Discovering new route (from Neelum Valley to Naran Valley)

by Jamila Saeed (Pakistan)

A leap into the unknown Pakistan

There were so many rumors about the valley that nobody can go there because of Chillasi people so we decided to go there and find a new route from one valley to another. We were told by locals that nobody has yet visited this area and don't go there but we didn't listen to them as we were fully motivated to know the truth about that valley. The whole journey was full of adventure facing deaths at many places but we didn't loose hope. We faced huge mountains, heavy rainfall, glaciers, wild rivers, glacial waters, unknown paths, jagged rocks, ridges etc. But at every place we had divine help. We have found that Chillasi people are totally harmless and there is only a propaganda against them that they are decoits and looters. In fact, they are very helpful. So, we can visit beautiful valley of Gaal via Babusar Top without any fear. They will always welcome you . They helped us all the way out without asking a single penny from us so how they can be the looters. There were and are many rumors about them and we , Jamila , Aytzaz, Irshad and Hamza planned and decided to find out the truth about those rumors by putting our lives at risk and accomplished our mission. Summarizing our whole trip : Number of days : 4 days and 3 nights Route: Abbottabad to Sharda (road track) Sharda to Bhagnuwa (Jeep track) Bhagnuwa to Ghamot (Trekking) Ghamot to Seral (Trekking) Seral to Seela (Trekking) Seela to Morri (Trekking) Morri to Juntooki (Trekking) Juntooki to Ghalol (Trekking) Ghalol to Gaal (Trekking) Gaal to Babusar Top (Jeep track) Babusar Top to Abbottabd (Road track) Total trekking time : 48 hrs Camping sites : Ist camping at Bhagnuwa 2nd camping at Seral near glacier 3rd camping at Morri Food : we only had noodles once in a whole day but chillasi people served us food too. Thanks to all our loved ones whom prayers kept us save.