Sirikot Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir
Sirikot is a pleasant hill station near Muzaffarabad Azad Kashmir with an altitude of about 2125 m (6970 ft) and is easily accessible via Shaheed Gali. It is located about 15 km from Muzaffarabad city Capital of Azad Kashmir.
It is one of the most beautiful destinations in Muzaffarabad of Azad Kashmir and the highest near Muzaffarabad where you can see lush mountains loaded with tall and shady trees. You can also see mountain ranges of the Pir Panjal, the Himalayas, Sarban, and Shimla, along with all surrounding areas.
When you reach Sirikot hill stations you see a big lush meadow on the top of the mountain surrounded by a dense forest of pine trees, and a rest house on a side to welcome tourists, which really adds to the beauty of this marvelous place.
Along with all surrounding peaks, the view of Pir Chinasi peak, a paragliding spot in Muzaffarabad, and also has a shrine of Saint Syed Hussain Shah Bukhari makes it more admirable.
Sirikot Name
As its name, it is the best example of it because "Siri" means "height or top" and the word "Kot" means "village or town" in the local language. So the meaning of this place is a town or a village located at the top or height of the mountain.
Why Sirikot is famous?
It is very famous among tourists and locals as well due to its height and amazing scenic landscapes. This is the place where you can see all nearing areas of Azad Kashmir and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under your feet, like Muzaffarabad, Garhi Habibullah, Shaheed Gali, beautiful Neelum Rd, and other areas, along with peaks mentioned above.
Another reason which makes it more interesting is there is a mosque located on the exact borderline of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan where while prayer Imam stands in the Pakistani area and followers stand behind him in the area of Azad Kashmir.
How to reach Sirikot?
there are several ways to reach Sirikot but I would suggest you stay at Shaheed Gali and hire a room in rest houses there to make your trip more memorable and joyful.
It will make your journey more fascinating and you could cover two tourist destinations during one trip and will cause to minimize your tour expenses.
See also:
Kashmir or Dolai waterfall, Azad Kashmir
Dhani waterfall Muzaffarabad, Azad Kashmir
All you need to know about the river Neelum
Sirikot weather
The weather here in the Sirikot very pleasant and cool throughout the summer season due to its height from sea level and the availability of forest and greenery that nature has blessed. And the average temperature here remains 18 Celsius to 30 Celsius in the summer season, while in the winter season it drops down to -2 Celsius and receives heavy snowfall.
Shaheed Gali
It is a Jeep track to reach Sirikot but if you decide to accept my suggestion to stay at Shaheed Gali you can bring your own vehicle of any kind there because road conditions are well enough and paved to drive till Shaheed Gali.
Then you can hire a jeep that costs about PKR 2500 to 3500 (15 to 20 USD) that will give you pick and drop service from Shaheed Gali, or you can opt for staying at Sirikot instead coming back here.
It takes about an hour to cover a distance of 17 km from Muzaffarabad to Shaheed Gali and then a four-by-four jeep takes 45 minutes to reach your destination.
Shaheed Gali is a famous tourist destination known as the most peaceful and calm place to stay with family in a pleasant and healthy atmosphere.
Sirikot hiking
In the presence of all transportation facilities there, if you are an adventure lover and want to make your trip to Sirikot more adventurous and memorable you must hiking towards Sirikot from Shaheed Gali.
It is neither very difficult nor easy to complete this hiking trek. I would say it's like the Siri Paya track which is located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is about a 5 km long track that a person can complete within 3 to 4 hours easily.
Is Sirikot worth visiting?
Sirikot is one of the best places to stay and spend your holidays, full of tourist facilities like accommodation and fooding by hospitable and kind people living there.
Things to do at Sirikot
- Sport
- Camping
- Barbeque
- Trekking
Sport
There are several tourist activities that tourists often love to do like this lush meadow of Sirikot covered by the dense forest has a cricket pitch that attracts tourists to play a cricket match, or you can play any sport of your choosing there.
Camping
You can hire a room in a rest house located near, or you can locate your own camp there on the beautiful top of the Sirikot.
Barbeque
It will be more joyful and lovely if you could arrange a bonfire/barbeque there at this pleasant place.
Trekking
You can go trekking there in the dense jungle where birds will welcome you with their songs, and you will be amazed and feel joyful by the chirping of the birds.
Sirikot photo gallery
Conclusion
The Sirikot hill station near Azad Muzaffarabad in Azad Kashmir is one of the best places to stay for those who want some pleasant place with a healthy environment and want to avoid the crowd and the noise of tourists.