03/06/2022
Murree Tours-Tourism Guide
Day Tour of Murree from Islamabad
Murree is the largest tourist resort for the Pakistanis. Beside the views the main attraction in murree is a stroll along the Mall. Lined with cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops the Mall is a popular meeting point, as well as being the place to be seen.
At the northeast point of the ridge upon which Murree stands, Kashmir Point offers fine views across the Jhelum River and Pir Panjal range into Kashmir. Along the ridge to the southwest, Pindi Point overlooks the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi below. The scene is particularly attractive on a clear night. From Pindi Point, the wonderland Chair-Lift makes the return trip to the road several kilometers below (continue to run in all weathers.
Murree does retain a certain colonial air, with its neat bungalows, summer cottages, gardens and churches, Cecil hotel building and a church on the Mall are the part of the colonial past, but the recent rapid pace of unplanned development is threatening to engulf the town.
Tourist Attractions in Murree
Mall Road
Mall road is the famous market place in Murree. It can be best visited after the sunset. Also if you want to save time visit hills at day time and Mall Road at night when you have to just shop or dine. It is a slope starting from General Post Office. Food & misc. sovenier shops are situated on the both sides of Road. It is open till midnight. You can buy everything at Mall and dine a variety of Pakistani dishes.
Kashmir Point
Kashmir Point is a spot on Mall Road, going up from GPO about 1 km. It is at the top of a hill. Hill surface is clean. Scenary looks beautiful from here. Kashmir peaks can be viewed from here thats why this point is called Kashmir Point. Two roads/paths go up the GPO towards Kashmir Point. View of Murree from both ways is different. So it is advisable that take one route for going & other for coming back. You may hike up the Kashmir point. The way passing by the Cadet College Murree goes towards the Murree Residence of the President of Pakistan.
Pindi Point
Pindi point is one of the prime points to visit in Murree. Chair lifts are installed here which go down 1.5 km. Both way distance is 3 km. Scenary from chair lift is magnificent. Zigzag road passes below. Great pine trees stand throughout the journey. When we go down the valley there is a stop point. You can enjoy a lot there. There is a coffee shop & children play land. Hills of Patriata can be seen there.A great jungle starts there. You can enjoy tracking. Chair lift is open from 9am till 6 pm.
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
Nathiagali is about 32kms from Murree. The bracing air of the surrounding mountains is as pure as fresh spring water.
Ayubia
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
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.
Patriata
Patriata also known as New Murree is a hill station in northern Punjab, Pakistan. It is situated 15 km south-east of Murree hill. Patriata is located in Murree Tehsil which is a subdivision of Rawalpindi District. It is the highest point in the area and the hills stand 9,000 feet above sea level. The hill station is a tourist location as the climate here is much cooler than further south. There is a chair lift and cable car system for transportation to the highest point. The area is heavily forested and there are many monkeys and leopards in the area.
Hiking is the best sport to do while touring Murree; following are some of the hiking trails:
Ayubia - Changla Gali
Ayubia - Khanaspur
Ayubia - Dungagali, 4km, a must to do
Dungagali - Mushkpuri Top
Mushkpuri Top - Nathiagali
Nathiagal - Miranjani Top
Sightseeing & Excursions
1. Half/ full day excursion to Patriata and enjoy Chairlift ride.
2. Full day excursion to Ayubia & Nathiagali (an opportunity for 4 km hiking from Ayubia to Dunga Gali), one of the most beautifull hiking trail in Asia.
3. Half day hiking tour in Bhurbon (4 km long hiking trail, start 4 km before Bhurbon and ends at PC Bhurbon.
4. Half day wandering and shopping tour on the Mall.
How to get there
The main gateway to get Murree is Islamabad, Today, there are two routes for Murree, one is Motorway via New Murree which is about one and half hour drive from Islamabad and the other route is the old one single road which takes more than two hours. There is frequent van service from Faizabad (central point Islamabad – Rawalpindi). There is also luxury bus service (Daewoo) running from the main Daewoo bus station from the Mall road. Normal route buses are also operating round the clock from Pir Wadai bus station. It is recommended going Murree from Islamabad and coming from Abbottabad via Nathiagali.
Instructions:
Avoid travelling with families during weekend that may cause long traffic jams and other related issues. Always check weather reports from media and from hotel people before setting off to surrounding areas of Murree.