So, you are planning to visit Pahalgam. Of course, one of the most important towns in Hindu and Kashmiri Mythology, Pahalgam is a famous tourist destination located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located on an altitude of Feet above the sea level and is known for its beautiful valleys, lush green valley, water streams, lakes and trekking options. One of the important routes to the Amarnath Yatra also goes through Pahalgam.
Kashmir is connected to the rest of valley and country. You can visit by Air, Train or by Road.
Of all the places tourists visit in Kashmir, Pahalgam is most vide and travel friendly. During the peak season all the places of Pahalgam are accessible and a view to behold and remember forever. Following is a brief introduction of places you should visit on your trip to Pahalgam:
Betaab Valley: named after 1983 Bollywood movie Betaab, Betaab valley is located at a distance of 7 kilometers from Pahalgam main town. It is a vast valley nestled with willow trees and alpine trees in the background and snowy peaks giving it a beautiful view. It is located next to the flowing Lidder River that adds to its beauty. It is one of the most visited picnic destinations of Pahalgam.
Chandanwari: Ahead on the path of Betaab Valley lies the beautiful valley of Chandanwari. Chandanwari acts as a base camp for the Amarnath Yatra that goes through the way of Pahalgam. It is known for its snowclad landscapes that cover it during early summer and the whole of winter. It is a common tourist destination during summer.
Aru Valley: Aru Valley is yet another meadow valley located at a distance of 12 kilometers from the town of Pahalgam. Aru valley is known for its Bollywood shootings, vast meadows as well as net water flowing alongside. The view changes with each passing step and every time the nature feels to offer you more.
Aru Wildlife Sanctuary: Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is another tourist destination in Pahalgam hill station. It is located at a distance of merely 5 kilometers from the Pahalgam town. Some of the animals that are found there include Kashmiri Brown Bear, Asiatic Black Bear, Hangul etc.
Baisaran Valley: Commonly known as the mini-Switzerland, Baisaran Valley is a small trek from main town Pahalgam of about 5 kilometers. It is known for its Alp view as well as the shooting of famous Bollywood film Bajrangi Bhaijaan made it’s the famous destination. You can do a trek to reach the place or can take a Pahalgam special Pony ride.
Lavender Park: One of the most unique locations to do some photography and celebrate a little picnic is the vast Lavender field of Pahalgam. It is situated just a few kilometers from Pahalgam town, and is an easy walk. You can enjoy photography and little sightseeing from there.
Sheeshnag Lake: Situated at an elevation of almost 3590 meters, Sheeshnag Lake is almost a 23 Kilometer trek from main town Pahalgam. It is one of the most visited lakes because of its religious importance. The trek is easy to moderately difficult but the view is a view worth watching.
Tarsar and Marsar Lakes: Tarsar and Marsar are the two lakes of almost similar nature, at a little distance from Aru Valley. The trek to these lakes is moderately difficult but highly peaceful and serene. You can also visit Lidderwat on this trek path.
Tulian Lake: Tulian Lake is a freshwater lake 16 kilometers from Pahalgam and 11 kilometers from Baisaran Valley. It is known for its serene beauty, silence and fresh water.
Mamaleshwar Temple: Right in the town of Pahalgam is the traditional Mamaleshwar temple. It is one of the most important temples that you can visit on your journey in Pahalgam.
Pahalgam Golf Course: Golf Course of Pahalgam is also one of the important tourist destinations in Pahalgam. This Course holds tournaments organized by state as well as local private hotels. Not only is it an athletic experience worth the name, it is also a beautiful view to behold.
Ziyarat Ashmuqam: Ziyarat Ashmuqam is a nearby destination which you can explore while going back or coming to Pahalgam. This is the point where you can engage with the local culture as well as look at the point where the famous Qawwali “Bhar do Jholi meri” from movie Bajrangi Bhaijaan was shot. You can also enjoy the local street food here
Your trip to Pahalgam is filled with opportunities to engage in. following are the activities you can engage in during your trip to Pahalgam.
Trekking in Pahalgam: Pahalgam is a known trekking destination. You can trek to Sheeshnag, Kolahoi Glacier, Tarsar and Marsar Lakes or even to the Baisaran valley.
Camping in Pahalgam: Camping can also be a terrific adventure in your Pahalgam trip. You can do camping in Betaab Valley and Aru Valley. Parks alongside Lidder River are also good for camping.
Horse Riding in Pahalgam: horse riding is also an exquisite activity to engage in. you can easily hire a pony to your smaller trips to Baisaran Valley, Aru valley or even Chandanwari.
Rafting in Pahalgam: Rafting is also an activity to engage in. It is available in different levels ranging from easy to difficult based on your level of athleticism and comfort.
Golf in Pahalgam: Pahalgam Golf Course is one of the most beautiful experiences in the hill station of Pahalgam. You can play or even go for sightseeing
Wildlife in Pahalgam: You can also enjoy your trip to Pahalgam with Aru Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary provides looks into the endangered Kashmiri Hangul, Brown bear and a varied collection of Beautiful fauna.
