Dhani Waterfall
Dhani Waterfall drops beside the Neelum road about two hours north of Muzaffarabad, near Nauseri. The coaster stops at the roadside, there are tea and pakora stalls, and twenty minutes is enough. It is fullest in July and August.
Neelum Valley and Azad Kashmir Tour Packages 2026
4 group tours from Lahore, Islamabad pickup on the way
Our Neelum Valley tour packages are 3 and 4 day group trips from Lahore to Keran, Ratti Gali Lake and Arang Kel, from PKR 16,000 per person. The Toyota Coaster leaves Lahore at 11 pm from Thokar Niaz Baig or Barkat Market and picks up Islamabad guests on the way. Hotels, breakfast and dinner, the jeeps listed for each tour and a tour guide are in the price. They suit friends, families and couples who are happy to travel in a group.
These are also our Azad Kashmir tour packages. All four go up the Neelum Valley and stay in Keran or Kutton. Two include the jeep to Ratti Gali Lake, one goes up to Arang Kel by the cable car at Kel, and the 4-day trips combine the lake with Arang Kel or with a jeep day in Baboon Valley.
Children aged 3 to 9 pay a lower price and children under 3 travel free.
Neelum Valley tour packages from Lahore
Things to do in Neelum Valley
- ◆Tea at Dhani Waterfall on the drive up
- ◆Look across the river to the other side at Keran
- ◆Jeep from Dowarian and walk to Ratti Gali Lake
- ◆See the Sharda Peeth ruins
- ◆Cable car at Kel and the climb to Arang Kel
- ◆Jeep day in the Baboon Valley meadows
- ◆Drive to Taobat at the end of the valley
- ◆BBQ and a bonfire in Kutton or Keran
Places to visit in Neelum Valley
These are the places to visit in Neelum Valley in the order you reach them from Muzaffarabad. Times are by car in dry weather.
Kutton and Jagran
Kutton is a village in the Jagran side valley, a short side road from Kundal Shahi, with a large waterfall, pine forest and riverside hotels. Plan a few hours or a night; the side road can be muddy after rain.
Keran
Keran is a village around 3 hours from Muzaffarabad where the Line of Control follows the river, and the village on the far bank is on the Indian-administered side. It has the most hotels in the middle valley and is our base on all four tours. Walk by the river and take photos of the view, not of soldiers or posts.
Ratti Gali Lake
Ratti Gali Lake is a glacial lake at about 3,700 m above Dowarian, a village about 30 minutes beyond Keran. A 4x4 jeep takes about two hours to the base camp, then it is roughly an hour on foot, so give it a full day. The track is usually open only from July to September, and there can be ice at the edges even in August.
Sharda
Sharda is a village at about 1,980 m on a wide bend of the river, roughly 2 hours beyond Keran. It has the ruins of Sharda Peeth, an old temple and seat of learning, on a terrace above the river. An hour covers the ruins and the village.
Kel
Kel is a small town at about 2,100 m where the Shounter stream joins the Neelum, about 150 km from Muzaffarabad and roughly 3 hours on from Keran. It is the last stop with a choice of guest houses, the station for the Arang Kel cable car and the place to hire jeeps for Taobat.
Arang Kel
Arang Kel is a village of wooden houses on a meadow above Kel, with no road. A cable car crosses the river from Kel, then a steep path takes about half an hour; without the cable car the walk takes around two hours. Spend half a day, between May and October, and buy the cable car ticket at the station.
Taobat
Taobat is the last village of the valley, about 40 km beyond Kel, reached by local jeep in around 3 hours each way on a narrow, partly unpaved road. Plan a full day or a night, between July and September. Foreigners cannot go without an NOC, and Taobat is a private trip, not part of our group tours.
Baboon Valley
Baboon Valley is a set of high meadows above the Jagran side, reached only by jeep on a rough track. It is quieter than Ratti Gali and has no long walk. Our Ratti Gali Lake and Baboon Valley tour does it as a full day from Kutton.
Shounter Valley and Chitta Katha Lake
The Shounter valley runs north from Kel, and Chitta Katha Lake lies high above it. Both need a jeep from Kel and then a hard trek of several hours, usually overnight with a tent, in July and August only. Take a local guide.
