A Rawalakot 2-day itinerary works best with Banjosa Lake and Devi Gali on day one, since they lie in the same direction south-east of town, and Toli Pir on day two, since the drive up is longer and best tackled fresh in the morning. Two full days, after arriving the evening before, cover the main sights without rushing any of them.
This guide lays out both days hour by hour, with meal stops and the order that gets you to each place before the crowds and the afternoon cloud.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Day one | Banjosa Lake, then Devi Gali |
| Day two | Toli Pir |
| Base | Rawalakot town, for the wider choice of hotels and food |
| Best months | May, June, and mid-September to October |
| Total driving | Roughly 100 km over the two days |
Before day one: arrive and settle in
Plan to reach Rawalakot the evening before your first full day, rather than starting the itinerary on your arrival day. The drive in from Islamabad, about three and a half to four and a half hours via Kahuta and Azad Pattan, is enough for one day on its own, and arriving with daylight left to check in and eat gives you a proper start the next morning. Our Islamabad to Rawalakot route guide covers the drive itself, and our guide to hotels in Rawalakot covers where to base yourself in town.
Day one: Banjosa Lake and Devi Gali
8:00 to 8:30am — Leave Rawalakot. The road to Banjosa runs through Khai Gala and is paved the whole way, about 18 km and 30 to 45 minutes. Leaving by mid-morning at the latest gets you to the lake before the day-trip crowd builds.
9:00am — Banjosa Lake. Walk the shore and up into the pine forest on the slopes while it is quiet, then take a pedal or rowing boat out. Pay for boats in cash at the water, since rates change and are not fixed online. Our Banjosa Lake guide covers the boats, the forest walks and what the facilities are actually like.
12:00 to 1:00pm — Lunch. Eat at the lake or in the small Chhota Gala bazaar nearby. Choice here is limited compared with Rawalakot, so keep expectations modest.
1:30 to 2:00pm — On to Devi Gali. Devi Gali is a quiet meadow further south-east towards Hajira, a further drive of a few kilometres along the same road. It sees far fewer visitors than Banjosa: open grass ringed by pine forest, with views over the Poonch River valley from the higher ground. There is little to do here beyond walking and sitting with a picnic, which is the point after a busier morning at the lake.
4:00pm — Head back to Rawalakot. The roads here are narrow and unlit, so aim to be back in town before dark, especially outside the longest days of summer.
Evening — Rawalakot bazaar. Walk the main bazaar and eat a proper dinner in town, where the choice of restaurants is far wider than anything at the lake.
Day two: Toli Pir
7:30 to 8:00am — Leave early. Toli Pir is about 30 km from Rawalakot, but the last stretch of road is steep, and drive times reported by recent visitors range from about an hour to two hours depending on conditions. Leaving in the morning also beats the cloud that tends to build over the hills by early afternoon, especially in the monsoon months.
Before you go: ask locally in Rawalakot about the state of the road that morning, particularly outside the height of summer. Fill the tank before you leave; there is no fuel on the way up.
Mid-morning — At the top. Toli Pir sits at around 2,743 metres, close to 9,000 feet, and is noticeably colder and windier than the town below, even in June. Walk the meadows, see the remains of the old shrine on the highest point, and take in the views across the ridges of Poonch while the sky is clear. Our Toli Pir guide covers the road, the shrine and the protected area in more detail.
Early afternoon — Back to Rawalakot. Allow the same one to two hours for the descent, and leave the top in good time if cloud is building. There is a tourist rest house on the way up if you need a stop, but don't count on food at the summit itself; carry water and snacks.
Afternoon — Free time or an early start home. If you have a third day, this is when to add Tatta Pani or Pallandri further afield; otherwise, use the rest of the afternoon to start the drive back to Islamabad in daylight.
Why this order, not the other way round
Banjosa and Devi Gali share the same road south-east of town, so doing them together on one day avoids doubling back. Toli Pir lies in the opposite direction, north-east, and its access road needs a fresh start and clear morning conditions more than Banjosa does, which is why it works better as its own day rather than squeezed in after the lake. Starting with Banjosa also means your first day, when you are least used to the roads, is the easier drive; Toli Pir's steeper climb comes once you have a day's driving here behind you.
If you only have one day
Choose Banjosa over Toli Pir. The lake is the easier, more reliable outing, works for every age, and does not depend on a clear morning the way the higher ground does. Our guide to places to visit in Rawalakot sets out this and other one-day combinations.
Check the situation before you travel
Since June 2026 Rawalakot has been at the centre of protests in Azad Kashmir, and the disruption, including road blockades and a long suspension of internet services in Poonch and Sudhnoti, had not fully settled by September 2026. Check current news before planning either day of this itinerary, and don't travel while roads are closed or restrictions are in force. For help fitting this itinerary around your dates once conditions are normal, tell us what you have in mind.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see Banjosa Lake and Toli Pir in one day?
It is possible but rushed, since they lie in different directions from Rawalakot and Toli Pir's road needs a fresh morning start. Two days, one for each, is the more comfortable plan.
What order should I visit Banjosa, Toli Pir and Devi Gali?
Banjosa and Devi Gali first, since they share the same road south-east of town, then Toli Pir on a separate day to the north-east, ideally with an early start and clear weather.
How much driving is involved in a 2-day Rawalakot itinerary?
Roughly 100 km over the two days: about 18 km each way to Banjosa, a short further stretch to Devi Gali, and about 30 km each way to Toli Pir.
Do I need a 4x4 for this itinerary?
Not necessarily in good summer conditions, when a normal car manages both roads. Outside midsummer, or after rain, a 4x4 is the safer choice for the climb to Toli Pir.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
Rawalakot town, rather than the lake itself, gives you the wider choice of hotels and restaurants and sits roughly midway between the two days' destinations.