Best Places to visit in Neelum Valley
Enclosed by towering snow-capped mountains and renowned for its beautiful lakes, Neelum Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Azad Kashmir. This picturesque valley invites tourists to seek solace and enjoy every breath with nature. It is one of those places in Azad and Jammu Kashmir that end up on every traveler’s bucket list at some point, especially for adventure travelers. Whether you are attracted to its raw natural beauty or dream of trekking to Ratti Gali Lake, plan your trip with this list of the best places to visit in Neelum Valley, Kashmir, Pakistan.
Regarded as the crown jewel of Kashmir, Neelum Valley is located about 83 km from Muzaffarabad city. It is 215 km away from Islamabad, making it an ideal weekend getaway spot for tourists traveling from Pakistan’s capital.
Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir is bordered by Kaghan Valley on the western side and Indian-administered Kashmir on the eastern side, separated by high mountain ranges. Authmuqam is the capital city of Neelum Valley and one of the most populated towns in the area.
The valley derives its name from the Neelum River, which meanders through the valley and divides it into two parts. However, some historians also believe it is named after the Sanskrit word for blue sapphire, which is a precious gemstone.
Unlike the dry mountain landscapes of Gilgit Baltistan’s districts of Hunza and Skardu, the mountains of Neelum Valley are adorned with green fields and wildflowers.
This valley can easily be reached via Neelum Road, which is paved up to Kundal Shahi and in good condition up to Kel. The ideal time to visit Neelum Valley is from March to October.
Located on the banks of the Neelum River, Sharda is one of the best tourist destinations in Neelum Valley due to its enchanting beauty and centuries-old cultural heritage.
It is famed for its ruined Hindu temple, Sharda Peeth, which was the prominent learning center between the 6th and 12th centuries CE and a famous pilgrim site for Hindus.
Besides its rich history, Sharda presents the breathtaking spectacles of a captivating mountainous landscape with hills covered with lush green trees and flowing streams.
The timber-clad houses on the steep mountains seem to embrace the landscape, but it is actually the landscape that embraces these houses. Noori Top can be sighted from Sharda.
If you are a history buff, its remnant will remind you of its significance as a center of wisdom and knowledge. While nature lovers find it a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Sharda Peeth, Maidaan Village, Surgan Valley, and Kishan Ghatti (cave) are some famous tourist spots in Sharda. Summer months are the best time to visit Sharda when the weather is pleasant.
Keran is a verdant village in Neelum Valley, which is situated on the Neelum River. This hilltop village is around 12 km from the capital city of Neelum Valley, Athmuqam, and is a midpoint stop before continuing the ascent up the mountains.
Keran is frequented by tourists as it is close to Indian-held Kashmir’s Keran Village on the other side of the Neelum River. It features a small bazaar where you can buy embroidered dresses, Kashmiri shawls, and handicrafts.
Getting there is easy via Neelum Valley Road from Muzaffarabad. The Keran View Hotel is the most popular place to stay, with its backyard touching the pristine Neelum River. The area receives heavy snowfall during the colder months, so to avoid extreme temperatures, plan your trip between June and September.
Kel and Arang Kel are referred to as the pearls of the Neelum Valley, which serves as a base camp for the highest peak (Sarawaal Peak) and largest glacier of Kashmir (Sarawaali Glacier).
Kel is situated close to the Pakistan-India border, so you’ll often encounter Pakistan Army personnel along this route. Nowhere else in Kel village will you find a mosque, church, and Imam Bargah situated in such proximity to one another, all within a 500-meter radius.
Around three hours of trekking from Kel will take you to the postcard-perfect village of Arang Kel. It is a hilltop village that stands by the bank of River Kel in Upper Neelum. Lush green forests, wooden huts, and towering peaks dominate its landscape.
Tourists can enjoy horse riding, bird watching, and explore the scenic beauty of this village through a chairlift ride. However, the Arang Kel chairlift is quite different from those in the Galyat region and Murree; it’s more like a hanging cot.
You can visit this area between April and October, but July is the best month to explore Kel and Arang Kel, as the weather is ideal for hiking and outdoor activities.
The nature exploration trip to Neelum Valley, Kashmir, Pakistan, ends at Taobat Village. It is situated at a distance of 24 miles from Kel and accessible from Kel by unpaved road.
Taobat is a small village located near LoC, where the Kishanganga River enters Azad Kashmir and becomes the Neelum River. Taobat Stream, locally known as Taobat Nala, flows through the center of Taobat and irrigates the corn fields alongside its bank.
As you cross to the other side of the stream, you’ll reach the banks of the Neelum River, which flows out from a narrow gorge at the valley’s farthest end.
Winter season comes early in Taobat, which starts as early as October and ends in April. If you want to experience its beauty at its peak, visit Taobat between June and September.
Ratti Gali Lake is one of the best hiking destinations in the upper Neelum Valley, which is situated at an altitude of 12,130 feet at the border between Azad Kashmir (Neelum Valley) and KPK (Kaghan Valley).
A jeep track that leads to the Ratti Gali Lake base camp starts from the village of Dwarian. Ratti Gali Lake can be reached on foot or take a mule ride if you prefer not to carry a heavy backpack.
