The right way to plan a visit to Kashmir? This actually is a query that may by no means be answered briefly. There are loads of components that you’ll have to take into account like tips on how to attain, the place to remain, what to see, issues to do, what to pack, how a lot will it price, itinerary planning, and so on.
All of those questions can’t be answered in a single publish for those who actually need it to be detailed. Not simply Kashmir however when visiting anyplace anyplace, you’ll have to rigorously analysis every a part of the journey, to make sure that your journey stays hassle-free
I’ve visited Kashmir a number of occasions and have written a number of detailed articles that may be of assist to everybody planning a visit. This data is scattered in a number of posts and getting the main points that you simply want generally is a little time-consuming.
For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the publish beneath. Observe the hyperlinks, check out the articles and each query that you’ve got about visiting Kashmir will certainly get answered.
Greatest Time to Go to Kashmir
When is the perfect time to go to Kashmir? There’s really no straight reply to this query as a result of it would rely upon what sort of journey you have been trying ahead to.
In case you wished to see snow, January and February are preferrred occasions. In case you wished to see lush inexperienced views, September would be the greatest time. For a honeymoon journey, I’ll advocate April and September.
In case you wished to see flowers and Tulip Backyard, it’s best to plan for April. In case you wished to see Apple orchards, August and September is the perfect time to go.
For images, a visit within the post-monsoon season will likely be greatest. For price range vacationers, August and November are good occasions to go.
This nevertheless is only a temporary 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 effectively however the providers of Vodafone and Concept aren’t that nice.
The essential 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 should have good reception and information connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. In case you went a bit 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 may check out. I’ve given a region-wise breakdown of the community reception on this publish.
Garments to Pack for Kashmir Journey
The subsequent essential query will likely be associated to your packing. The garments that you simply want for visiting Kashmir will fluctuate in line with the season and month of your journey. It’s going to additionally rely upon the locations you take note of to go to and your mode of commute as effectively.
I’ll advocate looking at Garments for Kashmir Journey – Issues to Pack for Kashmir Journey for extra data on this side. On this publish, I’ve talked intimately in regards to the sort of garments that you ought to be packing for a visit to Kashmir in numerous 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 can change into the very spotlight of your journey.
Srinagar
I’m including Srinagar first to the listing as a result of that’s the place you’ll have to go first. Srinagar will likely be your base to discover the gorgeous valleys of Kashmir.
However is it simply that? The reply isn’t any. It’s not only a base to discover Kashmir however somewhat 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 probably the most visited vacationer locations in our nation.
- Srinagar – The right way to 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 Price, Timings, Journey Planning
- Nishat Bagh Srinagar – The right way to Attain, Timings, Entry Price
- Hazratbal Shrine Srinagar – The right way to Attain, What to See
- Chashme Shahi Srinagar – The right way to Attain, Timings, Suggestions
- Pari Mahal Srinagar – Timings, The right way to Attain, Greatest Time
- Floating Vegetable Market of Srinagar – Flower Market
- Shikara Journey in Dal Lake Srinagar – Price, Timings, Greatest Spot
- Sound and Mild Present in Srinagar in Dal Lake
- Astanmarg – One of many Greatest 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 provides mesmerizing landscapes and an enthralling risk of assorted journey actions.
Such is the fantastic thing about this tiny hamlet that it attracts folks from all around the nation all year long. It’s probably a type of locations the place the vacationer season by no means ends.
From households to journey lovers, Gulmarg has so much to supply everybody. It not solely attracts vacationers from the opposite components of the nation but additionally is a favourite weekend getaway for the native Kashmiris as effectively.
Under is an inventory of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll advocate looking at these earlier than visiting this stunning little city.
Sonamarg
The subsequent vacation spot that you need to go to throughout your Kashmir journey is Sonamarg. The place is definitely accessible, stays open for a lot of the yr, has loads of inns, presents wonderful views, and is ideal for every kind of journeys.
Public transport can also be simply obtainable. There’s a every day bus between Srinagar and Sonamarg and apart from that, shared cabs additionally journey on the route repeatedly.
For lodging, there may be a variety of inns to select from, each for price range vacationers in addition to somebody in search of a luxurious keep. Learn on to seek out out extra.
Under is an inventory of articles that present each data that you’ll want to know so as to plan your journey.
Pahalgam
The title Pahalgam must introduction. It is among the most visited locations of Kashmir, one which receives vacationers all yr lengthy. No journey to Kashmir is full except 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 beneath, I’ve talked about how a visit to Pahalgam may be deliberate, locations that it’s best to go to there, lodging, public transport, and several other different suggestions that may be of use.
Gurez Valley
Gurez Valley is among 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 fantastic thing about the mountains that you simply see listed here are very completely different than what you will note elsewhere.
Normally, once 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 can depart you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such vacation spot that I’ll extremely advocate that you simply discover a place for in your journey plans.
How are you going to plan your journey to Gurez are particulars that I’ve lined within the posts beneath.
