How one can plan a visit to Kashmir? For this, you’ll have to think about lots of components like tips on how to attain, the place to remain, what to see, issues to do, what to pack, how a lot it’s going to value, itinerary planning, and so on. Within the submit under, you will see that reply to all of those questions intimately.
If you wish to plan the journey by yourself, proceed studying this submit. If you wish to journey with a dependable journey agent and wish my suggestion, you possibly can speak to Kunal @ 9910 402 252. Give him my reference and you’ll certainly get a reduced price.
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How one can Plan a Journey to Kashmir
I’ve visited Kashmir a number of instances and have written a number of detailed articles that may assist everybody planning a visit. This data is scattered in a number of posts and getting the small print that you just want is usually a little time-consuming. For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the submit under.
Observe the hyperlinks, check out the articles and each query that you’ve about visiting Kashmir will certainly get answered. You’ll find 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 several other different locations.
Finest Time to Go to Kashmir
When is the most effective time to go to Kashmir? There’s truly no straight reply to this query as a result of it’s going to rely on what sort of journey you had been wanting ahead to.
If you wish to see snow, January and February are splendid instances. If you wish to see lush inexperienced views, September would be the greatest time. For a honeymoon journey, I’ll advocate April and September.
If you wish to see flowers and the Tulip Backyard, it’s best to plan for April. If you wish to see Apple orchards, August and September are the most effective instances to go.
For pictures, a visit within the post-monsoon season might be greatest. For price range vacationers, August and November are good instances to go. This nonetheless 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.
Cellular Community and Knowledge Connectivity
BSNL has the widest community in Kashmir however Airtel is best when it comes to the standard of the community. Jio works decently properly however the providers of Vodafone and Concept will not be that nice.
The essential factor that it’s best to know is that solely postpaid connections work within the valley. No matter which community you had been on, your telephone might be useless as quickly as you enter Kashmir if it was a pay as you go connection.
But when it was a postpaid telephone, you’d have good reception and knowledge connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. When you went a bit offbeat, your telephone could or could not work relying on the service supplier.
I’ve coated this matter in nice element in one other article Cellular Community and Knowledge 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 value? This may rely on lots of components just like the variety of vacationers, period of the journey, mode of commute, private preferences, and so on. However with that being stated, there’s nonetheless a mean per-person value that may be calculated.
Check out this submit – How one can Calculate the Whole Price of Kashmir Journey. Whereas I can not provide the precise value of the Kashmir journey, I can nonetheless provide you with an concept of how one can calculate your personal Kashmir journey price range. That’s the data that I coated on this article.
Utilizing the numbers under, you’re going to get a reasonably good estimate of how a lot you’ll find yourself spending within the valley. These are a few of the minimal expenditures that you’ll find yourself incurring for lodging, taxi, meals, purchasing, and so on.
Garments to Pack for Kashmir Journey
The following essential query might be associated to your packing. The garments that you just want for visiting Kashmir will fluctuate in response to the season and month of your journey. It can additionally rely on the locations you take into consideration to go to and your mode of commute as properly.
I’ll advocate 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 concerning the type of garments that you need 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 just simply can not afford to overlook. These are the locations that can turn out to be 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 might be your base to discover the attractive valleys of Kashmir.
However is it simply that? The reply isn’t any. It’s not only a base to discover Kashmir however quite 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 imagine is the very purpose that regardless of all of the unrest and tensions, Srinagar continues to stay one of the visited vacationer locations in our nation.
- Srinagar – How one can 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 Charge, Timings, Journey Planning
- Nishat Bagh Srinagar – How one can Attain, Timings, Entry Charge
- Hazratbal Shrine Srinagar – How one can Attain, What to See
- Chashme Shahi Srinagar – How one can Attain, Timings, Ideas
- Pari Mahal Srinagar – Timings, How one can Attain, Finest Time
- Floating Vegetable Market of Srinagar – Flower Market
- Shikara Journey in Dal Lake Srinagar – Price, Timings, Finest Spot
- Sound and Gentle 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. Generally known as the meadow of flowers, it’s a heavenly place to tread in that gives mesmerizing landscapes and an enthralling chance of assorted journey actions.
Such is the great thing about this tiny hamlet that it attracts folks from all around the nation all year long. It’s presumably a kind of locations the place the vacationer season by no means ends.
