What to do on your trip to the Neelum Valley in Summer 2020

Situated in Azad Kasmir, the Neelum Valley is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful areas in Northern Pakistan. Blessed with endless forests, sloping hills, spectacular waterfalls, lush green valleys, snow covered mountains and gushing rivers, this bow-shaped valley hosts hundreds of tourists every year.

The best time to visit the valley is between April and October and here are some of the things you can do there.

1. Sightseeing

The Neelum Valley boasts some of the most unbelievably scenic locations in the country. The Dahni Waterfall, Athmuqam, Kutton, Taobat, Sharda, Upper Neelum, Lower Neelum, Kel, Arang Kel and Halmat are must-see spots in this area.

The Dhani Waterfall is the highest waterfall in the valley while Kutton (also known as Jagran Valley) is a popular tourist resort. Athmuqam is a cup-shaped valley and provides all sorts of facilities including banks, markets, post offices and hospitals. Sharda (pictured below) is a beautiful green area with a majestic river flowing through it (now who wouldn’t want to see that).

Don’t forget to visit Taobat (Picture By AliRaza9441 [ CC BY-SA 4.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons), Halmat and the Shounter Valley all of which will leave you mesmerized with their boundless natural beauty.

2. Accommodation

Accommodation is easily available in all major towns of the valley. This includes government facilities and private rest houses. The local people also offer their homes to visitors at reasonable rates. Hotel rooms usually range from Rs.500 to Rs.6000 per night and it’s always a good idea to bargain for a deal.

Ratti Gali Lake has a tent village where you can stay for less than Rs.1000 per night. If you’re looking for something more unique, why not book an igloo in Sharda which costs around Rs.2500 to Rs.3000 per night.

3. Food

Aside from the usual chicken and rice dishes, the Neelum Valley offers a magnificent variety of food. Athmuqam, lower Neelum and Upper Neelum are famous for the various fruits grown there. You can also find delicious curd, cheese, bread, rice and chutney in Athmuqam.

Be sure to try the local Saag’s which are a virtual treat for foodies. There are several different types served with Lassi, Karri Pakora and Makai ki Roti. You can also find bottled water in all major towns and markets.

4. White Water Rafting

The Neelum and Jehlum rivers are ideal for white water rafting in the summer. Watersport experts started holding rafting events in the valley in 2017. They guide thrill-seekers over several kilometers and provide packages for beginners as well as experienced individuals. If you’re looking for an unforgettable experience, why not sign up for this activity with your friends and family.

5. Hiking and Trekking

The Neelum Valley is a hiker’s paradise. Many people visit the district just so that they can trek across its innumerable hills, valleys and lakes. The Ratti Gali Lake (Picture By Faisalir [CC BY-SA 4.0 ], from Wikimedia Commons). The Ratti Gali Lake is one such spot and it’s not difficult to see why it attracts numerous visitors every year.

The Chitta Katha Lake (located in the Shounter Valley) is another famous hiking spot. Tent villages are available in Shounter which acts as a base camp for trekking to the lake.

Situated in Gumut National Park, the Saral Lake (shown below) is another popular destination for trekkers. The lake is carved out of the mountain by the water from the melting snow and is surrounded by lush greenery during the summer.

6. Boating and Camping

Travelers have numerous opportunities for camping in several locations including Sharda, Keran, Arang Kel, Taobat, Upper Neelum and Ratti Gali Lake. Many tour operators, including Visitpk.com, offer guided camping excursions to these areas and many other places across Pakistan. Guides are also more than happy to arrange leisurely boating trips on the various lakes in the valley which makes your trip all the more memorable.

So what are you waiting for? Call us on 0345 1520702 and book your fun-filled trip to the Neelum Valley today.

5 Places to Visit in Pakistan Before you Die

view-of-swat-valley

Now, whenever Pakistan is mentioned in the news, it’s usually not in a very positive light. Looking at the headlines, it’s hard for anyone to realise that Pakistan is actually a land of astounding sceneries and boundless natural beauty.

But believe me when I tell you, the northern areas of this country have a landscape unlike anywhere else in the world. Magnificent snow-covered peaks, lush green valleys, raging rivers, endless forests and spectacular lakes are just some of the wonders awaiting travelers coming to Pakistan.

Here are our top five, must-see destinations for both local and international tourists in the country.

1. Naran Kaghan

This is the top tourist hot-spot in Pakistan and for good reason. Located in the Mansehra District, Naran Kaghan is the most breathtakingly scenic area in the entire country. Just look at the Kunhaar River below.

Kunhaar-River-in-Kaghan

Popular with visitors especially in the summer, the main attractions in this locality includes the Lulusar Lake, the Babusar Top, Shogran, Siri Paye, and of course Saif-ul-Malook Lake. Many travelers also visit this area in the winter so that they can witness a frozen Saif-ul-Malook Lake in all its glory.

view-of-frozen-lake-Saif-ul-Malook

2. The Fairy Meadows

Number two on our list is the Fairy Meadows. Located in Gilgit Baltistan, the Fairy Meadows is a lush green land close to one of the base camp sites of Nanga Parbat (the 9th highest mountain in the world). Locally known as Joot, the area was declared as National Park by the government in 1995. Situated at an altitude of 3300 meters, this serene meadow provides stunning views of Nanga Parbat (here’s proof) (Photo By Usmanbukhari3362 [CC BY-SA 4.0], from Wikimedia Commons)

view-of-nanga-parbat-from-fairy-meadows

Trekkers use the locality as a starting point for their climb on the Rakhiot Face of the mountain. During the tourist season (April-September), visitors can also enjoy overnight camping, polo matches, horse riding, excellent food and hiking to Bayal Camp.

