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Situated at around 1,650 meters above sea level, Rawalakot is a beautiful hill station in Azad Jammu & Kashmir (AJK) which is approximately 3-4 hours away from Islamabad. Rawalakot is home to many scenic tourist spots including a lake, and a hill top called Toli Pir.
Travelers from Islamabad typically visit these spots for the scenic views, change of pace, and a respite from the city. They can provide a different experience than the Neelum Valley which is also in AJK.
The views around Banjosa Lake are beautiful and provide a good break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The lake is surrounded by beautiful pine forests. Boat rides on the lake are very popular among tourists. The drive from Rawalakot to Banjosa Lake provides travelers with good views of forests and gives a nice change from the more barren north of Pakistan.
For views of the lower valleys of Azad Kashmir and the Pir Panjal Range, travelers can visit Toli Pir. On really clear days, travelers can even view the plains of Rawalpindi from Toli Pir. Like Banjosa Lake, Toli Pir is a good day trip from Rawalakot.
It takes about three to four hours to travel from Islamabad to Rawalakot. There are a few different routes that cover about 200 to 220 kilometers. The most common route goes via Rawalpindi and the Poonch District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The road goes through the valley followed by a winding ascent into the hills of AJK.
Different road conditions and combinations of routes are common. Some travelers take a route via Kahuta that later joins with the Mangla Dam road. Ask your transport operator about the best and most convenient route for travel before you depart.
The drive from the plains to Rawalakot is about three to four hours and offers views of the beautiful forests of the lower AJK region. The last portion of the drive to Rawalakot is the most challenging. Rawalakot is about 1,600 meters above sea level.
The drive from the plains to Rawalakot is not difficult. Standard vehicles can make the journey. Traveling to Banjosa and Toli Pir from Rawalakot requires four wheel drive vehicles because the roads are rough.
Being one of the more significant cities of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) besides Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot has reasonably developed urban infrastructure, including facilities for overnight stays, shops and banks. Being located in a broad, level valley creates a better setting for a city compared to many other hill cities of Pakistan, because of the nearby forested hills.
Rawalakot is accessible all year long, and the roads from Rawalpindi and Islamabad are in good condition. Rawalakot doesn’t experience the same restrictions of the other, more northern, areas of Azad Kashmir, which require special planning and equipment for the off season.
Most of the places of interest near Rawalakot require an over-night stay in Rawalakot, or a day trip from there. The central areas of Rawalakot and its bazaar are worth a stroll. Some of the side streets offer good views. The Poonch River runs near Rawalakot, and there are good vantage points along the river.
Approximately 11 km from Rawalakot, at an elevation of about 1,981 meters, is Banjosa Lake. It is an artificial lake and is surrounded by pine forests, three-quarters of which are covered by pine and other hills. A beautiful sight and a very attractive location, particularly for photographers.
It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to reach Banjosa from Rawalakot, via a beautiful, scenic, and exciting, paved road, which is frequently covered by thick forest on both sides.
Banjosa Lake is very small and the entire shoreline can be covered on foot in about an hour. One of the main draws of the area is the beautiful and scenic pine covered forest. It is a great place to unwind and relax.
During the tourist season, the local population sets up boat rentals on the lake. Visitors can enjoy the scenic beauty of the pine covered hills and the lake from the boat by taking a short boat tour of the lake.
The forest has a number of walking trails and is very relaxing, especially during the hot summer months. The area is very attractive for families with kids, who spend a lot of time in the picnic areas along the lake and nearby forest. There are many other activities that can be enjoyed by visitors to this very scenic and pleasant place.
PTDC Banjosa Resort: PTDC has run a resort at Banjosa Lake for many years and provides, what is essentially, camping facilities. Rooms and other amenities are provided for an overnight stay.
PTDC resorts in Pakistan, in general, have in the recent past, suffered from inconsistency. As such, it is advisable to verify the services provided and the operational status of the Banjosa Resort prior to including it in a travel itinerary.
The lake attracts many visitors. The Banjosa Resort is one of a few accommodation facilities located near the lake.
A) Viewpoint
Toli Pir is a high elevation feature that offers a broad vista from an extensive meadow that is covered with pine forest, over the surrounding areas of AJK and the plains of Pakistan that include Rawalpindi.
Toli Pir is also a religious site that attracts pilgrims from surrounding areas.
The journey from Rawalakot to Toli Pir takes roughly 1 to 1.5 hours. There are beautiful forests along the way. The road through the forest to the plateau is a winding road with a steep incline, and the road beyond requires a high-clearance vehicle. Once on the plateau, the drive is very scenic.
Toli Pir can be visited on a separate day trip from Banjosa, as a combined visit to both on the same day from Rawalakot is very time restrictive.
