Neelum Valley Trip Plan — 3-Day Itinerary

Route: Islamabad – Muzaffarabad (3.5–4 hours), then along the Neelum River to Keran and Sharda (about 5 more hours).

• Day 1: Reach Keran or Sharda by evening. Riverside stay.
• Day 2: Kel by road, then the chair lift and a 45-minute walk up to Arang Kel.
• Day 3: Return journey via Muzaffarabad.

What to carry & what you need:

• Your original CNIC at all times (Pakistanis) — strict check posts run along the valley road by the LoC
• Visitors from abroad need an NOC from the AJK Tourism Department in Muzaffarabad (allow 1–3 days) plus passport copies
• An SCOM SIM — other networks stop working beyond Muzaffarabad; buy the SIM as you enter AJK
• Offline maps downloaded — even SCOM coverage is patchy up the valley
• Cash — card payments are rare beyond Muzaffarabad
• Fuel up at Athmuqam and carry spare fuel for upper-valley runs
• Warm jacket, raincoat and hiking shoes for the Arang Kel climb, plus a power bank and flashlight — electricity there is limited
• A high-clearance vehicle or a local jeep beyond Sharda — and avoid travelling the upper valley at night

Note: Carry your CNIC — there are checkpoints along the LoC-side road. Mobile signals are weak in the upper valley; download maps offline before you go.