It takes about 45 minutes of easy hiking through grassy terrain to reach the lake. You can also hike up the hill for a view of this turquoise-water lake from above. If you start your journey early in the morning, it can be done as a day trip from Dowarian.
This lake is accessible only between May and September. However, the best time to admire its beauty is from July to September, when it is filled with glacial water.
Neelum Valley is not only famous for its raw beauty but also home to many lakes, streams, and waterfalls. Kutton Waterfall is one of the most famous and beautiful waterfalls in Neelum Valley.
The lush green surroundings and cascading waterfall provide serenity, inviting tourists to find solace in nature.
It is located 80 km from the capital city of Azad Kashmir and is the first tourist attraction to visit on your trip to Neelum Valley. To get there, first, you need to reach Kundal Shahi from Muzaffarabad and then hire a jeep to continue your journey. Alternatively, you can also go on foot from Kundal Shahi, as it is about 4 km away.
There are several hotels, lounges, and guest houses in Kutton or Jagran Valley. You can stay there and explore the valley at your leisure. The weather is quite pleasant from March to October, so plan your visit during this time.
Shounter Valley is located in Upper Neelum Valley, where you will find nature at its purest. The valley boasts lakes, snow capped mountains, villages, lush green meadows, and the renowned Shounter Pass—a mountain pass connecting Kashmir to Gilgit Baltistan‘s Astore Valley.
It can be reached via an unpaved jeep track from Kel, which is only open during the summer. Trekking is the only way to reach there during the other months.
After a 3-hour bumpy jeep ride, you will reach Shounter Valley from Kel Bazaar. This valley is a trekkers’ paradise as this beautiful valley offers endless trekking opportunities.
Shounter Lake, Chitta Katha Lake, and Shounter Pass are popular attractions in this enchanting valley. At the valley’s end lies Sarveli Peak (6,326 meters), the highest and yet unconquered peak in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
From Domail Balla in Upper Shounter Valley, you can trek to the Sarveli base camp for some of the most breathtaking mountain views you’ll ever see.
Plan your trip to Shounter Valley from May to August to avoid the difficulties of traveling when the jeep track is closed and temperatures are colder.
Nestled in the picturesque Azad Jammu and Kashmir region, this enchanting valley extends approximately 50 km north of the capital city of AJK, reaching the Line of Control that separates Azad Kashmir from Indian-administered Kashmir. Neelum Valley Pakistan is connected by a scenic road that winds alongside the noisy Neelum River and ends at Taobat, the last village of Azad Kashmir.
Unlike traditional Punjabi and Sindhi cuisines, which are known for their spicy flavors, Kashmiri food is milder in taste due to the use of aromatic spices and yogurt.
However, Kashmiri cuisine shares similarities with Balti food, Roghan Josh (lamb cooked with Kashmiri spices), Daeni phoul (mutton dish), Dum Aloo (potato-based curry), Gushtaba (Kashmiri meatballs cooked in yogurt gravy), Harissa (winter Kashmiri dish and similar to what is made in Lahore), Yalkhni and more.
There are several resorts, guest houses, and hotels in the valley that you can book in advance for your stay. While they may not match the amenities found in a hotel in Hunza, they still provide a comfortable experience.
Some of the best accommodations in Neelum Valley include Keran Resort, Midway Lodges, Pine Park Lodges Keran, Neelum Good View Resort, and Green Village Resorts. To learn more about their tariffs and amenities, check out our comprehensive guide on the best hotels in Neelum.
To get to Neelum Valley from Islamabad, you need to reach Murree from Islamabad via Murree Expressway. Once you reach Murree, you can continue your journey to Kohala, which connects Murree and Azad Kashmir.
It takes around one hour to reach Muzaffrabad from Kohala. Once you reach Muzaffarabad, You need to hire a 4×4 jeep to continue your journey towards Neelum Valley.
After 3 hours of jeep ride, you will reach Neelum Valley. Upon entering Neelum Valley, Keran is the first famous tourist spot where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Neelum River, engage in various outdoor activities, and experience the local culture.
Neelum Valley is an all-year destination, and the summer months (May to September) provide the best experience with views and great weather.
However, August is the best month to take advantage of outdoor activities like hiking and trekking without getting too cold and access to places that can’t be visited in winter due to road closures and heavy snowfall.
If you’re dreaming of hiking to Chitta Katha Lake, which is accessible only for a few months, August is the ideal time to visit, as wildflowers are in full bloom.
Two main mobile services, SCOM and Ufone, operate in Neelum Valley. SCOM, a subsidiary of the Pakistan Army, operates in northern areas of Pakistan and provides 4G services.
Ufone, on the other hand, offers free roaming in the valley but only supports calls and SMS. For internet access, you’ll need a SCOM SIM card, which is available in Muzaffarabad City and some other locations in Neelum Valley.
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Absolutely loved your description of Neelum Valley! I've always been fascinated by places with such a rich cultural history. Quick question: are there any specific travel tips for first-time visitors to Ratti Gali Lake? Any further insights would be appreciated! Keep up the great work.