Paradise on the Earth”
Popularly known as the “Paradise on Earth”, Jammu and Kashmir are world-famous for its scenic splendor, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, hospitable people, and local handicrafts. Your trip to Jammu and Kashmir will be a memorable one as the state will not only appeal to you with its scenic beauty and snow-covered mountain ranges, but the adventure sports will take you to a different world.
Nestled in the Himalayan, Pir Panjal and Karakoram mountain ranges are renowned for their natural beauty and gentle people. Jammu and Kashmir is dotted with the most beautiful mountain peaks, massive glaciers, splendid monasteries, blue lakes, rivers, forests, verdant meadows and tall pine trees. While sports like Skiing, golf, trekking, river rafting, paragliding, camping make the trip to Jammu and Kashmir more adventurous, Amarnath and Vaishno Devi attract a large number of pilgrims every year. Dal Lake, Kashmir Valley, Khardung La Pass, Gulmarg, Shalimar Bagh are some of the major attractions of the state. The unparalleled beauty and charm of the state and the sweetness of the residents will remain etched in your memory forever.
- Srinagar
- Gulmarg
- Sonamarg
- Pahalgam
“The Paradise on Earth”
Famously known as ‘Heaven on Earth, Srinagar is located in the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, on the banks of river Jhelum. As picturesque as the most stunning painting to ever be painted, Srinagar is known for the stationary houseboats and colorful Shikararas on Dal Lake.
The main draw of Sringara, the gondola-type rowboats – Shikaras are used by the tourists to see attractions like the Floating Vegetable Market, and the Mir Bahris – a lively community of people who live on the lake itself. Known as the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, Srinagar is home to some of the most exquisite Mughal-age gardens in India.
Kashmiri cuisine is famous all over the globe, so when in Srinagar, trying out the local dishes, which are rich in unique fragrant spices, is a must. Srinagar is also famous for the Kashmiri shawls, Kashmiri apples and the dried fruits (almonds and walnuts) which can be bought from the Lal Chowk Market.
Heavy snowfall affects the connectivity of Srinagar during the winter months of December to February. Communal tensions also lead to frequent curfews in some parts of the city. Make sure to check the situation before visiting.
The famous Dal Lake is the second-largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir. The mirror-like lake reflects the peaks of the Pir Panjal mountains while the colourful shikaras (gondolas) float around. The houseboats and shikaras are its main attractions.
Shalimar Bagh is the largest of the three Mughal gardens in Srinagar. It is now a public park and is known as the “crown of Srinagar”. The chini khanas or arched niches placed behind waterfalls and the chinar trees are the highlights here.
The paramount reason why people come to Srinagar is for the relaxing and memorable Shikara rides. Taking the ride across the scenic Dal Lake at the backdrop of the majestic slow clad Himalaya’s is indeed an experience in itself both enjoyable and unparallel.
The Nishat Bagh is a 12 terraced garden which is the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir after Shalimar Bagh. It has a splendid Mughal central water channel with several fountains, which is surrounded by tall Chinar trees.
The famed Wular lake is India’s largest freshwater lake. An experience unparalleled, it is home to several species of birds and thus haven for bird watchers. It is also popular for boating, water sports and water skiing
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is the largest tulip garden in Asia which is set in the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range in Srinagar. Formerly known as Model Floriculture Center, it overlooks the mesmerising Dal Lake. The Tulip Festival held here is the highlight which attracts tourists from the world over.
Staying in a houseboat amidst pristine waters of the Dal Lake, is one of the most essential things to do in Srinagar. Made in wood and adorned in a typical Kashmir style decor, the houseboats are a perfect way to experience the quintessential local life in the luxurious way. You will also be mesmerised by the surrounding atmosphere and the interior decor. Plus, it is a very calming and soothing activity to experience and you will leave fully rejuvenated.
Mughal Gardens which have truly changed the face of the Mughal Empire is one of the most popular and the most visited tourist attractions of Srinagar. During their rule, the Mughals began to build several types of gardens in Persian architecture, and the combination of these gardens is referred to as the Mughal Gardens. The natural beauty of the place filled with lush green grass and the scented flowers is a stress-buster and pleasing to the eyes. The tourists who come here take long strolls in the garden or sit and admire the beauty of the place.
