Trifter

Pakistan – The Land of Beauty

Pakistan is a land of immense beauty having a variety of terrain and all seasons in full galore. Whereas the Northern Areas are a region of high, lofty mountains, the Kashmir Valley is world renowned for its beautiful mountains, captivating lakes, gushing streams of clear and cold water and lovely meadows. The portion of Kashmir towards Pakistan is called Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The area is known for its eye-catching locales, scenic beauty and popular tourist spots. The roads are generally good and remain open for most part of the year except for some areas during rainy season where occasional landslides pose obstructions until they are cleared. Lodging facilities are available almost everywhere ranging from five star hotels to local motels. The food is cheap and delicious. Overall, traveling through Azad Kashmir is a treat for any visitor or tourist interested in nature and general sight seeing.

The Lake Surrounded by Pine Covered Mountains

Banjosa village is located at approximately 30 minutes drive by road (20 kilometres) from Rawalakot, District Headquarter of Poonch District of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Rawalakot itself is at around 3 hours drive (65 kilometres) from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The lake at Banjosa is man made and lies at an altitude of 1981 metres. The lake is surrounded by dense pine forests which make the scene even more amazing. Reflections of green trees in the clam lake water are truly captivating. Ducks add to the enjoyment of children as do the boating trips available at a small price at the lake. The lake freezes during winters and the locals start waiting for the next summer season to welcome the hoards of travelers to the lake.

Tips for Travelers

Banjosa is an ideal spot to spend a 2-3 days family vacation. There are a number of small hotels, rest houses and motels dotting the lake side which are heavily booked during summers so I would advise potential tourists to book in advance. A couple of small restaurants cater to the needs of the residents, serving traditional Pakistani and Kashmiri cuisine. Roads leading to the lake from Rawalakot or Tararkhel are good and one can manage in a normal car. The closest banks are available at Rawalakot which can come in handy as credit cards cannot be used at Banjosa. Similarly, other facilities like hospitals etc are also located at Rawalakot.