Planning a winter trip to Northern Areas

[E200]

Hello there,

I only get time in winters, so get very limited options, and with family, limited options get more limited.
Tired of visiting Galiyat, Shogran. Once tried Naran and Swat in winters but failed, reason I went without any plan.

This time, got 12 days free, and I want to make it to full, got few options from different travel sites, sharing below .. expert guidance needed to make a good plan with routing, places to see etc.

1. Kashmir : Never been beyond Muzaffarabad, so no idea about road conditions, hotels and places there.

Day 1. ISLAMABAD - MUZAFFARABAD
short stays at different spots during travel.

Day 2: MUZAFFARABAD - KERAN
Depart for Keran, during travel short stay at Athmuqam and Kundal Shahi. Overnight stay at Keran.

Day 3: KERAN - KUTTON
Visit Upper Neelum and depart for Kutton. Overnight stay at Kutton.

Day 4: KUTTON - BAGH
Depart for Bagh, during travel short stay at Muzaffarabad. Overnight stay at Bagh.

Day 5: BAGH - RAWALAKOT/BANJOSA LAKE
Depart for Rawalkot. After reach Rawlakot visit Banjoosa Lake. Overnight stay at Rawlakot / Banjoosa Lake.

Day 6: RAWALAKOT - TOLIPIR - RAWALAKOT
Visit Tolipir. Overnight stay at Rawlakot/Banjoosa Lake.

Day 7: RAWALAKOT - ISLAMABAD
Early morning depart for Islamabad, during travel short stay at Rawal Dam and Park.

2. Hunza : never been beyond Battagram, no idea about road and security conditions.

Day 01: ISLAMABAD - ALIABAD, HUNZA
Departure from Islamabad for Aliabad during evening.

Day 02: ALIABAD - KARIMABAD, HUNZA
Transfer to Hilltop Hunza. Overnight at Hilltop Hunza

Day 03: KARIMABAD, HUNZA
Shopping at the Karimabad bazaar. Visits to the historic Altit Fort and the Baltit Fort. Overnight at Hilltop, Hunza

Day 04: KARIMABAD, HUNZA
Drive to Hopar Village in the morning via jeep. Sightseeing at the Hopar Glacier. In the afternoon, drive to Duikar and overnight stay at Eagle?s Nest Hotel.

Day 05: KARIMABAD - DUIKAR
After breakfast, leave for Attabad Lake. Enjoy the boat ride around the beautiful Attabad Lake. At 5 pm, transfer to Eagle's Nest Hotel, Duikar. Overnight at Eagle's Nest Hotel

Day 06: DUIKAR - ISLAMABAD
Departure for Islamabad.

Day 07: ISLAMABAD
Arrival at Islamabad.

3. SKARDU and surroundings : couldn't find any proper trip details for help, anyone guide me on this?

Short Visit to Fairy Meadows if possible: I've no idea if Prado 5 door can go up to fairy meadows track, till tattu? and will there be any porters / pony available in winters? If all managed .. I'd love to visit this place as well.

Seriously I'm much interested in Hunza or Skardu (Including Fairy meadow short visit). If some experts can guide me how it can be done safely and comfortably with family, I'll be very thankful.

[E200]

Visiting days will be from 25th dec to 20th jan, It can be lil delayed if suggested. Thanks.

[jehanzebnasir]

Dear if you are travelling with family I would suggest you to travel to Gilgit, Hunza and Skardu as they are family friednly places as compared to AJ&K as per my little knowledge but do check for weather as it gets too cold in Hunza and Skardu in winter.

But colours of hunza in autumn are amazing its my wish list.

I went to Rama, Deosai, Skardu, Khaplu and Hunza in last week of August on my Landcruiser HJ60 and figured out there is no threat of security at all, but as a precaution only travel in day light.

Serena have got good hotel chain in these areas in Hunza there is Baltit Inn, in Skardu there is Shigar Fort and in Khaplu there is Khaplu fort, these are all awesome family resorts to stay, but little expensive, they are combination of heritage and modern facilities, I have personally stayed there with my family and on this trip with friends. In Gilgit you can stay in Serena Gilgit as well.

From your query it seems you will be travelling from Karachi to Isl by air and hire a jeep for onwards trip, I travelled back in 2008 with waljis, had wonderful experience although they were little bit expensive but hassle free.

You can also get a flight to giligit or skardu from islamabad as well.

Also mention your budget so that things can get more clear.

Here is a link to our thread:

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/4x4-clubs-off-roaders-suv/223440-4x4engaged-winter-september-2013-a

This thread will cover all the relevant information and he travelled in same season, he is our experienced and beloved guru ji, Libra.

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/180171-kkh-documentary-journey-through-pakistan-libra

For further details or queries you can contact.

[asifcae]

at the particular time u have mentioned u can visit Kutton and stay in Kutton resort also.. snow sud be less there as compared to northern area and road is also fit for car drive till there...

in hunza and skardu there will be snow all over... althought u can reach thge main stations lkike karimabad and skardu and road is also good and open but u cvannot proceed any where.....

it will aslo be very cold and with fam thora mushkil ho ga us kay sath cope karna....

but if u must travel to northern area u can visit gilgit and Phandar which has PTDC motel and good road also.... its also very pretty in winter....