From households to journey fans, Gulmarg has quite a bit 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 properly.
Beneath is a listing of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll advocate having a look at these earlier than visiting this lovely little city.
When you had been planning a winter journey to Gulmarg, you might need to try the video under. This was shot throughout one among my journeys to Gulmarg within the month of January.
Sonamarg
The following vacation spot that you should go to throughout your Kashmir journey is Sonamarg. The place is well accessible, stays open for a lot of the 12 months, has loads of lodges, gives superb views, and is ideal for all types of journeys.
Public transport can also be simply out there. There’s a day by day bus between Srinagar and Sonamarg. Apart from that, shared cabs additionally journey on the route usually.
For lodging, there’s a variety of lodges to select from, each for price range vacationers in addition to somebody on the lookout for a luxurious keep. Learn on to seek out out extra.
Beneath is a listing of articles that present the knowledge that you should know to be able to plan your journey.
When you had been planning on visiting Sonamarg within the winter season, you can too check out the video under to get extra particulars on the subject.
Pahalgam
The identify Pahalgam wants no introduction. It is likely one of the most visited locations of Kashmir, one which receives vacationers all 12 months lengthy. No journey to Kashmir is full until Pahalgam is part of the itinerary.
Positioned at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, Pahalgam is greatest recognized for its awe-inspiring vistas, lush inexperienced meadows, dense forests, and pristine waters. The place can also be famous for the annual pilgrimage to the shrine Amarnath Yatra that begins right here in July and August.
Within the articles under, I’ve talked about how a visit to Pahalgam may be deliberate, locations it’s best to go to there, lodging, public transport, and several other different helpful ideas.
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 greatest. Check out the video under to know what I’m speaking about.
Drung Waterfall
Drung Waterfall, also referred to as Drang Waterfall or Durung Waterfall, is a vacation spot that should discover a place in your itinerary in case you are planning a winter journey to Kashmir. It will not be that giant in measurement however the sight that it presents within the winter season is actually majestic and is bound to appeal you off your toes.
Because the temperature within the valley drops, the water of this fall begins to freeze. By early January, your complete face of the mountain that it falls from is roofed by a thick layer of ice. The water nonetheless continues to circulate down however is surrounded by large 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 may go to Drung at any time of the 12 months however it’s within the winter season when the waterfall is actually at its greatest.
For extra particulars on this one among its form waterfall, please check out How one can Plan a Journey to Drung Waterfall and What to See. You may also check out the video under for extra particulars.
Gurez Valley
Gurez Valley is likely one of 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 just see listed below are very completely different than what you will notice elsewhere.
Normally, whenever you discuss visiting Kashmir, it’s principally 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 go away you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such vacation spot that I’ll extremely advocate that you just 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 under.
Allow us to now check out some offbeat locations that don’t discover a place in everybody’s itinerary however are positively price visiting.
Bangus Valley
Bangus Valley, additionally spelled as Bungus Valley, is a valley situated within the Kupwara District of Kashmir. Unfold over a big space, it’s blessed with a various number of wildlife and is greatest recognized for its breathtaking pure magnificence, together with snow-capped mountains, huge meadows, lush inexperienced forests, and crystal-clear streams.
However regardless of all this, Bangus Valley is a reputation that has but to seek out its place on the vacationer map. As a matter of truth, till a few years in the past, this complete area round Kupwara was not even open for tourism. Nonetheless, issues are slowly beginning to change now and efforts are being made by the Indian Military and Kashmir authorities to advertise tourism within the space.
I visited Bangus Valley throughout my latest Kashmir Journey and spent a whole day exploring the area. I can let you know that that is one offbeat vacation spot that you just positively need to go to. For extra particulars, please check out How one can Plan a Journey to Bangus Valley. You may also check out the video under that I shot throughout my go to to get a greater concept of what it’s best to anticipate throughout your go to.
Lolab Valley
Lolab Valley, also referred to as ‘Wadi-e-Lolab’ or ‘Lolov’ is a valley situated about 90 kilometers from Srinagar and three kilometers from Kupwara in Kashmir. It’s an oval-shaped valley with beautiful magnificence and sprawling mountain ranges, wealthy in eco-tourism, and boasts stretches of apple, cherry, peach, apricot, and walnut orchards.
