Day2
From Rawalpindi u can go to Naran via Abottabad or via Muzaffarabad. If going Abottabad u have to leave early in the morning, around 5am to avoid traffic in Abottabad and Mansehra otherwise u can waste almost an hour.
I left Rawalpindi at 8am so decided to go via Muzaffarabad. After leaving Nur Khan airbase I was on Murree expressway in almost 15min. Fuelled my car at Bara kahu and got some snacks from the shop.
Murree expressway was all good, from there I continued on N75 but remembered suggestions from PW friends so turned back and continued on Khaqan Abbasi road.
Road till Kashmir is good with few bad patches.
U have to be cautious on this road as it is not very wide and a lot of blind turns and u will find all kind of vehicles on this road from cars, public transport vans, tractor trolley, trucks etc.. Don't get frustrated if u r stuck behind a truck or tractor only over take when the way is all clear.
This route is very scenic and has less traffic as compared to Abottabad road. After Bhurbhan the road has the descending slope and u have to be careful with applying brakes. Soon u will find river Jehlum on ur right moving with u.
Entered Kashmir at 10.30am and now the river moves on ur left.
Soon after entering Kasmir a policeman stopped the car and asked for identification and after confirming my particulars he said with a big smile "Welcome to Kashmir Sir"
At 11 am we were in Muzaffarabad. I was thinking to buy a Scom sim, stopped in the market and asked at 2 or 3 shops but they didn't had any so without wasting any time moved forward towards Garhi Habibullah.
The road from Muzaffarabad to Garhi Habibullah is in good condition with few exceptions.
This route is really scenic and beautiful sometimes I had to stop the car to enjoy the scenery. The lush green moutains with river kunhar running along the road was just mesmerizing.
Reached Balakot at 12.15 and stopped at Hotel Pine Track, which is my all time favorite hotel on this route. Had our lunch over there and offered prayers and left at 1.30pm. Refueled the car at PSO Balakot. I had to refill my Gas cylinder from the Balakot market but couldn't find any place to park my car so continued the journey.
I was very happy to see work on a hydropower project in between Balakot and Naran. May ALLAH protect our beloved country, ameen.
Reached Naran at 4.15pm and check-in at Hotel Pine Park. It had average rooms with per night rate of 2000 after bargaining and with some friend's reference. Had some rest and went to the market for a walk and refilled the gas cylinder. Had our dinner at hotel, taste was normal and rates above normal.
Temperature at night fell up to almost 11 Celsius, turned on the gas heater for half an hour to warm the room and went to sleep.
Hotel Pine Park
Punjab Tikka, Naran Market
