Exploring Neelum Valley (10-13 July)

[imarshad]

One of the many nala's/springs we had to cross on our way.

Mehran passing through the nala.

Nala/Spring falling into river Neelum.

[imarshad]

Some more Pics of a place between Doarian and Sharda where the valley is very wide.

[imarshad]

Crossing another Nala. It was bigger so a bridge was constructed.

Bridge over the Nala

Looking into the direction we had to move towards Sharda.

Looking into the valley from where the Nala was coming.

[imarshad]

Finally reached Sharda after 2 hours of driving. Again this can be done in an hour if you don't stop.

Sharda visible in the background. In the foreground there were trunks of trees tied together in the river. I don't know what for but.....

From Sharda looking backwards from where we came.

Part of Sharda on the other side of river.

Hills around Sharda. I don't know if it was Shardi or Nardi.

[imarshad]

Information about Sharda:
Well we couldn't gather much information about Sharda from Sharda as we were on a tight schedule and had to leave for Kel very shortly.
Anyways Sharda does have a Tourist Rest House with I think 14 roomsbut you need to book it form Muzaffarabad in advance otherwise it might not be available.
We were also informed about the remains of a Buddhist temple as well as a fort but we didn't have enough time to explore the area. So after doing out breakfast/lunch/supper we left for Kel.

[imarshad]

Just after leaving Sharda the Surgan Nala joins the River Neelum. This is the place from where the track to Noori Nar Top and hence to Jalkhad in Naran valley starts. It is a hardcore jeepable track and is open for only few months.

Some pics of the Nallah.

Surgan Nala joining the Neelum river(Green one is the Nala while the muddy one is the river Neelum).

[imarshad]

Road from Sharda to Kel:
This 19 KM patch between Sharda and Kel is very beautiful and many we crossed many Springs on this way. The road is non existent. You will be driving on stones/mud/springs for most of the time. Approximate time for cars is 1:30 hours. Although we did this route in almost 2:30 hours as we stopped for every spring scenery etc.

[imarshad]

Now again I have to break flow of pictures/posts as I am not feeling well and maybe in the evening or tomorrow morning I will upload the rest of the pics.
In the mean time looking for your replies about the pics so far.

[aarish]

Now again I have to break flow of pictures/posts as I am not feeling well and maybe in the evening or tomorrow morning I will upload the rest of the pics.
In the mean time looking for your replies about the pics so far.

Get well soon brother. Nice pics all; standing-by for more.

[faraz74]

Wish I could be there.. Getting a little bit of Jealous anyway..U've done gr8 job mate..

[imarshad]

After Sharda we stopped near a suspended bridge and gathered he courage to cross it. i have crossed many suspended bridges but this was one of the most dangerous one. In the middle a few wooden blocks were missing and also when we moved the blocks made terrible sounds and kept moving.
Here are a couple of pics of this bridge.

A soldier stationed near the bridge allowed us to cross in pair of two's...

[imarshad]

A few glaciers between Sharda and Kel.

This was a really big glacier covered with mud.

[imarshad]

Huh.... Had to cross this spring on my Mehran.

In the middle and the only concern was what happens if the silencer pipe is filled with water.

Mehran coming out with flying colors.....

[imarshad]

Crossing yet another spring.

Spotted a GIFT University Hiace crossing the same spring.

[incognito59]

MashAllah beautiful pictures and places

[imarshad]

Road condition from Sharda to Kel.

A truck is seen and look at the clearance of the mountain and the truck top.

[softage]

Excellent.... good info..

[imarshad]

Another very beautiful spring.... Again the pictures have not done much justice to the beauty of this place.... One could spend hours and hours just gazing at this beautiful creation of Allah.

[imarshad]

Last few pics of traveling between Sharda and Kel.

Wish I could live in those houses for at least a week.

Dense Forest.

Stunning Scenery.

Another Dense Jungle. Just note the color difference of longer and shorter trees.

[imarshad]

Thanks to all for liking my thread... Specially to softage,incognito59,faraz74 and aarish.