Road/track from Deosai to the Neelum Valley

[khanmomar]

On our way back from Khanjerab, we are considering to visit Deosai and then drive to the Neelum valley. I have heard there is a jeepable track which can be easily travelled on bikes. Any information about distances, condition of road, places to stay and eat would be appreciated.

[jeepaholic]

I am not sure about the track being open or not but I assure you if it is possible it will be the best part of your journey.

[khanmomar]

Please help gentlemen. We are seriously considering this trip and might have to get help from the encyclopedia of Northern Areas, our old friend, Mustansir Tarrar.

[lovebikes]

@khanomar

   khan sb get as much information as u can from all the available sources about those areas cause i dont want to leave any place unvisited that is accessible by bike in that trip.

[khanmomar]

@lovebikes

Sorry to disappoint you but in one trip you can only get a very superficial view of our gorgeous Northen Areas. Not only one trip but even one lifetime is insufficent to explore it sufficently.

[lovebikes]

@khanomar

i only meant the places mentioned in ur post. deosai is a must i want to visit it during this trip even i have to go on foot.

[maxloxton]

I think that you have to travel from Chilam Chuki to Burzil Top which comes to Tao Butt, Neelum Valley, but it requires army permission to travel in to that place. But you will not be able to travel on bikes in that area because it is a jeepable track to an extent but after that you need to trek at least for one day to reach Tao butt.

The other place from where you can travel Rattu from Astore and you travel via Shounter Nala and reach Neelum Valley.

The other way that you can travel is Bunur Fam to Pulwai, Kashmir near Halmet. But it is rare trek which I have not heard anybody travelled regarding this. But this trek has been identified and has been travelled by many foreigners and has been mentioned in many trekking books, but as yet have not heard of any local travelling from that.

[khanmomar]

@Maxloxton
Thanks for your very informative reply.

[asad01]

I tried to get some information about the route, but still haven't received any confirmed information.

You should look for information about kel-Shounter-Rattu route. (exactly where does the track from Rattu meets Shounter Nala.)

If the Burzil-Taobat (Tau Butt) is doable on bikes, then there a also a track straight from Deosai to Burzil.

One thing to keep in mind, the Kala Pani water crossing has to be made on a 4X4, the bikes cannot cross these waters most of the time.

Here is a map of the area, made in Google Earth. Hope it helps. The orange line is Line of Control.

[OffRoad]

Khanomer,

Last season I traveled in Neelam Valley till Shounter water fall.This rout leads to Domail & ends up on Chilam Coki (Near Deosai Natinal Park) If you want to acess the rout from Cillam yes it is possible but last year rout was closed for 22 Km due to Land slide.So I dont think so it will be possible on bikes as track is very rough, rocky & even hard for a 4x4.

You can use an alternate rout to visit neelam on your way back..

Route which I travelled in 2007 was

Skardu, SatPara lake-Deo sai (Camp 1 night ata Bara Pani) than all day in Deo sai,Schesoar Lake-Chilam chowki...stayed at Astore 1 night it is a beautiful valley..than if you have time you can also visit Nalter (PAF ski resort) & rama lake (All jeepable tracks)..all the way to KKH..than to chillas..Babusir Pass...Lalu Sir Lake...to Jalkhad...turn left..Noori Top..Shurgan Nala..Sharda (Neelam)..than you can go to ..kel..shounter..lake chita katha...or Tao butt..all the way back to Muzafarabad to u can also go to Naran again by using Noori Top.

Now keep few things in mind.Noori top & babu sir pass opened in end june.Very cold at nights.

And road of Neelam to Muzaferabad is in bad shape,fuel scracity specialy for petrol.Diesel phir bhee mil jata heay but petrol is hard to find.

Attaching few pic which might help you.Drop me a line if you need any help from my side or can call me on my numbers

0544-629263

0334-5214497

Regards,

Fahad Ali

Citibank

[OffRoad]

And you can also use the following links of my tour to all these areas where you want to go.

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!8170

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!65740~ForumID!29~pw.html8~ForumID!29~pw.html

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!49865~ForumID!29~pw.html

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!48076~ForumID!29~pw.html

[OffRoad]

Also consult this thread

(Babu Sir Pass Tour-2006)

https://www.pakwheels.com/forumreply_az_TopicID!31721~ForumID!16~pw.html

[OffRoad]

At Chilam Chowki (road turs to Deo Sai & Neelam via Domel)

Astore Valley

Deo Sai Planes & Schosar Lake

Bassu Top (Upper Shnagrila Valley)

Babu Sir Top

[khanmomar]

@offroad

Thanx for your informative post. We plan to go to the Shounter via Ratu Cant. Accesibility on bikes is better than jeeps so we would be at an advantage here. Still awaiting the latest maps of the Geological survey of Pakistan which we should be recieving soon. Will finalise the route later inshaullah. Will keep you posted.

Regards

[khanmomar]

Gentlemen, the research is over and now it is confirmed that there is no drivable track from Deosai to Neelum valley. I consulted numerous trekker friends along with Tarrar sahib and the Geological survey of Pakistan. As another member correctly pointed out that there are 2 main routes, 1st via Taobut and the other via Shaunter pass but both are rated as "Mule tracks" making motorcycle or jeep travel impossible. Actually there is a small part of track which cannot be travelled upon by jeeps and 90% is jeepable. Government of AJK is planning to complete it soon via Shounter Pass. During this exercise I found out that this was the shortest route from Srinagar to Baltistan and Gilgit and was a pretty busy route in the pre-partition days.

Thanks everyone for your help and input. Let me add one last point. All those who have travelled on the two above mentioned routes call them gorgeous and out of this world.

[lovebikes]

@khanmomer

khan sb it means no deosai in this trip?

[khanmomar]

@Lovebikes

In such trips you have to postpone the final plans till the last moment due to many reasons. Personally I would like to spend a night in Deosai and another in Rama as Deosai is just 3-4 hours drive (Mcycle) from Jaglot. It is a first trip for many of our members and we will have to consider their spirits while deciding.

[lovebikes]

that is exactly what i had in mind, spending a night there.

well lets hope for the best.

[khanmomar]

@Lovebikes

Deosai blooms around third week of July when air fills with peculiar fragrance and charm of local flowers blossoming everywhere. This place is a very special blessing for us which cant be compared to any other place in the world. You can build cities or skyscrappers but cant have a place like this.

My reason for writing this is that in June it would be barren which might be a bit of disappointment so I am preparing you. Still it should be worth it.

[lovebikes]

@khanmomer

             thanks for the knowledge.


            but the name alone has a certain charm and


             enough to attract someone like me.


             it is a long standing dream of mine to visit that place,


            and dont want to miss the chance this time.