Banjosa Lake (Azad Kashmir)
Banjosa Lake is located at the distance of 20 km from Rawalakot in Azad Kashmir. It is an artificial lake at an altitude of 6,499 feet within the lush green grassland, deep fine forest and mountains, which make it more charming and attractive in view.
It is easily accessible from Rawalakot by metallic road. There are number of facilities for tourists visiting the lake. Resthouses, hotels, and restaurants are available near the lake. There are some beautiful and colorful huts near the lake including AJK Toursim guest-house. These colorful huts give a very distinguishing and charming view of the lake in the lush green surrounding.
If you want to enjoy the beautiful night there, then you can easily book a room there. Room booking is not too much costly there, it will be available in economical price. At night, temperature drops and it becomes more cooler. You can enjoy cold breeze in the night. In the full moon, you will enjoy the golden moonlight reflecting from the lake water. Small ripples in lake water add another fantastic effect in the golden light. Most of the tourists, enjoy bonfire there with music and dance.
From Rawalakot, Kahi Gala - Pallandri Road leads toward the Banjosa Lake. Road is little bit dangerous in the beginning but safe to drive. You will reach there within 40-45 minutes. You can also observe beautiful views during driving toward the lake. If you driving your own car, then it will good opportunity to enjoy those beautiful scenic view for while. From the main road, Lake Road on the left side leads you toward lake.
Banjosa lake gives a splendid view due to the number of different and unique flowers in the lush green fields. There are different medicinal plants which are good source for pharmaceutical products. These flowers and plants are the main attraction for the tourists visiting the lake. It is also a place of different kind of birds in which some are migratory birds. Tourists who want to observe the lifestyle of these birds, Banjosa Lake is good location for them.
Banjosa Lake is a good resort for one-day tour for the people living in Rawalakot and its surrounding areas. They spend all time there to enjoy the healthy atmosphere of the lake. They enjoy their lunch there with bar-b-Que and tikka party.
Weather is very pleasant and cool in summer season at Banjosa Lake, so people love to visit the lake in summer season. Temperature drops even below freezing point in the winter season, but tourists still visit the lake.
About Rawalakot
Rawalakot, known as Pearl Valley, is located in Azad Jammu and Kashmir in the Pir Panjal Range at the elevation of 5,374 feet having a distance of 120 km from Rawalpindi via Kahuta on the Rawalakot Road. It is also accessible from Abbottabad by Sudhan Gali Road, then turns right on Bagh Highway, and finally move on Rawalakot Road at Arja.
Rawalakot is a tourist place and there number of best places to visit. It has pleasant weather in summer season and fantastic natural beauty with lush green forest on the mountains. There are colorful flowers everywhere in summer season within the layer of lush green mountainous structure. There are number guest houses and hotels to facilitate the tourists. It is loving place for trekking, rock climbing, paragliding, water sports, etc.
Toli Pir is hilly area and there is a vast meadow at hilltop. It is situated in the Rawalakot district at the distance of 30 km. It is the highest location in Rawalkot and visitors can observe a vast and broader view of the Rawalakot city as well as the view of the Poonch River. It is a point of conjunction of the origin of three different mountain ridges. On the top of the hill, there is a ruin of historical old mazar. As it receives much snowfall in the winter season, so tourists can enjoy the snow in the winter season. It becomes an hub for various snowfall activities in the winter season.
Banjosa Lake is located at the distance of 18 km from the Rawalakot City at an altitude of 6,500 feet. It is an artificial lake, but best tourist resort. The beauty of lake is the dense pine forest and mountains behind the lake. Rest houses are also located near the lake to facilitate to stay at night there.
The Poonch River flows across the city, it starts from Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir and ends in Pakistan. From Rawalakot, you can view the beautiful path of flow of the Poonch River.
Nergola Waterfall is the beautiful and scenic waterfall within the lush green hilly area in Rawalakot. It is located at the distance of 5 km from the Rawalakot City and accessed through Rawalakot Road.
Dream Valley Resort is located at the distance of 6 km from the Rawalakot City. It can be accessed via Darak Hussain Kot road. It is situated on a dam, so location is good for different type of water sports activities including boating, water park, huts, water games, etc.
Singola Chamb Waterfall is another attractive waterfall at the distance of 10 km near Singolla town. It can be access through Bagh-Rawalakot Road. Singolla village is also a lush green mountainous location.
The weather of Rawalakot is mild in spring and summer season, whereas in winter season, its weather is much cold and heavy snowfall is also expected. Most of the tourists love to visit in the winter season to enjoy the snowfall. It also receives the monsoon railway from July to September.