Tourism in Azad Jammu and Kashmir - Neelum Valley

Neelum
About 200 kilometers long the picturesque Neelum Valley is situated to the North & North East of Muzaffarabad. Running parallel to the Kaghan Valley . It is separated from if only snow-covered peaks, some over 4000 meters above sea level. Excellent scenic beauty, panoramic view, towering hills on both sides of the noisy Neelum river, lush green forests, enchanting streams and attractive surroundings make the valley a dream come true. The area is ideal for trekking. A fair weather road opens the valley to tourists upto Kel, 155 kilometers from Muzaffarabad, of which about 150 kilometers has been black topped while the remaining portion is being matalled. Buses ply daily on this rout and accommodation facilities are also available in the rest houses of places of tourist attraction. Simple cooking facilities are available but one has to make his own arrangements for special dishes.	Neelum Valley
Some of the places of tourist interest are: -
Kundal Shahi
It is 74 kilometers from Muzaffarabad. Here, Jagran Nallah joins river Neelum which is being developed for trout fishing.
Kutton: ( Jagran Valley )
The bewitching beauty of Kutton permeated in the radius of 10 kilometers, makes Jagran Valley. The area is 16 kilometers from Kundal Shahi, is accessible by an unpaved road. For the convenience of tourists, the tourism department has constructed two angler's huts.
Salkhala
3 kilometers ahead of Kundal Shahi, there is another secluded spot of tourist interest of Salkhala across river Neelum where a trout hatchery has been established. A tourism rest house is available here for accommodation.
Authmuqam
Authmuqam is 10 kilometers from Kundal Shahi of a height of 1371 meters. It is the sub-divisional headquarter of the area and serves as a take-off point for tourists interested in hiking and exploring the inner valley. It is an attractive place known for its variety of fruit. All necessary facilities viz bazaar, post office banks, hospital, telephone and PWD east house are available here.
At a distance of about 9 kilometers from Authmuqam. Neelum is situated on the right bank of the river Neelum 1524 meters above sea level. It has a fascinating scenery. The village has a population of about one thousand, a small bazaar and a tourist rest house situated on the bank of meandering river Neelum across from where the Indian held Kashmir is also visible. The panoramic lush green valley, profound in wild fruit and wildlife, attracts the tourists from every nook and corner of the country. Owing to its tourist attraction, AJK Tourism Department is planning to develop this area. 2 motels, 15 tourist huts, cafeteria and a tuck shop will be constructed here.	Neelum
Dowarian
DowaDowarian is situated about 13 kilometers from Neelum at an altitude of 1615 meters. It is surrounded by mountains full of conifer trees. A mule track upto Rattigali Pass, about 30 kilometers towards west, connects the Neelum and Kaghan Valleys. There is a forest rest house on the top of the hill, a tourist rest house is available for accommodation near main road.
Sharda
Located at a distance of 30 kilometers from Dowarian. It is a breath-taking green spot at an altitude of 1981 meters. Shardi and Nardi are two mountain peaks overlooking the valley, reputedly named after legendry princess Sharda, it has a captivating landscape with numerous springs and hill sides covered with trees. On the right bank, opposite to Sharda, the Neelum is joined by the Surgan Nallah along which a track leads to Nurinar Pass and through it to the Kaghan Valley. In Sharda, one also finds ruins of an old Budhist University . Facilities of a small bazaar, post office, health centre, public call office and rest house are available in Sharda. The AJK Tourism Department has launched a huge programme under the name of "Tourist Village at Sharda". The entire project is nearing towards culmination. Tourist rest houses, youth hostel, cafeteria, game room, bridal path etc. near the jungle have been completed.
Kelng
A-19 kilometers journey from Sharda upstream takes one to Kel. It is a small valley at a height of 2097 meters. This is another picturesque place in the Neelum Valley . The Shounter Nallah joins river Neelum at this place and leads to Gilgit Agency over the Shandur Pass (4420 meters above sea level). Buses ply daily on this route in good weather. It is adviseable to hire a jeep from Authmuqam for a trip into the Valley. Horses and ponies can also be hired locally for travel to the interior of the Neelum Valley . Banks college hospital, bazaar and a rest house of JAK Tourism are available for accommodation.
Halmat
The area from Kel to Taobat is called the Halmat. The border village about 49 kilometers ahead of Kel, is a fascinating but unexplored sight Janawai, Sardari and Halmat are the most beautiful places of this area. A tourist rest house has been constructed of Halmat to provide accommodation facilities to the visitors. (Note): Some tourist places of Neelum valley are situated in the renge of line of control, therefore, sometimes it becomes difficult to visit these areas. So before to visit the valley the visitors are requested to get information from the tourism office.