Pahalgam
Valley of Shepherds, Bollywood's favourite destination for shoots while in India; Pahalgam is Kashmir's most coveted location. Situated at the altitude of 7100 feet, near the convergence of Sheshnag lake and Lidder River is just 100 kilometres away from Srinagar, the Summer Capital of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pahalgam, one of the best places in Kashmir, was once believed to be the village of humble shepherds and ruled by many from Mughals to Hindu Leaders but remained independent during British Raj, only became part of Independent India later.
Pahalgam's natural and raw beauty is a gift from the geography of the location. The surroundings of the Himalayan ranges paved the way for Pahalgam in the Hindu Mythologies of Lord Shiva. According to Hindu Religion, Pahalgam was previously called Bail Gaon, which meant a Village of Bull. When Lord Shiva went to Amarnath caves, he left his beloved bull Nandi here.
Base camp for The Amarnath Yatra, preferred spot by trekkers, ideal for Family outings or romantic getaways, India's own Mini-Switzerland, Pahalgam is one of the best Jammu and Kashmir destinations. Those who visit Pahalgam can not miss but feel engulfed by the invisible yet unmistakable aura of surroundings. Pahalgam takes you down memory lane, and every spot here reminds you of Bollywood movies shot here for so many decades.
Movies like Betaab, Raazi, Yeh Jawaani hai Deewani, Rockstar, Haider, Fitoor, Bajarangi Bhaijan, Highway, Jab Tak hai Jaan, Kashmir ki Kali, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhi, and many other movies were shot made Jammu and Kashmir Points of Interest for travellers. You can not miss the romantic vibes coming from the land and the tune of songs in your mind making you feel like part of some movie.
Pahalgam has a lot more to offer than just Bollywood vibes. While The Beautiful Landscape everywhere is a visual treat for an eye, the Snow-capped mountains and glacial water bodies boost tourists' adventurous streak. Apart from the other tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam never fails to leave a mark on its visitors' minds.
Places to visit in Pahalgam
Aru Valley
The Winter wonderland of Kashmir, Aru valley, is situated 11 km from Pahalgam is the base camp for the Tarsar Marsar trek and Kolahoi Glacier trek. Situated near Aru River, Aru Valley is endowed with scenic meadows, which gives you a splendid winter experience with Snow and Spring with greenery around. Horse riding in kashmir, trekking in kashmir and hiking in kashmir, primarily done in Aru Valley.
Betaab Valley Pahalgam
Named after the famous Bollywood movie "Betaab", Betaab Valley lies between Pir Panjal and Zanskar mountains and is the beginning point for many treks to Himalayan Mountain ranges. Favourite campsite in Pahalgam, Betaab Valley is an ideal spot for a picnic with Baisaran and Tullian Lake in the nearby vicinity. Sparkling stream flowing down from Snowy mountains with Delightfully cold and drinkable water.
Pahalgam mini Switzerland
Five kilometres away from Pahalgam, Baisaran is a meadow surrounded by pine forests and is reached by horses or Pony rides. Base camp for Tullian lake trekkers is equal to any Azad Kashmir tourist places.
Kashmir Valley
Kashmir or Debian Valley, along with a waterfall, is a vast meadow with backdrops of snowy mountains as far as you can see, situated 6 kilometres from Pahalgam. This magnificent landscape can be visited only by trek or on horses.
Lidder River Pahalgam
One of the primary water sources in Jammu and Kashmir, the Lidder river, flows through Pahalgam. Originating from the Kolahoi glacier, the Lidder river is the Indus River's tributaries and a famous Kashmir Tourist Spot. Wide and unruffled Lidder river offers the most Picturesque sightseeing option in Pahalgam with water sports like river rafting in kashmir, angling and fishing in kashmir.
Kolahoi Glacier Pahalgam
Kolahoi Glacier, a Hanging Glacier above the Lidder river, lies at the altitude of 15,400 ft is a favourite amongst the trekkers and tops in the list of Pahalgam places to visit. The Snow-capped glacier is one of the most strenuous treks in Himalayan ranges and should be tried only by experts.
Chandanwari Pahalgam
Base camp for the Famous Amarnath yatra, Chandanwari, is 15 kilometres from Pahalgam. Covered in Snow throughout the year, Chandanwari is famous for Snow sledging and an ideal picnic spot for families.
Mamleshwar Temple Pahalgam
Constructed in Stone by Raja Jayasima, Mamleshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is religious and the most beautiful places in Kashmir. Legends say that this is the exact spot where Lord Ganesha Sat as a guard of the door to prevent Lord Shankara from entering the Kailasa while Goddess Parvati was bathing. The shrine is embedded with gold from inside.
The Amarnath Yatra
The Most religious Yatra or trekking is done every year to Amarnath cave, starting from the Base camp of Pahalgam, Chandanwari. It is said that, In Amarnath Cave, Lord Shiva unravels the secrets of eternity and life to his better half Parvati. It is one of the most crucial journeys through the mountains done by many devotees every year. Where Lord Shiva appears as Linga created by Snow is one of the natural phenomena.
