Neelum Valley 2016 (Ratti gali lake, Hans raj lake, Taobut and Arang kel)

[lastsoul]

[lastsoul]

In the afternoon we were enjoying rain and taking rest in the lawn of tourist rest house Dawarian.

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Road to Ratti gali, the valley of glaciers.

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Tea at the hotel in front of rest house.

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Next morning on 15th july, we moved to Sharda in a local transport. After a short stay at Sharda and a cup of tea, we got in a wan for Kel. Our program was to stay at Arang Kel here, but Tariq sahib decided to go to Taobut first. In Kel bazar, local transport jeep for Taobut was just about to leave. We threw our bags on roof of jeep and got our seats in it. Jeep driver was stopping at every town on the way and we reached Taobut in about four hours.

[ghumman12]

brother can you please tell me what are the roads condition can we take own car? and till where? what you suggest local transport is better or own car.

[lastsoul]

Neelum valley is wide open at Sharda which is 30 km from Dawarian. Sharda is a large, peaceful, beautiful and

historic town. Many old and new rest houses, guest houses and hotels are available. On the right bank,

opposite to Sharda, the Neelum is joined by the Surgan Nallah along which a track leads to Nurinar Pass and

through it to the Kaghan Valley .

[lastsoul]

Neelum river flows very peacefully and slowly through Sharda.

[lastsoul]

You can go up to Keran easily or up to Kel with moderate difficulty in your own car. Road condition is poor so drive SLOW. After Kel it is a pure jeep track, so better hire a jeep beyond Kel.

brother can you please tell me what are the roads condition can we take own car? and till where? what you suggest local transport is better or own car.

[lastsoul]

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The Sun was already behind cloud covered mountain peaks.

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We were told that some new (and some what better) guest houses were built in the village. So instead of

staying in one of the two old hotels in the main bazar, we crossed the wooden bridge of the stream and came in

the village area which is between the Neelum river and the stream. Here in between the houses, 3-4 guest

houses are built by locals. We climbed the stairs of Gurez hill guest house on the right side of the path. The

care tackers of this guest house, two teen age boys agreed on 1500 per day and we got a room in it.

[lastsoul]

Lush green fields of the area. some old and new houses scattered in the fields. some of the houses are rebuilt

in to guest houses. What a peaceful place to stay.