Naran Valley,KPK

Saif-ul-Malook

Ansoo Lake

Lulusar Lake

Dodipatsar Lake

  













Saif-ul- Malook

                                                                   

Naran is connected by Naran road from Mansehra. In the tourist season (1 June to 31 August) public transport runs daily between Mansehra and Naran. PTDC also runs an air conditioned bus between Rawalpindi and Naran daily in season. Taxis, cars and jeeps are available from Mansehra for Naran in all seasons. In winter the road which leads to Naran is blocked due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach there. 

Lake Saif-ul-Maluk 

Naran to Lake Saif-ul-Malook dusty jeep track is approximately 9 km in length with hiking tracks difficulty level ranging from easy to medium. It can be traveled by jeep in one Hour. Net elevation gain is around 700m.

Ansoo Lake

 Ansu is tear shaped high-altitude lake situated adjacent to Malika Parbat. It can be reached via 11 km trail starting at Saif-ul-Malook. This trail can be divided in two steps.7 km walk from till base of Malika Parbat.4 km hike up the mountain with net elevation around 1000m. Lake remains accessible from early May till late December, with deteriorating weather making it difficult at start and end of season.

Lalazar

 Lalazar is a plateau once known for beautiful wild flowers and soothing pine forests. Though recently cultivation of potato and other corps declined the natural beauty, but still enchanting view of Malika Parbat and lush meadows make it a must visit. Lalazar can be reached through a muddy jeep track of 01 hour starting from Battakundi. Some people prefer trekking over riding the jeep. One famous, moderate trek starting from Lake Saif-ul-Malook through picturesque Hans Gali ends at Lalazar.

Other Tracks (originating/ending in Naran Valley) - 

-Noori Top 
- Dudipatsar Lake 
- Saral Lake 
- Ratti-Gali Lake (Lake is in AJK) 
- Sat-sar Mala Lakes 
- Gitidas - Lulusar Lake 
- Babusar Top - Katha-sar Lake (Lake is in Kohistan) 
- Maheen Lake (Lake is in Kohistan)

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Muree

Murree Hill Station

Murree

MureeChair Lift

Snow In Murree

Murree's early development was in 1851 by the then President of the Punjab Administrative Board, Sir Henry Lawrence.It was originally established for the British troops garrisoned on the Afghan frontier as a sanatorium.Officially, the municipality was created in 1850. The permanent town of Murree was constructed at Sunnybank in 1853. The church was sanctified in May 1857, and the main road, Jinnah Road, originally known as Mall Road (and still commonly referred to as "The Mall"), was built. The most significant commercial establishments, the Post Office, general merchants with European goods, tailors and a millinery, were established opposite the church. Until 1947, access to Mall Road was restricted for "natives". In the summer of 1857, a rebellion against the British broke out. The local tribes of Murree and Hazara, including the Dhond Abbasi and others, attacked the depleted British Army garrison in Murree; however, the tribes were ultimately overcome by the British and capitulated.From 1873 to 1875, Murree was the summer headquarters of the Punjab local government;after 1876 the headquarters were moved to Shimla. The railway connection with Lahore, the capital of the Punjab Province, via Rawalpindi, made Murree a popular resort for Punjab officials, and the villas and other houses erected for the accommodation of English families gave it a European aspect. The houses crowned the summit and sides of an irregular ridge, the neighbouring hills were covered during the summer with encampments of British troops, while the station itself was filled with European visitors from the plains and travellers to Kashmir. It was connected with Rawalpindi by a service of tangas.

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Hunza Valley KPK Pakistan

               Nasirabad Valley Hunza

Hunza River near Passu, Pakistan

Nasirabad Hunza Valley, Rakaposhi View

Hunza was formerly a princely state bordering Uyghurstan to the northeast and Pamir to the northwest, which survived until 1974, when it was finally dissolved by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. The state bordered the Gilgit Agency to the south and the former princely state of Nagar to the east. The state capital was the town of Baltit (also known asKarimabad); another old settlement is Ganish Village. Hunza was an independent principality for more than 900 years. The British gained control of Hunza and the neighbouring valley of Nagar between 1889 and 1892 through a military conquest. The then Mir/Thum (Ruler) Mir Safdar Ali Khan of Hunza fled to Kashghar in China and sought what would now be called political asylum

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Neelum valley

Transportation

The valley is connected from Muzaffarabad by Neelam road, which leads up to Kel. The road condition from Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam is very good and suitable for any kind of transport. From Keran to Kel road condition is not well and not suitable for low floor vehicles. In winters road onward Keran block due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach upper parts of the valley.
Vans serve is only Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam after every 30 minutes. Buses run daily between Muzaffarabad and Kel in good weather. Jeeps and horses are available to reach remote areas of the valley.

