Looking for places to visit in Kotli, Azad Kashmir? Kotli is a district headquarters town on the Poonch river, and the base for a handful of scattered attractions rather than a single obvious sight. The Poonch valley around it holds a hot spring, a hilltop fort under army control, and a waterfall, all reached down side roads that take longer than the map distance suggests.
This guide sets out what is actually around Kotli, how far each place is from the city, and how the current situation in the district affects planning.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Kotli District, Azad Kashmir, on the Poonch river |
| From Islamabad | Roughly 130 to 140 km, about 3 to 3.5 hours |
| Known for | Tatta Pani hot springs, Throchi Fort, Gulpur waterfall |
| Best months | October to March for comfortable travel |
| Roads | Hilly and slow between sights; allow more time than distances suggest |
Tatta Pani hot springs
The best-known thing to see in Kotli district is Tatta Pani, a natural hot spring about 26 km from the city, where water that emerges close to boiling is channelled into stone pools for bathing. It sits close enough to the Line of Control that it needs a bit more planning than the district's other stops. Our Tatta Pani hot springs guide covers the road in, the bathing pools and the current safety picture in detail.
Throchi Fort
Throchi Fort stands on a hilltop in Throchi village, in Choroi tehsil, about three kilometres from Gulpur. Local tradition dates the fort to around 1460, though its early history is not well documented, and its architecture shows a mix of Indo-Islamic and later Mughal influence.
Since independence the fort has been controlled by the Pakistan Army, which uses part of the site for a signals installation, and the structure itself is reported to be in poor condition and in need of restoration. Treat it as a viewpoint and a piece of history to look at from outside rather than a fort you can freely explore, and expect that access to parts of the site may not be possible; check locally before making a special trip.
Gulpur and its waterfall
Gulpur is a small town south-west of Kotli, at the junction of the Kotli–Mirpur and Kotli–Rawalpindi roads, and gives its name to a waterfall that is one of the more visited spots in the district. It sits close to Throchi Fort, so the two are easy to combine in one outing. The area is also home to a run-of-the-river hydropower plant on the Poonch, a reminder of how much of this valley's water is put to work well before it reaches the reservoirs downstream.
Treat the waterfall as a seasonal sight: it depends on rainfall and river flow, so it is at its best after the monsoon and can run much lower by late spring.
The Poonch river and Kotli city itself
Kotli city sits directly on the Poonch river, and a walk along the riverside in the town is a reasonable way to spend an hour without a car. The town itself is unpretentious and functional rather than scenic, useful mainly as a base and supply point rather than a sight in its own right.
A day around Kotli
With a full day and your own transport:
- Morning: Gulpur and Throchi Fort. These sit close together south-west of the city, so cover both before lunch.
- Back into Kotli for lunch.
- Afternoon: Tatta Pani, if you have the time and have checked the current situation there, allowing the drive both ways plus time at the springs. This makes for a long day; some visitors prefer to give Tatta Pani a separate trip rather than rush it.
Given the distances and the state of the roads, trying to fit all three into one day is possible but tiring. If you have two days, split Tatta Pani onto its own.
Is Kotli worth visiting?
For travellers who want to see a working part of Azad Kashmir away from the bigger tourist routes, and who don't mind slow hill roads for a genuinely unusual sight like Tatta Pani, yes. It rewards a bit of patience rather than offering an easy highlight reel.
If your time in Azad Kashmir is short, or you want comfortable, well-signed attractions, Kotli district is not the best use of it; the Neelum Valley or the hills around Rawalakot are more geared up for visitors. Our Kashmir page covers the wider region.
Is it safe to visit Kotli?
Kotli district was one of the areas most affected by the unrest that began across Azad Kashmir in June 2026, with deaths reported in the city during the worst clashes, and mobile internet in parts of the district, including around Tatta Pani, was still restricted as late as mid-September 2026. Check recent news and call ahead before travelling, and see our guide to safety in Azad Kashmir for the current picture and what to do about it.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Kotli from Islamabad?
Roughly 130 to 140 km by road, about three to three and a half hours.
What is Kotli known for?
The Tatta Pani hot springs, Throchi Fort and the Gulpur waterfall, all reached by side roads off the main Kotli routes, plus its position on the Poonch river.
Can you visit Throchi Fort freely?
Not entirely. The Pakistan Army controls the site and uses part of it for a signals installation, so treat it as a viewpoint rather than somewhere you can freely explore, and check locally before making a special trip.
How far is Tatta Pani from Kotli city?
About 26 km, on a hill road that takes longer than the distance suggests.
Is Kotli district safe to visit right now?
Kotli was significantly affected by the unrest across Azad Kashmir since June 2026, and parts of the district, including near Tatta Pani, still had restricted mobile internet as of mid-September 2026. Check current conditions before travelling.