Things to do in Pahalgam
Sightseeing, adventure sports like river rafting, trekking, camping, sledging, fishing, and angling can be done in which are arranged by Pahalgam Tourism.
How to reach Pahalgam Kashmir?
To reach Pahalgam, you need to first get to Jammu and Kashmir by air, Railway or Road.
Srinagar Airport is just 100 kilometres away from Pahalgam; you can take a flight from any domestic airports in India. After reaching Srinagar, you can hire any cab or book a private car to reach Pahalgam.
If you are coming by train, then nearby stations are Jammu Tawi, Udhampur, Katra. From any of these stations, you can take a private cab or local buses to reach Pahalgam.
And if you are going by road, you can take NH1 or NH44 highway for Jammu and Kashmir Places to Visit.
Best time to visit Jammu Kashmir
Pahalgam in Kashmir is as mesmerizing as fairyland throughout the year, giving equal justice to all seasons, from winter, spring, summer, and autumn, with the mystical appeal.
The best season to visit Kashmir is from April to October as the Spring, Summer, and Autumn seasons create the mystical landscape of plush green meadows, crystal clear gushing streams and rivers, with lively alpine forests.
From December to February, heavy snowfall takes place during the winter, making most roads shut down. But if the roads are open, then it is another Pahalgam site in winter that will surely hypnotize with its charm. February and March is also the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall with Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Srinagar.
A place to stay in Pahalgam
Who wouldn't want to wake up at the picturesque site out of their windows? Pahalgam, a Favorite amongst Jammu Kashmir tourist places, offers excellent places to stay where you can get some fantastic views from your balcony of hotel rooms.
Here are some places to stay in Pahalgam
Hotel Mount View Pahalgam
The Chinar Resort & Spa
Royal Hilton Pahalgam
Pahalgam Hotel
The Hermitage by Grand Resort
The Villagio
Beach Resort Pahalgam
Hotel Heevan Pahalgam
River Front Guest House
Alpine Inn
A Place To Eat in Pahalgam
Here are some best hotels to satisfy the hungry tummy while going for Pahalgam sightseeing
Food Point
Rivendell
Four seasons Food Point
Dana Pani
Troutbeat
Cafe Log Inn
Nathus Rasoi
Other than that, you can always visit small stalls near every Kashmir tourist place, including Pahalgam, where they serve everyone's favourite Maggi Noodles. And to be frank, there is a different charm in eating Maggi at those local food stalls.
Popular Tourist Destinations In Jammu and Kashmir
Here are some of the popular and important tourist destinations in J&K.
Srinagar sightseeing
Srinagar is the Summer Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is usually the starting point for any tour of Kashmir Sightseeing.
Here are some places to see in Srinagar
Dal Lake
Nigeen Lake
Wular Lake
Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden
Nishat Bagh
Chashma Shahi Garden
Pari Mahal
Shankaracharya Temple
Hazartbal Masjid
Hari Parbat
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden
Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden
Apart from visiting Srinagar Tourist Places, it is famous for various activities like Hot Air Balloon ride in Kshmir, Shikara ride in Dal Lake, houseboat stay in kashmir, and shopping for dry fruits and souvenirs.
Sonmarg sightseeing
Sonmarg is listed as the best places to visit near Srinagar, and the attractions that it holds are
Thajiwas Glacier
Zoji-la Pass
Vishansar Lake
Nilagrad River
Kishansar Lake
Baltal Valley
Gadsar Lake
Gangabal
Sonmarg is indeed one of the best places to visit in Kashmir in winter.
Gulmarg sightseeing
The places to visit in Gulmarg are as follows
Gulmarg Gondola
Apharwat Peak
Alpather Lake
Outer circle Walk
Ningle Nallah
Baba Reshi Shrine
Drang
Rani Temple
Kongdori
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
Apart from these Gulmarg Tourist places, many adventurous activities are done like snow skiing in kashmir, Gondola ride in kashmir, horse riding in kashmir etc. Moreover, one day is enough for all Gulmarg Places to visit.
With Bollywood backing up and being blessed with the presence of a mighty God, Pahalgam is and will always remain the most visited, loved and craved town amidst other Jammu and Kashmir Beautiful places.
River Rafting In Kashmir
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Skiing In Kashmir
Trekking In Kashmir
Mountain Biking In Kashmir
Shikara Ride In Kashmir
Wildlife Safari In Kashmir
Paragliding In Kashmir
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Gondola Cable Car Ride In Kashmir
Fishing & Angling In Kashmir
Bird Watching In Kashmir
Horse Riding In Kashmir
Luxury Houseboat Experience In Kashmir
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Hot Air Balloon Ride In Kashmir
Most Popular Adventures In Kashmir
Handpicked popular adventure activities to try in Kashmir
How to reach Pahalgam?
Pahalgam comes in Jammu and Kashmir and is only accessible by road. Though to reach Jammu Kashmir you can use any mode of transportation from Air, Railway and Road. The nearest airport is Srinagar Airport, and the Pahalgam to Srinagar distance is 90 kilometres by road, where you can reach by cab or private car.To reach Pahalgam, you can train to the nearest railway stations Jammu Tawi, Udhampur and Katra. From there you can get by local transport, cabs or private cars.If you are travelling by road, you can take NH1 A or NH44 Highway to reach Jammu Kashmir.
