Kashmir, often called “Heaven on Earth,” charms visitors with its lush greenery and stunning natural beauty. It’s a magnet for tourists worldwide, inviting them to explore its scenic landscapes through activities like trekking, hiking, skiing, and mountaineering. Now, let’s take a closer look at why Azad Kashmir is the perfect destination for a holiday getaway.

There are multiple tourist places in Azad Kashmir like Pir chanasi, Neelam Valley, Chitta Katha lake, Toli peer, Jhelum valley.

Tourist Trekking Details

Places	Trekking Time	Accessible by Car	Accessible by Families
Peer Chinasi	3-5 Hours from base	No	No
Neelam Valley	No need	Yes	Yes
Arang Kel	2-3 hours from Kel	No	No
Banjosa Lake	No need	Yes	Yes
Baboon Valley	3-4 hours from Kel	No	No
Ratti Gali Lake	5-6 hours from Dowarian	No	No
Chitta Katha	4-5 hours from Jhalkand	No	No
Toli Peer	No need	Yes	Yes
Leepa Valley	No hiking	Yes	Yes

Pir chanasi

The most popular tourist destination in Azad Kashmir is Pir chanasi, which offers a stunning range of mountains and numerous tourist spots to explore. If you were to ride from Muzaffarabad to the top of Pir Chinasi, 

From Alamdar Chowk, you’ll take the route upwards, encountering steep slopes along the journey. On the way, you’ll pass through a local market at PIr Chanasi, where you can find small shops offering snacks like pakoras. Additionally, you’ll come across various shops selling wood crafts. Here, you’ll also find a shrine(Peer mazar) where locals gather, and it’s said that every Thursday,  lions is also present. From here, you’ll witness breathtaking mountain views, including a unique mountain where nothing grows. You’ll also find medicinal herbs here, which people often use to make herbal tea for various ailments.

Pir Chinasi offers a refreshing temperature of 15°C during the summer, while the city is scorching hot.

The two most well-known in Pir Chinasi are the jeep rally and paragliding. During the hot summer months, tourists love paragliding with its breathtaking view of Pir Chinasi Valley.

You can enjoy paragliding from the top of the mountain all the way down to the foothill during the warmer summer months. The AJ&K Tourism and Archaeology Department has organized and developed special trips to Pir Chinasi that include paragliding, which travel agencies have begun to plan. 

Neelam Valley

Neelum Valley is located in the area of Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir. The valley that runs parallel to Kaghan Valley is also referred by the name Wadi Neelum. The only thing dividing the two valleys is a snow-covered peaks.

Muzaffarabad is connected to Wadi Neelum Valley in northern Azad Kashmir via road.

From Muzaffarabad, your journey begins with a delightful one-hour ride along the Neelam Jhelum dam, which takes you to Keran. After Keran, you’ll continue onwards to Sharda. As you proceed, you’ll find rest areas along the way for relaxation. Before reaching Neelam Jhelum, you’ll also encounter the Dhani Waterfall. Beyond this point lies the Neelam Jhelum dam, marking the true start of your adventure.Beyond Neelam Jhelum, only Ufone and SCOM SIM cards are functional, which you can easily obtain. Upon crossing this point, you’ll encounter a checkpoint named Chelena where you’ll need to register your entry. Further along the route, you’ll reach the last petrol pump in Athmuqam, where you can refuel. According to locals, the beauty of Neelam Valley truly begins after Athmuqam.

In Neelam Valley, there are many roads branching off from the main road, leading to various tourist spots like Panjgran and Dhani Waterfall, Kundal shahi, chelena sector, Baboon Top, Patlian Lake, Keran sector, Rattigali lake, sharda valley, arang kel, chitta katha, taobatt, nori top.

After Athmuqam, you enter the Keran sector. Along the way, you’ll come across a route leading to Dowarian, where you’ll start to notice jeeps. The Ratti Gali track also originates from Dowarian. However, you won’t take that track; instead, you’ll continue straight towards Sharda 

From hiking to fishing to camping. There are various locations, such as Arang Kel, Banjosa lake Rawalakot.

*Arang kel

Arang Kel is a small village close to Kel. It is only accessible by chairlift or two hours of hiking through wilderness areas.Situated at an elevation of 8,379 feet on a hilltop two kilometers away from Kel, To get to their destination and take in the stunning scenery at Arang Kel.

From Muzaffarabad to Kel, you’ll first walk about 10-15 minutes from Kel Bazaar to reach the cable car. Along the way, you’ll come across a market where you can find all kinds of trekking gear. Afterward, you’ll reach Arang Kel via the cable car, which comfortably accommodates up to 8 persons. You can experience cold weather throughout the year here. 

Upon arrival, you’ll find hotels where you can take a short rest before embarking on a walk to explore Arang Kel. Here, you can wander around and discover its beauty. Additionally, you’ll come across a (chashmah) in Arang Kel.

Families can travel to Arang Kel in Azad Kashmir with ease, and you can travel there by car as well.

*Banjosa lake

The stunning Banjosa Lake is situated in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir.

The lake is an ideal location for horses exploration because it is surrounded by forests and mountains. It’s simple to find a place to rent a horse for the day because there are so many stables surrounding the lake. This lovely lake is the ideal location for a picnic with loved ones. 

At Banjosa Lake, camping is allowed. Because of the pleasant weather, this place is most beautiful in the summer, which runs from April to October.

*Baboon valley

It is basically located in Neelum valley. You can take a vehicle from Abbottabad to the Baboon Valley. The public is allowed to visit the Baboon Valley; most visitors must hike there, though this is not compulsory.

