Here are some ideal locations for a weekend getaway with your friends that will cost you under 3,000 per head.
The Dagri Bangla trek offers one of the most heaven-like sunrises and sunsets at the Galiyat Mountain range. The name ‘Dagri Bangla’ is of the 160 year old British Era rest house that people trek to and back. Although the house itself is inhabitable now, you can set up camp in its veranda or the green lawns circling the property. The rest house can be approached through these 3 different routes:
a)Nathiagali to Dagri Bangla and back
b)Thandian to Dagri Bangla and then Dagri Bangla to Nathiagali
c)Aliabad (Abbottabad) to Dagri Bangla and back
All routes will however require you to camp a night at Dagri Bangla. The shortest travel time and the most common route that is taken is from Nathiagali, which is also the route we would suggest you to take. After an early morning 3 hours drive from Islamabad to Nathiagali via motorway, you can park your car at Nathiagali. You may choose to have breakfast at Nathiagali before starting your trek. The trek from Nathiagali to the guesthouse is 3-5 hours long depending on your pace and stamina. Try also getting a porter from Nathiagali to carry your food, equipment and luggage if you are not a moderate or advanced level trekker. Try not stopping during the trek and reaching the campsite (Dagri Bangla) early so you can enjoy the views without stress of trekking.
Minimum Group Size : 5
Total Fuel Cos t: Rs. 4,400 Approx.
Porter + Mule cost : Rs. 1,500 (price is subject to change every year)
Camping Cost: Null
Food cost : Depends on what type of food you take. Cheapest and most efficient would be cereals for breakfast, Maggi noodles for lunch and canned biryani/canned chicken karahi for dinner.
Panjpeer rocks are a tourist attraction located at a distance of 70 kms from the capital city of Islamabad. The rock terrace is backed by dense forests with small clusters of trees standing on the shelf itself too. Panjpeer is an ideal location if you want to go camping with your friends without having to trek in order to reach the campsite. You can rent the camps from there if you don’t have your own. Panjpeer is a must visit because of its unusual topography.
The scenery that the Panjpeer rocks offer are unique to only this location, not seen anywhere else in the region.
After a 2.5 hours drive from Islamabad to Panjpeer, you can park your car in the parking situated right beside the camping side. The campsite is literally 5 minutes walk from the parking. You may set up camp after deciding a calm spot on a side and then go exploring the surrounding areas. Another plus point about this place is that the terrace is really wide and long and if you choose to go during summers when it’s a little crowded, you can still find a quite camping spot.
Minimum group size : 3-5
Total Fuel Cost : Rs. 2,200 approx.
Camping Cost: Null
Food cost : Depends on what type of food you take. You may choose to take eggs, bread, pancake mix etc here and prepare your food yourself since you’ll have plenty time on your hand at the campsite.
Located near Abbottabad, the waterfall is approached through 3-4 hour long trek starting from Poona Village near Havelian. The water falls between two mountains that are close enough to form a cave like shape. The stream splashes from rock to rock so frequently that it turns into a shower and feels like spray rather than a water stream if you decide to stand under it (which you should if you do make it till there).
You can park your car at Poona Villag e and start your trek from there. The trek from the Village to the waterfall is easy and less time consuming however keep in mind that this is because you are descending throughout your trek towards the waterfall. On the way back it’s going to be a lot more harder so leave early. You may choose to camp at the waterfall if you want.
Minimum group size : 4
Total Fuel Cost : Rs. 4,000 approx.
Camping Cost : Null
Food cost : Depends on what type of food you take. Cheapest and most efficient would be cereals for breakfast, Maggi noodles for lunch and canned biryani/canned chicken karahi for dinner.
Located in the Kallar Kahar region , the lake is hidden deep inside the dense forests. One doesn’t catch a glimpse of the blue lagoon being fed by the waterfall until they’re very close to the lake itself. It is sometimes visited by wild peacocks coming in for a drink, a sight that if you get to witness, will make your experience extraordinary.
It will take you 1.5 hours to get from Islamabad to the lake’s parking.
After parking the car you need to walk through the trail that will take you to the lake in 2-3 hours depending on your pace. The trek is very easy and we highly suggest you visit this place without thinking twice!
Minimum group size : 3
Total Fuel Cost : Rs. 3,600 approx.
Camping Cost: Null