Sightseeing in Pahalgam: Pahalgam is the perfect place for sightseeing. It takes you down the lane of beauty while enjoying your visits through Chandanwari, Aru and Betaab Valley and Lavender fields.
Photography: Pahalgam is a haven for photographers and camera lovers. The lenses and the eyes both are treated with the serene beauty and magnificence of nature that Pahalgam beholds.
Shopping: Pahalgam has a vast market with shops that give you the glimpse of local culture and artifacts. You can buy Dry fruits, Kashmiri Shawl, multiple Walnut Carved artifacts in Pahalgam
Pahalgam hosts many luxurious staying options that will be more than enough for your peaceful stay at the natural surroundings of Pahalgam. Some options are “WelcomHotel by ITC,” “The Chinar Resort and Spa,” and “Radisson Resort Pahalgam.”
Cheap and comfortable stays are also available in Pahalgam with satisfying services and facilities. Some options are “Al Hayat Guest House,” “Pine Brooke” and “New Snow View Resort Pahalgam.”
You can find many purely vegetarian places in and around Pahalgam like “Taste Buds” restaurant on the Chandanwari Road. “Nathus Rasoi,” “Sagar Ratna Pahalgam” and Dana Pani are some other options among the many that you can find all over Pahalgam.
There are lots and lots of places for non-vegetarian food lovers in Pahalgam. Some options among many include “Sifar Pahalgam,” “Punjabi Rasoi” and “Gashi Multicuisine Restaurant.” You will be licking your fingers after tasting the rich cuisine of Kashmir.
A day in the month of Janaury will be chilling when the night tempertaures drop down to minus 12 degrees celcius. The day temperature ranges between -7 to 4 degrees celcius.
In the month of February, the weather remains almost similar to the month of January when the temperatures touch the minus scale at night.
The month of march in Pahalgam gets slightly warmer than the previous months. The average temperatures of the day remain between -1 to 12 degrees celcius.
April in Pahalgam pushes the weather towards the upcoming summer, when greenery starts to appear and flowers start to bloom everywhere. The average temperature during this time remains between 3 to 18 degree celcius.
The month of may in Pahalgam gets a little more warmer with the temperatures touching 25 degrees celcius. It is a pleasant time with cool weather.
The entering of June marks the entry to summer season in Pahalgam, when the temperatures go up to 25 degrees celcius
The month of July is the peak summer time in Pahalgam with the temperatures moving up to 28 degrees celcius at the daytime
The month is august in Pahalgam is almost warm like July. The temperatures are warm and the weather sunny.
The month of September in Pahalgam marks a shift towards the beautiful autumn season. The temperatures show a slight drop and cooler winds occupy the air
The month of october in Pahalgam is cold, when cloudy weather becomes a daily affair. The temperatures plummet down to 2 degrees celcius
November in Pahalgam is marked by cold weather and cloudy sky. The soil becomes dry and multiple layers of clothing are extremely important
With the start of December, the temperatures move down to the minus scale and snow is also expected in the latter part of this month
Pahalgam is a tourist destination open throughout the year. However, the best season to visit Pahalgam is late spring and summer.
The meadows of Betaab valley and Aru valley are ready to welcome the new tourists and open their lap for them. During spring, the river of Lidder is also at its full zenith and flowing with its complete grandeur
Pahalgam is at its peak during the summer. Most tourist destinations are accessible, trekking tracks are dry and weather is also pleasant around this time of the year. The Amarnath Yatra also begins here in the month of June/July (Saawan).
Autumn is one of the seasons when you should visit Pahalgam. During autumn, the meadows and valleys of Pahalgam aren’t much crowded, so it gives you a trip of seclusion and tranquility. The snow isn’t much around during the autumn season and also less water in the Lidder River.
Winter is not the best season to visit Pahalgam. Pahalgam receives more snowfall than Srinagar as well as the rest of Kashmir. However, you can enjoy some great sightseeing in Pahalgam during Snowfall
Pahalgam is a summer travel destination and hill station located in the Southern district of Anantnag. The best month to visit Pahalgam is April-August. These months host a great number of tourists from across the globe and especially from India. During these months the beauty of Pahalgam reaches its full zenith.
April: April is the month that begins the peak season tourism to Pahalgam. The flowers bloom, the meadows get dry and green as well as the weather is warm and pleasant. Alongside this, the upper reaches like the Aru Valley still have snow that attracts tourists across globe.
May: May is the beginning of trekking and camping. During this month, the temperature gets stable and tourists across the country throng the valleys of Pahalgam. This month the treks start towards Sheshnag, Tarsar Marsar and even the Amarnath Yatra Cave. Alongside, the Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is also visited by the tourists.
June and July: June is the peak season of Pahalgam tourism as well as the month of July. During those months the beautiful terrains, meadows valleys, rivers and likes of Pahalgam are a soothing view to watch. The major activities done here include but is not limited to trekking, Camping, rafting, sightseeing, photography and golf
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As a local, I was always tempted to visit Pahalgam. So one fine morning, we embarked on a two day visit to immerse ourselves in the beautiful valleys and meadows of Pahalgam. We left early in the morning and at around 11.30 we were knocking on the gates of this wonderful valley. We started our journey from Betaab Valley. After enjoying lunch on the bank of Lidder in this lush green valley, we hit the road again and presented ourselves the soothing view of Chandanwari. Towards the end of the day we were ready to leave but the immense beauty of this valley didn’t let us to move one bare inch. We stayed there for the night, enjoyed camping and went to slumber with the stars.
