Azad Kashmir hill town in pine and cedar country, serving as Sudhnoti District's administrative capital.
Pallandri is the administrative capital of Sudhnoti District in Azad Kashmir, sitting at around 1,500 metres in a valley of pine and cedar forests. It's a small, quiet hill town that sees few foreign visitors but offers the kind of forested mountain scenery that draws Pakistanis from the lowland cities in summer, when the temperature stays mild while the plains swelter.
The surrounding valley has springs, small waterfalls, and high-mountain grazing land. The nearby Dheerkot area, higher up at around 1,800 metres, is also visited for its views. The whole district is part of Azad Kashmir, a Pakistan-administered territory contested with India — the political situation is stable in this area, but worth checking before travelling.
Guide
Getting There
Pallandri is about 97 km from Rawalpindi via Azad Pattan, roughly a 2.5–3 hour drive on mountain roads. It is also connected to Rawalakot, the larger district capital of Poonch, by a 64 km paved road. From Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, Pallandri is around 80 km to the southwest via Sudhan Gali.
There is no air or rail connection to Pallandri. Bus and wagon services run from Rawalpindi to Pallandri, as well as from Rawalakot. Private cars or hired vehicles from Rawalpindi give more flexibility, especially if you want to visit the surrounding villages and viewpoints. Foreign travelers should check current travel advisories for Azad Kashmir before arriving.
