BEST TIME TO VISIT
MAY - OCT
IDEAL DURATION
6 Days
Surrounded by beautiful hills and lots of greenery, Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,130m. The climate is not too harsh and the sight of the stunning Lidder River flowing through the town is beautiful. Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the Aru and Sheshnag Rivers and surrounded by tall fir/pine covered mountains and snow-clad peaks forming a spectacular sight. It is believed that Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village. It is also the starting point of the annual Amarnath Yatra when thousands of Shiva devotees gather here. The town of Pahalgam is extremely tourist friendly with lots of hotels and lodges to cater to all your needs. Pahalgam is also very popular amongst the trekking and adventure community; also amongst shoppers!
Located between Pahalgam and Chandanwari at a distance of 15 KMs from Pahalgam, this is a place straight out of a picture postcard. Betaab valley got its name from a hit Bollywood movie of the same name, which was extensively shot here. It was earlier known as Hagan Valley which is still its actual name but the name Betaab Valley is the most commonly used.
Jammu and Kashmir is gifted with some of the best golf courses in the country. Since this region was ruled by Maharajas who loved golfing, they established some of the best golf courses you will ever come across. Golfing in Jammu and Kashmir can be an incredible experience, not just for the enjoyment and relaxation it provides, but largely because of the lovely temperature, gorgeous landscape and amazing views that surround these golf courses. Whether you play a game of golf at Gulmarg or Pahalgam, you are treated to a newer experience every time.
Kashmir is often dubbed the angler's paradise. The glacial and snow-fed streams offer great options for fishing in Kashmir. Water bodies of all sizes and types in the region are well-stocked with Rainbow trout and German brown trout fishes, thus, anglers from around the world throng Kashmir. Around 61 beats are open for fishing & angling in Kashmir during the season. Each beat is about 3 to 4 kms long and is connected with a motorable road, except Vishansar and Gangabal lakes, as one has to trek to reach these destinations.
The topography of Jammu and Kashmir is perfectly suited for mountain biking. Pedalling your way through the mountains of Kashmir Valley dotted with rich pine and deodar trees, is absolutely exhilarating and delivers the ultimate thrill. What also makes mountain biking in Jammu and Kashmir so exciting is the gorgeous landscape of this region, as it is dotted with water streams, paddy fields, meadows, village markets and woods.
Exploring the beautiful and eye-catching countryside on a horseback is a popular activity in Jammu & Kashmir. Horse riding is an ancient way of travelling around the gorgeous valleys and hilly places of Jammu & Kashmir. Today, a large number of tourists including the family vacationers and honeymoon couples utilize this opportunity to relish the unmatched natural beauty of the popular tourist attractions as well as some pretty lesser-known destinations as well. The Kashmir region is blessed with various gorgeous destinations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Sonmarg, Kokernag where tourists can enjoy horse rides. In Jammu region, tourists who are visiting Patnitop, Sanasar and Kishtwar are the best tourist places for horse riding.
What can be more soothing to the eyes than watching a bird flapping its wings, bobbing its head or swooping down on its bird of prey? A bird watching holiday in Jammu and Kashmir lets you have these incredible experiences by watching a variety of birds belonging to various shapes, sizes and colours. This region is a haven for bird lovers, as almost 554 species of birds reside here, apart from 262 species from the alpine regions of the Kashmir Valley.
Skiing in Kashmir is one of the most exciting winter sports adventure activities that you can try during your holidays in Kashmir, as it gives you the ultimate adrenaline rush and thrill that adventure enthusiasts are after.
Surrounded by the Great Himalaya and Pir Panjal mountain range, the serene valley of Kashmir is a home to the people who are trailing in the mountains like a nomad. Being vested with colourful meadows, crisscrossed by streams and dotted with placid lakes, Kashmir enriches the concept of Indian tourism. Further, with its undulated and rocky terrain on the fringes of the lush green meadows, Kashmir is a feast for the eyes. Trekking in Kashmir is as exciting as it turns out to be challenging. Cutting through edges and passing through the rich verdure, en route the narrow rocky tracks, makes trekking tours in Kashmir tricky and dicey. But the journeys wind up framing some of the best lifetime moments scooping the trekkers' gossip.
This high adrenaline leisure sport has gained much attention of travellers in Kashmir given the valley is blessed with plenty of water bodies. River rafting in Pahalgam: Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the Lidder River with white water rafting on it. While passing through Aru Valley, there are stretches of 2, 5 and 8 km long spots where river rafting is done. Rafting here generally starts in the month of May and is then again shut down during monsoon season. It then again resumes towards end of September or early October and shut down in November. River Rafting in Sonamarg: One can do rafting from Baltal and till the end of Shutkari Bridge. You can do this white water river rafting even if you are simply a beginner. This is the place where you can pick up a few stretches that are very easy for rafting. River Rafting in Gurez: The Kishan Ganga river flows through the Gurez valley and has several rafting spots.
One has always heard that heavens have pristine lakes, enchanting garden… so does Kashmir. Be it Nishant Garden or the Tulip Garden, Shalimar Bagh or Charari Shareef, the exemplary landscape and built over fine taste and choice, all of these gardens are the ideal places for nature lovers.
Pashminas, papièr mâchè bangles, carved wooden boxes, embroidered scarves, wicker baskets, silver jewelry, spices, and Kashmiri carpets are some of the famous things to buy in Srinagar that make shopping here a must-experience for every traveler.
A bike ride to Leh, Ladakh passes through some of the most breathtaking, challenging, and awe-inspiring landscapes found on Earth. The preferred season for Ladakh motorbike expeditions is from the months of June,July to September, and October. This is the best time to minimise potential dangers and deal-breaker weather.
Vaijunath Basmunge
