Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan is a wonderland located North and North East of Muzaffarabad. It covers an area of nearly two hundred square miles [2 sq km], with an impressive amount of real beauty. It runs alongside the Kaghan district.
The Neelum Valley has heavenly landscapes with peaks extending up to 4,000 feet [4,000 m] above sea level. It is a land of extraordinary landscapes, beautiful scenery, sky peaks, fascinating streams, lush vegetation, mysterious paths, and all that the wandering soul desires.
A delightful hiking trail, a beautiful wide tourist road, comfortable hiking trails, and accommodations make Neelum Valley a beautiful place to see.
Best Time to Visit Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan:
People often ask about the right time to visit depending on the climate of the Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan. The good news is that you can visit this lovely valley at any time during the year. You just have to manage the holiday in your work schedule.
Every season is fun and exciting in the Neelum Valley. However, if you wish for a smart tour guide, from April to October. If you are looking forward to hiking, you should visit from mid-July to mid-September.
History of Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan
The Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir, Pakistan is also known as the “Paradise of Kashmir”. It was commonly believed that it was called Neelum according to the gemstone Neelum, and, according to its curved blue river. This is a valley of lush forests, rivers, and streams. Its spectacular scenery is a factor in attracting many tourists to this valley.
Languages Spoken in Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan
The official language of the Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan is Urdu, as the local people can understand and speak Urdu well. People speak other local languages; Hindko, Pahari, and Kashmiri. You can feel ready to talk to people in Pushto and Punjabi too because there are Pushto and Punjabi people who have come there for work.
Life Style of Neelum Valley
The way of life of the people of Bimbar, Kotli, and Mirpur is very simple. They are culturally savvy people who adhere to their traditions during the years when people in other cities are attracted to Western culture. The people who live here are honest and easygoing.
They have a deep respect for the world and their values. The culture and traditions of these areas are similar to that of the neighboring Punjab region.
Muzaffarabad District is the capital of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Pakistan. It has its own unique culture; its inhabitants are alert, capable, and industrious. The people are more educated and cultured compared to others living in nearby valleys. Some of the most famous and well-educated people in the region are also.
Both men and women wear Shalwar Qameez in Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir Pakistan. In summer, men prefer waistcoats, and jackets and jerseys are worn by Shalwar Qameez in winter. Women seem to be dressed in the traditional way, western dress is not popular in these areas.
Some women wear a burka, while others cover their faces or cover their heads with a shawl or dupatta. Even foreign tourists enjoy wearing traditional dress to enjoy the local people.
Religion followed in Neelum Valley Pakistan
Islam is a major tribal religion; almost everyone is Muslim. The majority of the population is non-indigenous and most of the people of Azad Kashmir are Punjabi. According to information provided by the Christian community organization, the number of Christians living in the area is 4,500.
Most Christians live in the Bhimber area with Muzaffarabad and Mirpur next in line. Few Bahai families are said to live in some rural areas but no official details are available. An estimated number of twenty to twenty-five thousand Ahmadis reportedly live in Muzaffarabad, Mirpur Bhimber, and Kotli.
Famous Kashmiri Food
If you are a food lover, you will love the delicious Kashmiri food. You can eat to satisfy your stomach but your tongue may crave something else. There is not a single meal that will represent the tastes of the villagers; instead, there are great varieties that make you love Kashmiri food.
Most Kashmir foods are actually not vegetables, influenced by Mughal food traditions. Most foods contain chicken, fish, and sheep as the main ingredient in the dishes. There are also a limited number of delicious vegetable dishes as well. Hot spices like cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, fennel, and saffron add rich flavor to food to make you crave more.
The signature food of the village is Rogan e Josh, a food lover of meat or lamb. This Mughal started eating a healthy low-fat meal with a delicious aroma of roasted onions, relishes, and yogurt. Matschgand is another great way to cook, chewed meatballs with spicy sugar in the mouth that can lure your taste buds to crave more.
Yogurt lamb curry, Aab gosht, and Goshtaba for meat lovers. Although, g = vegetarians can enjoy their taste in fragmented foods like Modur Pulav, Dum Olav, and Lyodur Tschaman. Momos is a popular Tibetan-style dish added with local flavor and can also be a great addition to your menu.
Neelum Valley Weather
The Neelum Valley climate is a major tourist attraction and is a major tourist destination in Azad Kashmir. The best time to visit this fascinating piece of land is between March and the end of October. You will need to make a 3-4 day plan to enjoy this natural beauty. It is best to avoid your visit during the rainy season and if it rains during your visit you need to be aware of slippery places.
Cost / Travel Guide to Neelum Valley / Routes
The best way to plan your visit is to book in advance at a specific hotel at least two weeks in advance to avoid distractions especially if you are visiting during peak season. There is no mobile network within 40 km of Muzaffarabad.
