Taobat is the last village/valley in tehsil Sharda of Neelum district, Azad Kashmir Pakistan located at an altitude of 2286 m (7500 ft). It is one of the most ancient and historical valleys in Kashmir where people strictly follow the culture and tradition of their forefathers even today with the same enthusiasm.
Here is travel guide to Taobat valley Azad Kashmir to tell you about its location (distance), weather, road conditions, hotels, best time to visit, things to do, and other useful information, so you can make your trip more fascinating and enjoyable.
Taobat Valley Azad Kashmir
They are very humble, polite and hard working as well, as they have to live in their houses for about five months of a year due to the heaviness of weather so they have to be ready for that winter season.
This whole area gets closed due to heavy snowfall and without preparation so that anyone can not survive. The time when it is not suitable for humans they have to protect their household animals as well.
Taobat Valley Kashmir
The Taobat village is one of the most beautiful in the region, as you will see if you go there all houses are made of wood and designed in such a great way to keep hot in winter. And rooftops are made of small pieces of wood, that are aligned with each other in down-ward design, and help residents to remove snow quickly with ease.
The people of the whole valley are Muslims, belonging to the Akhun tribe. This village includes about 1500 people and all houses except some have lower ground levels as well.
As I mentioned earlier whole valley covers with heavy snowfall and remains closed for about five months they live their lives in these lower ground portions of their houses.
Walnut is the main and major fruit that produces by this area and you can see a large number of walnut trees all around the Taobat valley. Other than this corn is the major crop in this valley that people grow here for their household use.
You will see some bunkers and underground safe houses in this village as well, It is due to its location nearing Indian Occupied Kashmir. These bunkers are made to protect people from cease-fire violations by the Indian army.
See also:
Ratti Gali Lake, Neelum Valley
Neelum Valley, A Paradise for Humanity on Earth
Tourist attractions in Neelum Valley
Hotels in Taobat
There is a market or Bazar as well to accommodate tourists and locals with some necessities of life and some small hotels. You can rent here hotels and some people offer accommodation services in their residence as well at a minimal cost.
Kel to Taobat Valley Kashmir
It takes about 4 hours to travel to reach Taobat from Kel on a four-by-four jeep that you can hire from Kel in early in the morning at 7:30 or at 11:30 am. According to google maps its distance is 42 km that takes about two hours to reach Taobat from Kel, but it takes about four hours due to some sharp turns and bad conditions of the road.
Best time to visit Taobat valley
It becomes un-accessible in the winter season so you should visit it in spring or summer. I would suggest you should visit Taobat Azad Kashmir between June to September as you would be able to enjoy some cool weather instead of the hotness of the summer season.
Taobat valley weather
The weather of Taobat valley remains cool the whole year even when whole Pakistan becomes hotter than hot in summer, Taobat Azad Kashmir remains cool due to its altitude. The average temperature of Taobat in the summer season remains 13 Celsius to 25 Celsius, and in winter it drops down to -5 Celsius.
Islamabad to Taobat valley
The whole distance from Islamabad to reach Taobat is about 350 km, like Islamabad to Lahore. But you can not reach in about 4 to 5 hours likewise Islamabad to Lahore, so I would suggest you cover a distance of about 230 km from Islamabad to Keran via Murree, Muzzafarabad ( The Capital city of Azad Kashmir ), Chillehana village that known as LoC crossing point and stay at Keran valley.
It will make your journey more superb and amazing without getting tired and you could be able to enjoy it more.
Things to do in Taobat valley
Taobat Azad Kashmir attracts tourists not only for its amazing and striking views, but tourists love to do some memorable things as you can stay in a tent village to make your night memorable that is specially made for tourists.
This valley is known as the entry point of the Ganga river from the Indian Occupied Kashmir that is known as the River Neelum in Azad Kashmir administrated by Pakistan. You can have memorable open-air bonfires and enjoy having barbeques on the banks of this river.
You can go for a hiking trail at Upper Taobat, where you can see the most amazing and wonderful natural views. Upper Taobat is the nearest place to Indian occupied Kashmir and you have to show your identity proofs to officers at security check posts there.
You can go to Musk Deer National Park as well during your trip to Taobat valley of Azad Kashmir in the Neelum valley district. Musk Deer National Park is a lofty jungle a house of wildlife. This is a dense jungle full of tall green trees, and these trees give a terrible white giant-like view in winter when snow cover this whole area.
There is a suspension bridge at some distance from the Taobat village that is smaller than the Hussaini bridge in Hunza valley of Gilgit Baltistan, but it is as adventurous and amazing as the Hussaini bridge. You must visit that suspension bridge in Taobat village.
Some nearing destinations and tourists spots to Taobat are lower and upper Taobat, Sundas village, Hanti village, and Thangi village.
Conclusion
Taobat valley is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Neelum Valley of Azad Kashmir that has many attractions for tourists, the biggest one is its lush green scenic natural views. The healthy atmosphere and unique lifestyle of people living here make tourists more attractive.