The valley is sort of near Kupwara and in the identical area that Bangus Valley is in. For extra particulars, please check out How one can Plan a Journey to Lolab Valley. You may also check out the video under that I shot throughout my go to to get a greater concept of what it’s best to anticipate throughout your go to.
Keran Valley
Keran is a small village situated within the Kupwara district of Kashmir. It is likely one of the many villages within the area however two issues make Keran distinctive. The primary one is that it sits proper subsequent to the road of management on the India-Pakistan border and the second is that you’re allowed to go there.
It’s a village that has remained divided for many years. Half of the village is in India and the opposite half is in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Kishanganga River, flowing via the village acts because the pure border between the 2 habitations.
It actually presents a novel sight. As you stand on the banks of the river and look to your entrance, on the opposite facet of the river which is merely a stone-throw away, you’re looking right into a neighboring nation and it’s actually a sense like none different.
For extra particulars, please learn How one can Plan a Journey to Keran Village. Additionally, check out the video under to get extra particulars on the route and what precisely you’d see in Keran Village.
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 kind of locations in Kashmir which can be immensely lovely however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. However for somebody eager to go offbeat and avoid 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 stage and receives heavy snowfall within the winter season.
The area doesn’t have all-year street connectivity but and within the months of peak winter, it might probably get very tough to succeed in right here. For the remainder of the 12 months although, a visit to Doodhpathri can truly be made in lower than half a day.
To be sincere, it isn’t but a hill station as there’s little to no improvement within the area. What you see is nature in its uncooked type. There are only a few homes of the native shepherds and that’s the solely signal of civilization that you will notice right here.
The realm is essentially unexplored and receives little or no tourism. Nonetheless, 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 may check out Doodhpathri – A COMPLETE Journey Information & Itinerary to seek out out extra.
Mughal Street
Not many individuals would know concerning the Mughal Street. Srinagar Jammu Nationwide Freeway, also referred to as NH44, is commonly thought-about to be the one street 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 truly exists one other route that’s way more scenic, much less crowded, takes you thru some inner elements of Kashmir, and has existed for a lot longer than the common NH44 freeway. Sure, I’m speaking concerning the historic Mughal street.
This route is the alternate strategy to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to succeed in some inner 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 Street, you possibly can check out the posts under.
Aharbal Waterfall
Aharbal Waterfall is likely one of the most lovely waterfalls in Kashmir. It is usually essentially the most simply accessible one and but by no means crowded. Positioned 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.
If you’re planning to go to Kashmir, I extremely advocate that you just discover a day in your itinerary for a go to to Aharbal. How are you going to plan that’s what I’ve talked about within the article under.
Are you able to go to Aharbal Waterfall within the winter season? It can rely quite a bit on the climate on the time of your journey however sure, a visit may be deliberate. Check out this brief video under to see how this lovely waterfall appears to be like in winter.
Daksum Valley
Daksum, also referred to as Daksum Valley or Daksum Village, is a viewpoint or a picnic spot situated on the Anantnag-Kishtwar street 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 college picnics.
If you’re somebody who likes spending time in nature, away from the group in an offbeat place, Daksum could be your cup of tea. It actually looks like in the midst of nowhere and for those who had been right here through the weekdays, there would hardly be anybody round. For extra particulars, please learn How one can Plan a Journey to Daksum Valley.
Sinthan High
Sinthan High, also referred to as Sinthan Go, is a mountain cross situated in Kashmir’s Breng Valley, on the street that runs between Anantnag in Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu. At an altitude of 12,500 ft, the highest of the cross is also referred to as the 360-degree viewpoint because it gives a captivating 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. As a consequence 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 also be fairly scenic and gives an opportunity to go to another locations like Achabal Gardens, Kokernag, and Daksum.
For extra particulars, please learn How one can Plan a Journey to Sinthan High and check out the video under. 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, is just not actually a reputation that many vacationers learn about. It’s a small valley situated close to Pahalgam however whereas Pahalgam receives 1000’s of holiday makers annually, virtually nobody goes within the path of Chatpal. It’s a kind of locations in Kashmir which can be nonetheless unexplored and but to seek out their place on the vacationer map.
Nearly all of the parents you will see that 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.
If you’re 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 How one can Plan a Journey to Chatpal Valley and take a look at the video under.
