Muzaffarabad Travel Guide

Muzaffarabad Travel Guide

Surrounded by the natural beauty of evergreen forests, rolling rivers and the shadows of Pir Chinasi, Muzaffarabad offers a unique experience for a seasoned traveler. Due to the ongoing geopolitical issues, check with the State Department and CDC websites first.

Getting There

Currently the only way to get to Muzaffarabad is via vehicle. There is a bus however it is very sporadic. Traveling by road through the Neelum Valley is itself very scenic with winding rivers and hills. Some parts of the road are still being repaired from the 2005 earthquake so be prepared to stop. It takes about 4 to 5 hours from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad in a car or van.

Packing

Pakistan is a Muslim country so shoulders and arms should always be covered. A jacket for cooler nights and good walking shoes as the streets are somewhat uneven and in some places slope from the 2005 earthquake.

Things to Do

For the adventure traveler there is a wealth of activities like hiking, trekking, climbing the foothills of Pir Chinasi or photographing the wild countryside of flora and fauna. In the city of Muzaffarabad sit two forts on opposite sides of the Neelam River. Built by the Sultan Muzaffar Khan in 1646, the Red Fort is open with a small museum. From the top are great views of the river and the city. The Black Fort on the other side was built by the Mughals however it is currently being used by the Pakistani army and is off limits to visitors. For those climbing up the Pir Chinasi, there is a shrine to the saint and a small tourist rest house with facilities.

The beauty of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir district with terraced farms, babbling brooks and snow capped mountains can almost make one forget the ongoing border tensions. The resilient community of Muzaffarabad offers warm hospitality to those who venture to their city.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about travel to Muzaffarabad.