Trip to Neelum Valley & explored the valley beyond Taobutt

Road Trips / Vacations / Hiking / Trekking

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-02 04:58:03 +0500 #1

Dear PWs

Finally i am back from Paradise trip (Neelum Valley). We left Lahore on 18th August at 8:00 PM and booked the train to pindi for 9:00 PM. At last moment we found that there is no electricity in train so we returned the ticket and booked another train for 12:00 AM. We reach Pindi station at 5:00 AM. Took taxi reached faizabad and booked skyways (coaster) to reach Muzaffarabad. Now our excitement begins.

Day 1: Stayed at Athmuqam
Day 2: Left Athmuqam early morning. Camping at Upper Neelum
Day 3: Reached Kel
Day 4: Taobutt Bala
Day 5: Shakargarh Trekking from chota gaggai (Most interesting part of this thread with heavenly beautiful pics)
Day 6: Back to Kel
Day 7: Visited ArangKel
Day 8: Camped at Domail Bala
Day 9: Visited Shounter and made returned journey towards Lahore/Karachi.

We returned to Lahore from Muzaffarabad through Sirinager Coach service. They have Daewoo coaches and took Rs. 700 per person from Muzaffarabad to Lahore.

Some TEASURS (i hope the teasures will tease you alot )

emmaar (emmaar) 2013-09-02 05:09:45 +0500 #2

Lovely teasing shots of Upper Neelum, Areng Kel and all of the Heaven of Kashmir.
Wonderful effort...keep it up with same type of narration

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-02 06:32:22 +0500 #3

We reached Muzaffarabad at noon and booked our seats in hiace till Athmuqam. There was heavy rainfall and clouds all the way. During our way we barely could get mobile signals and called to our home and friends. We showed them excitement that "Aala weather hy yar, tyt barish and clouds". Suddenly a voice came from backward "bhai jisay aap acha mausam keh rahay hain ye yahan kharab mausam samjha jata hy, becuz land slide bohat hoti hy is mausam mai". We were surprised for a moment then back to normal after a min.

We stayed that night at Imran Bhai's home (Athmuqam). Early morning left that place and headed towards upper neelum. Got the taxi which droped us at upper neelum in 30-40 mins. We installed our camp there and put all our stuff in at and started roaming in mountains.

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-02 07:57:36 +0500 #4

Some more pics of upper neelum

lazyboy (lazyboy) 2013-09-02 08:03:01 +0500 #5

Brilliant Thread.... nice trip covering Neelum Valley in Monsoon

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-02 08:20:03 +0500 #6

We found some huge birds there. When we zoomed in we came to know that they were vultures.

Maximum Close up.

Initially we thought these were vulture eggs. Even in camera screen they seemed like vulture eggs. But when we transferred the pics to laptop. we saw closely and got to know they were seeds of Diyaar Tree.

gemzaib (gemzaib) 2013-09-02 14:18:22 +0500 #7

[QUOTE=shakir7385;4030516]
Some TEASURS (i hope the teasures will tease you alot )

Teasures.. You must be kidding..
These are some absolute treasures...

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 06:42:16 +0500 #8

Thankyou for the compliment

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 06:50:19 +0500 #9

A view from upper neelum

Cooked Karahi at upper neelum. Believe me it was very delicious. I hope sab k mou mai paani aa gaya ho ga.

Campsite

This baba je found us roaming on the mountains of upper neelum. He took us to his place and plucked some Naashpaati's for us.

On the way towards Kel

Rastay mai truck ulat gaya

imarshad (imarshad) 2013-09-03 06:52:08 +0500 #10

This is a new addition to Pakwheels travelling location database. I have been to Taobutt twice but I have never heard of it.. So hopefully this will be a good addition to places to visit in Neelum....
BTW very nice shots so far...

anwarriaz1 (anwarriaz1) 2013-09-03 06:53:38 +0500 #11

very lovely pictures,

imarshad (imarshad) 2013-09-03 07:17:33 +0500 #12

I have always been impressed by the hospitality of Kashmiri people specially in Neelum valley. They are very simple people and not commercial minded like Murree/Naran etc. They will always talk in soft language and treat you like their guests. I was surprised to find that almost all grocery items at Kel are of the same rate as in any city in Pakistan and if you compare it with any picnic spot within the city where you have to pay double price for even cold drinks :(...

haris05 (haris05) 2013-09-03 08:35:23 +0500 #13

Nice thread and lovely shots bro... keep adding more

greatusama (greatusama) 2013-09-03 08:45:51 +0500 #14

Nice pics... waiting for more pics..

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 09:45:51 +0500 #15

A view from the hotel where we did breakfast on the way towards Kel

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 09:47:18 +0500 #16

Thank you Imran. Yes muqaami people told us that tourist have never been to this area before.

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 09:49:57 +0500 #17

Thank you Anwar Riaz

chdemon (Ch Demon) 2013-09-03 09:50:52 +0500 #18

ala (Y)

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 09:52:40 +0500 #19

Indeed. very hospitable environment. Very nice people. When we reached at domail bala, locals have installed some tents for tourist. They requested us not to install our own camp but live in their camps for free. I was surprised that very few tourist reach this place which effects there business. Even then they are offering us there tent with matteres and blankets for free.

shakir7385 (shakir7385) 2013-09-03 09:53:54 +0500 #20

Thank you Haris. Pictures ahead will surely entertain members like you. As later in the trip we learn to capture the pictures properly