Achabal is one of the famous tourist destinations of District Anantnag in the South of Kashmir. Its ~8kms from Anantnag and is a spring gushing out of the Sonsanwar Hill. The terraced gardens of the Achabal park served the Emperor Jehangir as a place of beauty and pleasure. The park is curated thoroughly to let the water from the spring cascade and flow through it. To add cherry on the cake, the park is laden with fountains which adds to the charm of this beautiful Mughal garden. Its a perfect place for relaxation and a little picnic
By Air: Sheikh ul Alam International Airport connects Srinagar with the rest of India and wordwide. There are daily flights from major Indian cities including, Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chandigarh and Leh. From Srinagar you can take a taxi, cab or rent a car to visit Achabal.
Its better to add Achabal as a stop when you are visiting Pahalgam.
By Road: Achabal is easily accesible by road from various parts of North India. Here is an overview of the distances.
For road trip to Achabal you have options from govt/private run busses, sleepers, taxi, cab, shared taxi or self drive. On the way you can stop at dhabas to enjoy the local food along the scenic Jammu-Srinagar highway.
By Train:
The closest railway station to Achabal is the Anantnag Railway Station, ~ 204 kilometres from Jammu Tawi Railway Station. As there is no direct train link between Jammu Tawi and Anantnag Railway Station, part of your journey will be by road. Start by taking a taxi or bus from Jammu Tawi to Banihal Railway Station, where you can board a train to Anantnag. The final leg of your journey to Achabal must be completed by road, with options including shared taxis, private taxis, buses, and rental cars.
You can take a private taxi from the Tourist Reception Center (TRC), Srinagar to
Achabal, for INR 1500-3000 to Achabal depending on the type of vehicle you choose. Or you
can add Achabal to your tour package as well.
Achabal is a renowned destination and has good public transport connectivity,
you can travel to Anantnag from Srinagar for ~INR 120 in a shared taxi and from Anantnag you
can take another shared taxi for ~INR 30. You can also hire a private taxi from Anantnag and
visit Achabal and Verinag (which is also nearby) in the same day. Make sure to leave before
sundown, as getting a shared taxi from Achabal after sundown is going to be a little difficult
Buses run from Srinagar to Anantnag, and the fare is about INR 50. From Anantnag, you can take a local bus or taxi to Achabal. The combined cost of bus and taxi services will be around INR 300.
You can rent a bike from Srinagar or from Anantnag. Renting a bike wil cost you INR 1000 – 2500 depending on the type of bike that you rent
Self-drive car rentals in Srinagar/Anantnag cost between INR 2,000 to INR 5,000 per day. This option is the best if you want to visit at your own pace and maybe explore the surroundings as well.
If you are driving your own car, the trip is going to be quite enjoyable as the roads are fairly well maintained.
1. Verinag is barely 30 minutes away from Achabal, and is also a spring cascading along the Mughal Garden. Verinag is also a major source of the River Jehlum that flows across Jammu and Kashmir. The Mughal garden is also adorned with majestic Chinar Trees, which in itself is a treat to the eyes.
2. Kokernag is barely 20 minutes away from Achabal, adorned with the magestic chinar trees and deodar trees. The park has a collection of springs flowing through it. You can also trek along the trails hidden among the deodar trees there.
3. Daksum is ahead of Kokernag, so when you leave Acahabl for Kokernag, the next stop for you can be Daksum. Its a camping area as well, so if you are a camping enthusiast this is the place for you.
One thing to note here is that the temperature is colder in Daksum, so bring your wind cheaters or hoodies while visiting there. Also, there are small tea stalls there , you should definitely try their noon chai while you are there.
4. Pahalgam is one of the most go to places in Jammu and Kashmir. You can have your day trip
along Achabal, Verinag, Kokernag and Daksum and then you can plan your stay at Pahalgam
Mobile connectivity in Achabal is generally good, with major networks providing coverage. However, it is advisable to check with your service provider, especially if you plan to visit remote
areas
Achabal is well-connected by road, with regular bus services and taxis available from Srinagar and
Anantnag. The roads are well-maintained, making it easy to travel to and explore the town and its
surroundings.
Food is easily available at Achabal, There are restaurants, local shops and Dhabba’s near the entry gate at Achabal Park
Achabal is a perfect spot to enjoy a day picnic. Depart from Srinagar at 8-9 am, travel to Anantnag, and then head towards Achabal, you can first stop at Verinag, have a cuppa tea there and move on to Achabal. Under the majestic chinar trees, with the srping water gushing around you, you can have an out of the world experience while having your lunch. By 3 pm leave for Kokernag, where you can, trek along the park or just relax. If you want to stay the night at Daksum you can leave
Kokernag by 5pm to travel to Daksum, otherwise just skip ahead directly first to Daksum and then while returning make a stop at Kokernag. You can just add these places in your package while you are visiting Pahalgam
There are no checkpoints on the way to Achabal, but it’s recommended to keep your identification documents handy. Indian citizens should carry their Aadhaar card, while international travellers should have their passports
There are a few hotels in the vicinity of Achabal, notable ones being Achabal Residency and the JKTDC Achabal Resort. For the JKTDC Achabal Resort, you can book a room via JKTDC’s online portal or negotiate directly with the caretaker. PS. Achabal is an ideal option for a day trip.
District Hospital Anantnag is a mere 20 Kms away from achabal if you need any medical assistance, otherwise there are other facilities around achabal as well. Notable mentions being
For any serious ailments, District Hospital Anantnag or GMC Anantnag is the best choice available
near Achabal.
Autumn is the best season to visit Achabal, all the chinar trees are adorned with red leaves and is a
vision to behold
Achabal is well-connected by road, with regular bus services and taxis available from Srinagar and Anantnag. The roads are well-maintained, making it easy to travel to and explore the town and its surroundings