Waking up early the next morning, we set to leave for Aru valley and spend some time in the wild life sanctuary. The place was extremely powerful and we went on to go to Baisaran Valley, the mini-Switzerland of Pahalgam. We did the trekking and it took us almost an hour to reach there. The wonderful view of this Alp-ish meadow took our breath away. We were honestly awe struck as how to process such beauty and pristine nature.
Towards evening, we went to Dargah of Zene Shah at Ashmuqam. Being a local I was tempted to visit the place for its cultural and spiritual values as well as a shooting point for “Bhar do Jholi Meri”. Towards the end of the day, it started raining, and we had to cut short out journey to this wonderful valley of multiple valleys, rivers and alpine lakes.
Pahalgam is the conjunction of two Kashmiri words, “Pahal” and “Gam,” where the former means “Shepherds” and the latter means “a village.” This is why it is often reffered to as the “Valley of Shepherds.” You can see many shepherds grazing their flock in the higher reaches of Pahalgam even today.
Pahalgam was a prime hill station for a vacation during the british rule. The valley has also witnessed the Mughal Rule when the Mughal emperors visited the valley and admired the beauty within. The Hindu literature refers to Pahalgam as the place where the God Shiva left his bull and set to the Amarnath Cave to uncover the secret of immortality to his wife, Parvati. Interestingly, It is also believed that Shiva left his snakes in Sheeshnag, moon in Chandanwai and Ganesha on the Mahaguna Parbat
With plenty of natural resources and spiritual material in the place, Pahalgam becomes a much important destination. It is one of the most visited hill-stations in India and serves to a large volume of people associated with tourism. It is also one of the two routes for the revered annual Amarnath Yatra, making it a highly important place. Natural resources like glaciers, streams and minerals are abundant in the place. You will get amazed with the wide range of flora and fauna here, which contributes to the diversity of the planet
You must be familiar with the annual Amarnath Yatra that takes place every year between the months of June and August. The Yatra or pilgrimage is done by the Hindu community to the Amarnath Cave in the higher reaches of Sonmarg in Kashmir. The cave is considered holy and people take blessings at the cave near the ice lingam, which is a miracle to see. You can check the details of the yatra, like how to register and the schedule for the same on the website of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board
Overall, Pahalgam is a must-visit destination in the Kashmir region. You should keep this beautiful heaven in your planned journey as it deserves to be there. You will find many other recreations in Pahalgam that are not mentioned here. It is a soul-filling and peaceful piece of land on earth that is perfect for families, couples and even solo travellers
Pahalgam is famous for its stunning natural beauty, including lush meadows, pine forests, and the scenic Lidder River, making it a popular destination for tourists seeking tranquility and outdoor activities in Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam is dubbed “Mini Switzerland” for its breathtaking scenery of lush meadows, pine forests, and the Lidder River, resembling Switzerland’s natural beauty. The snow-covered peaks in winter add to its charm, reminiscent of Swiss landscapes. This picturesque town attracts tourists with its trekking opportunities, pony rides, and serene environment, making it a popular destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
Both destinations are equally beautiful and charming. It is up to you to explore these pieces of heavens. However, Gulmarg is associated with snow more than Pahalgam as it serves as the snow epicenter for tourists in the winter
There is proper network connectivity in Pahalgam. You can buy new simcards also from the Pahalgam market
There are a few ATM’s in the Pahalgam market which are accessible easily
There is a petrol pump in the main Pahalgam area which caters to a large amount of vehicles daily.
To protect yourself both physically and financially, you can impart certain practices while in Pahalgam. Keep your identity proofs with you all the time. Check weather before moving out. You will also need to check government rates of the tourist services to be safe from scammers.
Yes, you can see snow in Pahalgam, especially during the winter months from December to February. The town and surrounding areas experience snowfall, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland with snow-covered mountains, meadows, and trees. Snow adds to the scenic beauty of Pahalgam and attracts visitors who enjoy activities like skiing and snow trekking during this time.
Traveling to Pahalgam at night may not be advisable due to several factors:
Road Conditions: The road from Srinagar to Pahalgam can be narrow and winding in places, which may become more challenging to navigate at night, especially if visibility is poor.
Security Concerns: While Pahalgam is a popular tourist destination, it’s important to be aware of the security situation in the region. Traveling during daylight hours can be safer and more secure.
Limited Services: Facilities and services such as roadside assistance, accommodations, and food options may be limited or closed during late hours, making it less convenient for travelers.
It’s generally recommended to plan your travel to Pahalgam during daylight hours to ensure better safety, visibility, and access to services. If traveling at night is necessary, it’s advisable to check local conditions and ensure you have proper arrangements in place.
