jany ka faida nhi

Thanks but like I said - I will be travelling with my aged parents so that's a restricting factor...even a 1.5 hour trek or horse ride will not be possible.

[KhalidMushtaq]

With aged parents on board, use established routes. Visit neelum valley and Naran valley separately or come back to Muzaffarabad once Neelum Valley is over and then move toward Naran . Check tourplanner.pk (Tourplanner: Pakistani Holiday Packages, Pakistani Hotels, Honeymoon packages from Pakistan, Hotels in Karachi, Hotels in Lahore, Hotels in Islamabad, Guest houses in Pakistan) for booking details

[aesiege]

1- Nuri Top will be open

2- Very Important:
Choose the destination u have not visited earlier as the starting point !!

Nuri Top tends to be blocked more often in August due to rains and landslides and if u have already visited Naran then go from Neelum side so that even if u cannot cross Nuri Top u will be able to visit whole Neelum Valley otherwise u will have to go all the way back to MZF to start journey for Neelum Valley.

3- You can only visit common spots in Neelum as other areas require trekking. Start from Dhani waterfall, Kutton night stay, Keran stay with visit to Upper Neelum, Sharda with ruins etc., Kel and use desi cable car to go to Arang Kel as someone just posted the pics of it with information that it will be operational in summer. Then Taobutt is a must visit and also Shounter Valley.

[sahar.iqbal.87]

With aged parents on board, use established routes. Visit neelum valley and Naran valley separately or come back to Muzaffarabad once Neelum Valley is over and then move toward Naran . Check tourplanner.pk (Tourplanner: Pakistani Holiday Packages, Pakistani Hotels, Honeymoon packages from Pakistan, Hotels in Karachi, Hotels in Lahore, Hotels in Islamabad, Guest houses in Pakistan) for booking details

I don't intend to tour Naran Valley. The only reason why I intend to go to Naran is to cross into AJK visa Noori Top.

[sahar.iqbal.87]

1- Nuri Top will be open

2- Very Important:
Choose the destination u have not visited earlier as the starting point !!

Nuri Top tends to be blocked more often in August due to rains and landslides and if u have already visited Naran then go from Neelum side so that even if u cannot cross Nuri Top u will be able to visit whole Neelum Valley otherwise u will have to go all the way back to MZF to start journey for Neelum Valley.

3- You can only visit common spots in Neelum as other areas require trekking. Start from Dhani waterfall, Kutton night stay, Keran stay with visit to Upper Neelum, Sharda with ruins etc., Kel and use desi cable car to go to Arang Kel as someone just posted the pics of it with information that it will be operational in summer. Then Taobutt is a must visit and also Shounter Valley.

Yes that's a valid point and I will follow this suggestion Insha Allah i.e. start from AJK and then go to Naran via Noori.

Thanks!

[sahar.iqbal.87]

Pls recommend an honest/reliable and reasonable rent a car company/individual for this trip

[Sprite]

It was a memorable and fantastic trip Alhamdulillah. I had meant to share details and pics but got extremely busy upon returning. In short our itinerary was:
1. Peshawar
2. Dir via swat
3. Ayun & Chitral
4. Mastuj
5. Phander
6. Hunza
7. Gulmit
8. Khunjerab excursion
9. Naltar & Gilgit
10. Skardu
11. Astore
12. Chilas
13. Naran
14. Balakot
15. Isb via Nathia Gali

Our tour operator Mr Ishaq Saqi of Gondogoro Travels and Tours arranged an excellent tour for us.

This time we will not help you unless you share your extreme endurance tour here, as every one was excited to hear, how you managed it? Kyun bhai logo ???

[ism1]

This time we will not help you unless you share your extreme endurance tour here, as every one was excited to hear, how you managed it? Kyun bhai logo ???

Chief sahab, plz check ur notifications !!!

[virtualone]

In Kashmir u should visit "Arrang kel" just 1.5 hour hike and u can Also hire horses easily from "Kel"

Boss agr yaha na gy to kashmir jany ka faida nhi

yea no doubt ...very beautiful place ... i have read in one thread that there is some cable car sort of service started to get to arrang kel ...