3. The Hunza Valley

Third on our list is the beautiful Hunza Valley.  Situated in Gilgit Baltistan, in the very north of the country, this area borders the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan and the Xinjiang region in China. In addition to its astonishing scenic beauty, visitors are also drawn by the hospitality and warmth of the locals residing in the valley.

view-of-mountain-landscape-in-hunza

The valley boasts several tourist hot spots. This includes the Rakaposhi View Point, Attabad Lake, Pasu, Karimabad, Rush Lake, Altit Fort and the Baltit Fort.

The Baltit Fort (shown below) is one of the most iconic structures in Hunza. Located near Karimabad, the fort dates back 700 years ago and is now a museum operated by the Baltit Heritage Trust.

a-view-of-the-baltit-fort

4. The Kumrat Valley

Our next recommendation for travelers in Pakistan is the stunning Kumrat Valley. Located in the Upper Dir District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this valley welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

a-view-of-kumrat-valley

Blessed with infinite forests, gushing rivers, snow-capped mountains and green pastures, Kumrat has numerous tourist attractions. The Panjkora River, Thal, Dojanga, Do Kala Chasma, Badagoi Pass, Kotara Lake, Bara Dand Lake, the Wooden Canals and the Crooked Woods are just some of the must-see spots in this area.

5. The Swat Valley

Last but not least on our list is the picturesque Swat Valley. Located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, this district is famous for hosting Queen Elizabeth II in the 1960’s. Dubbed as the “Switzerland of the East”, Swat offers tourists unforgettable views of gushing waterfalls, green meadows, roaring rivers, majestic mountains, fruit-filled orchards and flower-covered slopes.

a-view-of swat-valley

It is home to Malam Jabba, one of the best ski resorts in the country and a must-see destination for travelers in Pakistan. Over a hundred thousand tourists flock to Malam Jabba in the winter and it’s not hard to see why.

view-of-malam-jabba

Some of the other well-known tourist attractions in Swat include Bahrain, the Fizagat Park, the Kalam Forest, the Kandol Lake, the Mahodand Lake, Matiltan and the Jarogo Waterfall.

Visitpk.com offers customised tours to all of these locations and more. So what are you waiting for? Call us on 0345 1520702 and book your trip now.

4 reasons why Pakistan is simply an incredible place for tourists

Pakistan is often depicted as the most unsafe country for travelers and there is an image that tourism in Pakistan is almost non existent. However; this in not true. Due to receding terrorism, Pakistan has been able to improve ranking in Travel and Tourism competitive index in 2017 as well as the number of tourists has increased by a greater margin. It is always difficult to choose a place for travelling and adventure especially when it comes to place that is always portrayed as unsafe. Here are four reasons why Pakistan should be at a prominent place at your travel list:

 

  • Incredible landscapes

 

Pakistan is renowned for its majestic mountain peaks, fairy meadows, lakes,forests and historical cultural heritage sites. Five of the world’s fourteen highest peaks are located in Pakistan. K2, the second highest mountain of the world attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe. If you are looking for trekking, hiking, rafting, Pakistan must be in your adventure checklist. Pakistan boasts having highest paved international road of the world known as Karakoram highway also dubbed as eighth wonder of the world. World’s second largest salt mine is found in Khewra, Punjab.  In short, Pakistan is the most awesome place for travel seekers from all around the world.

 

Kachura lake GB
  • Pakistan is secure

So much is discussed in media that it is not safe to visit Pakistan. This claim is bias in nature. The fact is that even the most developed countries of world are facing terror attacks and no country can be dubbed as safe to travel in today’s landscape. Pakistanis have given immense sacrifices in war against terrorism and the fact is that the security situation in Pakistan is much better than it was few years ago. So, if you are simply not choosing Pakistan on the basis of safety, you are missing out the a chance to witness the most beautiful landscapes and the best adventures in life time.

Cholistani women
  • Diversity and Multicultural landscape

Pakistan is multilingual, multicultural and multi-ethnic place having multi ethnic communities and a truly diverse culture. Although national language of Pakistan is Urdu but variety of languages are spoken across different regions of Pakistan. The folk dances of Pakistan are quite popular and people love to express joy through various form of dances. Similarly different forms of music is famous in Pakistan like folk music, qawali and ghazals.  The cuisine of Pakistan is also rich in traditions and great importance is given to taste and presentation of various dishes.

Jalebi- a traditional and popular sweet

 

  • Cheap travel

It is cheap to travel in Pakistan. There are various camping sites available and you must pack your tent to camp in the northern areas of Pakistan. Choosing  best tour operators in Pakistan that offer cost effective tour package and guide you regarding the best time to visit any place can prove to be very helpful. Since Pakistanis are extremely generous and hospitable; you can find yourself at home in Pakistan with extremely friendly locals who always welcome you with a bright smile on their faces.