How our Neelum Valley group tours work
All four tours use the same coaster, leave at the same time and spend the first night in Keran. The difference is what you do in the valley and where you sleep after that.
| Tour | Days | Nights in | Ratti Gali jeep | Arang Kel | Adult | Child 3 to 9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratti Gali Lake tour | 3 days, 2 nights | Keran, Kutton | Included | No | PKR 16,000 | PKR 11,000 |
| Arang Kel tour | 3 days, 2 nights | Keran, Keran | No | Yes, cable car ticket paid at Kel | PKR 16,500 | PKR 11,500 |
| Ratti Gali Arang Kel tour | 4 days, 3 nights | Keran for 3 nights | Included | Yes, cable car ticket paid at Kel | PKR 21,000 | PKR 14,500 |
| Ratti Gali Lake and Baboon Valley | 4 days, 3 nights | Keran, then Kutton for 2 nights | Included, plus Baboon Valley jeep | No | PKR 22,000 | PKR 15,500 |
Departure from Lahore and Islamabad pickup
The coaster leaves Lahore at 11 pm from Thokar Niaz Baig or Barkat Market, the night before day one. Islamabad guests are picked up on the way at no extra charge, at a point near the motorway or GT Road that we share with booked guests before departure. After a break at Kohala Bridge, breakfast is at Pattika or in Muzaffarabad. On the last day Islamabad guests get off in the evening, and the coaster reaches Lahore around 11 pm.
From Karachi, Multan or Faisalabad, most people fly or take the train to Lahore or Islamabad and join there; Karachi is about 1,550 km from Muzaffarabad by road.
Hotels, rooms and food
Rooms are shared by 3 to 4 people. We do not publish hotel names because the hotel depends on availability for your dates; we confirm it before departure. Couples and families who want a room to themselves can ask for a private room at the couple price shown on each tour page. Breakfast and dinner are included as per the itinerary, lunch is on the road at your own cost, and each tour has one BBQ dinner with a bonfire.
Which Neelum Valley tour package suits you?
Choose the 3-day Ratti Gali Lake tour if the lake is why you are going: it is the harder day and runs only from July to September. The 3-day Arang Kel tour suits people who find long walks at height hard, and it runs from May to October. With four days, the Ratti Gali Arang Kel tour does both, and the Ratti Gali Lake and Baboon Valley tour swaps Arang Kel for a jeep day in the meadows with no long walk.
All four are standard group tours. For your own pace, we arrange private family and honeymoon trips by car with a driver, starting from any city in Pakistan. A private trip can add Taobat or a night in Sharda, or combine the Neelum with Rawalakot, Banjosa Lake or Murree. Honeymoon trips do not include meals. Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp or through our contact page for a quote.
What is included in our Azad Kashmir tour packages
These items are included on all four tours, except where a line says which tour it belongs to.
- Air-conditioned Toyota Coaster or high-roof from Lahore, with pickup in Islamabad
- Hotels in Keran or Kutton, 3 to 4 people per room
- Breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary
- Shared jeep from Dowarian to Ratti Gali base camp and back (Ratti Gali tours)
- Shared jeep to Baboon Valley and back (Baboon Valley tour)
- Transport from Keran to Kel and back (Arang Kel tours)
- BBQ dinner and bonfire
- All tolls and taxes, and a tour guide for the whole trip
Not included
The cable car ticket at Kel, which you buy at the station. Lunch and meals not in the itinerary, mineral water, snacks, shopping, and anything else not listed above.
A typical 4-day Neelum Valley trip
This is the Ratti Gali Arang Kel tour, day by day. The 3-day tours drop either day two or day three.
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Night before | 11 pm departure from Lahore, Islamabad pickup on the way, break at Kohala Bridge |
| Day 1 | Breakfast in Muzaffarabad around 8 am, Dhani and Kutton waterfalls, check in at Keran, evening by the river |
| Day 2 | 30 minutes to Dowarian, jeep to Ratti Gali base camp, about an hour on foot to the lake, back to Keran |
| Day 3 | Drive past Sharda to Kel, cable car and walk up to Arang Kel, back to Keran for a BBQ and bonfire |
| Day 4 | Leave Keran at 8:30 am, short stop in Muzaffarabad, Islamabad in the evening, Lahore by about 11 pm |
Best time to visit Neelum Valley
The best time to visit Neelum Valley is May to October, and July to September if Ratti Gali Lake is on your list. May and September are quieter than late June and July, when Eid and school holidays fill Keran and Sharda. The weather changes with height: a warm morning in Muzaffarabad can end in a jacket in Kel, and the wind at Ratti Gali is cold even in August.
