How you can plan a visit to Kashmir? For this, you’ll have to think about a number of elements like easy methods to attain, the place to remain, what to see, issues to do, what to pack, how a lot it should value, itinerary planning, and many others. Within the publish under, you can see reply to all of those questions intimately.
If you wish to plan the journey by yourself, proceed studying this publish. If you wish to journey with a dependable journey agent and wish my advice, you may speak to Kunal @ 9910 402 252. Give him my reference and you’ll certainly get a reduced charge.
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How you can Plan a Journey to Kashmir
I’ve visited Kashmir just a few 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 simply want is usually a little time-consuming. For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the publish under.
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 fashionable 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.
Greatest Time to Go to Kashmir
When is one of the best time to go to Kashmir? There may be really no straight reply to this query as a result of it should depend upon what sort of journey you have been trying ahead to.
If you wish to see snow, January and February are very best instances. 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’s best to plan for April. If you wish to see Apple orchards, August and September are one of the best instances to go.
For images, a visit within the post-monsoon season will likely be finest. For finances vacationers, August and November are good instances 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 Greatest 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 properly however the providers of Vodafone and Concept are usually not that nice.
The vital factor that it’s best to know is that solely postpaid connections work within the valley. Regardless of which community you have been on, your telephone will likely be lifeless as quickly as you enter Kashmir if it was a pay as you go connection.
But when it was a postpaid telephone, you’ll have good reception and information connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. In the event you went slightly offbeat, your telephone might or might not work relying on the service supplier.
I’ve lined this matter in nice element in one other article Cell Community and Information Connectivity in Kashmir that you could check out. I’ve given a region-wise breakdown of the community reception on this publish.
Kashmir Journey Value
How a lot will a Kashmir journey value? This may depend upon a number of elements just like the variety of vacationers, period of the journey, mode of commute, private preferences, and many others. However with that being mentioned, there’s nonetheless a mean per-person value that may be calculated.
Check out this publish – How you can Calculate the Complete Value of Kashmir Journey. Whereas I can’t provide the actual value of the Kashmir journey, I can nonetheless provide you with an thought of how one can calculate your individual Kashmir journey finances. That’s the data that I lined 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 among the minimal expenditures that you’ll find yourself incurring for lodging, taxi, meals, buying, and many others.
Garments to Pack for Kashmir Journey
The subsequent vital query will likely be associated to your packing. The garments that you simply want for visiting Kashmir will differ in accordance with the season and month of your journey. It’s going to additionally depend upon the locations you take note of to go to and your mode of commute as properly.
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 publish, I’ve talked intimately in regards to the form of garments that you have 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’t afford to overlook. These are the locations that may 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 will likely be your base to discover the attractive valleys of Kashmir.
However is it simply that? The reply is not 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 center of that paradise. With its serene blue lakes and sumptuous gardens ringed by an Arc of Majestic Himalayas, it’s a picture-perfect city that appears straight out of a portray.
There may be simply a lot to see right here and a lot to do. This I imagine is the very cause that regardless of all of the unrest and tensions, Srinagar continues to stay one of the visited vacationer locations in our nation.
- Srinagar – How you can Plan your Journey and Discover?
- Locations to Go to in Srinagar and Issues to Do
- Greatest time to Go to Srinagar – Greatest Month, Season, Suggestions
- Shalimar Bagh, Srinagar – Entry Charge, Timings, Journey Planning
- Nishat Bagh Srinagar – How you can Attain, Timings, Entry Charge
- Hazratbal Shrine Srinagar – How you can Attain, What to See
- Chashme Shahi Srinagar – How you can Attain, Timings, Suggestions
- Pari Mahal Srinagar – Timings, How you can Attain, Greatest Time
- Floating Vegetable Market of Srinagar – Flower Market
- Shikara Journey in Dal Lake Srinagar – Value, Timings, Greatest Spot
- Sound and Mild Present in Srinagar in Dal Lake
- Astanmarg – One of many Greatest Viewpoints in Srinagar
Gulmarg
Gulmarg for my part is the most important vacationer attraction in Kashmir. Often called 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 individuals from everywhere in 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 fanatics, Gulmarg has so much to supply everybody. It not solely attracts vacationers from different components of the nation but in addition is a favourite weekend getaway for the native Kashmiris as properly.