The Mughal Gardens in Srinagar comprise of Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal, Achabal and Verinag Garden. The grandeur of the gardens is dedicated to Emperor Jahangir who always had an undying love for Kashmir. Jahangir was responsible for the selection of the site and planning the requirements of the paradise gardens. It is always a lot of fun in exploring the history behind these gardens. They follow a Persian style of architecture and have been influenced by the Persian gardens. Some typical features of Mughal Gardens which are a treat for its visitors include canals, pools and fountains.
The Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar is the holiest Muslim shrine and mosque in Kashmir, located on the banks of the Dal Lake. The silvery-white mosque houses a relic known as Moi-e-Muqqadas which is believed to be a sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad’s beard. The hair is brought before the general public only on specific occasions.
The shrine takes its name from the Kashmiri language, where Hazrat means ‘holy’, and the word bal stands for ‘place’. Known by multiple names such as Assar-e-Sharief, Madinat-us-Sani and Dargah Shari, the Hazratbal Shrine is a beautiful structure made of white marble and is the only domed mosque in Srinagar.
Women are allowed only till the first part of the Hazratbal Shrine. Situated on the banks of Dal Lake facing the Nishat Bagh, it affords a picturesque view of the lake and surrounding mountains. The weekly prayer at the Hazratbal Shrine takes place every Friday.
Baramulla is a small city in Jammu and Kashmir that is blessed with uninhibited natural beauty. Enveloped by the Himalayas on all sides and resting on the banks of the River Jhelum, this city has been endowed with a quietly scenic landscape. This city has many scenic attractions like Gulmarg, Khilanmarg, Wular Lake, and the city also houses historical monuments like Buddhist stupas and religious establishments like monasteries, temples and mosques that draw the attention of the tourists from far and wide.
The weather here is perfect, and since not many tourists know about this place, it remains quiet as well. Baramulla doesn’t have a lot to do but is a good spot for quick stopovers on the way to Gulmarg. However, its breathtaking natural beauty has been a constant source of inspiration for religious priests and eminent scholars.
“Heart of Winter Sports in India”
Situated at an altitude of 2730 m above sea level, Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination located in Pir Panjal Range of Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Surrounded by snow-covered lofty Himalayas, meadows of flowers, deep ravines, evergreen forested valleys, Gulmarg also has the world’s second-highest Gondola ride.
Among one of the top honeymoon destinations in India, Gulmarg boasts of being a beautiful town without the crowd like Manali and Shimla. Gulmarg has also been developed as an adventure hub as the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is located here. A lot of courses on trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding are offered by IISM. There are a lot of other private tour operators in Gulmarg as well which provide similar courses and facilities for skiing, snowboarding and trekking. Known for its scenic beauty, Gulmarg has also been a popular destination for shooting of various Bollywood films.
Gulmarg Gondola is the second longest and second-highest cable car in the world. Divided into two phases, it ferries almost 600 people per hour to and from the Apharwat Mountain. Phase 1 of Gulmarg Gondola ferries people from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdoori Station. Phase 2 of Gulmarg Gondola connects Kongdoori Mountain to Apharwat Peak.
Gulmarg is a hill town in Jammu and Kashmir which is lately gaining a lot of popularity for its ski terrain. Ideal for both amateur and professional skiers, the place has several skiing operators and institutes that can tutor you on the same.
Children’s Park in Gulmarg sprawls over acres of land amidst breathtaking conifers, floating clouds, and spectacular hills. It houses toy trains, car rides, buggy rides, and several slides and swings.
Gulmarg is not a shopping destination and doesn’t offer as much as Srinagar. However, there are always souvenirs to buy. Some of the things to buy in Gulmarg include Pashmina shawls, walnut products, dry fruits, silk carpets, papier-mache souvenirs and stone jewellery.
Alpather Lake is a high altitude lake set between the twin Apharwat Peak in Gulmarg. It is popularly known as the Frozen Lake as it remains completely frozen from November to June. It is popular for the one-day trek which starts from Gulmarg and covers a distance of almost 13km.
Situated 10 km from Gulmarg, Ningle Nallah is a mountain stream flanked with snow-capped mountains and lush green pastures from all four sides. The water formed by the melting of ice in Apharwat Peak and Alpather Lake is the main source of Ningle Nallah. It is popular for picnic and camping.
The Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is a protected reserve situated 48 km from Srinagar. It is known for housing many exotic and rare species including musk deer, snow leopard, etc. The reserve boasts of its rich avifauna population which are a beautiful sight during the months of migration.
