The way to plan a visit to Kashmir? For this, there are a whole lot of elements that you’ll have to contemplate like the way to attain, the place to remain, what to see, issues to do, what to pack, how a lot will it price, itinerary planning, and many others. All of those questions can’t be answered in a single submit should you actually need it to be detailed.
I’ve visited Kashmir a number of occasions and have written a number of detailed articles that may be of assist to everybody planning a visit. This data is scattered in a number of posts and getting the small print that you simply want is usually a little time-consuming.
For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the submit beneath. Comply with the hyperlinks, check out the articles and each query that you’ve about visiting Kashmir will certainly get answered. You will see full details about well-liked locations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Gurez, and Aharbal, in addition to some offbeat locations like Drung Waterfall, Chatpal Valley, Sinthan High, Daksum, and a number of other different locations.
If there are nonetheless some doubts left, you’ll be able to contact me on Instagram and I will probably be blissful to assist in any means that I can. I might significantly respect it should you may additionally contemplate subscribing to my YouTube channel.
To get the perfect lodge charges, and taxi prices, and to prepare your journey to Kashmir, you’ll be able to converse with Kunal @ 9910 402 252. Give him my reference and you’ll absolutely get a reduced charge.
Finest Time to Go to Kashmir
When is the perfect time to go to Kashmir? There’s really no straight reply to this query as a result of it’ll rely on what sort of journey you had been wanting ahead to.
If you wish to see snow, January and February are ideally suited occasions. If you wish to see lush inexperienced views, September would be the finest time. For a honeymoon journey, I’ll suggest April and September.
If you wish to see flowers and the Tulip Backyard, it is best to plan for April. If you wish to see Apple orchards, August and September is the perfect time to go.
For pictures, a visit within the post-monsoon season will probably be finest. For finances vacationers, August and November are good occasions to go.
This nevertheless is only a transient overview. For a extra detailed and month-by-month breakdown of this data, please check out When is the Finest Time to Go to Kashmir.
Cell Community and Information Connectivity
BSNL has the widest community in Kashmir however Airtel is healthier when it comes to the standard of the community. Jio works decently effectively however the companies of Vodafone and Thought should not that nice.
The necessary factor that it is best to know is that solely postpaid connections work within the valley. No matter which community you had been on, your cellphone will probably be lifeless as quickly as you enter Kashmir if it was a pay as you go connection.
But when it was a postpaid cellphone, you’d have good reception and information connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. In case you went a bit of offbeat, your cellphone might or might not work relying on the service supplier.
I’ve coated this subject in nice element in one other article Cell Community and Information Connectivity in Kashmir you could check out. I’ve given a region-wise breakdown of the community reception on this submit.
Kashmir Journey Price
How a lot will a Kashmir journey price? It will rely on a whole lot of elements just like the variety of vacationers, period of the journey, mode of commute, private preferences, and many others. However with that being stated, there’s nonetheless a median per-person price that may be calculated.
Check out this submit – The way to Calculate the Complete Price of Kashmir Journey. Whereas I can not provide the actual price of the Kashmir journey, I can nonetheless offer you an thought of how one can calculate your personal Kashmir journey finances. That’s the data that I coated on this article.
Utilizing the numbers beneath, you’ll get a reasonably good estimate of how a lot you’ll find yourself spending within the valley. These are among the minimal expenditures that you’ll find yourself incurring for lodging, taxi, meals, procuring, and many others.
Garments to Pack for Kashmir Journey
The following necessary query will probably be associated to your packing. The garments that you simply want for visiting Kashmir will fluctuate in response to the season and month of your journey. It’s going to additionally rely on the locations you bear in mind to go to and your mode of commute as effectively.
I’ll suggest having a look at Garments for Kashmir Journey – Issues to Pack for Kashmir Journey for extra data on this facet. On this submit, I’ve talked intimately in regards to the type of garments that you ought to be packing for a visit to Kashmir in several seasons.
Locations to Go to in Kashmir
Now allow us to check out the vacationer locations in Kashmir, locations that you simply simply can not afford to overlook. These are the locations that can turn into the very spotlight of your journey.
