First Ski event in Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir

Ski Event:

First ski event held in Arrang Kel a beautiful village of neelum valley Azad Kashmir.

arang kel

Chitta katha Lake

Chitta Katha Lake

Chitta Katha Lake is among the highest alpine lakes in the world, sitting at 13500 feet above sea level, surrounded by Hari Parbat mountains range (a group of steep, barren, snow covered peaks), which lies close to Nanga Parbat, 9th tallest mountain in the world, and 2nd tallest in Pakistan after K2. It is located in Shonter Valley, Azad Kashmir. The place can be thought of as a junction of Neelum, Naran and Skardu. Indian-Occupied-Kashmir disputed border is not very far away from here.

I am writing this blog for the information of tourists that come to Pakistan, particularly Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley – and of course hikers planning to take this trip.

This lake is accessible for hiking in July and August. Rest of the year, it almost becomes part of the glaciers around – pretty much walkable (if you can reach there, that is).

Hiking to this lake is an outstanding experience, one you will cherish forever. Its real value lies in not only reaching there but more importantly, enjoying the unparalleled natural beauty of Northern Pakistan along your hike. So, do not rush – plan to spend a night or 2 in your tents/camps. Not only will you have a great time, your body muscles will thank you for not stretching them beyond limits. (We found at-least 3 groups on our way who terminated their trips due to fatigue – initially they thought they can complete the 2 way hike in one day)

The pictures in this blog are high resolution. Click on a picture to see larger version, and click on the larger version again to see an even larger version – depending on you browser settings. They were taken with Nikon 5200 (18/55 lens) at variable iso settings, f=18mm & f/3.5. You may reuse the pictures after due permission and reference/citation. (See endnote)

There are no reported safety issues and people are very friendly along the way. However, you should avoid traveling in the night as the roads after Muzaffarabad are fairly tricky with several landslides.

Logistics

For the entire trip, you essentially need:

• Warm clothes in layers – you will need to put them on and take them off intermittently, depending on how much your body heats up while hiking – and whether its sunny or covered. Choose clothes that are not likely to tangle with bushes etc. Your jacket should be water resistant – if its not, take a raincoat.
• Shoes with good grip.
• Sun block and shades.
• Necessary medicine and quick first aid stuff for emergencies.
• Quick food such as energy bars, dates, candies or equivalent stuff of your choice, basically to recoup you energy while hiking.
• A torch.
• A swiss knife or equivalent.

You may take the following or get them from Kel or Shonter:

• Tent/camp
• Sleeping bags
• Basic toiletries and baby wipes
• Hiking sticks
• Water bottles (can be refilled from natural streams along the way)
• Food for the hiking night(s) and a stove, if you can not live without hot food for a night or 2. There are nomad families you will find during your hike, and they can cook for you. They offer items such as Chicken Karahi, Saag Paneer, Daal, Rotis, Paraths, Tea etc at reasonable rate. (around Rs. 200-300 [US 2-3] per person per meal)

sharda :

Sharda Neelum Valley

Sharda is 40km away from Keran (3 hours of drive). Night life of Sharda is famous as compared to all other destinations. One can enjoy boating and jet ski there. Surgan, Maidaan, Kishan Ghatti, Sharda Temple (Sharda University- Sharda Peth) are places to visit in Sharda. There are so many hotels in Sharda, that every one can find hotel according to their budget.  Best hotel to stay in Sharda is Neelum Star Hotel and Benazir Palace Hotel.

Kel:

Kel is 20km away from Sharda and it takes 1.5 hours through jeep there. It is considered as base camp to visit Taobat, Arrang Kel and Chitta Katha Lake. There are also many hotels for night stay but accommodation standard is very low, so one has to compromise when it comes to basic amenities. Oreintal View, Green Valley View and PTDC/Tourism Guest house are better options for night stay there.

Arrang Kel:

Arrang Kel, Neelum Valley

It takes 1.5 hours of hiking from Kel to Arrang Kel as there is no road towards the village. The most fascinating spot of Neelum Valley. Tourists name is “Heaven on Earth”. There is local Cable Car service is also avialable, but not reliable. Though it reduces the travel (hiking) time to just 30 mins. Musk Deer Resort is better option to stay there.

Taobat:

The Magical Taobat, Neelum Valley

Taobat is the last village of Neelum Valley. It is 40km away from Kel and takes 3.5 hours on Jeep. Though you reach there after a very hectic and bumpy track, but it is worth taking all the tiredness and adventure. Its lush green meadows, thick woods and crystal clear water streams do a magical spell on visitors. There are couple of guest houses in Taobat, but one is recommended to stay back in Sharda or Kel.

Rent  a Car in Neelum Valley:

You can park your own car in Keran or Sharda and hire a Jeep onwards.
Jeeps Fleet:
Sharda to Kel: Jeep Rent: 5000PKR
Sharda to Taobat: Jeep Rent: 9000PKR
Kel to Taobat: 8000PKR
Dawarian to Ratti Gali Lake Rent : 7000PKR
Cable Car Rent: 100PKR

Places to visit in Neelum Valley:

All the places mentioned above are worth visiting specially Taobat, Arrang Kel, Sharda and Keran.

Places to Stay (Hotels) in Neelum Valley.

There are more than 200 hotels across Neelum Valley. You can book them through us on discounted rates and neutral reviews. Neelum Valley hotels are not that much good as compared to Naran and Kaghan.Neelum Valley hotels are enlisted here. In off seasons hotels are being booked on low prices almost in 3500 per night and in peak season average room rent is 5000.

Best time to visit Neelum Valley:

Neelum Valley remains open through out the year but most suitable time to visit Neelum Valley is in between April and October.

How to plan your tour to Neelum Valley:

You can book our Neelum Valley Tour Packages. We offer special discounts on tour packages to Neelum Valley from Karachi. One can plan a 3 Days tour, 4 Days, 5 Days, 6 Days or even 7 days tour to Neelum Valley.

Distance to Neelum Valley from Islamabad

Distance from Islamabad to Neelum Valley (Keran) is almost 210km (7 hours of drive).

To Book Hotels, Rent a Car or Tour Package to Neelum  we are just one Call away: 030 51007419. , 03556902570