Rawlakot - The Pearl Valley

Location:

Rawlakot is situated in the heart of district Poonch of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The altitude of this beautiful Saucer–Shaped Valley is 1615 Meters. It is situated at a distance of 76 Kilometers from Kohala is also linked with Rawalpindi/Islamabad via Azad Pattan and Dhalkot and with Muzafarabad Kohala by black top roads. The construction of Guoien Nullah road between Rawlakot and Azad Pattan has considerably reduced the distance and journey time.

It is a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Islamabad to Rawalakot, as the roads are narrow, mostly single-lane, and always under some type of construction.

Surroundings:

Surrounding villages include: Singola, Khaigala, Rairbun, Topa Soon (aka Soon Topa or just Topa), Kaimon, Thithrot, Motialmara, Trar Dewan, Chare, Chuck, Tranni, Dahmni, Parat, Pothi Bala/Makwalan, Kharek, Pakgali, Khayt Chrian, Mohri Furman Shah, Dreak, Banjosa, Hussainkot, Hurnamaira, Thorar, Rehara, Bangoin, Jandala, Timrota, Thala Tain and Pachiot. Bagh District lies to the north and Sudhnuti District lies to the south.

The road passing through (Jalooth) Paniola connects Rawalakot to Bagh and Muzaffarabad. Toward the west are Murree, Islamabad and Rawalpindi regions of Pakistan. Rawalakot is linked with Kotli via Mandhole and Tattapani. Mandhole, located beside the Poonch River, was part of Mehnder before 1947.

Climate:

Rawalakot weather is quite erratic. Average temperature during the summer varies from 60 °F (16 °C) to 75 °F (24 °C). During the winter snowfall starts during the month of December and lasts through January. The rainy season lasts from April through June.

The climate of Rawalakot can be divided into four seasons, namely spring, summer, autumn and winter.

Spring:

The spring season starts in March and lasts up to early May. The average temperature during spring season ranges from 23° C to 6° C. Brief showers, light winds and blossoming flowers characterize this season. Along with that, the whole of Rawalakot stands blanketed in the hues of green. For spring and autumn seasons, light woolens are the perfect clothes to wear. This is because in spring as well as autumn, cool breeze blows in the valley.

Summer:

Starting from May, the summer season extends up to the end of August. During summer the place is full of green grass and beautiful flowers including many varieties of roses. The climatic conditions of Rawalakot in summers are not quite hot. In Pearl valley, you may even require to put on light woolens in summers. The average temperature in the daytime falls in the range of 25° C to 35° C. Rawalakot is the most sought after hill station during summers.>

Autumn:

With the onset of September comes the time for the autumn season. The whole region gets covered in the hues of first gold, then russet and then red. The average temperature during autumn hovers around 23° C (max) to 10° C (min). The season lasts till late November, by which time the need for heavy woolens starts mounting.

Winter:

Stretching from December to early March is the winter season in Rawalakot . Covered with snow throughout, Rawalakot looks like a picture straight out of a fairytale. The winters in Rawalakot are cold and chilly. So, in this season heavy woolens is the answer to the question of "how to dress up" in Rawalakot.

Description:

It is one of the most beautifull city of kashmir. With its breathtaking view and enchanting waterfalls, it is truely a paradise on earth.

Rawalakot is also known as the "Pearl Valley". Rawalakot is one of the many beautiful valleys of Kashmir. The town has bazaars where all essential commodities of life are easily available.

Transportation:

Construction of the Guoien Nalla road between Rawalakot and Azad Pattan has considerably reduced travel times. Rawalakot Airport is non-operational, as there is no demand for the air service provided by Pakistan International Airlines. The airport has been closed since 1998. This airport is situated near Chuck Bazar, approximately 1 km from Chare and approximately 3 km from the main city of Rawalakot.

Communications:

Cell phone service is available through five private cell phone operators: Zong, Mobilink, Ufone, Warid, Telenor and SCOM. PTCL Wireless is also available.

The local phone company is operated by the Pakistan Army. The SCO provides the main landline telephone network with minority shares of other perators. All major mobile phone companies operating in Pakistan provide service in Rawalakot. Broadband internet access is available from DSL, and WiFi hotspots, available in Rawalakot Dehra Khrike.

Education:

Rawlakot has an Agriculture University Azad Kashmir, a Government College, a Polytechic College, numerous Higher Secondary Schools and a number of Private Schools.

Tourism:

Lodges, government-owned and private guest houses, and hotels are available in different parts of Rawalakot. Attractions include: mountain-based adventure tourism, rock climbing, mountaineering, trekking, summer camping and hiking, water-based adventure tourism, and paragliding.

Places to See:

Paniola:

Paniola is situated 17 KMs from Rawlakot towards Kohala and 52 Kilometers from Kohala its calm and charming characteristics, the Tourism Department has constructed a rest house for tourist.

