Mushkpuri - Lalazar - Dunga Gali - Ayubia


Panoramic view of Mushkpuri top
Panoramic view of Mushkpuri Top

Over the years I have traveled to Nathia Gali and its surrounding places many times. So I wanted to share the different experiences with anyone who has yet to go there. If anyone has not visited these places then I hope they will go there after reading this and seeing these pictures.

About 80 km away from main Islamabad city you will first reach Dunga Gali. At first it just looks like one of the other galiyats but there is a beautiful 4 km long track from Dunga Gali to Ayubia. The track is straight so it is very easy to walk on, there is no serious hiking on this track but the view is very nice.

Dunga Gali Pipe line track
Dunga Gali Ayubia Track
Dunga Gali pipe line track

In the winter it is difficult to reach these places but if you do get there it is amazing and the snow makes it look completely different.

Dunga Gali in winter
A view of Dunga Gali in winter
Dunga Gali in winter
Dunga Gali Ayubia track entrance in winter

If you can walk to Ayubia then it is also nice otherwise you can drive there easily too. Ayubia is one of the most famous places up here and there is a chair lift there as well. It is not difficult to find pictures of Ayubia on the internet but here are some of the pictures that I have taken.






The above places are very beautiful but in my opinion the most beautiful places around Nathia Gali are Lalazar and Mushkpuri top. There are two tracks to get to Mushkpuri top. One starts from Dung gali. The second one starts about 1 Km before Nathia Gali and this is the one I prefer. Because from here you first get to Lalazar which is a nice spot just 20 to 30 minutes walk up from the parking area. It also has a nice little zoo as well and also has camping facilities. A few years ago they had a Smow Leopard there as well but not anymore. Here are a few pictures of the track and Lalazar.







Himalayan Black Bear at Lalazar Zoo

Pheasant at Lalazar Zoo

Snow Leopard at Lalazar Zoo

Snow Leopard at Lalazar Zoo

Snow Leopard at Lalazar Zoo

Common Leopard at Lalazar Zoo


Common Leopard at Lalazar Zoo


Lalazar in winter

Lalazar in winter

Lalazar in winter

My Daughter also liked it there.



Lalazar is a beautiful place and the whole day will go by without you even noticing. But if you can muster up enough strength to hike up for 2 to 3 hours or even more, depending on your pace you can reach Mushkpuri top. The track is quote difficult and the weather is also unpredictable. We had to hide under trees due to a hail storm, but it is very beautiful too. You can see and judge for yourself.

Mushkpuri top track

Mushkpuri top track

Mushkpuri top track



Mushkpuri top

Mushkpuri top

Mushkpuri top

Mushkpuri top

Hope you found this blog helpful and if you have not already been to these places I really urge you to go there. Even the drive there is beautiful. I'll leave you guys with some more pictures that I took on the way up there.
















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