Kashmir has always been regarded as a piece of heaven on Earth. Therefore, it is among the most visited places by tourists. Whether the snow-covered mountains or lush green fields, the land of Kashmir is blessed with breathtaking beauty. However, many people in Pakistan head towards the North in the summer season. If you are someone who is planning a trip, either with family or friends, here is your sign to visit Kashmir this season. If you want to know the places to visit in Kashmir, I have mentioned some of them in the blog.
Neelum Valley
Neelum Valley is one of the most beautiful and iconic places in Azad Kashmir, which is a popular choice for tourists. You need to visit this place if you are a huge nature lover. From dense forests to fresh flowing rivers, it has everything to bless your eyes. The Neelum Valley, as the name suggests, is named after a stone called Neelum. Furthermore, it is often compared with Switzerland as well.
It consists of a total of 370 large villages and is mostly surrounded by mountains. The Neelum Valley is located in the north and northeast of Muzaffarabad, parallel to the Kaghan Valley. The line of control passes through the valley and runs between the mountain and villages, and makes them part of the other side of the border. The people living in Neelum Valley speak Kashmiri, Hindko, Urdu, or Pashto, and very rarely speak Punjabi as well.
Ratti Gali Lake
Ratti Gali Lake is another famous place to visit in Kashmir. It is situated in the Neelum Valley and is approximately 12,130 feet above sea level. Besides this, the Ratti Gali Lake is 237 Km away from Islamabad. The lake is named after red-colored stones, which are known as ‘Ratti’ in their local language.
If you are somebody who would want to hike and enjoy the scenery, Ratti Gali Lake is the perfect place for you. It requires a 2-hour jeep ride to reach base camp, where you can hike on a 16-kilometer trek. However, consider the weather before traveling and avoid visiting in monsoon season. As this place experiences heavy snow falls therefore, it is usually closed in winter to avoid any mishap.
Taobat
Taobat is located approximately 90 kilometers from Muzaffarabad and is 420 to 425 kilometers away from Islamabad. The height of Taobat is 2,500 meters above sea level. However, the following are some attractive places that make Taobat Kashmir a place to visit this season:
Taobat Waterfall: It is 2 kilometers away from Taobat Village and is widely known for its crystal clear water and mesmerizing beauty. You can carefully involved in different activities here, such as swimming, photography, and more.
Trekking: As it is, the last village and closest to the line of control, it has many trekking trails for its visitors. It is a perfect spot for trekking enthusiasts.
Furthermore, it is also a perfect place for those who want to understand and explore the cultural heritage. It also has a museum and a mosque that play a crucial role in understanding the cultural norms of people living there.
Pir Chinasi
Pir Chinasi is another tourist attraction, which is located 30 kilometers east of Muzaffarabad and 9514 feet above sea level. It is named after a Sufi Saint, Shah Hussain Bukhari, and it is believed he would meditate on the mountains. However, people also come here to visit the place because of the religious values. The best time to visit this place is in Summer as the temperature drops to -10°C in winter.
Not just this, but it is also widely visited due to its scenic view of Jhelum Valley and Neelum Valley from the top of the mountain. The Himalayas can also be witnessed from a distance, contributing to the beauty of this place. This can also be a perfect picnic spot if you visit it with your friends and family.
Arangkel
This is a tourist spot present in Neelum Valley with scenic views. To Arangkel, people usually hike from Kel for around 2 to 3 hours. It is also known for its rich cultural heritage and hospitable environment offered by the locals. However, know that Arangkel is 281Km away from Islamabad.
This place is also widely known as the habitat of different animals, such as red fox, brown bear, golden eagle and etc. People who want to explore and experience different activities can visit this place.
Conclusion
To sum up, the first thing that you need to consider when travelling is to have a properly planned trip. You can also hire reliable tourist companies. Furthermore, try not to overburden yourself by packing extra stuff; instead, carry travel essentials only. If you are planning to have a trip this year, explore the places to visit in Kashmir and plan wisely.
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