Sudhan Gali and Ganga Choti

Sudhan Gali is a small town about 40 km north of Pallandri, situated at around 2,134 metres (7,000 feet) in dense forests of pine and cedar. It serves as the starting point for the hike to Ganga Choti, the highest peak in the district at 3,044 metres (9,990 feet). The hike takes most people 3 to 5 hours one way, passing through forest and open alpine pasture before reaching the rocky summit.

Sudhan Gali itself is worth the drive even without attempting the peak — the forest here is old growth, and the views from the town lookouts across the Pir Panjal range are excellent. The road from Pallandri to Sudhan Gali passes through landscapes of considerable beauty. In summer the area is crowded with Pakistani domestic tourists; outside of peak season (June to August) it is much quieter. Accommodation is available in Sudhan Gali at basic guesthouses.

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Ganga Choti is sometimes called the "Bride of Beauties" in local Kashmiri tradition — a name that refers to the mountain's beauty when seen from the valleys below in clear weather, when the summit seems to float above a sea of forest and cloud. It is one of the few peaks in Azad Kashmir above 3,000 metres that can be reached without technical climbing equipment.

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