Beneath is an inventory of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll suggest having a look at these earlier than visiting this stunning little city.
In the event you have been planning a winter journey to Gulmarg, you might need to take a look at the video under. This was shot throughout one in every of my journeys to Gulmarg within the month of January.
Sonamarg
The subsequent vacation spot that you will 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, affords wonderful views, and is ideal for every kind of journeys.
Public transport can 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 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 knowledge that it’s worthwhile to know to be able to plan your journey.
In the event you have been planning on visiting Sonamarg within the winter season, you too can 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 yr lengthy. No journey to Kashmir is full until 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 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 for my part, 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 under 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 in case you are planning a winter journey to Kashmir. It will not be that enormous in measurement 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, your complete 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 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 yr however it’s within the winter season when the waterfall is really at its finest.
For extra particulars on this one in every of its form waterfall, please check out How you can Plan a Journey to Drung Waterfall and What to See. You can even 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 simply see listed here are very totally different than what you will notice elsewhere.
Normally, while you discuss 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 may 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 lined 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 natural world and is finest 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 search out its place on the vacationer map. As a matter of reality, 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 current Kashmir Journey and spent a whole day exploring the area. I can inform you that that is one offbeat vacation spot that you simply positively need to go to. For extra particulars, please check out How you can Plan a Journey to Bangus Valley. You can even check out the video under that I shot throughout my go to to get a greater thought of what it’s best to anticipate throughout your go to.
Lolab Valley
Lolab Valley, also called ‘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 gorgeous 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 you can Plan a Journey to Lolab Valley. You can even check out the video under that I shot throughout my go to to get a greater thought 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 by way of the village acts because the pure border between the 2 habitations.
It actually presents a singular 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 you can Plan a Journey to Keran Village. Additionally, check out the video under to get extra particulars on the route and what precisely you’ll 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 type of locations in Kashmir which can be immensely stunning however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. However for somebody desirous to go offbeat and steer clear of the gang, 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 highway connectivity but and within the months of peak winter, it could possibly get very tough 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 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 world 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 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 approach to journey between the 2 locations however it’s positively not the one one.
There really exists one other route that’s much more scenic, much less crowded, takes you thru some inner components of Kashmir, and has existed for much longer than the common NH44 freeway. Sure, I’m speaking in regards to the historic Mughal highway.
This route is the alternate approach to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to achieve 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 Highway, you may check out the posts under.
Aharbal Waterfall
Aharbal Waterfall is likely one of the most stunning waterfalls in Kashmir. It is usually probably 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 stunning however doesn’t get the eye that it actually deserves.
If you’re 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 under.
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 quick video under to see how this stunning waterfall seems to be 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 fashionable spot among the many locals for household outings and faculty picnics.
If you’re somebody who likes spending time in nature, away from the gang in an offbeat place, Daksum could be your cup of tea. It actually looks like in the course of nowhere and if you happen to have been right here throughout the weekdays, there would hardly be anybody round. For extra particulars, please learn How you can Plan a Journey to Daksum Valley.
Sinthan High
Sinthan High, also called Sinthan Go, is a mountain go 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 go is also called the 360-degree viewpoint because it affords a captivating panoramic view of the encircling peaks and the valley.
It’s a stunning mountain go that ought to discover a place in each vacationer’s itinerary who’s coming towards Pahalgam. Attributable to its shut proximity, Sinthan High may be simply integrated with a visit to Pahalgam. The drive from Srinagar to Sinthan High by way of the Daksum Valley can be fairly scenic and affords an opportunity to go to another locations like Achabal Gardens, Kokernag, and Daksum.
