Northern Areas Pakistan tour itinerary help

[shlazz]

Hello fellow PPers,

My wife and I are planning for trip to the Northern Areas and have come up with the following iteneiray. I would like the input of fellow PPers who can help us polish the iteneiray and can guide us

21 to 23 March 2018: Murree

• Check-in at Hotel by 12:00pm
• Visit Petriata, Pindi Point, Kashmir Point and Nathia Gali on Day 1
• Visit Ayubia, Dunga Gali, Nathia Gali on Day 2

We have selected Smart Hotel and Pinewood Resort as our hotel choice. If anyone can guide us to a better hotel let us know

23 to 25 March 2018: Muzzafarabad

• Check-in at Hotel by 12:00pm
• Visit Red Fort and Pir Chahansi on Day 1
• Visit Neelum Valley and Balakot and Shogran on Day 2

We have selected West End Guest House as our hotel choice. If anyone can guide us to a better hotel let us know

25 to 26 March 2018: Naran and Kaghan

• Check-in at Hotel by 12:00pm
• Visit and explore Naran Valley on 25th March
• Explore Kaghan Valley on 26th March
• Leave for Islamabad

We have selected Arcadian Riverside Luxury Resort as our hotel choice. If anyone can guide us to a better hotel let us know

Now I have been told that it still will be winter season therefore Lake Saiful Mulk, Siri/Paye, and Parts of Naran/Kaghan will be inaccessible. I would like to know whether we can still enjoy Naran/Kaghan or should visit Gilgit/Hunza instead. Also if anyone can recommend reliable rent a car agency will also be highly appreciated.

Any other advise will be highly appreciated.

 

[SecondSlip]

You cannot visit Neelum Valley, Balakot and Shogran on same day.

 

[DW44]

None of those places are in the "Northern Areas", now called "Gilgit-Baltistan".

 

[ExpressPacer]

Your trip looks very planned. The hotels you've mentioned are the best ones in town and I think it should be an enjoyable trip for you. The very best of luck!

As far as car rental is concerned, I would advise you to fly down to Islamabad and get a rented car from here. Google Alpha Rent A Car, Islamabad. I've never had to use car rental but a friend of mine has taken their services before and was satisfied.

Make sure you take along a First-Aid Kit, a power brick, tablets for nausea and most importantly, a lot of clothes because you're going to get wet, cold, hot and experience all types of climatic features. Avoid eating meat, especially red meat. Don't EVER travel in some 4X4 jeep claiming to take you somewhere remote after 2 PM and avoid trying to make friends with the local people. Back in the day, they used to be good. But with increased tourism, people start looking for their own benefits.

 

[shlazz]

You cannot visit Neelum Valley, Balakot and Shogran on same day.

Is it possible to visit Neelum Valley and Balakot the same day?

 

[shlazz]

Your trip looks very planned. The hotels you've mentioned are the best ones in town and I think it should be an enjoyable trip for you. The very best of luck!

As far as car rental is concerned, I would advise you to fly down to Islamabad and get a rented car from here. Google Alpha Rent A Car, Islamabad. I've never had to use car rental but a friend of mine has taken their services before and was satisfied.

Make sure you take along a First-Aid Kit, a power brick, tablets for nausea and most importantly, a lot of clothes because you're going to get wet, cold, hot and experience all types of climatic features. Avoid eating meat, especially red meat. Don't EVER travel in some 4X4 jeep claiming to take you somewhere remote after 2 PM and avoid trying to make friends with the local people. Back in the day, they used to be good. But with increased tourism, people start looking for their own benefits.

Many thanks.

Can you please let me know that of we fix our base in Murree, whether we can visit Neelum Valley, Shogran, Balakot, Naran, Kaghan without staying at hotels there?

Also will Naran Kaghan be accessible at dates we are going there?

 

[msaaim89]

There has been a bit of snow recently so you may struggle getting to Naran Kaghan - check the forecast prior to travelling.

If the weather is good, you could look into the the option of flying into Gilgit from Islamabad.

You have put Nathia Gali twice (first day and second day). I think it may be better if you remove this from the first day as you will struggle to fit all in one day. Have a look at Google Maps to see the route although Google may be optimistic with travel times.

To give you an idea, I recently did the following in one day;
Islamabad - Ayubia (Chair Lift) - Kashmir Point - Murree - Islamabad.

Planning is good but always be open to adjusting things around once you get there.

 

[msaaim89]

Many thanks.

Can you please let me know that of we fix our base in Murree, whether we can visit Neelum Valley, Shogran, Balakot, Naran, Kaghan without staying at hotels there?

Also will Naran Kaghan be accessible at dates we are going there?

No. It's quite a distance from Murree. You will be travelling along a lot of winding roads so it will be a slow journey.

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