What is Pahalgam famous for?
In the midst of Jammu Kashmir famous places, Pahalgam is famous for saffron cultivation, base camp for many treks including Religious Amarnath Yatra, and Bollywood
How many days are required to stay in Pahalgam?
To visit and enjoy all the famous points in Pahalgam, a minimum of 2 days are required. Apart from that if you want to go trekking, your stay requires more than a week, including travelling. It is always suggested, during winter, to have extra days in hand because snowfalls can shut down the roads, and you won
What are the main attractions in Pahalgam?
Aru Valley, Lidder River, Kolahoi Glacier trek, Chandanwari, Baisaran, Tulian Lake, Kashmir valley, Dabyan Valley, Mamleshwar temple, Sheshnag lake are some of the main attractions in Pahalgam.
What is the distance between Jammu to Pahalgam?
Pahalgam to Jammu Distance is around 255 kilometres, which takes approximately 8 to 9 hours by car. During winter, it can take more than that due to snowfall and landslides.
What is the distance between Gulmarg to Pahalgam?
Gulmarg to Pahalgam Distance is 140 kilometres, and it takes around three and a half hours to four hours to reach there by car. It can take more than that in winters, and it is better to inquire first about the roads, as they may be closed due to heavy snowfall or landslides.
Is Pahalgam a Safe place to visit in Kashmir?
Yes, Pahalgam is indeed a safe place to visit in Kashmir. Kashmir, the valley of loving people whose primary earning source is Tourism. And they make sure that their guests are not harmed or in trouble in any way. As a part of India, Kashmir also follows the
How long does it takes to cover the distance between Katra to Pahalgam?
The distance between Katra to Pahalgam is 228 kilometres, which takes seven to eight hour to reach via NH44. You can get Katra by Railway, which is also the nearest railway station for Pahalgam. Katra is one of the sacred places in Jammu and Kashmir and most visited for Vaishnodevi Yatra.
What is the distance from Srinagar to Pahalgam?
Pahalgam to Srinagar distance is around 90 kilometres and can be reached by cab in two and a half hours. It is quite a developed road, though it is closed during winter due to heavy snowfall, and Pahalgam is cut down from other parts of Kashmir. Pahalgam is listed as one of the best places to visit near Srinagar.
How long does it take to cover Sonmarg to Pahalgam distance?
Pahalgam to Sonmarg distance is around 180 kilometres, and it takes approximately four to five hours to reach there by cab. It is best avoided going there during heavy snowfall as you might get stuck in the middle of nowhere.
What is the list of best places to visit in Srinagar Gulmarg and Pahalgam?
In the list of Kashmir best places to visit, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam are always on top. Some Srinagar Famous Places are Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi Garden, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Masjid, Hari Parbat, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden.Some Sonmarg famous places are Thajiwas Glacier, Zoji-la Pass, Vishansar Lake, Nilagrad River, Kishansar Lake, Baltal Valley, Gadsar Lake, Gangabal. In Gulmarg, famous places are Gulmarg Gondola Ride, Apharwat Peak, Alpather Lake, Outer circle Walk, Ningle Nallah, Baba Reshi Shrine, Drang, Rani Temple, Kongdori, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve. In Pahalgam, famous places are Aru Valley, Lidder River, Kolahoi Glacier trek, Chandanwari, Baisaran, Tulian Lake, Kashmir valley, Dabyan Valley, Mamleshwar temple, Sheshnag lake.
Which are the major Picnic spots in Kashmir?
Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam are some of the best places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir, which are so striking and picturesque, doing justice to the name given to Kashmir by Mughals,
What are the places to visit in Sonmarg?
In Sonmarg best places to visit are Thajiwas Glacier, Zoji-la Pass, Vishansar Lake, Nilagrad River, Kishansar Lake, Baltal Valley, Gadsar Lake, Gangabal.
What is the perfect time to visit Gulmarg?
In Gulmarg the best time to visit is from March to November, as the weather is pleasant and roads are open.
What is the perfect time to visit Srinagar?
The best time to visit Srinagar is from March to October as the climate is at its best while nature is blooming with colourful flowers, ripped fruits and lush greenery. It can be visited during winter as well for snowfall.
What is the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir?
March to October is the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir. Usually, this is the time of Spring, Summer and Autumn, with pleasant and tolerable weather. Though you can visit Jammu and Kashmir during Winter also, from November to March, due to heavy snowfall and landslides, the roadways can be closed, and transportation may be delayed.
Which best places you can visit in Srinagar?
Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Wular Lake, Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi Garden, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Masjid, Hari Parbat, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Botanical Garden are some of the best places to visit in Srinagar.
Which are the best places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir?
Pahalgam, Srinagar, Sonmarg, Gulmarg are some of the best places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir and visit these places; you can spend at least ten to fifteen days. The best month to visit Kashmir is from March to October as the roads are clear and the weather is pleasant. However, you can come here in winter as well, which is most beautiful with Snow around.