Public Transport in Kashmir
One of the best ways to journey to Kashmir is both by your self-owned car or a non-public taxi. However in case you are a price range traveler, you can too go for public transport which is out there within the type of buses and shared taxis. The issue nonetheless is that it isn’t frequent.
Will probably be laborious to discover a JKSRTC bus wherever 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 matter, please check out How one can Journey in Kashmir by Buses & Shared Cabs. On this submit, I’ve offered full particulars on how one can commute from Srinagar to different locations by public transport.
Taxi Charges
If you’re planning on renting a taxi on your journey, the posts under may help you get a value estimate. An essential factor that it’s best to keep in mind is that locations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg have their very own taxi charges.
What it means is that for those who rented a taxi to Pahalgam from Srinagar, it might solely drop you in Pahalgam. To go to native locations like Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, you’ll have to lease 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 lease one other cab in Gulmarg for that.
Equally, this rule can also be relevant for those who intend to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir. Check out the posts under to seek out out taxi charges relevant for these specific areas.
Renting a Bike
Renting a motorcycle in Srinagar is an effective way to probe for individuals who attain Kashmir by flight. There are a number of bike leases within the metropolis which you will get the bikes from.
Please check out How one can Lease a Bike in Srinagar and Srinagar Bike Rental Charges. From each of those posts, you will get to know the process and the fee concerned.
Self-Drive Rental
When you would nonetheless wish to lease a automobile in Srinagar and drive it round by yourself, that can also be an possibility. Please check out How one can Lease a Self-Drive Automobile in Srinagar for extra particulars.
Itinerary Planning
Your last itinerary for Kashmir will solely rely on the variety of days you may have in hand, your price range, and your preferences. However I’ll advocate having a look at How one can Plan Your Itinerary for Kashmir.
On this submit, I’ve shared completely different examples of itineraries based mostly on the time at hand. You may decide any one of many advised itineraries and both observe it utterly or modify it as per your necessities.
Meals to Strive in Kashmir
Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete until you may have tasted the native delicacies. That in my view is definitely the most effective elements of touring to completely different locations.
The mouth-watering native meals to strive in Kashmir is an expertise that you just 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 should not have to fret about that as properly.
There are lots of locations throughout Kashmir the place they solely serve vegetarian, even Jain meals as properly. So discovering a spot to eat is not going to truly be an issue.
The posts under present extra data on the meals that it’s best to strive in Kashmir and the place.
Inns
Within the posts under, I’ve reviewed a few of the lodges that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You may check out the knowledge and footage that I offered and determine for those who want to keep at any of those.
Learn via my evaluations under. I’ve additionally posted footage of the resort rooms you could check out and determine if you need to remain at any of those lodges.
- Lodge One Earth Trinetar, Jammu
- Lodge Grand Valley Inn, Srinagar
- Lodge Barzman, Sonamarg
- Kashmir Vacationer Camp, Sonamarg
- Lodge Inexperienced Park, Gulmarg
- Lodge Royal Park, Gulmarg
- Lodge Affarwat, Gulmarg
- Lodge Iceland, Pahalgam
- JKTDC Resort, Yusmarg
- JKTDC Resort, Doodhpathri
- Lodge Kaka Palace, Gurez Valley
- Lodge Kargil Heights, Kargil
Travelogues
Beneath are the hyperlinks to detailed travelogues that I used to be capable of pen down of a few of my Kashmir journeys. If you want to, you possibly can check out these logs to realize additional data and see footage of the locations.
I’ve tried to be as detailed as potential in these logs, offering a number of obligatory particulars for anybody eager to plan the same journey.
By Automobile
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 performed in a distinct 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 season season. If you’re planning to go to Kashmir through the winter season, the travelogue under 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 positive you will get lots of useful particulars from their journey tales.
If you want your journey story to be printed on my weblog, you possibly can ship it to me with the related footage at [email protected]. I can provide a last contact to the log, put it up on the log, and add the hyperlinks right here.
Pictures
If you want to try a few of my photographs of locations in Kashmir, you possibly can take a take a look at the posts under. This may help you determine whether or not or not you need to go to that specific place or not.
How one can plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion
I imagine that’s it. This could cowl the vast majority of the knowledge that you should get to be able to plan an fulfilling and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.
If there’s a particular query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, you possibly can contact me on Instagram and I might be completely satisfied to reply. You may also think about subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a query there.