Srinagar
I’m including Srinagar first to the checklist as a result of that’s the place you’ll have to go first. Srinagar will probably be your base to discover the attractive valleys of Kashmir.
However is it simply that? The reply isn’t any. It isn’t only a base to discover Kashmir however moderately a spot that deserves to be explored, a spot of each pure and man-made magnificence.
Shah Jahan a very long time in the past aptly known as Kashmir the paradise on earth, and Srinagar is the guts of that paradise. With its serene blue lakes and luxurious gardens ringed by an Arc of Majestic Himalayas, it’s a picture-perfect city that appears straight out of a portray.
There’s simply a lot to see right here and a lot to do. This I consider is the very cause that regardless of all of the unrest and tensions, Srinagar continues to stay some of the visited vacationer locations in our nation.
- Srinagar – The way to Plan your Journey and Discover?
- Locations to Go to in Srinagar and Issues to Do
- Finest time to Go to Srinagar – Finest Month, Season, Ideas
- Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar – Entry Payment, Timings, Journey Planning
- Nishat Bagh Srinagar – The way to Attain, Timings, Entry Payment
- Hazratbal Shrine Srinagar – The way to Attain, What to See
- Chashme Shahi Srinagar – The way to Attain, Timings, Ideas
- Pari Mahal Srinagar – Timings, The way to Attain, Finest Time
- Floating Vegetable Market of Srinagar – Flower Market
- Shikara Journey in Dal Lake Srinagar – Price, Timings, Finest Spot
- Sound and Mild Present in Srinagar in Dal Lake
- Astanmarg – One of many Finest Viewpoints in Srinagar
Gulmarg
Gulmarg in my view is the largest vacationer attraction in Kashmir. Often known as the meadow of flowers, it’s a heavenly place to tread in that provides mesmerizing landscapes and an enthralling risk of varied journey actions.
Such is the fantastic thing about this tiny hamlet that it attracts folks from all around the nation all year long. It’s presumably a type of locations the place the vacationer season by no means ends.
From households to journey lovers, Gulmarg has so much to supply everybody. It not solely attracts vacationers from different elements of the nation but additionally is a favourite weekend getaway for the native Kashmiris as effectively.
Beneath is an inventory of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll suggest having a look at these earlier than visiting this lovely little city.
In case you had been planning a winter journey to Gulmarg, it’s possible you’ll need to try the video beneath. This was shot throughout certainly one of my journeys to Gulmarg within the month of January.
Sonamarg
The following vacation spot that you need to go to throughout your Kashmir journey is Sonamarg. The place is well accessible, stays open for a lot of the yr, has loads of motels, provides wonderful views, and is ideal for all types of journeys.
Public transport can be simply out there. There’s a each day bus between Srinagar and Sonamarg. Aside from that, shared cabs additionally journey on the route frequently.
For lodging, there’s a variety of motels to select from, each for finances vacationers in addition to somebody searching for a luxurious keep. Learn on to search out out extra.
Beneath is an inventory of articles that present the data that it’s essential to know with the intention to plan your journey.
In case you had been planning on visiting Sonamarg within the winter season, you may as well check out the video beneath to get extra particulars on the subject.
Pahalgam
The identify Pahalgam wants no introduction. It is among the most visited locations of Kashmir, one which receives vacationers all yr lengthy. No journey to Kashmir is full except Pahalgam is part of the itinerary.
Situated at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, Pahalgam is finest recognized for its awe-inspiring vistas, lush inexperienced meadows, dense forests, and pristine waters. The place can be famous for the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra that begins right here in July and August.
Within the articles beneath, I’ve talked about how a visit to Pahalgam may be deliberate, locations it is best to go to there, lodging, public transport, and a number of other different helpful suggestions.
However in my view, the precise enjoyable of visiting Pahalgam is within the winter season. That is when the pure great thing about this place is at its finest. Check out the video beneath to know what I’m speaking about.
Drung Waterfall
Drung Waterfall, also called Drang Waterfall or Durung Waterfall, is a vacation spot that should discover a place in your itinerary if you’re planning a winter journey to Kashmir. It is probably not that giant in dimension however the sight that it presents within the winter season is really majestic and is certain to attraction you off your ft.
