With untouched and gorgeous natural beauty, Pahalgam is a feast to the eyes and senses. Submerged in lush greenery and alluring Himalayan ranges, it calls for some moments of requiescence at nature's own home.
You will be wonderstruck by the sumptuousness of Pahalgam the moment you arrive at this pristine land. Little houses, green fields and farms of saffron, the valleys are green and very beautiful. You can go on fishing trips or trek on one of the plenty mountains that cover this place. The 18 hole golf course is set among the snowcapped surroundings of Pahalgam and can make a really worthy experience to remember for long time.
In Anantnag district (2130 m above the sea level), western part of the state of J&K.
The tiny but scenic village of Pahalgam offers a number of wonderful sites to see. Before you get yourself busy and indulge in light adventure options at Pahalgam, do remember to visit the famous tourist attractions in Pahalgam, some of which are given below.
It is famous for its snow bridge. Lying at a distance of 16 km, Chandanwari is also the starting point for the auspicious Amarnath Yatra. It is a small valley, situated at an altitude of 6,500 above sea level. Good sturdy shoes are a prerequisite if you are hiking in this area.
Pine forests dot this meadow which presents a picturesque view of the snow-clad mountains. The snow covered Tulian lake at an altitude of 3353 m is 11kms from Baisaran.
The waters of this greenish blue lake are covered with ice till June. Sheshnag lies at a distance of 13 km from Chandanwari and is at 11,330 ft above sea level. The place has derived its name from seven peaks that look like the head of Sheshnag, the sacred snake in the Hindu mythology.
It is the confluence of five streams and gives Panchtarni its name. For those headed towards the holy cave of Amarnath, Panchtarni is the last camping site. From Panchtarni, Amarnath is located at a distance of 6 km.
Pahalgam is the base for the religious trek to the abode of Lord Shiva. A narrow spiralling path from Panchtarni leads to the Amarnath Cave. The massive ice shivlingam is visited by thousands of pilgrims between July and September.
This charming meadow can be reached by walking along a mountain path. The river Lidder disappears at Gur Khumb and reappears after 27 mts.
A beautiful camping site set among dense forests. Starting point of the trek to the Sindh Valley.
Pahalgam has lots of recreational activities especially trekking adventures. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering and camping sites. Trekking can be undertaken to Kolahoi Glacier which is very beautiful via Aru village. Sledging at the frozen Glaciers is also offered by locals. You can take long walks in the jungles and explore rich flora and fauna. Pahalgam is the main base camp to Amarnath Cave. Alpine Skiing is also available at high altitudes. A Popular trek from Sonamarg to Pahalgam and trek to Chandanwari and Sheshnag lake can also be undertaken. The Liddar River is popular among travelers interested in angling. Stretches of this river are suitable for trout fishing. Pahalgam has a golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. Camping equipment, ponies and skiing equipment is readily available.
Planning A Trip To Gulmarg? Here's a snapshot of Gulmarg weather and the best time to visit Gulmarg
Gulmarg is a year-round travel destination, so plan your visit according to what you would like to do in the hill-station. Guarded by beautiful mountains, under immaculate blue skies, Gulmarg is definitely a must-visit destination. Be it in summers or winters, you will have an amazing view at your behest. Below is a detailed breakup of Gulmarg’s weather conditions so you can plan your trip accordingly.
The temperature ranges from 29°C to 13°C. In this season one can witness the true beauty of Gulmarg, popularly known as the Meadow of flowers. Naturally, this is peak tourist season as the snow is almost gone and the weather is pleasant making is the ideal time for sightseeing.
Monsoon season starts in the month of July. Even though Gulmarg doesn't receive heavy rainfall, the weather is slightly hot and muggy. However, this is the perfect time if you want to have the meadows all to yourself. An offseason, these months bring down prices as the number of tourists fall considerably.
Winters begins in the month of October and the temperature reaches to zero degrees starting November, marking the onset of the winter season. With fresh snow, December end to mid-February is the perfect season to build a snowman, if you have ever cared for those. Make sure you pack warm clothes as the temperature can dip all the way down to -4 degree Celsius.
The fresh and serene atmosphere and the lack of city hustle-bustle make Gulmarg an ideal de-stress getaway. The authenticity of its beauty makes it one of the most well-known hill stations in India surrounded by snow clad peaks of Himalayas. Thinking of visiting the hill station for a vacation? Here is a guide that will tell you how to reach Gulmarg.
Gulmarg by road is perfect for bikers and adventure seekers. Just 57 kilometers from Srinagar this route won't take you more than 2-3 hours. Even though the minimum it takes is just 1-2 hours, it's better to keep 1 hour as a buffer to navigate the winding mountain roads. It is recommended that you update your car with specially equipped tires to drive in this region.
Buses to Gulmarg are also available from Srinagar and other towns in the vicinity. You can take the regular bus on a budget but if you want something more luxurious then go for the deluxe bus operated by both government and private companies.
There are no direct trains available to reach Gulmarg. But you can reach the Jammu Tawi railway station which is located at a distance of 290 kilometers. The Jammu station is well connected with most Indian cities with daily trains pouring in with passengers from all over the country. It's best to reach Jammu and later hire a prepaid cab or board a mini traveler.
aThe nearest domestic airport to Gulmarg is the Srinagar airport located about 58 km away from Gulmarg. Daily connecting flights from all major cities around India land here. You can hire a prepaid cab outside the airport - it will cost you around Rs. 1500 one way. You can also book a cab online to avoid any last minute hassle.aa