Communication

Telecommunications services are provided by Special Communications Organization (SCO) up to Kel. These services include land line telephones at various locations up to Kel, Mobile service with the brand name SCOM at Kundal Shahi and Athmuqam, Broadband internet services at Athmuqam with brand SNET. SCO's dial up internet service is available on all land line telephones.

Accommodation and guest house

Rest houses and lodges of AJK Tourism and Archeology Department are located in Keran, Kutton, Dawarrian, Sharda, Kel and Taobat for tourists stay. Some private hotels like newly built Hotel Neelum Greenland and rest houses with satisfactory facilities are also located there.

Historical places

In Neelam valley there are dozens of beautiful and historical places, Sharda Peeth is one of the most beautiful and historical place in Neelam valley.

Towns and villages

Kundal Shahi:

The village is located 74 kilometers (46 mi) from Muzaffarabad on the bank of Neelam River.

Athmuqam: 

The chief town of valley located about 84 kilometres from Muzaffarabad. It is the headquarters of Neelum District. All the basic necessities of life are available there. Hotels, rest houses, market, post office, banks, hospitals, and telephone exchanges are also present.

Kutton: 

Also known as Jagran Valley, is a village and tourist resort located 82 kilometers (51 mi) from Muzaffarabad and 8 kilometers (5.0 mi) from Kundal Shahi on the bank of Jagran steam. Rest houses of AJK Tourism Department and WAPDA are located here. Some private rest houses and hotels are also available here for tourists stay.

Keran: 

11 kilometers (6.8 mi) ahead from Athmuqam Keran resort is located on the bank of Neelam river at the altitude of 1,524 meters (5,000 ft)

Dowarian:

 It located 106 kilometers (66 mi) from Muzaffarabad and 22 kilometers (14 mi) from Athmuqam on the bank of Neelam River at the altitude of 1,615 meters (5,299 ft). A rest house of AJK Tourism Department located here for tourists stay. It is the base camp to Ratti Gali Lake.

Sharda:

 One of the beautiful spots of the Neelum valley located on the banks of the Neelum river at an altitude of 1,981 meters (6,499 ft), about 136 kilometers (85 mi) from Muzaffarabad.
The ruins of the famous temple and Hindu pilgrimage site Sharada Peeth, dedicated to the goddess Sharada, is situated in this town. Other historical sites in the town include the Sharda fort, and Kishan Ghaati.
Few private hotels and a tourist hostel of AJK Tourism Department located there for tourists stay.

Kel:

 The most beautiful village of the valley located 19 kilometers (12 mi) ahead from Sharda at the altitude of 6,879 feet (2,097 m). Few private hotels and a rest house of AJK Tourism Department located there for tourists stay. Its also has bank, college, hospital and market.

Arang Kel:

 A village and tourist spot located on the hill top near Kel at the altitude of 8,379 feet (2,554 m) feet. It is accessible by a 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) trek from Kel.

Taobat: 

The last station of the valley. It is 200 kilometers (120 mi) from Muzaffarabad and 39 kilometers (24 mi) away from Kel. A tourist motel of AJK Tourism Department and few private hotel with basic facilities located here for tourists stay.

Lakes

Chitta Katha Lake is located in Shonter valley, a sub valley of Neelam valley at the altitude of 13,500 feet (4,100 m). The lake is accessible from Kel by a 20 kilometers (12 mi) jeep track and then 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) hiking trek. Kel is the base camp to this lake.
Shounter Lake is a small lake located in Shounter valley at the altitude of 10,200 feet (3,100 m). It is accessible from Kel by a jeep track.
Ratti Gali Lake is located in Neelam valley at the altitude of 12,130 feet (3,700 m). The lake is accessible from Dowarian by a 19 kilometers (12 mi) hiking trek. Dowarian is the base camp to this lake.

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