Neelum Valley
Pakistan · Azad Kashmir · 1650 m
Description
The Neelum is a river valley running two hundred kilometres north-east from Muzaffarabad, and for most of that length the river itself is the Line of Control with Indian-administered Kashmir. Villages stand on both banks within shouting distance and the road is watched. Sharda holds the ruins of an ancient Hindu and Buddhist learning centre above the water. Kel and Arang Kel further up are wooden villages reached by jeep and then a chairlift or a climb, and the trek to Ratti Gali Lake starts there. The road is snow-closed for half the year. Muzaffarabad at the mouth of the valley is the capital of Azad Kashmir.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 6 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Arang Kel above the valley
- Sharda and its ancient learning centre
- Drive along the Line of Control
- Trek to Ratti Gali Lake (June - September)
- Kel and the road's upper end
- Keran on the riverbank
- Trout from the valley rivers
- Wooden houses and shingle roofs
- Waterfalls along the Neelum road
- Camping by the river at Sharda
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- ISB