Banjosa Lake:

The site is located on Banjosa Road, 20 Kilometers from Rawlakot, at an attitude of 1981 meters. Its scenic beauty impress surrounding is compelling and attracts tourists to reach here to enjoy the nature. Admist the captivation beauty of Banjosa the artificial Lake reflects the forest standing along the surrounding of the resting calm water of Banjosa Lake.

This is the only planned tourist resort in the area. Bnjosa is a beautiful lake surrounded by lush green mountains offering spectacular views. A few rest houses are constructed in the surroundings of this lake. Some tuck shops are also present at the lake but not properly managed and arranged. Weather is pleasant in summer and occasional snowfall in winter.

The nearby worth seeing areas of Banjosa are Jandali, Hussain Kot and Devi gali which can’t be simply bypassed for a pleasure trip. Ghorimar is situated 20 Kms from khaigala awaiting ones arrival to explore the fascinating beauty over-looking the sub-valley of Rawlakot and Bagh.

Ghori mar:

Ghori mar is situated at a distance of 30 Kilometers, ahead of Rawlakot. A fair weather Khaigala leads to this place. At reaching Ghori Mar one can explore the fascinating beauty looking the sub valleys of Rawlakot and Bagh. AJK Tourism Department provides accommodation facilities to visitors.

Toli Peer:

Tolipir is the highest mountainous location and the most attractive point in the north-eastern area of Rawalakot. It is one of the most beautiful and fascinating tourist spot in Rawlakot which is almost 15 km ahead from the top of Toli Peer hills one can see city. It is all covered with green and paved grass land. It is almost 800 feet above from the sea level. The temperature remains very down in spring and gentle Breezes make the environment very healthy and happy. One who visits this spot can never forget it.

Tolipir offers outback time on wide spread grassy fields and aspiring views as it is the origin point of three different mountainous ridges. The tourism rest-house on the way to tolipir is also located on a very scenic location. There are some old remains of a Mazaar at the highest top of Tolipir. Weather is pleasant in summer and snowfall in winter.

Koyian:

From Rawlakot 17 Kms ahead this place is surrounded by dense forest, which charming and pleasant. A tourist rest house has been constructed by AJK Tourism department.

Poonch River:

The site is located on Hajira-Kotli Road, at a distance of 35 km. from Rawalakot City at an elevation of 886m above mean sea level.

There are quite many spots along this route presenting exquisite views of water front. The water passage is quite wide at locations and hence has the potential which may be exploited in developing water based recreation. Moreover, flat and wide land is available next to the river for development. Weather is hot in summer and cold in winter.

Hot Spring (Tatta Pani):

Tatta Pani is situated on the right bank of the river Poonch, at a distance of 20 kilometers from Hajeera and is connected with two fair weather roads i.e. via Hajeera-Mandol & Balouch-Pakhonar road. It can be also reached from Kotli, the district headquarter of Kotli district, by covering a distance of 26 kilometers. Tatta Pani is famous for its Sulpher water springs. During winter season a large number of people visit this place daily to have hot water bath for the cure of Skin & rheumatic ailments.

AJK Tourism Department has constructed here a Tourist Rest House and bathrooms for the convenience of the visitors. Transport Services for Tatta Pani are available in good number from all important point Poonch, Mirpur & Kotli districts of Azad Kashmir.

The Shaeed Galla/Toli Pir and Singola East are famous places in Rawalakot District; they are about 20 km from Rawalakot and contain beautiful natural scenery and forests.

Where to Stay:

Accommodation on reasonable rates is available in Tourism AJK, PWD and Pearl Development Authority’s rest houses.

Small hotels with living accommodations are also available in and around the city. Government-owned cabins are available in Rawalakot and Banjosa. Advance reservations are recommended as most of these accommodations are used by government officials on their tours.

There are various guest houses, rest houses, motels and hotels at most of the tourist spots which can be booked in advance from their offices in Rawalakot.

Where to Eat:

Hospitality With Open Arms Our Aim To provide guests a home away from home with the highest standard of services.

Where to Buy:

Rawalakot has a downtown area. The town has few good bazaars where all essential commodities of life from groceries to electronic goods are easily available.

Handicrafts: Carpets, silk woolen clothing, woolen shawls, wood carving, Papier Mashie, rugs.

Other products and fruits: mushrooms, honey, walnuts, apples, cherry, medicinal herbs & plants, resin, Deodar, Kail, Chir, Fir, Maple and Ash Timbers etc.

How to Reach:

By car:

Rawalakot is connected with Islamabad and other big cities by Guoien Nalla road that runs between Rawalakot and Azad pattan,Also you can travel Goin Nalla to Mong to Rawalakot.

It is located 80 km away from Islamabad. By Road It takes three and half hour to Rawalakot.

By bus:

Rawalkot has regular connections with major cities.