Azad Jammu Kashmir

Neelum Valley:

Neelam Valley

One of my Favorite and recommended place to go. About 240 kilometers long picturesque Neelum Valley is situated to the North & North East of Muzaffarabad. Running parallel to the Kaghan Valley, it is separated from it by snow covered peaks, some over 5000 meters above sea level. Excellent scenic beauty, panoramic view, towering hills on both sides of the noisy Neelum river, lush green forests, enchanting streams, high altitude lakes and attractive surroundings make the valley a dream come true. Places of interest in Neelum Valley are; Kundal Shahi, Kutton, Salkhala, Athmaqam, Karen, Dowarian, Sharda & Kel.

Neelam

Leepa Valley:

Leepa Valley

This is the most fascinating & loveliest valley. A metalled road branches off for Leepa from Naily, 45 kms from Muzaffarabad, climbs over the Reshian Gali (3,200 m) and then descends to 1,677 m on the other side into the Leepa Valley. The valley remains open for domestic tourists from May to November. Places of tourist interest in this valley are: Leepa, Dao Khan, Chananian etc.

AJK

Bagh & Kotli:

Bagh

District Bagh, is rich in variegated natural beauty. Bagh, Dheerkot, Sudhan gali, Hanse Chowki, Neela Butt, Las Danna, Mahmood Gali, Suddhan Gali, Kahuta, Havaily and Ganga Choti are the main attractions. Kotli is located at a distance of 141 kms from Rawalpindi/ Islamabad via Sehnsa, Holar and Kahuta. It is linked with Mirpur by two metalloid roads, one via Rajdhani (90 kms) and the other via Charhoi. It is also directly linked with Rawalakot via Trarkhal (82 kms). Places of interest are; Teenda, Hajiabad, Khoiratta, Fatehpur, Karela Majhan etc.

AJK

Domestic tourists can visit Azad Jammu & Kashmir without any restriction. However, they are advised to keep their identity with them. Foreign tourists are only allowed to visit following places with permit; Dheerkot, Rawalakot, Chotta gala, Chikkar, Daokhan, Muzaffarabad, Mangia & Sehnsa. Permits are issued by the AJK Home Department at Muzaffarabad.

AJK

Azad Kashmir Tourism Department has Tourist Rest Houses at most of the tourist spots which can be booked in advance from their office in Muzaffaranad. (Tel: 058810-32625)

Carpets, Namda Gubba, Patto, silk woolen clothing, woolen shawls, wood carving, Papier Mashie, rugs are popular handicrafts of Azad Kashmir. Other products and fruits are; mushrooms, honey, walnuts, apples, cherry, medicinal herbs & plants, resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers etc.

AJK

Communication:
Almost all the places in the Northern Areas are linked by telephone with the rest of the country and the outside world. Some of the area codes are; Gilgit (05811), Hunza (05821), Sost (05823), Skardu (05831), Saidu Sharif (0946), Chitral (0943), Besham (0997), Kalam (0946), Bamburet (0943), Khaplu (05832). A number of public call offices (PCOs) are located in the Northern Area. Both the Post Office and the Special Communications Organization maintain networks of telephone and wireless system.

Don'ts:
In the northern areas, please don't photograph military installations, major bridges and airports. Taking photographs of women is also prohibited should be with their prior permision. Please do not travel at night on mountain roads and do not swim in the rivers up north or other fast flowing mountain streams.