| Month | Lower valley and Keran | Sharda, Kel, Arang Kel | Ratti Gali and Taobat | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December to March | Usually reachable, snow possible | Cut off by snow beyond Kel | Closed | Very few visitors |
| April | Open, cold nights | Road may still be blocked | Closed | Quiet |
| May | Open, green | Open, snow on the peaks | Closed | Quiet |
| June | Open | Open | Usually still snowed in | Busy, Eid and school holidays |
| July | Open, monsoon rain | Open | Open | Busiest |
| August | Open, landslide risk | Open | Open | Busy |
| September | Open, clear days | Open, cold nights | Open until the first snow | Fewer people |
| October | Open, autumn colours | Open, very cold nights | Closing | Quiet |
| November | Open | Closing with first snow | Closed | Very quiet |
How to reach Neelum Valley from Lahore and Islamabad
The route is the M-2 to Islamabad, the Murree Expressway past Murree, down to Kohala Bridge on the Jhelum, then along the river to Muzaffarabad and up the Neelum road. From Muzaffarabad, Keran is about 90 km and Kel about 150 km. Do not judge the drive by the kilometres: after Athmuqam the road narrows, and the last stretch to Kel is the slowest.
| Route | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|
| Lahore to Muzaffarabad | About 420 km | 6 to 7 hours |
| Lahore to Keran | About 510 km | 10 to 12 hours |
| Lahore to Kel | About 570 km | About 12 hours or more |
| Islamabad to Muzaffarabad | About 135 km | 2.5 to 3 hours |
| Islamabad to Keran | About 220 km | 5 to 6 hours |
| Islamabad to Kel | About 280 km | 7 to 8 hours |
| Kel to Taobat | About 40 km | About 3 hours by jeep |
Neelum Valley road conditions and jeeps
The road is paved most of the way to Kel, and a car or coaster can reach Keran, Sharda and Kel in dry weather. It is narrow, with sharp bends and drops to the river. In July and August, rain brings landslides that can close it for a few hours, so keep a spare half day.
You need a 4x4 jeep for the track from Dowarian to Ratti Gali, for Baboon Valley and for the road beyond Kel to Taobat. Fares are set locally each season and shared by the people in the jeep; on our tours the Ratti Gali and Baboon Valley jeeps are included. If you drive yourself, fill up in Muzaffarabad and drive past Athmuqam only in daylight.
Other places to visit in Azad Kashmir
Neelum is the valley most people mean by a Kashmir tour, but Azad Kashmir has more. These are easy to add to a private trip by car with a driver, or to visit on their own from Islamabad. Foreign nationals need an NOC for Leepa and the Neelum, but usually not for Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot or Mirpur; we check the rules for your dates.
| Place | From Islamabad | What it is | Best months |
|---|---|---|---|
| Muzaffarabad | 2.5 to 3 hours | The capital, where the Neelum meets the Jhelum; the Red Fort and the riverside | October to April |
| Pir Chinasi | Half a day from Muzaffarabad | Hilltop shrine and viewpoint at about 2,900 m | April to November |
| Leepa Valley | A long day from Muzaffarabad | Rice terraces, walnut trees and wooden houses over a high pass | May to October |
| Rawalakot and Banjosa Lake | About 3 hours | Pine-ringed lake with boats and a paved road, easy with children | April to October |
| Toli Pir | Half a day from Rawalakot | Wide grassy hilltop above 2,500 m, windy even in summer | May to October |
| Mirpur and Mangla Lake | About 2 hours | Ramkot Fort by boat where the Jhelum and Poonch rivers meet | October to March |
Neelum Valley travel tips: signal, cash, ID and safety
Jazz, Zong and Telenor work up to around Athmuqam; after that SCOM usually works best, and many visitors buy a SCOM SIM in Muzaffarabad. There is no data at Ratti Gali Lake or on the Arang Kel meadow. ATMs in the valley are few and often out of cash, so withdraw enough in Muzaffarabad for lunches, the cable car and shopping. Cards are not accepted in most places.
Carry your original CNIC: police and army checkpoints at Kohala and along the Neelum road note down ID cards. Foreign nationals need a No Objection Certificate arranged in advance through the AJK Home Department, so tell us your nationality before you book. For the wider region, see our Azad Kashmir travel guide.
Families visit in large numbers every summer and crime is rare. The real risks are the road, the cold at height and the Line of Control: when tension rises, the upper valley can be closed for a time, and if that happens before departure we move your date. From about December to March snow closes the valley beyond Kel.