For extra particulars, please learn How you 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, isn’t actually a reputation that many vacationers learn about. It’s a small valley situated close to Pahalgam however whereas Pahalgam receives hundreds of tourists annually, nearly nobody goes within the course of Chatpal. It’s a type of locations in Kashmir which can 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 often 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 gang, and spend a while in peace, then Chattabal will certainly look charming to you. For extra particulars, please check out How you 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 personal taxi. However in case you are a finances traveler, you too can go for public transport which is obtainable within the type of buses and shared taxis. The issue nevertheless is that it isn’t frequent.
Will probably be arduous 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 you can Journey in Kashmir by Buses & Shared Cabs. On this publish, I’ve supplied 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 to your journey, the posts under may also help you get a price estimate. An vital factor that it’s best to bear in mind is that locations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg have their very own taxi charges.
What it means is that if you happen to 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 if you happen to intend to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir. Check out the posts under to search out out taxi charges relevant for these explicit areas.
Renting a Bike
Renting a motorcycle in Srinagar is an effective way to probe for individuals who attain Kashmir by flight. There are just a few bike leases within the metropolis which you will get the bikes from.
Please check out How you 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 associated fee concerned.
Self-Drive Rental
In the event you would nevertheless prefer to hire a automotive in Srinagar and drive it round by yourself, that can be an possibility. Please check out How you can Lease a Self-Drive Automobile in Srinagar for extra particulars.
Itinerary Planning
Your closing itinerary for Kashmir will totally depend upon the variety of days you have got in hand, your finances, and your preferences. However I’ll suggest having a look at How you can Plan Your Itinerary for Kashmir.
On this publish, I’ve shared totally different examples of itineraries based mostly on the time at hand. You may choose any one of many prompt itineraries and both comply with it fully or modify it as per your necessities.
Meals to Attempt in Kashmir
Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete until you have got tasted the native delicacies. That for my part is definitely among the best components of touring to totally different locations.
The mouth-watering native meals to strive in Kashmir is an expertise that you simply simply can’t miss. Beneath is a complete checklist of what to eat and the place.
A typical query that will get requested most frequently is about vegetarian meals and its availability. You don’t have to fret about that as properly.
There are a number 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 really 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 among the motels that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You may check out the knowledge and footage that I supplied and resolve if you happen to want to keep at any of those.
Learn by way of my critiques under. I’ve additionally posted footage of the resort rooms that you could check out and resolve 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 capable of pen down of a few of my Kashmir journeys. If you want to, you may check out these logs to realize additional data and see footage of the locations.
I’ve tried to be as detailed as attainable in these logs, offering a number of crucial particulars for anybody desirous to plan the same journey.
By Automobile
This one was my longest journey to Kashmir and lined a lot of the vacationer locations.
Bike Journey
The journey above was totally in my Thar. Check out this second travelogue. This was a whole bike journey performed in a distinct method.
By Flight
This was the time after I caught a flight to Kashmir, employed a self-drive rental in Srinagar, and drove round some offbeat locations.
Winter Journeys
The travelogues above have been each from the summer season season. If you’re planning to go to Kashmir throughout the winter season, the travelogue under may be of assist.
This one is one other winter journey to Kashmir.
Different Travelogues
These travelogues have been written by different authors detailing their journeys. Have a look and I’m positive you will get a number of useful particulars from their journey tales.
If you want your journey story to be printed on my weblog, you may ship it to me with the related footage at [email protected]. I may give a closing 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 may take a have a look at the posts under. This may also help you resolve whether or not or not you need to go to that individual place or not.
How you can plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion
I imagine that’s it. This could cowl the vast majority of the knowledge that it’s worthwhile to get to be able to plan an pleasurable and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.
If there’s a particular query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, you may contact me on Instagram and I will likely be comfortable to reply. You can even think about subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a query there.