Kashmir was called the “Heaven On Earth” by famous historians and it’s completely true. Visiting Kashmir in winter was such an incredible experience, imagine everything was covered with the white fluffy layer of soft snow. And if you reach during snowfall nothing can be more soul-soothing than that. There are many places to visit in Kashmir that you can explore. It’s a famous Honeymoon spot among Indians. Places to visit in Kashmir are Magical. Many adventurous sports are also organized here during the winter season. Let’s talk about everything one by one.
Places to Visit in Kashmir
How to reach Kashmir
Kashmir can be reached by road through the private car, train, or by air. By train, you have to book for Jammu first and then 7-8 hrs travel more from Jammu. You can book the ticket online if you want to travel by air on AirAsia airlines or any other cheap and best airline. Flights are available from all big cities to Srinagar. From Delhi to Srinagar it costs around 5000-7000 INR and It takes around 2hrs. Volvo buses are also directly available at the price of 2200 INR approx. You can book Volvo directly from www.jksrtc.com. Ordinary bus ticket costs around 1700 INR.
Where to Stay in Srinagar
Hotels are the obvious option for everyone when we talk about the stay everywhere but the specialty of Srinagar is Houseboat. These houseboats are available at very nominal prices about 400-8000 INR per night per person. You can enjoy the beautiful view of the Dal-Lake from your boats. Expensive houseboats are also available depending on your expenditure and the location of the houseboat.
Some Houseboats include food also. So we prefer you to select the correct one for your stay. At this place, you can visit through Sikara-boats ( used to travel through the lake from one side to the other). Charges for these Boats are between 10-50 INR for one side.
Normal Hotels also start from 800 INR and range to 20000 INR.
Places to Visit In Srinagar
Srinagar is very much for its Dal-Lake view, Pari Mahal which is around 11 km from Dal lake. Nearby to this Chasm-e-Sahi bag, which is in the area of one acre. Chasm-e-Sahi bag also known as royal spring. The Nagin Lake is also a worth-seeing lake. This lake is part of Dal-lake.
Nishaat baag, Shaalimar baag also present near to the Dal lake. Hazrat Bal shrine is also a place that you can explore. We recommend you visit this shrine on other days except for Friday due to the high rush. When you are on shikara don’t miss Kahwa ( a local delicious and healthy liquid like coffee). The floating market of Dal-Lake is very famous. You can enjoy Maggie along with kahwa on your boat in the center of the lake. Shankaracharya temple is also very famous and worth seeing.
A place to visit in Kashmir- Gulmarg
After spending 2 days in Srinagar the next destination is Gulmarg. Gulmarg is about 50 km from srinagar and its a wonderful place. Stay at Gulmarg is very costly and hotel per night rates are 2000-2500 minimum and may be high depending upon the demand.
Gulmarg is well known for its adventurous sports activities. Many skiing teams came here for practice and book their hotels for months, so if you are visiting here make sure that you book your hotel in advance. You can reach the early in the morning in Gulmarg are came back to Srinagar in the evening for stay also. Gandola Ride of Gulmarg is a must thing to do. You can enjoy the white mountains and beautiful landscapes in this gondola lift. When you came to Gulmarg first rent the special plastic shoes which help you to walk on snow smoothly. It will cost around 200-300 INR per person.
You can also hire a local guide around 300-400 per day who can do time-saving things for you and bargain for you. As Kashmiri peoples are very sweet and kind, this can be a good gesture of support for them.
Pahalgam- Places to visit in Kashmir
Around 70 km from Srinagar you will find this beautiful gem of Kashmir valley. Pahalgam is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the valley. When you reach near to Pahalgam you get vibes of it, you are welcomed with orchids of beautiful Kashmiri apples. There is a lot to explore in Pahalgam. You can cover some points through a Taxi or if you have your own car, and some points are covered through horse riding.
On the road from Srinagar to Pahalgam you will find the fields of “Kesar”. In the months of October and November only for 15 days, you will find the Kesar flower and Its stigma used as the product in the name of Kesar.
Aru Valley- Places In Pahalgam
Aru valley is the most beautiful and main attraction of Pahalgam. You will find a thick carpet of snow here. You will find white in winter and totally green in summer. Leether river and its crystal clear water with unique colors look so awesome. From Pahalgam to Aru valley you will find an amazing view of the valley from height and snowcap mountains.
Chandanwadi- Basecamp for Manimahesh Yatra
Our next destination in the Pahalgam is Chandanwadi. Chandanwadi is the Basecamp for the Sacred Manimahesh Pilgrimage. In winter you will not reach at the proper places directly through your vehicle. You have to stop and rent Boots, Sledge, and jackets with the local guides. They will provide you with sightseeing at negotiable prices.
From Chandanwadi your next destination is Betaab valley. The Name of this valley is famous after the shooting of the Movie “Betaab” of sunny Deol and Amrita Singh here in 1983. Before 1983 this place was known as heagan valley. You can find guides and coffee at the gate of this valley. You can enjoy “Pahadon wali maggie” here.
Traditional Kashmiri Tangri is the basic need for all Kashmiris,s which helps them to survive in this negative temperature. Life is so hard for locals maybe, but it’s a dream for many of us to visit Kashmir. Kashmir is a famous honeymoon place also.
