Saturday, January 1, 2011

Murree Travel Guide

Murree Travel Guide Murree is a former British hill station on the border between and Azad Kashmir in Pakistan.
An American journalist Camile wrote, that, "Everything and Anything can happen in Murree. Romance is in the atmosphere; intrigue is in the air. The roads to this happy holiday's resort embrace both the heaven and earth. In Murree it is easy to fall in love".
Murree remains charming all year round. In summer it is cool - even chilly in the evening - while light rain is common. In Winter Murree hides herself under thick blanket of snow. Which proves to be an extremely attractive vacation spot for travellers.

Get in [Murree Map]

Taxis and buses run from Islamabad, and take about 1 hour. It is a picturesque drive and has a few well developed tourist spots at Charra Pani and Company Bagh. The Chattar water park is only 15 minutes outside Islamabad. There is also an alternate but longer route to Murree from Islamabad via Nilore and Simli Dam. The alternate route joins at Lower Topa. The mountain drive is refreshing and the scenery is breath-taking especially on the Nilore-Simli-Lower Topa route.
Another two way road is constructed from toll-plaza to Pataryata, the drive is very scenic and refreshing. An link road is available for those want to go to Murree.A new Express Way is constructed for visitors to Murree.

Get around

Murree is the administrative Headquarters of the Murree district. It is well connected by road to other towns of the area. These small towns are Khanspur, Ghora Gali, Sunny Bank, Jhika Gali, Bhurban, Nathia Gali, Ayubia, Kalabagh and Patriata. Murree is also linked by road to the larger towns of Islamabad, Muzafarabad and Abbotabad.
The best option is to travel by own car. Public transport ( buses, taxis and vans ) are readily available but would be generally crowded.
Except for the Islamabad-Murree Express way all other roads are single / two lane roads and the driver should be conversant with mountain driving skills.
The nearest air link is Islamabad International Airport and the nearest rail Link is at Rawalpindi .
If you are to hire a taxi from Islamabad to Murree you need to pay just Rs.600 and the taxi will drop you from Faizabad to Murree and if you want it double way you may even get it in Rs.1000 for Islamabad-Murree round trip. If you are to go by bus you have to pay just Rs.55 As one way fare.

See

  • Kashmir Point
  • Pindi Point - a chairlift runs up to here
  • The Mall - the main strip with shops, hotels and restaurants.
  • Lawrence College & Church
  • Many locals believe that Mary, mother of Jesus, is buried in Murree and that the town is named after her (formerly Mari).

Do

The main attractions of Murree are its natural scenery and refreshing atmosphere. It is an ideal place for a family get away and vacation. With its many places of interests like Patriata, Ayubia, Nathia Gali, Bhurban, Khanit offers many spots for picnics, mountain hiking and trekking. The best of these treks is from Dunga Gali to Murree on the water pipeline. The Golf Course at Bhurban is unique because of its altitude and tough layout. The area around Patriata has been developed and provides excellent hiking and trekking paths. It also has a scenic two stage cable car that would take the tourists up to the top. Those not interested in waiting in the queue for the ride can drive up to the Patriata top.

Buy

Murree has a variety of handicraft shops selling curios for the tourist to remind them of their visit to this hill station. Traditional clothing items , head wear, carved walking sticks, jewelery items and leather goods are abundantly available.
Also visit Millenium Mall - on main Mall road, next to Usmania Restaurant. A complete shopping mall with every kind of multinational brands in cosmetics, clothing, shoes, grocery, watches, leather, restaurants, coffee, ice cream parlors, sweets from all over the world, some of famous names are KFC, Pizza Hut, Indulge coffee shop, Nirala sweets, Gucci, Emporio Armani, Nike, Addidas, Piere Cardin, Rado, Tissot, Victoria Secrets, and many more have already got outlets in this mall. 1st floor is only for joy land amusement park for children.

