For a relaxing holiday, a trip to Kashmir is the ultimate destination. Kashmir has tourist spots for everyone. Be it trekkers or adventure enthusiasts. It has stunning valleys, hill towns, cities and what not. You can either have a solo trip or spend some quality time with your family and friends in this beautiful piece of heaven. This place will definitely help discover a new side of yours. It is that breathtaking.
You can explore the serene lakes, enjoy outdoor activities, go on a shopping spree in one of the busiest markets of Kashmir Valley. You can’t miss relishing the mouth-watering and nutritious Kashmiri cuisine. The more you spend time in and around Kashmir, the more you fall in love with its beauty. Spend a month here and you won’t get enough of it. You can take the help of these well-designed Kashmir tour packages to plan your own Kashmir itinerary.
When planning a Kashmiri trip, we often get confused about picking places to explore in a limited period of time. No more confusion because we got you covered.
Top 7 Places to Visit in Kashmir
Srinagar
Exploring the summer capital of Kashmir, Srinagar, is the best way to begin your trip. It is immensely picturesque. The city is located on the shores of Jhelum River, it is a synonym of mesmerising beauty. Talking about one of the main highlights of the place. Whenever we talk about Srinagar, the first thing that comes to mind is the popular Dal Lake. it is the unmissable part. A Shikara ride in the Lake is the prime pick.
You can choose it as an option of accommodation by staying in a houseboat. Waking up to gorgeous views of the lake in the morning feels surreal. Other than Dal Lake, the other one, probably less crowded but equally captivating, is Nigeen Lake. Next, spend the whole day exploring historical buildings, gardens, shrines , temples, such as Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chasme Shahi Garden, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hazrat Bal Shrine.They speak about the history and rich heritage of Srinagar.
You can have a picnic in these gardens and a light stroll by the evening. The markets of Srinagar are an excellent place to know more about it. Go shopping and interact with locals. Enjoy local cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. You will love it! Most of the travel companies in Kashmir include these activities in their itinerary if you have opted for a package.
Summer is the best time to visit Srinagar, as views are crystal clear and weather is pleasant for sightseeing and other recreational activities.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg, also called as “Meadow of Flowers” is a popular hill station of Kashmir, encircled by Pir Panjal Range. It is a celebrated skiing destination, offering one of the best ski slopes in the world. They are compared to Switzerland's. If you are someone who loves snow and winter sports, then Gulmarg is calling you. The place can be visited throughout the year. Winter is the perfect time for adventure activities, particularly in January and February as the snow really sticks to the ground. Visit in summer if you want to enjoy lush greenery and mind-boggling views.
One of the main highlights of Gulmarg is the Gulmarg Gondola Ride, which is the highest cable car ride of the world. It is quite enormous and divided into 3 phases. People from all over the world come to Gulmarg for the ride and enjoy the views of the snow-laden mountains. It is suggested to book the Gondola Ride online to avoid last-minute hustles. It is open and accessible from 10 am to 5 pm. Gulmarg Golf Course stands at the top among the best summer golf courses. It has an altitude of 9,000ft. , established in 1911 and attracting tourists since then. It is also a popular honeymoon destination and you can choose it to visit with your better half. Pack accordingly as it is freezing in winters.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam contains some of the enchanting vast landscapes of Kashmir where you will see cattles and horses grazing, looking like a movie scene. Well, it got featured in many bollywood movies. However, Cameras can not do justice to its beauty. You have to be there to soak in. The place is also referred to as ‘Valley of Shepherds.
A tempting tourist spot here is Lidder River where you can do activities like river rafting and trout fishing. It is a favourite place for water-based activities. The three prominent valleys of Kashmir including Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Baisaran Valley are located in Pahalgam. Baisaran Valley is also known as Mini Switzerland of India and it deserves all the credit. It serves as a base camp for trekking to Tulian Lake.
Another exquisite destination in Pahalgam is Chandanwari, which serves as a getaway to the holy Amarnath Yatra. The slow-capped mountains here, when melt, pours down waters into the Lidder.
The most convenient and preferred time to visit Pahalgam would be in summers as all the lakes and rivers have melted completely and climate is quite favourable too. Pick winters if you want to enjoy live snowfall.
Sonamarg
The town is home to numerous calm lakes, alluring valleys, high-altitude passes which you can visit to get an insight through winding roads. They are fenced by trees of apples, apricots, cherries etc. Sonamarg as the name suggests is also known as “Meadows of Golden Light” and it is visited by tourists from all over the country and world. The landscape here shows a miraculous contrast in colours as you start exploring them.
Thajiwas Glacier is a must-visit place, surrounded by gargling waterfalls and gushing lakes. A sledging ride here is an adventure which you should try. Alpine lake, Gadsar Lake, is filled with vibrant wildflowers, naming it as Lake of Flowers. Some other tourist attractions of Sonamarg are Baltal Valley, Zojila Pass. You can enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, trekking, fishing, river rafting, skiing etc.
Some interesting facts about Sonamarg is that it is a getaway to Ladakh, another scenic place. It also serves as a heli base for the divine Amarnath Yatra and was part of the ancient Silk Route.
Summer, lasting from April to July, is an excellent time to visit Sonamarg as temperature is moderate and you see flowers bursting and forming a carpet in the landscapes. Snowfall can be experienced in winters from October to March.
Betaab Valley
Betaab Valley got the deserved appreciation and fame after the hit bollywood movie, Betaab starring Amrita Singh and Sunny Deol was shot here. The valley is at a short distance of 15 kilometres from Pahalgam. It is also a famous base camp for man treks and a lovely camping spot. Previously called Hagoon Valley, the valley with its lush meadows and mountains in the backdrop is every photographer’s delight. The Lidder river runs through it where you can enjoy river rafting and fishing.
The panoramas here are dotted with deodar and pine trees and colourful wildflowers bloom to the core here. If you are on the sacred pilgrimage to Amarnath Yatra, this valley falls right in the way. You have to pay a minimal fee of Rupees 100 to enter the valley. Summer, from April to July, is the best time for sightseeing in Betaab Valley due to clear views and soothing surroundings. Autumn is an excellent choice for photography.
Aru Valley
Aru Valley is the base camp for famous and arguably the most beautiful trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek and also Kolahoi Glacier. It is also a camping spot where you can acclimatise before going up to high-altitude regions. The location of the valley is in Anantnag District.
Somewhere 12 kilometres from Pahalgam. Aru river is the ultimate highlight of this valley where you can enjoy fishing and river rafting. Some other activities to do would be a horse ride and picnics in the landscapes where there is greenery as far as the eyes can see.
Generally summer is the most convenient time to visit Aru Valley and explore the nearby places. However, to enjoy skiing and heli skiing, plan the trip in winters when the whole place is covered in snow. There are great ski slopes in the valley. To enter the valley, you have to pay a negligible fee of Rupees 25.
Yusmarg
Located at an altitude of about 7,861ft. In the Budgam district of Kashmir, Yusmarg is considered to be the place Jesus once lived. And so is the name “ Meadow of Jesus”.
The place serves as pastoral lands for cattles and you will come across them often.
The main place to visit is Doodh Ganga, named like that because the water appears milky. It serves as a starting point for many trekking trails.
You can fish in the river for trout. Some other nearby spots to explore are Nilnag Lake, Tosa Maidan and more.
One of the highlights of the place is the Bobby Hut where Bobby, a super-hit Bollywood movie, had been shot. You can enjoy trekking, hiking, pony rides and fishing in Yusmarg. Interact with locals here to get to know more about this remote region of Kashmir. The best time to visit Yusmarg is from April to June and then in autumn from September and october.
