Kashmir — Upper Neelam & Arrang Kel 5 Days

Depart Islamabad in the morning and follow the Jhelum River into Azad Kashmir. The road narrows as it enters Neelam Valley, hugging the hillside above the rushing river. Arrive in Keran for a riverside lunch, then continue upstream to Green Village Resort in Upper Neelam — one of the valley's most peaceful overnight spots — checking in with time to watch the sunset over the pine-clad ridges.

Early breakfast, then drive to Kel bazaar. Board the chairlift for the dramatic ride above the treeline to the plateau where Arrang Kel sits — a car-free village of centuries-old Kashmiri wooden houses perched above the valley at 2,500 m. Arrive for lunch with panoramic views in every direction. Spend the afternoon exploring the village paths and meadow edges before a bonfire BBQ dinner under the stars.

A rare full day with nowhere to be. After breakfast, walk into the forest above the village — ancient silver firs with crowns touching the clouds, clearings that open onto snow peaks and the green valley floor far below. Return for a relaxed lunch. The afternoon is for exploring the lower village, photographing the traditional wooden architecture and watching the light change across the mountains. Another bonfire BBQ dinner brings the day to a close.

Breakfast at the guesthouse, then descend from Arrang Kel back to Kel bazaar and head downstream. Stop for lunch at Sharda beside the ruins of the ancient university — the site where scholars from across the subcontinent once gathered — and take time for a riverside walk or a dip in the clear water. Continue to Keran or Upper Neelam for the final overnight, with an evening at leisure by the Neelam River.

Final breakfast by the river, then check out and head home. The drive back retraces the valley road through Sharda and Keran, joining the main road at Muzaffarabad for a lunch stop. From there it is a straight run on the motorway to Islamabad, arriving by early evening.