A. Tatta Pani Hot Springs
Tatta Pani is the Urdu word for "warm water," and is the name of the natural hot springs in the Poonch region. There are several hot springs in northern Pakistan and AJK. Tatta Pani is fairly near Rawalakot. There are basic means provided by the government for the public to bathe in the hot springs. It is mainly Rawalakot area residents and Pakistanis who visit Tatta Pani.
Before planning your itinerary to include Tatta Pani, verify the access roads are passable and located with your tour operator.
B) The meadows of Sarsawa
The meadows of Sarsawa are located in the hills above Rawalakot and are accessible via a rough road. Sarsawa has developed views and is a stop over for hikers. It’s a near by get away from the city. Be sure to verify the condition of the road and if a jeep is necessary to access the road.
The Summer Season
Rawalakot is a hill station at about 1,650 meters and offers cooler climate than the surrounding plains. Rawalakot’s and Rawalakot’s attractions get very crowded during the summer months and over the weekends. Expect smaller and more congested accommodation around Banjosa.
The monsoon season brings a lot of rain and causes the roads to Sarsawa and Toli Pir to become impassible. Check the road conditions during this time.
The Transition Seasons
The transition months of April, May, September and October are nice to visit with good weather, smaller crowds and improved conditions on the roads and at the hill stations. October is especially nice to visit because of the fall colors and camping around Banjosa Lake.
Rawalakot is open during the winter months, but higher up on Toli Pir is likely to get snow bound between December and February. Banjosa Lake can be accessed via road during milder winter periods. The city itself is relatively quiet during the season and the hotels close down all but essential services.
Pakistani nationals can visit Rawalakot and Banjosa Lake without special permits.
Foreign nationals need a No Objection Certificate from the AJK Government to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir including the Poonch District. Prior to issuing the NOC, the AJK government requires travelers to submit their passport details, itinerary and other pertinent documents. Foreign travelers are advised to make NOC related arrangements well in advance through their traveling agents since regulations and requirements can change.
Before confirming a booking at Banjosa PTDC, find out if the resort has functioning amenities. Banjosa is the only major lake in AJK and PTDC is the only hotel operating from there. Therefore, understanding the status of Banjosa PTDC becomes pertinent to finalizing an itinerary.
Find out if vehicles included in travel packages have adequate clearance to negotiate the steep and winding Toli Pir pass.
The guide should have a current AJK Tourism Department or the relevant local authority’s license.
Inquire regarding the booking situation for boats at Banjosa during your planned visit. Also, inquire regarding weekend vs weekday bookings.
Check the condition of the secondary roads, Sarsawa and Toli Pir, which are more susceptible to closure due to weather conditions.
Check the status of the PTDC resort at Banjosa.
Make a weekday booking if possible.
Do not book Toli Pir and Banjosa for the same day.
Do not make weekend bookings for Banjosa without advanced reservations.
While most people take Rawalakot as a one-day trip from Islamabad, it should realistically be a three- to four-day trip. Rawalakot is connected to Islamabad by a road that takes about 3 to 4 hours each way. The roads that lead from Rawalakot to Banjosa and Toli Pir are paved and take about an hour each way. So realistically you should allot two nights to Rawalakot to cover Banjosa Lake and Toli Pir.
Is Rawalakot a good place for a family vacation?
Yes. There are a number of places for family tourism in Rawalakot. Banjosa Lake is just 9 km away from Rawalakot, and can be reached by a fairly easy drive. There are a couple of vantage points near Rawalakot and Banjosa Lake. All of these can be reached without any difficulties. Boating at Banjosa Lake is an activity that children would enjoy. The road to Toli Pir has a few steep sections, which could be a problem for some families. Overall, Banjosa and AJK forests are good places for families.
Is a Permit Required for Rawalakot?
Pakistani citizens do not require a permit to visit Rawalakot and other parts of Poonch district. Foreign nationals require AJK NOC. Check with your travel agent to see what the recent requirements are and how long the processing time is.
How long does Rawalakot and Banjosa require for a good visit?
With just two nights, you can do a full trip to both Banjosa Lake and Toli Pir. Likewise, you can do a full city stay and a full trip to Banjosa Lake. A three night stay adds two full days to do a trip to Tatta Pani and Sarsawa. A one night stay, limits you to Banjosa Lake only.
Visit the websites or social media pages of HospitalityTours.com.pk WhatsApp or email them for bookings and confirmations of your Rawalakot and Banjosa Lake tours. They offer tour packages to Rawalakot and Banjosa Lake with or without Toli Pir and other Poonch districts attractions. They also manage the NOC process for international visitors and offer guide and transport services. There is no charge until you finalize the itinerary.
WhatsApp: +92 341 111 3777
Email: info@hospitalitytours.com
Website: www.hospitalitytours.com.pk
Head Office: Office No. 2 & 3, Ground Floor, Parish Rose Plaza, Islamabad.