Because the temperature within the valley drops, the water of this fall begins to freeze. By early January, all the face of the mountain that it falls from is roofed by a thick layer of ice. The water nonetheless continues to movement down however is surrounded by big icicles and snow.
The waterfall is situated about 42 kilometers from Srinagar and 16 kilometers from Gulmarg. It stays accessible for all 12 months and may simply be included in your journey to Gulmarg. You’ll be able to go to Drung at any time of the yr however it’s within the winter season when the waterfall is really at its finest.
For extra particulars on this certainly one of its type waterfall, please check out The way to Plan a Journey to Drung Waterfall and What to See. You may as well check out the video beneath for extra particulars.
Gurez Valley
Gurez Valley is among the least explored areas of Kashmir and the one that may actually be known as an offbeat vacation spot. It’s a place of excessive scenic magnificence that doesn’t actually get the eye that it actually deserves. The vistas and the pure great thing about the mountains that you simply see listed below are very totally different than what you will note elsewhere.
Often, whenever you speak about visiting Kashmir, it’s largely 4 locations that come to thoughts – Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Even Srinagar simply acts as a base to discover the opposite three locations.
However Kashmir is a lot extra. There are such a lot of different locations right here that can depart you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such vacation spot that I’ll extremely suggest that you simply discover a place for in your journey plans.
How one can plan your journey to Gurez are particulars that I’ve coated within the posts beneath.
Allow us to now check out some offbeat locations that don’t discover a place in everybody’s itinerary however are positively price visiting.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg is situated at a distance of about 50 kilometers from Srinagar within the Badgam district of Kashmir. At an altitude of two,396 meters (7,861 ft), it’s an alpine valley surrounded by snow-capped mountains and meadows of Pine and Fir.
It’s a type of locations in Kashmir which might be immensely lovely however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. However for somebody eager to go offbeat and keep away from the group, Yousmarg is ideal.
For extra particulars on this vacation spot, please check out Yusmarg – A Complete Journey Information & Itinerary.
Doodhpathri
Doodhpathri is a small hill station in Kashmir. It lies in a bowl-shaped alpine valley surrounded by snow-clad mountains and meadows of Pine Fir and Deodar. It sits at an altitude of two,730 meters (8,957 ft) above sea degree and receives heavy snowfall within the winter season.
The area doesn’t have all-year highway connectivity but and within the months of peak winter, it may well get very troublesome to achieve right here. For the remainder of the yr although, a visit to Doodhpathri can really be made in lower than half a day.
To be trustworthy, it isn’t but a hill station as there’s little to no growth within the area. What you see is nature in its uncooked kind. There are only a few homes of the native shepherds and that’s the solely signal of civilization that you will note right here.
The world is essentially unexplored and receives little or no tourism. Nevertheless, efforts are being made by the authorities to develop it as a vacationer vacation spot. JKTDC has additionally constructed a resort right here for vacationers who need to keep in a single day. You’ll be able to check out Doodhpathri – A COMPLETE Journey Information & Itinerary to search out out extra.
Mughal Highway
Not many individuals would know in regards to the Mughal Highway. Srinagar Jammu Nationwide Freeway, also called NH44, is commonly thought-about to be the one highway connecting the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
It’s true that it’s certainly a greater maintained, wider, extra traveled upon, and shorter strategy to journey between the 2 locations however it’s positively not the one one.
There really exists one other route that’s way more scenic, much less crowded, takes you thru some inside elements of Kashmir, and has existed for a lot longer than the common NH44 freeway. Sure, I’m speaking in regards to the historic Mughal highway.
This route is the alternate strategy to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to achieve some inside areas of Kashmir just like the city of Rajouri. It is usually a really scenic route that positively deserves to be explored.
For extra particulars on Mughal Highway, you’ll be able to check out the posts beneath.
Aharbal Waterfall
Aharbal Waterfall is among the most lovely waterfalls in Kashmir. It is usually essentially the most simply accessible one and but by no means crowded. Situated at a distance of solely about 70 kilometers from Srinagar, it’s a place that’s amazingly lovely however doesn’t get the eye that it actually deserves.
