Neelam Valley Adventures Your Gateway to Tranquility

Neelum Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Pakistan which is situated in the spirited hills of the Himalayas. As a result, the valley is endowed with a rich green vegetation, quiet flowing water in the form of rivers as well as mountainous and hilly terrains. For anyone to get a natural break from the urban rush, Neelam valley remains as one of the few places with little human interference to the beautiful natural sceneries. The term Neelam is related to the color blue, beautiful color of water and the Neelam River that flows in the valley provides a tingling blue experience.

It can be very useful for any person starting from a very active tourist and ending with a person who just wants to spend several days in solitude and silence in the forested tract. Beginning with forest walks where one cannot see beyond the trees to night camping where one is privileged to see twinkling stars, from village sightseeing to historical site visits, the valley has numerous attractions that cater for the diverse groups of people. Moreover, for those people who are keen to explore more, visiting Ratti Gali Lake or the beautiful Shounter valley will definitely fill one’s soul. 

In this article, you’ll be able to experience Neelum Valley’s sights and sounds, discover what you didn’t know about the places of interest, and what you should know as a tourist. In this post, we will reveal interesting attractions in the valley, and share information about the people who live there, as well as valuable tips on the trip. Also, we will show you other blogs that are in existence on the internet and provide more elaborative and up to date information to make your experience memorable.

Why Visit Neelum Valley?

The Neelam Valley is known as the ‘Mini Switzerland of Pakistan’; the area has a lot of greenery and crystal clear rivers besides towering mountains. This is a perfect place for bird watch enthusiasts, tourists who seek adventure and those who want to have a natural retreat away from the busy cities. Neelum Valley is all about enjoying the natural beauty of the region through some trekking, fishing or just being in the lap of nature with an absolute serene environment.

Untouched Natural Beauty

In fact, if you wish to get a glimpse of paradise then you have to visit Neelum Valley and one gets the feeling that one is in a picture postcard. There are meanings, plentiful in the valley, which are extended by trees such as pine trees, flowers like those that grow in the fields and water bodies inclusive of clear streams that encase the rocks of the valley. Many people visit this region especially during the holiday seasons, but even with development ailing this area, the beauty of the valley is still pristine.

The Neelam River

Neelum River, like the spine of the area, supports and enlivens the whole of the Neelum Valley. Its blue running waters can be seen to run through the valley and are beautiful to behold from virtually any position. It matters not whether you are walking along its edge and exploring the river or you are just sitting in your hotel room, the sound of the river gives an extra dimension to the feeling of tranquility.

Adventure Opportunities

Speaking of the thrills for the adventurers, Neelam Valley offers quite a lot. One can go for walks through forest cover, have a climb to alpine lakes with steep inclines or even sleep in tents. The journey to the Ratti Gali Lake is no less than a picturesque journey that also challenges one’s stamina. Shounter valley, on the same token however, has equally scenic beauty and appeals to the tourists who seek isolation from other touristic attractions.

Visitors Should Consider Visiting in Neelam Valley.

Neelam Valley is famous for its beautiful and splendid look of the area. It has the beautiful Shounter Valley along with its pastures, natural Ratti Gali Lake along with the snowy mountains and beautiful Arang Kel which also needs a beautiful hike. Every place provides a small but captivating view of the valley’s untouched natural beauty which is exciting for the tourists having inclination towards nature and adventures.

Ratti Gali Lake

Possibly considered the most popular location in the region, Ratti Gali Lake is an alpine glacial lake which is at 3,700 meters above the sea level. However, the journey to the lake is quite a Parcelable one and when you reach the lakeshore you are welcomed by some magnificent views that encompass the north eastern region of Pakistan. The four square kilometer lake has sapphire blue waters that are surrounded by tall mountains with snow capped in some regions: perfect for photographers.

Sharda

Neelum valley is enriched with beautiful places to visit and the small town of Sharda is one of them. Home to historical architecture such as the Buddhist monastery, Sharda also balances on the cultural and geographical point of view. The area outside the town, especially the meadows, is the most ideal for a picnic and nearby is the Sharda Fort that can give one an insight about the area.

Keran

Keran is one of the small towns in the Neelam Valley well reputed for the natural beauty of the area but most especially for its closeness to the Line of Control or LoC. The town has a nice riverside location, which makes it a quite popular tourist attraction, and from here one can get a great view of the Kashmir controlled territory of India. Keran also has a number of good quality guest houses which can be preferred for staying while traveling to the remaining areas of Neelum Valley.

Arang Kel

Arang Kel is also situated at an elevation of about 8,379 feet and is more famously known as the pearl of Neelam Valley Small village is on the top of the hill which can only be accessed by chairlift and then by trekking. The journey is tiring but what one sees right at the top makes it worth all the energy and hard work. Arang Kel is a village situated on beautiful green fields surrounded by high heels and it is also possible to see how locals live.

Shounter Lake

Shounter Lake is another lake which is situated near the Shounter Valley and is still an unexplored lake of Neelum Valley. Located off a jeep track the lake is located in some of the most barren and beautiful terrain and is perfect for those who want to get away from the tourist crowds. In winter the lake is covered with ice more often than not, while in summer one catches splendid turquoise waters.

Travel Tips for Neelum Valley

Accommodation: Though, one can find all types of lodgings in the valley from small local lodges and guesthouses to mid-range and even full service hotels. It is however advisable to make a prior booking for the accommodation especially during the high season that is during the holiday time.

Transport: According to transportation, public transport is available but if one wants to go off the beaten track hire a car or jeep would be most appropriate as the traveler gets to choose the time and place he or she wants to visit.

Essentials: Do not leave out your warming clothing for the night even though you are traveling in Summer because the climate may be chilly at night times. Moreover, make sure you pack some extra food and water if you plan to trek to certain areas.

FAQs

1. When is the best time to go to Neelum Valley?

The valley is best to be visited from mid of May to mid of September because the weather remains quite good during these months and the valley is in full bloom.

2. In what ways can one get to Neelum Valley?

To approach Neelam Valley the only way is through the road from Muzaffarabad to which there are transports, either private or public available.

3. What is the security situation of Neelam Valley for any tourists?

Indeed, Neelam Valley is one of the comparatively safe areas for tourists, however, it is always useful to read concerning travel notices.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Neelam Valley is one among the beautiful valleys that are attracting the tourists in the country, Pakistan which has everything like natural beauty, adventure and rich cultures. Being in the shape of the bowls Ratti Gali Lake is amazingly beautiful and as one moves from Ratti Gali Lake up to Arang Kel so is the valley replete with such beautiful scenes of nature that one can imagine. 

There are no two ways about the fact that Neelam Valley offers pictures, scenery and in addition the friendliness of people is touching. The valley offers people a chance to make acquaintance with nature and at the same time to appreciate the essence of the Kashmiri cultural values and practices. Every single moment spent in Neelam Valley provides the ideal opportunity to capture memorable moments right from shopping at local markets with locally made products to tasting mouth-watering, locally produced food.

If you are keen on making the next travel plan, then Neelam Valley should be the first option on your list. The scenic beauty, the calmness prevailing in this place and the numerous things that one can do here make it different from the other places. This valley is beautiful in summer and winter both; the meadows of Neelum valley have the beauty that makes one feel awe and compel one to revisit the place.