Jammu and Kashmir: HEAVEN ON THE EARTH
Jammu and Kashmir is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and it pulls visitors in every season. If you like the pristine beauty of snow, then winter is the best time to visit. Spring is perfect for nature enthusiasts, while summer is ideal for families with kids and elderly people.
vacation in Jammu and Kashmir
A vacation in Jammu and Kashmir is one for the picture postcards, the photogenic highland mountains, the scenic drives through green meadows, and the serene lakes of Kashmir. Kashmir is a place for photography and nature lovers alike. More the romantic appeal of the environment is something that needs to be experienced once in a lifetime. The summers in Kashmir are bountiful and colorful while the winters in Kashmir are serene and blanketed in white snow. Kashmir is the heaven on earth that all of us need to visit at least once in a lifetime.
Places to visit in Srinagar
Dal Lake In Jammu and Kashmir
Dal Lake is a misnomer as Dal in Kashmiri means lake and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.It is refreshing to arrive early in the morning and see the floating market coming alive, housing boats, floating post offices, and ATMs, and not, everything floats here. A shikhara ride will take you through all these.
Photo by Syed Qaarif Andrabi on Pexels.com
Shikara Ride
A shikhara ride itself is a pleasant experience and it should be at the top of the list of the best things to do in Kashmir. No smoke or sound of the vehicles, no high-pitched angry crowd, nothing. Just the soft sound of the boatman’s oar breaking the surface of the water and the touch of the cold water as you trail your hand on the surface of the lake.
Where To Try: Dal Lake in Srinagar and Manasbal Lake near Sonamarg
Timings: 6:00 am – 5:00 pm; all days of the week
Mughal Gardens
These are a group of marvelous gardens that were built by the Mughals in the Persian style of architecture.
Location: Gate No. 35, Rashtrapati Bhawan, President’s Estate, New Delhi, Delhi 110004
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Entry fee: Nil
Nishat Garden
The largest ‘bagh’ in Kashmir valley, this is a terraced Mughal garden located on the eastern side of Dal Lake.
Location: Next to Mughal Garden, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 191121
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM
Entry fee: INR 10
Shalimar Garden In Jammu and Kashmir
Meaning “abode of love”, these are some serene gardens sitting on the shores of the Dal Lake.
Location: Chinar Chowk, Shalimar, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir
Timings: 9 AM – 7 PM
Entry fee: INR 10
Cheshmashahi Garden
Built around a beautiful spring, Chashma Shahi is one of the Mughal Gardens.
Location: 7, Boulevard Rd, Chashma Shahi, Rainawari, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001
Timings: 8 AM – 7:15 PM
Entry fee: INR 10
Shankaracharya Temple
– Situated on top of the Zabarwan Mountain in Srinagar, this famous temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Location: Durgjan, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001
Timings: 8 AM – 5 PM
Pahalgam In Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam is one of the must-see places in Kashmir. With numerous places to see in Pahalgam, it has emerged as the go-to destination for all kinds of travelers. Here is a list of the most famous places to visit in Pahalgam and near it for your memorable vacation.
Betaab Valley: For Bollywood Feels
Mamleshwar Temple: For A Tranquil Escape
Sheshnag Lake: For Nature Lovers
Lidder Amusement Park: For An Adventurous Break
Aru Village & Valley: For Lush Meadows
Baisaran Hills In Jammu and Kashmir
Baisaran Hills is famous as a top sightseeing destination & called mini-Switzerland because of its picturesque beauty.
Avantipur Temple: For Clicking Pictures
Tulian Lake: For A Pony Ride
Chandanwari: For Snow-Covered Vistas
Kolahoi Glacier: For Avid Trekkers
Lolab Valley
: Gorgeous Waterfalls, Rivers And More
Panchtarni: The Confluence Of Five Streams
Tarsar Lake: Known For Scenic Beauty
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is the “heartland of winter sports in India” and was rated as Asia’s seventh-best ski destination. . Winter sports like skiing, tobogganing, snowboarding, and heli-skiing take place on the slopes of Mount Apharwat reachable by a Gondola lift. This town is located on the Pir Panjal Range, which is a part of the western Himalayas. places to visit in Gulmarg
Maharani Temple
Ziarat of Baba Reshi
Khilanmarg
Apharwat peak
Strawberry Valley
Sonmarg
Sonmarg is located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir and it means a “meadow of gold”. The valley is home to a variety of peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Amarnath Peak, and Sirbal Peak. The place is about 85 km away from Srinagar but the drive is worth it because beautiful Himalayan peaks surround you while you chase the snow-capped mountains. Let us look at the places to visit while you are in Sonamarg!