In case you are planning to go to Kashmir, I extremely suggest that you simply discover a day in your itinerary for a go to to Aharbal. How will you plan that’s what I’ve talked about within the article beneath.
Are you able to go to Aharbal Waterfall within the winter season? It’s going to rely so much on the climate on the time of your journey however sure, a visit may be deliberate. Check out this brief video beneath to see how this lovely waterfall seems in winter.
Daksum Valley
Daksum, also called Daksum Valley or Daksum Village, is a viewpoint or a picnic spot situated on the Anantnag-Kishtwar highway close to Sinthan High. Surrounded by lush inexperienced mountains and sitting proper subsequent to the Bringhi River, it’s a well-liked spot among the many locals for household outings and faculty picnics.
In case you are somebody who likes spending time in nature, away from the group in an offbeat place, Daksum may be your cup of tea. It actually looks like in the course of nowhere and should you had been right here throughout the weekdays, there would hardly be anybody round. For extra particulars, please learn The way to Plan a Journey to Daksum Valley.
Sinthan High
Sinthan High, also called Sinthan Move, is a mountain cross situated in Kashmir’s Breng Valley, on the highway that runs between Anantnag in Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu. At an altitude of 12,500 ft, the highest of the cross is also called the 360-degree viewpoint because it provides an enthralling panoramic view of the encompassing peaks and the valley.
It’s a lovely mountain cross that ought to discover a place in each vacationer’s itinerary who’s coming towards Pahalgam. On account of its shut proximity, Sinthan High may be simply integrated with a visit to Pahalgam. The drive from Srinagar to Sinthan High via the Daksum Valley can be fairly scenic and provides an opportunity to go to another locations like Achabal Gardens, Kokernag, and Daksum.
For extra particulars, please learn The way to Plan a Journey to Sinthan High and try the video beneath. This video covers each Daksum Valley in addition to Sinthan High as a result of each these locations are proper subsequent to one another.
Chatpal Valley
Chatpal, additionally known as Chattabal, isn’t actually a reputation that many vacationers learn about. It’s a small valley situated close to Pahalgam however whereas Pahalgam receives 1000’s of tourists every year, virtually nobody goes within the route of Chatpal. It’s a type of locations in Kashmir which might be nonetheless unexplored and but to search out their place on the vacationer map.
The vast majority of the oldsters you can see in Chatpal will simply be the locals from Anantnag or any of the close by villages, on the market for a picnic or a household outing. Even they go to Chattabal normally over the weekends, on Sundays. For the remainder of the week, you’ll hardly see anybody there.
In case you are somebody who likes to go to offbeat locations, away from the group, and spend a while in peace, then Chattabal will certainly look charming to you. For extra particulars, please check out The way to Plan a Journey to Chatpal Valley and take a look at the video beneath.
Public Transport in Kashmir
One of the simplest ways to journey to Kashmir is both by your self-owned automobile or a personal taxi. However if you’re a finances traveler, you may as well go for public transport which is accessible within the type of buses and shared taxis. The issue nevertheless is that it isn’t frequent.
It is going to be onerous to discover a JKSRTC bus anyplace in Kashmir. You’ll have to depend on mini-buses and shared cabs operated by the locals. They don’t have a set schedule or timetable however can be found all through the day.
For extra particulars on this subject, please check out The way to Journey in Kashmir by Buses & Shared Cabs. On this submit, I’ve supplied full particulars on how one can commute from Srinagar to different locations by public transport.
Taxi Charges
In case you are planning on renting a taxi on your journey, the posts beneath may help you get a price estimate. An necessary factor that it is best to bear in mind is that locations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg have their very own taxi charges.
What it means is that should you rented a taxi to Pahalgam from Srinagar, it may solely drop you in Pahalgam. To go to native locations like Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, you’ll have to hire an area cab in Pahalgam.
The identical rule applies to Gulmarg. If you wish to go for a drive to Bota Pathri, you’ll have to hire one other cab in Gulmarg for that.
Equally, this rule can be relevant should you intend to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir. Check out the posts beneath to search out out taxi charges relevant for these explicit areas.