[E200]

@jehanzebnasir bhai thanks for detailed information.

I'll be going by road, on my own ride (TLC 5 door) from Karachi .. will move ahead after short stay at Islamabad.

So Kashmir is out of list now, as you suggested.

Do tell me if I can take Astor/Rama/Skardu route in this season? or If I can manage to go to Deosai from Skardu? and how is Khaplu, please tell me best attractions which I can visit near Skardu ..

Budget is up for best possible enjoyment with peace of mind.

Checked your thread, loving it.

[E200]

@asifcae bhai got it.

Which places will be accessible in Skardu or Hunza? can you tell me.

[asifcae]

@asifcae bhai got it.

Which places will be accessible in Skardu or Hunza? can you tell me.

in hunza u can go uptill atabad lake....

u can visit Baltit and Altit forts....

in skardu u can go to shangrilla resort and sadpara lake..... and khaplu as well

u cant go to deosai plains as it will b covered in snow.......

i still suggest u go to kutton and dont kill that option altogether........

[E200]

@asifcae thank you, I will try to visit kutton as well.

Can you tell me about fairy meadows? can my ride go up to tattu?

here's what I asked:
"Short Visit to Fairy Meadows if possible: I've no idea if Prado 5 door can go up to fairy meadows track, till tattu? and will there be any porters / pony available in winters? If all managed .. I'd love to visit this place as well. "

[jehanzebnasir]

Dear friend

Astore and Rama will be closed due to snow fall I think otherwise its a great family place.

You can confirm from PTDC Rama 05817-45373 Mr. Asif is there manager a very nice person.

If you want luxury trip I would suggest you to go to Hunza and Skardu and stay in Serena hotels and you wont regret but contact them to make it sure they are open.

Baltit Inn Tel: (92) 5813457660

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenahunza/

Shigar Fort Tel: (92) 5815467108

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenashigarf/

Khaplu

Telephone: +92 5816 450891-92

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenakhaplupalace/

I havent been to Fairy Meadows but I think it will be closed secondly you cannot take your ride whatsoever to Tatu as that route is only allowed for local jeeps they have pooled.

[asifcae]

@asifcae thank you, I will try to visit kutton as well.

Can you tell me about fairy meadows? can my ride go up to tattu?

here's what I asked:
"Short Visit to Fairy Meadows if possible: I've no idea if Prado 5 door can go up to fairy meadows track, till tattu? and will there be any porters / pony available in winters? If all managed .. I'd love to visit this place as well. "

yar is may do batain hain

1- aik tu yay kay season may bhe tatuu tyak ap apni gari nai lay ja saktay coz the locals badmashi kartay hain aur unhi ke jjep may jana parta hai.. also this is a blessing in desguise coz tatu wala jeep track bht he *$%#@$ hain............

2- dosri yay kay jan may tu wahan snow he ho ge aure isassible ho ga total... jo log jan may jatay hain wo Raikot bridge say paidal he jatay hain FM tak...... so its out of question..........

[E200]

Dear friend

Astore and Rama will be closed due to snow fall I think otherwise its a great family place.

You can confirm from PTDC Rama 05817-45373 Mr. Asif is there manager a very nice person.

If you want luxury trip I would suggest you to go to Hunza and Skardu and stay in Serena hotels and you wont regret but contact them to make it sure they are open.

Baltit Inn Tel: (92) 5813457660

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenahunza/

Shigar Fort Tel: (92) 5815467108

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenashigarf/

Khaplu

Telephone: +92 5816 450891-92

http://www.serenahotels.com/serenakhaplupalace/

I havent been to Fairy Meadows but I think it will be closed secondly you cannot take your ride whatsoever to Tatu as that route is only allowed for local jeeps they have pooled.

@jehanzebnasir bhai aap ne problem hi solve kar di .... thanks alot for information.

[E200]

yar is may do batain hain

1- aik tu yay kay season may bhe tatuu tyak ap apni gari nai lay ja saktay coz the locals badmashi kartay hain aur unhi ke jjep may jana parta hai.. also this is a blessing in desguise coz tatu wala jeep track bht he *$%#@$ hain............

2- dosri yay kay jan may tu wahan snow he ho ge aure isassible ho ga total... jo log jan may jatay hain wo Raikot bridge say paidal he jatay hain FM tak...... so its out of question..........

@asifcae is 'buri' information ke leye shukriya, badmashi kabhi akele main karain ge family ke saath nahi. So fairy meadows totally out of question now. Thanks for guidance.

[asifcae]

@asifcae is 'buri' information ke leye shukriya, badmashi kabhi akele main karain ge family ke saath nahi. So fairy meadows totally out of question now. Thanks for guidance.

sorry for being the bearer of bad newz but yes its out of question at that time for family trip