Eat

There are many restaurants in Murree, mostly along The Mall. One very popular restaurant is called Al-mai-dah.
  • Red Onion Chain of Restaurants situated on the main mall road, stands one of the most modern restaurant in Murree. Established in 1993, pioneer to 'Buy one Pizza & Get the second one Absolutely FREE' this restaurant offers a wide range of cuisines not offered anywhere else in the vicinity i.e Mexican, Italian, Chinese, Pakistani & Continental. Prices are very moderate, ambiance is modern & customer service is very friendly! Other branches of Red Onion; Nathia gali, Abottabad, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Rawal Dam & Karachi.
  • Saffron: An elegantly decorated restaurant with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Saffron offered the ultimate personalized culinary experience. The menu is a blend of continental and local favorites including our very own rendition of the ever-popular chicken karahi and chicken makhani. Saffron lies overlooking crisscrossing paths, beautiful hills and valleys. The restaurants outdoor patio allows you to dine under the roof of the world , in the most breathing natural surroundings our part of the world has to offer.
  • The Huqqa Pani Lounge with its gracious old world charm serves a variety of fruit flavored tobacco or sheesha. Apart from the snakes and drinks, the room offers a wonderful and relaxing atmosphere with a glorious view of Murree and the surrounding hills.
  • KFC, Millenium Mall Murree at the end of Mall road
  • Angeethi - the Grill is located adjacent to the Huqqa Pani lounge and follows the same earthen traditional theme. So after relexing in the lounge, you can come and watch our chefs prepare a variety of mountwatering barbeque dishes. The beautiful backdrop and the traditional ambience , combined with the delicious food make dining at The Grill an occasion to remember.

Health and medication

There are many well equipped medical centres in Murree and surrounding which can always provide you with basic medical treatement,like Abbasi hospital at Suny Bank,Tariq medical centre Bhurban,alshafa clinic Murree and many more.Along with these medical centres there is a military hospital "CMH" situated on Murree mallroad.So you donot need to worry for medical treatement in case of any emergency while visitin Murree and surroundings.

Hotels

Murree being a well established tourist destination has a wide variety of lodgings available to suit all pockets. The top of the line is the 5* Pearl-Continental Hotel at Bhurban. However PC Bhourban is 25 minutes drive away from Murree proper. Other good standard hotels are available in Murree proper besides a number of other hired lodgings of various standards. Another option is to hire summer houses. Murree also has a number of private and government owned rest houses or Dak bunglows. Generally the summer season rates are 5 to 6 times the winter off season rate.
Some Prominant Hotels are.

           1. Hotel MOVE N PICK, Hall Road ,Muree .
2. Hotel DEANS , Murree.
3. Hotel DAYS INN, Murree.
4. Hotel GRAND HEIGHTS , Murree.
5. DIAMOND Hotel , Murree.
6. Hotel SAIF LODGES, Murree.
7. Hotel MAZ , Mall Road , Murree.
8. Hotel WOOD BERRY , Murree.

Stay out

Murree can serve as a focal hub of your stay. Day trips can be planned for Nathia gali, Kalabagh, Muzzafrabad, Ayubia, Patriata, Khanspur, Bhurban and Gharial.
  • Nathiagali is about 32kms from Murree. The bracing air of the surrounding mountains is as pure as fresh spring water.
  • Ayubia is about 26kms from Murree, (Khairagali, Changlagali, Khanspur and Ghora Dhaka, these four mini resorts spread over an area of 26 km have been developed into a resort complex called Ayubia). In addition to riding trails, hiking places and picnic spots, Ayubia has a chair lift at Ghora Dhaka, which attracts visitors to enjoy scenic beauty of Pine Hills.
  • Thandiani is the coldest among other hill stations near Murree. It can be reached from the Murree-Nathiagali route, but it takes more time and the road is too winding. Thandiani is 31 km from main Abbottabad City and 25 km from Thandiani-Nathiagali crossing. The drive takes more or less 80 minutes from Abbottabad with lovely views on both sides of the road. The road spans more than 1219 m above Abbottabad. On the way along with tall majestic pine trees you come across groups of monkeys. The major place on the way is Kalapani at 23 km from Abbottabad. It has a beautiful local dak bungalow. Hule ka Danna is about two kilometres north of Thandiani. It is one of the most beautiful glades in the region. Thandiani offers lush green lovely views.
Trekking is the best sport to do, following are some of the treks:
  • Ayubia-Changla Gali
  • Ayubia-Khanaspur
  • Ayubia-Dungagali, 4km, a must to do
  • Dungagali-Mushkpuri Top
  • Mushkpuri Top-Nathiagali
  • Nathiagali-Miranjani Top

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