AZAD KASHMIR visit from Karachi. (19 JUNE TO 30 JUNE)

[atifpia]

Assalam o alaikum Dear members,

Planned a tour to Azad kashmir in June with two friends and families, So we have 3 families with 9 persons, we all are PIA emplyees, We prepared tkts for KHI-ISB-KHI and search for schedule for which we all can fly in one go. We decided to go on 19 June early morning 7:00 flight.
We contacted a Known Hiace driver and booked him to join us at Islamabad airport Parking on 19 june 9AM morning.
Our travelling details are
Karachi to islamabad
- Khewra Salt mine
-Muzzafarabad
-Keran
-Upper Neelum
-Taobat
-Kel
-Arang Kel
-Muzaffarabad
-Dao Khan
-Islamabad to Karachi
I will explain each day activity with pics inshallah, keep in touch and give ur feedback

[atifpia]

As planned we started journey from Karachi airport, Flt at 7AM was tough so we got 7 seven seats 2 of our members left for the next flight which was scheduled at 4pm. We we are out of ISLAMABAD AIRPORT around 930AM. Weather was around 31-32 degree, which is good enough as compared to Karachi where it was around 38-40. Our two colleagues will be coming from 4pm flight that means they will join us atleast after 6PM, we took all their luggage with us with their daughter.
Our hiace driver is ready in parking we loaded all luggage on top of it.
We decided to go to Khewra Salt mine for day trip and collect our two colleagues in evening from ISB Airport

[atifpia]

Our driver (Tariq Bhai) was a good vateran driver one of our colleagues travelled with him several times before but he never go to Khewra so he is hesitant. But after all he accept our decision to go there after slight hesitation.

We exit from airport took motorway M2 and travel till kalar kahar exchange talked some locals about possible route and take exit from motorway towards chao sedan shah road, it turns out to be a bad decision as this road is under construction in several areas,going through bazars and going through hilly areas with bad patches.

We go through DG Khan and Bestway cement factories on the way and also saw Katas raj temple through that route. We witnessed some showers earlier on, we stopped on roadside and covered our luggage on top

Any way we reached Khewra salt mine midday. Sun is shining brightly and weather is heating up at that time. Parked our ride in parking and go out to visit the mine, enterance fee here is 220 per head.

As we entered mine area it turn out to be very cold, one can also travel through small electric train for tourist but we decided to travel on foot. There is a walkway in mine for tourists it takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete that way , through train u can only travel some distance not all.

[atifpia]

Enerence desk made with namak bricks and bulbs inside make a good view of it

[atifpia]

masjid , where we prey zuhar under ground for the first time, and minar e pakistan statue

[atifpia]

[mobeen.fatani]

Atif bhai please send your number I need some details as I am leaving next week for the same tour. 03218202277
Please drop a text whenever free I will can you back. Thanks

[sajid65]

Very Good Trip. Waiting for more...........

[rehankillbill]

very well written atif bhai keep going and show some more pics with some few details

[andaparatha]

great pictures
can the hiace driver take travellers to northern areas?
A lot of people here ask for drivers with hiace numbers .. so do share his number if its ok!

[atifpia]

yes its ok, contact no is written on hiace photo 0343-5641330.

[atifpia]

fotos ko filter kar raha hoon, thats why its take time. Once i done i will speed up. Inshallah u will love photos. Mine photography is difficult because different colors bulbs are used still i got some decent fotos.

[atifpia]

After spending time here we get out of facility , i forget to mention that here tuc shop and bathroom facility is there for tourist. We take a late lunch at nearby hotel.

after asr we r ready to go to ISB Airport again, but our driver sb feels some problem in kamani of vehicle so he fix it at nearby workshop, we got lunch at nearby hotel. This time we take other route to ISB Airport i.e from Khewra-Lilla road- Lilla tool plaza. It turn out to be better route, and we save around 40-50 min as compared to previous one.

We take a stop at chakri north for Namaz after sunset and take some snacks and reach ISB Airport to collect our 2 members . Its around 9pm now so we decided to continue to travel towards Muzzafarabad rather than staying at ISB. Our driver sb has no problem with so much driving, he is Kashmiri and very decent gentleman and lives near Muzzafarabad.

He take route of Murree expressway then towards Bhurban then Muzaffarbaad, we also took dinner at roadside hotel. Its around 2am when we reached Muzzafarabad.

20-JUNE: Next morning we get up late got the breakfast, and recharged local sim card, also got update from AJK Tours office for room rentals in KIRAN and KEL but nothing available there.

At midday we r ready, weather turned our to be darker and soon rain starts.

As we started towards Neelum valley rains turns out to convert in zala bari (olay girna starts). and weather got pleasant.

We spend some time at dhani waterfall, and teetwall border area.
See pics af area below.

Till sunset we reached around kundalshahi

[atifpia]

Thats waterfall

[atifpia]

other side of river is indian occupied kashmir

[atifpia]

21-JUNE: Next morning after breakfast we leave for kiran, spend few time there, near riverside and then proceed to upper neelum, get rooms there and stay for night,

[atifpia]

few fotos of upper neelum, for best viewing experience see fotos in full resolution

[pwuser156314402043]

Can you please list down the hotels you opted for and their rents?

[atifpia]

upper neelum guest house cost was 6500 for 2 rooms, rest i will share. Normally charges changes with time and season, u have to bargain.

I talked to AJK Rest house receptionist for availability of room, he said normally from mid august u get rooms easily

[kn_khipk]

@atifpia Wonderful start! Looking forward to more interesting posts, photos and narrations.