Information needed Ghizar or neelum valley

[Zia1967]

Dear Gurus,
I have include Ghizar valley first time in my tour plan for this year, just want to clear some doubts before finalizing my plan.
• How much time would be needed to cover till Phandar lake from Gilgit
• Road status after Gilgit, can I take my own vehicle, any problem for Corolla 2017 or hire 4 X 4 from Gilgit
• Weather conditions in June
• Most important, Is this worth seeing i.e. without Shandur or Chitral how much charm is left in visiting these place
• I have Neelum Valley as an alternate program if I am not going Ghizar, What are your suggestions.
• I have been to Neelum valley in 2015 in my own car, Road at that time from Keran to Sharda and Kel was not so good, is there any improvement or I should drop my car at Keran.

Regards,
Zia

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Salam Zia Sb,

Wish you have a pleasent and joyful journey.

1) At least 6 hours from Gilgit to Phander lake.
2) Road is good enough for any car.
3) Weather would be moderate, with cold evenings and nights.
4) After Phander, there is no road. Only mud and stones track. Though the journey is joyful till Chitral but not on a car. You need high clearance vehicle with strong suspension. People would claim to have taken Vitz upto Chitral but I don't recommend.
5) Nellum Valley is great. Car can go till Kel.
6) Road from Kerun to Sharda to Kel is still the same, might have worsened. I was on a jeep, so it didn't matter for me.

The rented jeeps are not comfortable at all. But it will sure save your car's suspension. Include Kutton and Ratti Gali in your trip. Arung Kel is also great place but needs a brave heart to ride the desi chair lift and steep hike afterwards.

Enjoy your trip. Stay safe.

Eid Mubarak

[shaikhrulez]

Perfectly answered by @Ijaz_Ahmed

Been to Phander Valley in 2016, condition of road was pretty much Okay. We saw even mehran and JDM vehicles on that route. It took us 6 to 7 hours to reach Phander Valley from Gilgit, with around an hour stay at Khalti Lake for lunch.

You may feel that Phander itself has not much to offer, but the entire journey towards Phander Valley is simply breathtaking. Turquoise color Gilgit River is flowing alongside the road. Moreover, Khalti lake has it's own charm, having trout fish at lake side is something you'll never forget.

Sharing some pictures of Phander Valley from our trip.

[nagar1]

Bcoz of adverse road condition from phandar till shandur and chitral people dont travel beyond phandar.but the scenery after phandar till shandur especially langar and teru villages is beautiful

[nagar1]

Shandur itself has got nithing special other than the lakes..or u shud visit it for shandur polo tournament

[amirbilal]

What is better trout spot, Khalti or Phandar? I am not asking in fishing aspect but availability of real river trout. Are there any good restaurants at Khalti lake to have lunch?

[Zia1967]

Thanks all for your feedbacks and expert opinions.
Eid Mubarak to all
Regards, Zia

[shaikhrulez]

At that time, khalti lake just had a simple dhaba type hotel, though they do serve trout fish. However, you'll find much more options in Phander Valley and that too in cheaper rates.

[nagar1]

The trout available in all ghizer area is all REAL trout nothing fake​. Khalti has a PTDC where you will find expensive trout but the roadside dhabas sell it much cheaper. In phandar u may not find cooked trout other than PTDC. Or u may find a roadside khoka selling it nowadays as tourists have started going there. I havent seen any there