Famed as the highest 18 hole golf course in the world, the Gulmarg Golf Course is also the longest in India. Situated at an altitude of 8700 feet above sea level, this place was used to play golf by Britishers since 1911 and the golf course was inaugurated formally in 2011.
The golf course is very beautiful and consists of a meadow with various varieties of beautiful and rare species of flowers. The flowers are in full bloom during the months of June to September. Visitors are allowed to take their cars inside for a ride and enjoy a ride in one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.
Khilanmarg is miniature valley set at a 6 km walk and 2000 feet above one of the most sought after tourist destinations in J&K – Gulmarg.
One of the most delightful place to be in, Khilanmarg is surrounded by panoramic glimpses of some of the tallest Himalayan peaks. This place is the perfect incorporation of natural beauty couple with adventure sports, making it a favored destination for thousands of visitors. Khilanmarg is a great place for offbeat travel enthusiasts as the place is not directly reachable on vehicles. One has to either walk from Gulmarg or take a pony to reach this place.
Khilanmarg is covered with blossoming and aromatic flowers in spring and is a hot shot destination for skiing enthusiasts in winter. To add to that, the extravagant Nanga Parbat peak and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun are also visible from Khilanmarg.
Started in 2003 to encourage winter sports and tourism, Gulmar Snow Festival is a two-day long celebration organized every year by the tourism ministry. The aim is to attract tourists from all around the world and showcase the enchanting valleys through various sports and activities. The fest offers a bouquet of delights to its visitors by organizing snow sporting activities such as skiing, snowboarding, snow – sledging and ice skating.
Besides this, cultural performances are organized by the Kashmiri folk artists for a divine experience of traditions in Kashmir. Local delicacies are offered to their visitors for those looking for a toothsome experience. The Gulmarg Snow Festival not only projects Gulmarg as a tourism hotspot but also brings together the lost traditions of this place.
“The Meadow of Gold”
Sonamarg is a picturesque hill station in Jammu and Kashmir, located 80km north-east of Srinagar. At an elevation of around 2800 km from sea level, Sonamarg is known for its snow-laden fields, surrounded by majestic glaciers and serene lakes which casts subtle spells on the travellers.
Sonamarg is enveloped by the great Himalayan glaciers – Kolhoi Glacier and Machoi Glacier – and gives rise to the famous Three Sisters of Kashmir Valley. Towering over this charming hill town are the peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, Machoi Peak and Sirbal Peak which makes Songamarg a popular place for adventure sports tourism.
Sonamarg acts as the base camp for the trekking routes which leads to the mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar. The Sonamarg Valley is divided into two halves by the Thajiwas range – on one side is the fir-covered Thajiwas spur popular for its camping site. The other side houses some stunning waterfalls and the Thajiwas glacier which is the prime attraction of this place.
Sonamarg remains inaccessible during winters as the NH1D connecting it to the nearby places closed down due to heavy snowfall and avalanches.
Sonamarg which means meadow of gold has its own charm . Snow masked Thajiwas glacier is one of the most enchanting tourist place of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located 3km from the town. It is at an altitude of 9,186 feet. It is a lovely vantage point to observe snow and the picturesque Kashmir Valley.
Zoji La is a high mountain pass located in the Dras, near Ladakh, at an altitude of 3528 m above the sea level. Connecting Kashmir to Dras and Suru Valley, it is known as one of the world’s most dangerous mountain roads.
With plenty of trekking trails traced on the map of this town, Sonamarg is a delight for trekkers. Challenging mountain ranges, pristine lakes and plateaus make the region of Sonamarg suitable for all types of treks.
White water rafting is one of the popular things to do in Sonamarg. One can go for a long rafting expedition starting from Baltal and ending at Shutkari Bridge at Sonamarg.
Located at a height of 3801 m above sea level, Krishnasar Lake is one of the most mesmerizing lakes in Sonamarg. Surrounded by dense alpines, the place offers cool and pleasant atmosphere. The lake is popular for trout fishing while people also enjoy other water activities here.
A little outside Sonamarg, Vishansar Lake is an alpine high altitude oligotrophic lake. It is a sparkling blue lake surrounded by lush green meadow, alpine flowers and white and silver mountains at a tantalizing distance.
Described as heaven on Earth, Kashmir offers some of the most exciting treks in India. This Great Lakes Trek is definitely one of them, though lesser known. Surrounded by sheer beauty, the trek begins at Sonamarg.