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/227285-neelum-valley-till-kail-28-december-13-a#post4193599

[sahar.iqbal.87]

This time we will not help you unless you share your extreme endurance tour here, as every one was excited to hear, how you managed it? Kyun bhai logo ???

Since you're blackmailing me - I will share a few pictures - for privacy reasons cannot share the others. I do expect to get leads on a car & driver after this post.

As for the trip itself - in summary:

1. Peshawar city tour - seeing all the main attractions. My heart bled for Peshawar. It's such a historical city with so many sights to behold. What has terrorism done to it?
2. Reached Dir via Swat - very calm & peaceful but a bit intimidating because of the presence of troops and rangers - couldn't visit Takht e Bahai for this purpose. Overnight in Dir which is surprisingly a beautiful place with relatively cold climate but sadly non-existent facilities for tourists.
3. We had to spend a couple of days in Kalash but due to the heavy rainfalls serious landsliding had blocked the route from Ayun to Kalash. The journey from Dir to CHitral was amazing - especially crossing the Lowari Top but again sadly no basic amenities during the journey, esp toilet facilities. Lowari Top enthralls passengers with its scenic views and entering the Chitral valley introduces you to stunning landscape. Spent the night in Chitral with fantastic views of Trich Mir.
4. Exciting journey to Mastuj which is a very underrated place. Overnight in PTDC nestled amongst majestic mountains. Visit to the impressive Chitral fort.
5. Continued our journey to Phander. Highlight of the day was the jaw-dropping Shandoor Pass. It broke my heart to be the only visitor on the Polo Ground - the first year that the festival did not take place. Continued to Phander - gorgeous scenery along the way. While staying in PTDC Phander - you feel as if you're part of a painting. Time stands still, the valley is so quiet and pretty.
6. Continued our journey to Hunza - the Rakaposhi captivated us throughout the journey. Hunza is a tourist friendly place. Overnight at Eagle's nest was a wonderful experience.
7. Crossed the Atabad lake to reach Gulmit. The Atabad lake is Allah's miracle - the most stunning body of water i've seen. Views of the Passu cones was a visual treat.
8. Visit to Khunjerab Pass which is a fabulous experience in itself. The only turn off was seeing the baby snow leopard who is treated by a circus clown by the tourists.
9. Journey to GIlgit via Naltar. Naltar valley is one of THE most gorgeous places in the world. Untouched and pristine. The green Naltar lake, the flora and fauna, the snow capped peaks.
10. Overnight in Skardu - charming town to live in
11. Crossed the impressive Deosai Plans to reach Astore valley which comes a close second to Naltar. You travel through the endless seeming Deosai National Park to reach Sheosar Lake (where the temp is around 5c at an altitude of almost 14k feet) at the second highest plains in the world. Rightly called the land of giants, the journey to Deosai is spell-binding, the plateau itself, enchanting. You are surrounded by mountains and feel close enough to touch the clouds. Unparalleled experience. Subhan Allah!
12. PTDC Rama gives you a surreal experience. Allah has Blessed Pakistan with the most magnificent landscapes.
13. Tarshing Valley - what a place - nestled in the feet of the awe-inspiring Nanga Parbat - this is my happy place. It has a magical quality about it - you forget your worldly problems and feel calm and tranquil. Overnight in Chilas.
14. Babusar Pass - one of the loveliest passes in the world. Kaghan valley is picture perfect.
15. Back to Isb via Shogran, Balakot, Mansehra, the Galiyat, Murree.

I met some of the most genuine people on this trip who lead a different life from us but are happier and have a heart of gold. May Allah bless them, bless Pakistan and bless us all - May he guide us to lead our lives without every forgetting 'which of Allah's favours will we deny?'

I can write words and words about this trip but it was very special - something which you has touched your soul and the memories of which you will cherish forever. There are many details which I am omitting for lack of time - dozens of small towns we visited enroute which were equally mesmerising