- Original CNIC, and B-form copies for children
- Cash for the whole trip beyond Muzaffarabad
- A warm jacket, even in July and August
- Walking shoes with a good grip
- Rain jacket in July and August
- Power bank, offline maps and motion sickness tablets
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and any medicines you take
How to book and cancellation policy
Message us on WhatsApp with the tour, the date and the number of adults and children. Departures run through the season rather than on fixed weekdays, so ask for the next date. A 30% advance confirms your seats, and the rest is paid at departure. We send the pickup details and confirm the hotel before you leave.
If you cancel more than 7 days before departure, we refund 75% of what you paid. Between 5 and 7 days before departure we refund 50%. Cancellations in the last 4 days, and no-shows, are not refunded. The full terms are on our terms and conditions page.
Neelum Valley at a glance
- Region
- Azad Kashmir
- Length
- About 200 km, Muzaffarabad to Taobat
- From Lahore
- Keran about 510 km, 10 to 12 hours
- From Islamabad
- Keran about 220 km, 5 to 6 hours
- Ratti Gali Lake
- About 3,700 m, open July to September
- Jeep needed
- Ratti Gali, Baboon Valley and beyond Kel
- Mobile signal
- Patchy after Athmuqam, SCOM works best
- Cash
- Withdraw in Muzaffarabad, few ATMs up the valley
- ID
- CNIC for Pakistanis, NOC for foreigners
- Best season
- May to Oct
- Packages on this page
- 4
- Tours from
- PKR 16,000 per person
What our Neelum Valley travellers say
★★★★★
“I travel with Pakistan Travel Diaries on 12th March to Kashmir. I was amazed with the services in Neelum Valley Tour Package that I opted for. Wonderful and satisfactory service 💥”
Noor SeharNeelum Valley - Kashmir★★★★★
“This trip was one of my favorite tours. The Pakistan Travel Diaries guide was extraordinarily friendly and very engaged, specially during this difficult Covid time. Abuzar mastered all the Corona related challenges and we were able to explore the country carefree and happy. The hotels were pleasant, the food varied and delicious, the sights fantastic and explained very well in fluent English. I can definitely recommend Neelum Valley tour.”
Simone HNeelum Valley - Kashmir★★★★★
“We recently had the chance to experience & avail the services of Travel & tours for our family trip to Azad Kashmir. Everything was top notch from time management to hotel booking. Thanks to Mr Abuzar Buzdar for arranging all at such a short notice. They know how to do their work & actually Great at it, highly recommended especially if you’re planning to travel with kids”
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“The best ever company to travel with! No compromise on comfort and peace. 🌸 Pakistan Travel Diaries provided all the necessities and comfort with such and elegance during my last trip to Naran Kaghan. Such a friendly host! Perfect arrangement of jeeps, food and hotels! Perfect views from hotel 🥳 Highly Recommend for Naran Kaghan Tours!!”
Neha NabeelNaran Kaghan Luxury Tour 3 Days 2 Nights from Lahore★★★★★
“The best company for Naran Kaghan Tours and other northern areas of Pakistan. The Tour Operator and Perfect Guide "Abuzar Khan Buzdar" is one man army who will be there for u to provide u maximum satisfaction. I just love their Services They always provide luxurious tour to their customers cum family ♥️Always Recommend❤️”
Bint E JavaidNaran Kaghan Luxury Tour 3 Days 2 Nights from Lahore★★★★★
“I went to Naran Kaghan Valley with Pakistan Travel Diaries on 3 Days & 2 Night Tour & I really enjoyed the trip. The Tour Guide Abuzar Khan is really very cooperative & trustworthy person. He provided luxury facilities like Hotel Rooms, Breakfast, Dinner & Lunch in Best Budget. Other than that I really enjoyed Bonfire & BBQ Night during stay at Hotel. So Highly recommended from my side.”
Muhammad AfnanNaran Kaghan Tour 3 Days 2 Nights from LahoreNeelum Valley photos
Neelum Valley tour packages FAQs
How much does a Neelum Valley tour from Lahore cost?
Our Neelum Valley tour packages cost PKR 16,000 per person for the 3-day Ratti Gali Lake tour, PKR 16,500 for the 3-day Arang Kel tour, PKR 21,000 for the 4-day Ratti Gali Arang Kel tour and PKR 22,000 for the 4-day tour with Baboon Valley. Children aged 3 to 9 pay less, and under 3 travel free.