Baboon Valley provides great stargazing conditions away from the lights and pollution of the city. Install a telescope or just relax and take in the captivating night sky on clear nights.

Ways to get to the Baboon Valley?

You have to travel from Islamabad to Abbottabad, which will take three to four hours. Once there, you can hire a local guide or make travel arrangements to get to the valley.

If you’re traveling by car, it will take you three to four hours to get from Abbottabad to the closest location.To get to Baboon Valley, you must hike the remaining distance. Trekking takes about four hours.

 *Ratti gali lake

Ratti Gali Lake is situated in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley. 

In Muzaffarabad, you can make a quick stop and then head towards Keran. Along the way, you’ll come across Dhani Waterfall where you can pause to enjoy the scenery. Afterward, you’ll continue towards Neelam Jhelum Valley and reach Kundal Shahi Waterfall. If you wish, you can stop here to enjoy and take pictures before heading back towards Keran.

If you prefer, you can stay at a hotel in Keran. From here, the next day, you can set out for Ratti Gali Lake. After Keran, you’ll proceed to Dowarian, where you can hire a jeep for the onward journey. The jeep ride takes around 2 hours from Dowarian to the Ratti Gali Base Camp. Here, you can rent a tent or pitch your own tent for accommodation.

To reach the top of Ratti Gali, you will need to walk from the base camp; this should take around an hour. Horses for hire are also available here. If you would rather not hike, you can pay to ride a horse instead. Pink flowers and rich vegetation in every direction, together with the stunning Ratti Gali Lake, await you when you reach the summit of Ratti Gali.

Here, you are also permitted to bring in your own food and drinks. Many people bring tea supplies and quick-to-prepare snacks like noodles to enjoy near the lake.

Always remember to carry your proper trekking gear when starting a trek, as unexpected weather changes can cause inconvenience.

For best weather and low crowd you need to visit in may to september.

Chitta katha lake

Chitta Katha Lake in Azad Kashmir’s Neelum Valley is a stunning natural wonder. 

From Kel, you can take a jeep from the jeep terminal and start your journey by paying the jeep fee. Through the jeep, you can head towards Shounter Valley or Taobat. Along the way, you’ll encounter breathtaking views. Eventually, you’ll reach Hoze (Shounter Valley) after a 2.5-hour journey. Whenever you decide to visit Chitta Katha, you’ll need to get off the jeep in Shounter Valley.

Hoze is your first stop before heading to Chitta Katha. This trek is quite challenging compared to others, with some sections featuring mountains containing ruby stones. After a 2.5-hour walking trek, you’ll reach a point where tents are available for your stay. Trekking shoes and a walking stick are essential for this trek.

During the trek, you won’t find food stalls; only some food may be available near the tents. On the second day, you’ll start trekking again, which you’ll need to do on your own. This trek can take around 4-5 hours depending on the weather and your stamina. The water of this lake has a white color, located amidst the mountains; this is Chitta Katha Lake.

Chitta Katha Lake is well known for its flawless, clear waters, which reflect the surrounding natural surroundings and snow-capped peaks.

You have to travel from Islamabad to Kel, which is essentially kel close to the Chitta Katha Lake.

People can camp near Chitta Katha Lake for an overnight stay to enjoy the lake and surrounding mountains.

Just remember to pack your own camping supplies and abide by any laws or regulations that may apply to camping in the region.

Toli peer

It is near Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir. You will be able to see mountains covered in snow during the winter. It is Rawalakort’s tallest mountain. You will get hotels in rawalakot there are both luxury and standard hotels like

1. Pearl Continental Hotel Rawalakot
2. New Shaheen Hotel Rawalakot
3. Sangam Hotel Rawalakot

The journey from Islamabad to Haveli district typically takes around 3 to 4 hours by road.. Remember that in mountainous areas, road accessibility and travel times can be impacted by weather, particularly in the winter. You can also spend the night in Haveli district or continue your journey to Abbas Pur. From there, it will take you around 4 hours to reach Toli Peer, which involves a steep ascent. You’ll find shops selling food and drinks along the way where you can easily purchase refreshments. At the peak of Toli Peer, you’ll find a shrine of a saint.

It is the perfect location for both nature lovers and adventure seekers. Toli Peer is often less crowded, allowing visitors to experience a sense of calm and peace.

Jhelum valley

This valley in Hattian Bala Azad Kashmir is known as the Jhelum Valley due to the Jhelum River. You can enjoy a picnic by the river or a waterfall. In the Jhelum Valley, paragliding provides an unforgettable experience and a distinctive viewpoint of the surroundings. You can camp next to a river as well.

By road, the distance from Islamabad to Jhelum Valley can be covered in 6 to 8 hours. Can affect travel times and road accessibility in mountainous areas, particularly in the winter.

Leepa Valley

You can start your journey from Islamabad, heading towards Murree. Continuing on, you’ll pass through Muzaffarabad, and after about 70-80 km, you’ll reach Leepa Valley. 

Along the way, you’ll also come across Zalzal Lake, which formed after an earthquake. In fact, many people lost their lives during that earthquake.

When you need to cross the Jhelum River, you’ll have to register. Crossing the bridge, you’ll feel like you’ve stumbled upon a piece of paradise, which is why Kashmir is often referred to as “Heaven on Earth.” At the Reshian check post, you’ll need to register your entry. Camping is not allowed here due to its status as a border area.

In Leepa Valley, you’ll find many villages and hotels for a comfortable stay, there’s no need to go any further from here. Here, there are rice fields that enhance the beauty of this valley.