There are various Kashmir tour packages; The cost of a four- or five-day trip for one-room accommodation can cost you sixty thousand rupees or more, including transportation, driver, and fuel, directions, sightseeing, comfortable accommodation, and excellent services. Foreign visitors can use these packages for $ 300-400.
You can get public transportation but they are often not comfortable enough. You can still get a car or jeep on rent; you may not be able to track easier and better roads. You are recommended to use a package that suits your needs.
Families can visit the various areas of Kutton, Kel, Sharda, Taobat, Halmat, Upper Neelum, Keran, Muzzaffarabad and Peer Chanasi. If you would like to have a difficult trip, you can find trips to Noori Nar, Chita Katha, and Ratti Gali.
Best Places to Visit in the Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir Pakistan
1. Ratti Gali Lake
The beautiful and attractive Lake Rati Gali Lake is a popular tourist destination about eighteen miles from Dawarain. The best time to visit this place is between May and October. You can find a Jeep track to get to. You are advised to follow this guide. Its amazing waterfall, beautiful scenery, and beautiful climate make it easy for local and international tourists.
According to various tourists, despite its flawed road and dangerous driving, the area is well worth a visit. You will forget the rest when you look at this beautiful heavenly world. Here, the weather is unpredictable, equal to any time or strong winds to blow. It is best not to take the children.
You can ride the jeep on the left lane to the Neelum Valley; it is a four-hour walk to the base camp. Narrow roads provide cool and cold weather; it is cold even in summer because of snowstorms. The stunning scenic look will always attract you despite the dangerous driving. Going forward, you can choose to walk or ride a horse to the lake.
Since the track is steep you need to be careful when riding a horse. When you get to the top, you see that it was worth every effort. If you choose to go back, it may take you 3-4 hours again to return. The tranquility of Rati Gali Lake is no less than a myth; it may be a lifelong experience.
In order to bring up children, you need to get the right information about the right weather. Choose the right shoes as needed to enjoy your trip. You can find any Kashmir travel packages that suit your budget time and luxury.
2. Arang Kel
Arang Kel is a village and a highly recommended tourist destination in the Neelum Valley. It is located at the top of a hill at an altitude of 2,554 meters near Kel. It is considered heaven on earth by tourists. It is located nine kilometers from Kel.
The magnificent scenery of this country, the hilly dawn, the snowcapped peaks, the fragrant twilight, the majestic scenery, the rugged terrain of the mountains, and the spectacular caravan drive make it a magnet for tourists.
You get the chance to be as close to Mother Nature as you can. You should plan at least one night or two nights to explore this unusual valley. From Kel to Arang Kel, you can choose to take a seat or start climbing mountains.
You need to have a lot of strength and stamina to ride 1.5 -2.5 hours on foot. If not, the election of the chairman is a good decision, it can take about half an hour but it is really steep. Most tourists prefer to use this cable car.
Another way to go is horseback riding. Arang Kel is famous for its tourist attractions. Roads are slippery and muddy when it rains, you have to be careful. You can take sticks. Do not forget to drink water again.
There is a camp and a guesthouse but you may not get it by going overboard. These guest houses also provide food for guests. But you can choose to ignore something in order to enjoy the amazing natural beauty.
3. Saral Lake
Saral Lake Neelum Valley is located in Beautiful Azad Kashmir of Pakistan at an altitude of 13,600 m (4,100 m). It’s attractive, it’s lovely, it’s attractive. The first view of the valley from Saral Pass (1,400 meters) was breathtaking and amazing! Descending from the Saral summit to an uninhabited and untouched valley until the lake is refreshed.
As you approach the lake, it begins to grow both physically and figuratively. As our mind was busy exploring the beauty and desert of the lake, the thought of crossing the Jabba-Gali Pass up and down (the mountain behind the lake) the next day made us shudder. Happiness, Expectation, Fear, Almost many different emotions were beyond our control, but walking in nature is about exploring/reviving these amazing emotions!
4. Taobat
Taobat Neelum Valley, Azad Kashmir is located 200 km (120 mi) from Muzaffarabad and 39 km (24 mi) from Kel. It is the last station in the village of Neelam. It is also the nearest place where the Neelam River enters the territory of Pakistan and becomes the Neelum River. In 1998 it had 720 people
5. Kuttan Waterfall
Kutton Waterfall is the most beautiful waterfall in Neelum Valley. It is the 3rd tourist spot in Neelum Valley. The actual name of this waterfall is the Kundal Shahi waterfall as it is located in Kundal Shahi village in Neelum Valley. Because its water comes from Kutton that’s why it is called Kutton Waterfall.
6. Sharda Valley
Sharda Valley Neelum is a small hill station in the Neelum Valley Azad Kashmir. It is one of the most lovely valleys and is famous for its fascinating scenic appeal.