Where and when does the Neelum Valley tour leave Lahore?
The Toyota Coaster leaves Lahore at 11 pm from Thokar Niaz Baig or Barkat Market, the night before day one. We confirm your pickup point when you book. Departures run through the season rather than on fixed weekdays, so WhatsApp us for the next date.
Can I join the tour from Islamabad or Karachi?
Yes. Islamabad guests are picked up on the way at no extra charge, at a point near the motorway or GT Road that we share before departure. Travellers from Karachi and other cities usually fly or take the train to Lahore or Islamabad and join there, or book a private trip from their own city.
What is the best time to visit Neelum Valley?
May to October. May and September are quieter, late June and July are the busiest weeks, and July and August bring monsoon rain and some landslides. Ratti Gali Lake is usually reachable only from July to September, which is when our Ratti Gali tours run; the Arang Kel tour runs from May to October.
How far is Neelum Valley from Lahore and Islamabad?
Keran, the main base, is about 510 km from Lahore, a drive of 10 to 12 hours by the M-2, Murree, Kohala Bridge and Muzaffarabad. From Islamabad, Muzaffarabad is about 135 km or 2.5 to 3 hours, Keran about 220 km or 5 to 6 hours, and Kel about 280 km or 7 to 8 hours.
Show 10 more questions
How many days do you need for Neelum Valley?
Three days from Lahore is enough for Keran plus either Ratti Gali Lake or Arang Kel, because the drive takes most of the first and last days. Four days lets you do both, or add a jeep day in Baboon Valley. Taobat at the end of the valley needs a private trip of five to six days.
What are the best places to visit in Neelum Valley?
In road order: Dhani Waterfall, Kutton in the Jagran valley, Keran on the Line of Control, Dowarian and Ratti Gali Lake, the Sharda Peeth ruins, Kel, the meadow village of Arang Kel, and Taobat at the end of the road. Baboon Valley, reached by jeep, is a quieter extra day.
Which is better, Ratti Gali Lake or Arang Kel?
Ratti Gali Lake is a high glacial lake at about 3,700 m, reached by a two-hour jeep ride from Dowarian and an hour on foot, and only open from July to September. Arang Kel is a meadow village above Kel, reached by cable car and a 30-minute steep walk, and open from May to October. Fit travellers in midsummer usually pick Ratti Gali.
Are the Ratti Gali jeep and the Arang Kel cable car included?
The shared jeep from Dowarian to Ratti Gali base camp is included on all three tours that go to the lake, and the Baboon Valley jeep is included on that tour. Transport from Keran to Kel is included, but the cable car ticket at Kel is not; you buy it at the station.
How many people share a room on the group tour?
Rooms are shared by 3 to 4 people on all our Neelum Valley group tours. Hotel names are confirmed before departure, depending on availability. Couples and families who want a room to themselves can ask for a private room at the couple price shown on each tour page.
Do you arrange private family or honeymoon tours to Neelum Valley?
Yes. Private trips use your own car and driver and can start from any city in Pakistan, at your pace and with the hotel level you choose. Honeymoon trips do not include meals. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp and we will quote for the trip.
Can foreigners visit Neelum Valley?
Yes, but foreign nationals need a No Objection Certificate (NOC), arranged in advance through the AJK Home Department in Muzaffarabad, because the valley lies along the Line of Control. Checkpoints turn back foreigners without it. Pakistani citizens only need their CNIC. Tell us your nationality before booking and we will check your dates.
Is the Neelum Valley tour suitable for children?
Yes, families travel with us every season. Children aged 3 to 9 pay the child price and children under 3 travel free. The long overnight drive is the hardest part for small children, and the Ratti Gali walk at about 3,700 m is tiring, so the Arang Kel tour is often easier for young families.
Is it safe to travel to Neelum Valley?
Yes. Families visit the Neelum Valley in large numbers every summer, and our driver and guide know the road. The main risks are the narrow road past Athmuqam, monsoon landslides and the Line of Control: if the authorities close part of the valley before your trip, we move your date.
What is your cancellation policy?
A 30% advance confirms your seat. Cancel more than 7 days before departure and we refund 75% of what you paid; 5 to 7 days before, we refund 50%. Cancellations in the last 4 days before departure, and no-shows, are not refunded.
Plan your trip with Pakistan Travel Diaries
Tell us your dates, group size and budget and our Lahore travel desk will tailor a package for you. Call +92 311 1696777 or send an enquiry.