Thajiwas Glacier
Manasbal Lake
Ganderbal
Khir-Bhawani temple
Narang temple .
Kashmiri Cuisine
Like any other destination across the world, trying the local cuisine is one of the most important things to do in Kashmir. We all have heard about the Kashmiri Kahwa (tea) and Lamb Mutton Rogan Josh. But the cuisine has many more sumptuous dishes. These include Nadroo Yakhni (yogurt-based Kashmiri curry with lotus stems), Paneer Chaman (fried paneer simmered in tomato sauce and flavored with spices and fennel seeds powder), Dum Aloo, Matschgand (minced meatballs cooked in spicy red gravy), and Gushtaba (minced mutton cooked in flavorful yogurt gravy and spices).
Adventure Activities To Do In Kashmir
River Rafting
Undoubtedly one of the most spectacular spots for White Water River rafting in Kashmir. The rapids here are easy or moderate, which implies that rafting in Kashmir is not very difficult. You can go rafting near Sonamarg as well. However, white water rafting in the Lidder river in Pahalgam is more famous.
Details:
Short Lidder River Rafting: 3 km (Pahalgam) | Yarganpal to Yaneed Bridge | Grades II & III
/Medium Sindh River Rafting: 8 km (Sonamarg) | Mamar to Satrun Margund | Grades II, III, & IV
Long Sindh River Rafting: 28 km (Sonamarg) | Mamar to Wayul Bridge | Grades II, III, & IV
Paragliding
If there is one thing that has been the core of human fancy for ages, it surely is flying. There is also an option to go for paragliding. The unique view of the green valleys makes paragliding one of the most thrilling things to do in Kashmir. Paragliding options are available in Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Bhaderwah, Sanasar, and Harwan (Srinagar). Of these, paragliding in Harwan is most easily accessible as it lies on the route of the tour of the Grand Mughal Gardens.
Trekking
Trekking is an adventurous activity that allows you to explore the majestic beauty of the hills and mountains at your own pace. trekking has become one of the best things to do here. Though in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, trekking in Ladakh is more famous. There are short treks and hikes that tourists can take in the valleys of Kashmir. There are many high-altitude alpine lakes in Kashmir, such as Vishansar Lake, Tarsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Alpather Lake, and Satsar Lake.
Skiing And Snowboarding
Known as the heartland of winter sports, Gulmarg is regarded as the 7th best skiing and snowboarding destination in Asia. Skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg, through its natural virgin slopes, provides for easy floating on the soft virgin snow. This is one of the most popular things to do in Gulmarg.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking in Kashmir is ideal due to its topography. Pedaling over the slopes of Kashmir Valley, which are filled with lush pine and deodar trees, is exhilarating and provides the ultimate adrenaline rush. Mountain Biking in Kashmir and Jammu is especially fascinating because of the beautiful scenery, which is dotted with water streams, paddy fields, meadows, local markets, and woods.
The places for mountain biking in Kashmir start from Srinagar to Gulmarg, Gulmarg to Pahalgam, Pahalgam to Srinagar, Srinagar to Sonmarg, Sonmarg to Wular or Manasbal lake, and then back to Srinagar.
Hot Air Ballooning
Jammu and Kashmir have countless options when it comes to adventure activities and they are not just limited to land and water. You can enjoy panoramic views of Kashmir in a hot air balloon. An utter delight for travel enthusiasts, Kashmir now has a fun hot air balloon service at Zabarwan Park in Srinagar. Enjoy breathtaking views of the valley as you stand cozily in your hot air balloon.
Golfing
Jammu and Kashmir are 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.
Camping
Beautiful Valleys, meadows, and lakes in Jammu and Kashmir offer a host of outdoor activities to adventure lovers. Camping in Jammu & Kashmir is amongst the best activities that can also be enjoyed by family vacationers at some of the popular tourist attractions. There are several beautiful places in Kashmir where one can enjoy camping and some of the top ones are:
Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Sanasar , Pahalgam, Tarsar and Marsar lakes in the Upper Dachigam area, Lidderwat, Sheshnag, Panchtarni,Baltal
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
In Jammu & Kashmir, you can enjoy the beauty, test your limits while trekking the mountains, or simply discover serenity and peace. The array of activities & adventure sports that you can experience here is sure to leave you thrilled. Jammu & Kashmir will offer you several reasons to keep coming back for more.
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