The entire trail is a huge experience to witness the varied ecological zones of Himalayas. Starting with temperate forests of pine and spruces, firs and deodars to vast lush green meadows and grasslands, the entire trek is accompanied by snow clad peaks and pristine blue lakes. The gushing streams, rocky terrains and the rustic villages will make this trip all the more unique and memorable. The trek is for those, who want to explore the hidden valleys and nature’s raw beauty of Kashmir, which are not accessible via motorable roads.
“Valley of the Shepherds”
Situated in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir Valley, Pahalgam is a beautiful hill station and a popular tourist attraction. With untouched and gorgeous natural beauty, Pahalgam is a feast to the eyes and senses. Submerged in lush greenery and alluring Himalayan ranges, Pahalgam is situated on the banks of the Liddar River and is popular for adventure activities like hiking, trekking, fishing.
Pahalgam serves as the base of one of the most important pilgrimages in India – the Amarnath Yatra. Chandanwari located 16.6 km. away from Pahalgam, is the actual base camp of the Amarnath. Pahalgam offers a lot of recreational outdoor activities among which the most popular is the adventurous trekking activities. One can embark on trekking journeys to Kolhoi Glaciers via a beautiful village named Aru. The local people also offer sledging on the frozen glaciers. The long stretches of rivers in Pahalgam are the perfect site for people who enjoy trout fishing.
Not many know that Pahalgam is the place where the famous Bollywood movie Betaab, starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh was shot. The valley was consequently named Betaab Valley after that. Sheshnag Lake situated near Pahalgam is another bliss altogether. When in Pahalgam, buy authentic Kashmiri saffron from Pampore.
Betaab Valley is a breathtaking combination of picturesque surroundings encircled by tall deodar trees and pine forests, with the Lidder River flowing right through it. It got its name from the Bollywood movie Betaab starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh shot here.
Located around 11 km from Pahalgam, Aru Valley is the base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and the Tarsar-Marsar Lake. Aru lies beside the Aru river and is known for its scenic meadows and activities like horse riding, hiking and trekking.
Lidder River is a 73-kilometre long glacial river that originates from the Kolhoi glacier. Flowing through the valleys of Pahalgam, Lidden River is a quaint picnic spot. Other adventure sports that you can indulge in are white water rafting, angling, horse riding, and fishing.
Situated over the Lidder River, Kolahoi glacier is a hanging glacier known for its breath taking views. While the only way of reaching this glacier is though trekking, one can also hire ponies or horses for some parts of the journey.
Chandanwari, located 15 km from Pahalgam, is the starting point of the famous Amarnath Yatra. It is also famous for the snow sledging on a snow bridge. It is also famous to enjoy a picnic and enjoy the natural beauty.
Tulian Lake is a famous tourist attraction in Pahalgam, located between the Pir Panjar and the Zanskar range. It is a sparkling blue lake, dotted by chunks of ice during the few times in the year when isn’t frozen completely. The Tulian Lake is popular for the 2-day trek needed to reach it. One can also hire a pony to complete the trek in one day.
Indulge into pure awesomeness in the rivers flowing in and around Pahalgam by rafting in its gentle gradients. A 2km stretch on the Aru branch of Lidder River is the popular rafting spot in Pahalgam. In Pahalgam, white river rafting generally starts in the month of June.
At an altitude of about 2400m above sea level, a nine hole golf course is sported by Pahalgam, also referred to as ‘Plateau’ by a lot of locals. One can also rent equipments here as well as enjoy the few refreshments available in the premises.
A camper’s delight, Panchtarni is one of the most scenic spots around Pahalgam. At a distance of 40 km from the town, it is one of the popular pilgrimages on the way to Amarnath Temple. Panchtarni is the final helicopter drop point for the Amarnath Yatra from where the pilgrims have to undertake the 6 km remaining trek on foot or by mule.
Baisaran is a beautiful destination 6 kms away from Pahalgam. With tranquil meadows, pristine lakes and picturesque setting, it also has very many options of fun games and rides, pony rides, zorbing etc.
With plenty of trekking trails, Pahalgam is the base camp for countless trekkers. Challenging mountain ranges, pristine lakes and plateaus make the region of Pahalgam suitable for all types of trekking. Best time to trek in Pahalgam is from April to June.