The enchanting beauty of the Himalayas is perfectly blended into Kashmir. People are just awestruck by the views they witness in Kashmir and nearby places. Kashmir is a mixture of rich culture, heritage, and history. When we picture Kashmir in our thoughts, we see lush greenery, snow-capped mountains, beautiful and clear sky which is reflected in the lakes.
Kashmir has a lot to offer to its travellers. Pristine Valley views, beautiful landscape, and perfect weather throughout the year. If you want to plan your honeymoon, family vacation, friends trip, trekking solo, or a trip for kids to have fun in the snow- Kashmir is the answer to all. For a romantic honeymoon tour in Kashmir, you can Hire Toyota Innova on Rent at the best fare for a budget-friendly and luxurious trip. Kashmir Valley is a picturesque place that one should visit once in your lifetime. This is why Kashmir is called “Paradise on Earth”.
When to Travel to Kashmir
Kashmir is a destination which can be visited throughout the year. In the Summer season, it is a relief to be here as the days have very pleasant temperatures. In Monsoon weather, it is rainy but still one can visit the main tourist spots as they account for a good landscape and weather. In winter, one mode is very chilly and another time is when Kashmir experiences snowfall. The Himalayas are covered completely in snow and give us an example of a winter wonderland painting. If you want to do adventure activities in Snow, winter is the best time. It is so white that one cannot keep his eyes open without Sunglasses.
It depends from person to person what type of experience one wants. For Snow, January and February are the best months to visit Kashmir. If you like green landscapes, September is the best month, and for Honeymooners; April, September, and October are the best months. To have a great view of Tulip Gardens and flowers, April is the best month to take a tour of Kashmir. August and September for Apple Orchards, and August and November for budget Travelers. Kashmir is an emerging destination with many variations of Kashmir tour packages offered.
How Can We Reach Kashmir?
The nearest airport to Kashmir is Srinagar. It is about 15 km from the Srinagar Airport. It is the most convenient way to travel to Kashmir. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi railway station and it is about 330 km. The location of the railway station is beautiful no doubt but is too far. One can hire a taxi to travel through scenic landscapes of pristine valley or Rent Tempo Traveller in Delhi or bus to reach Kashmir.
Kashmir is well connected via roads so you can take the bus or taxi whichever is convenient for you. One must plan according to the time and budget one has.
Various Tourist Attractions of Kashmir:
Kashmir is dotted with most beautiful attractions as Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Many adventure activities are there to do in Kashmir with abundance of nature’s beauty. You can book the Complete Srinagar Tour planned for 7 days which will make your week awesome and memorable for life time.
Srinagar
The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir is Srinagar. Udhampur is the nearest Railway station and Srinagar airport. The city has beautiful sights to experience such as:
- Dal Lake: Experience the floating market of flowers, fruits, and gardens on the banks of river Jhelum. The famous Shikara ride on this lake between the mountains is mesmerizing.
- Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh: These Mughal gardens have well-maintained terrace lawns. They have a variety of beautiful flowers and fountains.
- Shankaracharya Temple: The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is on the hilltop of Srinagar and has a beautiful view of the city and Dal Lake.
- Kheer Bhavani Temple: The temple is dedicated to Goddess Ragnya Devi. They offer Kheer as a prasad in the temple.
- Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: It is the largest tulip garden in Asia. Visit here in Spring for the best views of Tulips in just so many colors.
- Chashme Shahi: It is also a Mughal Garden having pools, and fountains. It is mostly famous for the natural hot spring which is believed to have many medicinal values.
Pahalgam
In November, Pahalgam experiences snowfall which is a wonderful welcome to all the tourists. The scenic views would leave you spellbound. It is also known as the “Valley of Shepherds” or “Mini Switzerland”. A few places to visit here:
- Aru Valley: The valley is 12km from Pahalgam and is the base for the trek to Kolahoi Glacier and Sonmarg Glacier. It is one of the best places for horse riding, river rafting, sledging, and skiing.
- Lidder River: This river is mainly used for irrigation purposes throughout the year. The river flows in the center of the valley giving spectacular views for Tourists. Boating and fishing are also done on this river.
- Betaab Valley: It is another amazing valley about 15km from Pahalgam. Its name is inspired by Sunny Deol’s movie Betaab. You can stay at a homestay with a view of the river flowing down the valley. One of the most picturesque places in Kashmir.
Gulmarg
It experiences Snowfall even in Summer sometimes so the views are the best in Kashmir. For the best snowfall views, visit Gulmarg between January to March.
- The Gondola ride is worth mentioning here. It is the second-highest and second longest Gondola in the world. It has two phases and tickets for both are separated. Most of the time second phase is closed due to heavy snowfall. In the first phase, you get to see breathtaking views of Gulmarg Valley. The second phase being at a higher altitude offers some adventurous sports in the snow. But in winter if it’s closed, the first phase has all the activities like skiing and Snowboarding.
- Gulmarg Golf Course is the highest green golf course in the world. Visit here for the calmness of nature. Enjoy the views.
- Drung Waterfall: This waterfall directly flows from snowcapped mountains and in winter, the waterfall freezes so looks different.
- Alpather Lake: It freezes in Summer and you can enjoy walking over it.
Sonamarg
Sonamarg is also called “Meadows of Gold” and popularly known for its pristine landscapes and postcard views. It is the base point of Amarnath Yatra also. Various activities like Zorbing, rafting, and trekking can be done here. Enjoy a full-day excursion here by soaking in the sun. a little picnic with heartwarming views is all anyone wants for a relaxing trip which Sonamarg offers.
What to Shop and Try in Kashmir
Try local cuisine and must-have dishes like Dum Aloo, Malai Kofta, Kashmiri cake, and Nadroo Yakhni in vegetarian options. Kahwa is again a traditional drink of Kashmir. One should try it at various locations. To shop things made of walnut wood, Lal Chowk and Badshah Chowk are very famous. Ferin is the garment one can try other than Pashmina Shawl. Spices like Kashmiri red chili and Anardana are quite popular. One can also visit farms of Saffron and Apple. Buy them at better rates and quality than your city.
Many Bollywood movies have been shot in Kashmir for its astonishing beauty. Plan an unforgettable trip to Kashmir. Walk in the green meadows, enjoy the serene view of lakes, and unravel the historic culture. If you want to stay away from city chaos and enjoy nature, Kashmir is for you. Talk to locals, drive through the scenic Himalayas, and explore this gemstone of India.