In this post
Pakistan is home to varying topographical landscapes, and one of the most diverse ecosystems. You can find the second tallest mountain, K2, and some of the world’s most famous deserts in Pakistan. Here you’ll find valleys that present a picturesque landscape, and pristine beaches that are a rarity in this part of the world. From the mighty Karakoram Ranges to a relatively smaller network of interconnected valleys, Pakistan has it all. For any mountain that you climb, you’ll realize that there are stories or myths surrounding it. In most Pakistani communities, people attach cultural as well as spiritual significance to natural landmarks, especially mountains. Case in point: Pir Chinasi in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K).
This hill station is located 30 kilometers away from Kashmir’s capital city, Muzaffarabad. Let’s explore how you can access it, trek it, and the treasures you can gather.
Bracing For The Trek At Pir Chinasi
There are several reasons why any tourist guide to AJ&K is essentially incomplete without mentioning this particular destination. Pir Chinasi sits at a height of 9,500 ft above sea level. What is particularly interesting about this mountain is its paved pathway which allows for ease of access to the peak. You can easily take your vehicle to the top if you have a strong engine. However, if you take on the incredible feat of trekking it, you’ll be able to actually experience the natural beauty and the breathtaking landscapes.
Bear in mind that once you start trekking, you are actually going around the mountain. In some cases, it requires a stronger vertical stride while being extra careful of the edges.
As the road twists and turns around the edges, the nooks and corners present lush greenery that almost seems pristine. From each angle, you get a different view of the Muzaffarabad valley; its people, and the lives they live. Pearl Continental Muzaffarabad, which sits on an entire valley in the distance, is also clearly visible from the heights of the valley.
In some spots, the mountain is too wide. This means thick vegetation and a natural picnic spot. Here you can lie down for a while to take a break. The dense pine trees are nature’s barrier to pollution of all sorts. As you climb to the top, the temperature keeps dropping, and the air gets denser and cleaner. A higher altitude presents ample opportunities to appreciate nature, and the clean environment it engenders.
During colder months, from October to March, the mountaintop and the trekking path have thick snow. If you plan to trek during these months, it is best to carry thick snow boots, and warmer clothing, and walk slowly as the snow makes the pathway slippery.
As you go higher, you’ll see that it is only one point of a much vast range that goes all the way to Neelum Valley. The peak is also covered in thick snow for most of the year but because of the properly-paved road, is never short of tourists. The mountainous top has a small canteen as well, from where you can get one of the most delicious pakoras (tempuras), with a spicy sauce, which if combined with a cup of tea serve as the best food combination one can ask for. Other refreshments can also be easily bought from here.
A Spiritual Journey
What is of particular interest to most tourists, is the shrine of saint Sayed Hussain Shah Bukhari. People come here to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes and prayers, and for them, the trek is a part of Ziyarat that they have to endure to get their prayers answered by the saint who lays here. Locals also cook niyaz, food that’s a religious offering, every day, and distribute it amongst the trekkers who reach the top.
This is a sacred practice for many locals, as well as tourists. Some consider it as the primary reason for the regular visits by the locals and visitors.
The shrine also marks the end of the journey for those looking for camping spots. It’s important to mention here that Pir Chinasi is also one of the best camping sites in Pakistan. While camping season begins in May and ends in October, the ideal time to visit is between June and September.
But, there’s more. The area has been developed as one of the prime spots for adventure tourism in Pakistan.
Pir Chinasi’s Adventure Tourism
Pir Chinasi has two kinds of sporting activities, reserved specifically for extreme summer and winter. During the hotter summer months, you can enjoy paragliding from the mountain top, all the way down to the foothill. Tourist companies have started planning special trips to Pir Chinasi featuring paragliding, which has been arranged and developed by AJ&K Tourism and Archaeology Department.
The paragliding route has been made in such a way that much like trekking, you go around the mountain as you descend. This flying experience over the valley is something that Pir Chinasi is quite famous for; as it allows the paragliders to experience the calm nature, soar above the pine trees and in a way measure the might of the mountain themselves. To attract even more tourists, especially thrill-seekers, the AJ&K Tourism and Archaeology Department also introduced a jeep rally.
For both of these sports, Pir Chinasi is the starting point. If you are planning your next trip to Muzaffarabad, you should pick a time when you can enjoy paragliding and snow jeep racing. If you are planning to go from Islamabad, use the Kashmir Highway for easy access.
Over the past couple of years, Pakistan has paid special attention to improving adventure sports. Of these, skiing has grown exponentially in popularity. If you’re also a fan of the sport, make sure to check out our pick of the best ski resorts in Pakistan.
There are a number of tourist attractions in Kashmir. Check out our guides so you can plan your trip in the best possible way:
The tourism sector of Pakistan has grown by leaps and bounds, thanks to a plethora of initiatives the government has introduced over the past three years. There is now also a dedicated tourism channel, Discover Pakistan, the first such platform in the history of the country. For the latest on Pakistan’s tourism, keep checking Pakistan’s largest property blog, Zameen Blog. Also, write to us at blog@zameen.com if you want to share your comments or feedback.