Renting a Bike
Renting a motorbike in Srinagar is a good way to probe for individuals who attain Kashmir by flight. There are a number of bike leases within the metropolis which you may get the bikes from.
Please check out The way to Hire a Bike in Srinagar and Srinagar Bike Rental Charges. From each of those posts, you may get to know the process and the associated fee concerned.
Self-Drive Rental
In case you would nevertheless wish to hire a automobile in Srinagar and drive it round by yourself, that can be an possibility. Please check out The way to Hire a Self-Drive Automotive in Srinagar for extra particulars.
Itinerary Planning
Your closing itinerary for Kashmir will solely rely on the variety of days you may have in hand, your finances, and your preferences. However I’ll suggest having a look at The way to Plan Your Itinerary for Kashmir.
On this submit, I’ve shared totally different examples of itineraries primarily based on the time at hand. You’ll be able to choose any one of many prompt itineraries and both observe it utterly or modify it as per your necessities.
Meals to Attempt in Kashmir
Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete except you may have tasted the native delicacies. That in my view is definitely among the best elements of touring to totally different locations.
The mouth-watering native meals to attempt in Kashmir is an expertise that you simply simply can not miss. Beneath is a complete checklist of what to eat and the place.
A standard query that will get requested most frequently is about vegetarian meals and its availability. You would not have to fret about that as effectively.
There are a whole lot of locations throughout Kashmir the place they solely serve vegetarian, even Jain meals as effectively. So discovering a spot to eat won’t really be an issue.
The posts beneath present extra data on the meals that it is best to attempt in Kashmir and the place.
Resorts
Within the posts beneath, I’ve reviewed among the motels that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You’ll be able to check out the data and photos that I supplied and determine should you want to keep at any of those.
Learn via my critiques beneath. I’ve additionally posted photos of the lodge rooms you could check out and determine if you need to remain at any of those motels.
- Resort One Earth Trinetar, Jammu
- Resort Grand Valley Inn, Srinagar
- Resort Barzman, Sonamarg
- Kashmir Vacationer Camp, Sonamarg
- Resort Inexperienced Park, Gulmarg
- Resort Royal Park, Gulmarg
- Resort Affarwat, Gulmarg
- Resort Iceland, Pahalgam
- JKTDC Resort, Yusmarg
- JKTDC Resort, Doodhpathri
- Resort Kaka Palace, Gurez Valley
- Resort Kargil Heights, Kargil
Travelogues
Beneath are the hyperlinks to detailed travelogues that I used to be in a position to pen down of a few of my Kashmir journeys. If you need to, you’ll be able to check out these logs to achieve additional data and see photos of the locations.
I’ve tried to be as detailed as potential in these logs, offering a number of needed particulars for anybody eager to plan an identical journey.
By Automotive
This one was my longest journey to Kashmir and coated a lot of the vacationer locations.
Bike Journey
The journey above was solely in my Thar. Check out this second travelogue. This was an entire bike journey completed in a unique method.
By Flight
This was the time once I caught a flight to Kashmir, employed a self-drive rental in Srinagar, and drove round some offbeat locations.
Winter Journeys
The travelogues above had been each from the summer time season. In case you are planning to go to Kashmir throughout the winter season, the travelogue beneath may be of assist.
This one is one other winter journey to Kashmir.
Different Travelogues
These travelogues had been written by different authors detailing their journeys. Have a look and I’m certain you may get a whole lot of useful particulars from their journey tales.
If you need your journey story to be revealed on my weblog, you’ll be able to ship it to me with the related photos at [email protected]. I can provide a closing contact to the log, put it up on the log, and add the hyperlinks right here.
Images
If you need to try a few of my photos of locations in Kashmir, you’ll be able to take a have a look at the posts beneath. This may help you determine whether or not or not you need to go to that specific place or not.
The way to plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion
I consider that’s it. This could cowl the vast majority of the data that it’s essential to get with the intention to plan an pleasing and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.
If there’s a particular query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, you’ll be able to contact me on Instagram and I will probably be blissful to reply. You may as well contemplate subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a query there.