Mughal Street
Not many individuals would know in regards to the Mughal Street. Srinagar Jammu Nationwide Freeway, also called 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 method to journey between the 2 locations however it’s undoubtedly not the one one.
There really exists one other route that’s much more scenic, much less crowded, takes you thru some inside components of Kashmir, and has existed for much longer than the common NH44 freeway. Sure, I’m speaking in regards to the historic Mughal street.
This route is the alternate method to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to achieve some inside areas of Kashmir just like the city of Rajouri. It’s also a really scenic route that undoubtedly deserves to be explored.
For extra particulars on Mughal street, you’ll be able to check out the posts beneath.
Aharbal Waterfall
Aharbal Waterfall is among the most stunning waterfalls in Kashmir. It’s also 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 stunning however doesn’t get the eye that it actually deserves.
In case you have been planning to go to Kashmir, I’ll extremely advocate that you need to 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 beneath.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg is positioned 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 are immensely stunning however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. However for somebody eager to go offbeat and keep away from 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 the 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 could actually 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 sincere, it isn’t but a hill station as there may be little to no growth within the area. What you see is nature in its uncooked kind. There are only a few homes of the native shepherds and that’s the solely signal of civilization that you will note 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 wished to remain in a single day.
You possibly can check out Doodhpathri – A COMPLETE Journey Information & Itinerary to seek out out extra.
Public Transport in Kashmir
The easiest way to journey to Kashmir is both by your self-owned car or a personal taxi. However in case you are a price range traveler, you can even go for public transport which is out there 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 anyplace 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 The right way to Journey in Kashmir by Buses & Shared Cabs. On this publish, I’ve offered full particulars on how one can commute from Srinagar to different locations by public transport.
Taxi Charges
In case you have been planning on renting a taxi to your journey, the posts beneath may also help you get a price 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 for Pahalgam from Srinagar, it could actually solely drop you in Pahalgam. To go to native locations like Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, you’ll have to hire a neighborhood cab in Pahalgam.
The identical rule applies to Gulmarg. In case you wished to go for a drive to Bota Pathri, you’ll have to hire one other cab in Gulmarg for that.
Equally, this rule can also be relevant for those who supposed to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir.
Renting a Bike
Renting a motorcycle in Srinagar is an effective way to probe for individuals who reached Kashmir by flight. There are a number of bike leases within the metropolis that you may get the bikes from.
Please check out The right way to Lease a Bike in Srinagar and Srinagar Bike Rental Charges. From each of those posts, you will get to know the process and the price concerned.
Itinerary Planning
Your remaining itinerary for Kashmir will completely rely upon the variety of days you have got in hand, your price range, and your preferences. However I’ll advocate looking at The right way to Plan your Itinerary for Kashmir.
On this publish, I’ve shared completely different examples of itineraries based mostly on the time at hand. You possibly can decide any one of many instructed itineraries and both comply with it utterly or modify it as per your comfort.
Meals to Attempt in Kashmir
Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete except you have got tasted the native delicacies. That in my view is definitely probably the greatest components of touring to completely different locations.
The mouth-watering native meals to attempt in Kashmir is an expertise that you simply simply can’t miss. Under is a complete listing of what to eat and the place.
A typical query that will get requested most frequently is about vegetarian meals and its availability. You would not have to fret about that as effectively.
There are loads of locations throughout Kashmir the place they solely serve vegetarian, even Jain meals as effectively. So discovering a spot to eat is not going to really be an issue.
The posts beneath present extra data on the meals that it’s best to attempt in Kashmir and the place.
Lodges
Within the posts beneath, I’ve reviewed among the inns that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You possibly can check out the data and footage that I offered and resolve for those who want to keep at any of those.
- 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
Under are the hyperlinks to detailed travelogues that I used to be capable of pen down of a few of my Kashmir journeys. If you need to, you’ll be able to check out these logs to achieve additional data and see footage of the locations.
I’ve tried to be as detailed as doable in these logs, offering a number of mandatory particulars for anybody eager to plan an identical 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 completely in my Thar. Check out this second travelogue. This was an entire bike journey completed in a special method.
Winter Journey
The travelogues above have been each from the summer season season. In case you have been planning to go to Kashmir in the course of the winter season, the travelogue beneath may be of assist.
Different Travelogues
These travelogues have been written by different authors detailing their journeys. Have a look and I’m certain you will get loads of useful particulars from their journey tales.
If you need your journey story to be revealed on my weblog, you’ll be able to ship it to me with the related footage at [email protected] I may give a remaining contact to the log, put it up on the log and add the hyperlinks right here.
Images
If you need to check out a few of my photos of locations in Kashmir, you’ll be able to take a have a look at the posts beneath. This may also help you resolve whether or not or not you wish to go to that specific place or not.
The right way to plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion
I imagine that’s it. This could cowl nearly all of the data that you’ll want to get so as to plan an gratifying and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.
If there was a selected query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, please be happy to ask within the feedback part beneath. You may also comply with me on Instagram and chat with me dwell or subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a query there.