Less crowdy areas suggestions for Eid holidays

[arif7d]

Hi

I am coming from abroad to Pakistan during Eid Holidays. I want to use some time to visit any northern area with family. I know most of popular tourist destinations will be very crowdy during this time.

But there must be some some less popular destinations which should be less crowdy?

Duration: 4 days (including travel) starting from Multan 23 June Friday morning
Location: Any peaceful location that is not over crowded
Objective: Stay in a single place and enjoy the beauty of natural surroundings instead of keep travelling

Any suggestions!

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Last year, on 29th Ramzan, I went to Neelum Valley AJK and stayed at Upper Neelum (a village on a hill top). There in nothing more peaceful and calm than this place.

If you want peace, no crowd and chill weather, consider Neelum Valley. You will thank me later.

[z.u.m.a]

Bump

[arif7d]

This sounds great. Can you share some more details on this. Village name was Upper Neelum? Do they have hotels over there? Did you book in advance or was able to get accommodation at spot?

[naizi_x]

is it safe to go as there are alot more tension these day on LOC.

[arif7d]

@asifcae What you suggest about going tokutton or upper neelum (only one) in given timeframe ?
23 - 26 June ? Any idea about crowd and traffic situation ?

[farrukhzeeshan]

4 days including traveling is not enough from Multan to north. You will spend most of tbe time in traveling. Increase it to minimum 7 days.

[arif7d]

@farrukhzeeshan not enough even if we want to visit a single place.. either kutton or upper neelum?

Leave early 6 AM from Multan on 23 june and reach kutton / upper neelum by end of day
Stay in upper neelum / kutton (any one) on 24, 25 june
Leave for Multan on evening of 26 june and reach multan midnight or early morning of 27 june

Is that doable with family ?

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Well I had booked in advance. I consulted a friend who gave me a contact and I booked. But when I reached there, it was clear that other and better options were there. My stay was at Sunshine Guest House +92-5821-450195 and 0344-9532442 / 03557607416.

From Muzaffarabad, you need to take Neelum Road and after Athmuqam, you will reach a place Kerun which is right on the Neelum River. Other side of river is India. There are hotels at Kerun where you can stay. But the more peaceful place is Upper Neelum village. A road from Kerun goes up to upper Neelum.

You can go from Kerun to Sharda as well (another 2-3 hours), probably the last place where you can reach by car. I have found this area to be more green, less crowdy and very peaceful, better than Naran. But this place is obviously not as developed as Naran valley (no internet, no mobile phones work here due to border).

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

is it safe to go as there are alot more tension these day on LOC.

That's a valid point especially this year. We were advised not to use binoculars towards border area. Till last year, it was perfectly OK. But now we hear news of firing on LOC on various places. Most of these places are even remote areas all around AJK.

I would suggest to call the phone numbers above and ask hotel guys if tourists are even allowed these days by Army, before proceeding to Neelum valley.

[z.u.m.a]

So little input to this thread

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Here is a picture of the Kerun area from Upper Neelum Village. The buildings along the river bank are mostly hotels. Very few people go up and stay at upper Neelum. The other side of river is Indian Kashmir area.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Not sure which car you will be driving and how many passengers and if kids will be traveling as well.

I believe you are planning to come back and celebrate Eid at home. Its doable but will be very hectic.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Just went there 3 weeks ago. No issue, of security. Tourist are going without any problem.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Hopefully you will get hotels at the spot at reasonable rent due to Ramazan. I went there 3 weeks ago and was not able to find any hotel at Keran. All were heavily booked, ended up staying at some family's house, the room was below average.

[farrukhzeeshan]

Absolutely safe. No issues.

[sbaluch]

I have had a chance of staying in Neelum Valley right after Eid. Hotels were badly under staffed owing to Eid holidays. Eating resources were limited. It was problematic with family.

[enigma]

Why can't one use binoculars?

[ENGINEERzz]

Visit chitral

[Ijaz_Ahmed]

Why can't one use binoculars?

For the obvious reasons that enemy can think you are spying them. They have the posts on the other side of river and they keep watching with their own binoculars if some one is watching them or not.