Aru Valley
Overview
One of Kashmir’s most breathtaking tourist spots, the renowned Aru Valley, offers extraordinary beauty and charm. Numerous thrill seekers from around the world come to this location to partake in a wide variety of exhilarating adventure activities.
In this beautiful Valley, outdoor activities including camping, fishing, and horseback riding are very common. Additionally, the valley serves as the starting point for the popular Sonamarg trek and Kolahoi Glacier, making trekking accessible to hikers of all skill levels. The region is a great place to go skiing in the winter.
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Highlights of Aru Valley
One of the three ABC Valleys of Pahalgam, this valley is a well-known tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir and is situated in the Anantnag district around 12 kilometers away from Pahalgam. The valley, located distant from the bustle of city life and nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, is a stunning and tranquil setting. The valley was created by the confluence of two streams, one from the Lidder River and the other from the Glacier. Additionally, Pahalgam sightseeing is peppered with charming villages, flower-filled fields, and woods of cedar and pine. It is one of the well-known valleys in Pahalgam’s ABC Valley.
This valley is a well-liked trekking location and is renowned for its beautiful scenery. The settlement here also serves as a starting point for hikes to Tarsar Lake and the Kolahoi Glacier. The valley is a sought-after location for adventure lovers because it has numerous additional little walking trails. A number of glaciers, alpine meadows, and streams may be found here. The Valley is renowned for its wildlife, which includes some rare and threatened species like the red fox, snow leopard, and Asiatic black bear.
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Things to Do in Aru Valley
The Valley offers a wide assortment of exercises and sights for guests to appreciate. The taking after are some of the best things to do in Aru:
Trekking and Hiking
In Aru, hikers and trekkers can find sanctuary. You can walk to Green Top and Base Camp if you only have a day. Another nice place you could go to is Lidderwat. However, it will take two days to walk there. You must travel the 8 miles from Aruto Lidderwat in one day. Spend the night at Lidderwat and return the next day. You’ll need to hire guides for this walk.
The Tarsar Marsar Trek and the Kolahoi Glacier Trek are further options from the Valley. All of these multi-day hikes require guides because they are all multi-day treks.
Adventure lovers must consider: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek | Tarsar Marsar Trek
Sightseeing
Visit Betaab Valley: This beautiful area is near Aru and has the moniker “Betaab” after the Bollywood film that was shot there. It gives shocking sees of the Lidder Stream, knolls, and snow-capped mountains.
Discover Lidderwat Valley: Take a walk through the beautiful Lidderwat Valley, which is eminent for its dazzling knolls, spouting streams, and breathtaking Himalayan sees.
Experience the winter adventure: Skiing in Gulmarg
Photography
Photographers can find many options at Aru. Take pictures of the gorgeous scenery, colorful flowers, snow-capped mountains, and the local culture.
Don’t forget to take pictures of the valley’s stunning sunrise and sunset views.
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Places to Visit In Aru Valley
You should visit this valley for the tranquility and natural beauty it offers. Although it is a heaven for trekkers, it is also a perfect place for regular travelers to spend a few days in quiet and alone away from the crowds. The village has a meadow, and there are a few others nearby. You also pass a few waterfalls and water streams along the journey.
In summary, Aru Village itself does not offer much for visitors who have not experienced hikers, but the location is ideal. We really believe that you should stay here rather than Pahalgam. You’ll enjoy it and pay lot less for lodging.
Local Culture
While visiting the Valley, don’t pass up the chance to sample the regional food of Kashmir. Try meals like Kashmiri Pulao, Gushtaba (meatballs in yogurt gravy), Rogan Josh (a delicious lamb curry), and Kashmiri Kahwa (a fragrant tea). Additionally, you can sample regional treats like samosas, kebabs, and Kashmiri flatbread.
Respect the customs and cultures of the area. Be courteous and polite when interacting with the locals because Kashmiris are renowned for their generous hospitality. When visiting religious sites or nearby villages, dress modestly. Before taking pictures of the locals, it is advisable to ask their permission because some may feel awkward about it.
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Additional Information About Aru Valley
Aru Vs Betaab
You should visit both Aru and Betaab Valley because they are two of Pahalgam’s major tourist destinations. However, if you must choose between the two, the Valley will be a superior option due to its picturesque beauty and accessibility to hotels.
However, in my opinion, you should cover both and are not need to choose one if you were considering Aru or Betaab Valley. In a couple of hours, you can easily visit both locations. In fact, you can travel between all of them in one day from Srinagar.
Essentially a meadow, Betaab Valley today has the appearance of a park. The valley is traversed by the Lidder River, which is a pleasant area to explore and spend some time in. On the other hand, there are numerous hotels close by in the village of Aru.
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Aru to Chandanwari
Betaab Valley is 8 kilometers ahead of Chandanwari. Thus, it will be about 27 kilometers between Aru Valley and Chandanwari.
It will take roughly 3–4 hours to get from here to Chandanwari and back. Spend roughly an hour here before beginning your drive to Pahalgam. On the route, there are a few stunning locations ideal for taking pictures where you may take little rests.
Srinagar to Aru Valley
Depending on where in Srinagar you started from, the distance between Aru and Srinagar is approximately 113 kilometers. So, for instance, if you left early on Day 1 from Srinagar, you would arrive in Pahalgam at the latest by 10 am. After taking a stop to eat, continue traveling to Betaab Valley.
You may easily reach Aru by 4 pm if you visit all these locations. After dark, take a stroll through the village and stay the night. Drive back to Pahalgam the following day, then go to Srinagar.
You can stop at Aishmuqaam Dargah on the way back to see where the scene for the Bajrangi Bhaijaan song Bhar do Jholi was shot. This will make it simple for you to complete your trip to Pahalgam in two days, which is the maximum amount of time I’ll advise.
If you want to go to Baisaran Valley, you must walk there for 4-5 hours from Pahalgam. Starting early in the morning, you will travel six km to Baisaran before returning to Pahalgam on foot. Overall, the walk is 12 kilometers long, some of which can be traveled by road.
Is it Safe at Aru Valley
Yes, it is safe to travel to Aru. Despite all the worries about militancy and the Indian military in Kashmir, travelers are generally secure there. In contrast to Srinagar, which is heavily militarized, you won’t see many soldiers or military personnel on the streets. The environment is serene.
We sincerely hope the travelogue and details about getting from Pahalgam to Aru Valley were helpful. Contact Cliffhangers on Instagram if you have any queries, and we would be pleased to respond. You might also think about contacting our Cliffhangers to make special travel arrangements throughout Kashmir.
Consider the weather when planning your journey, and remember to show respect for the environment and local culture. With the help of this book, you can get the most out of your trip to this stunning location, the Valley, which offers a tranquil and gorgeous experience.
Essential Information
How to Reach Aru Valley
Depending on where you start, you have a few possibilities for how to get to Aru. The Trans-Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, includes the Valley. The following are the most popular ways to go to Aru:
By Air: Srinagar International Airport is the closest airport to reach Aru. Take a shared taxi. With frequent domestic flights, the airport is well-connected to important Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
By Road
Aru from Srinagar: The distance between Aru Valley and Srinagar is 112 kilometers. To get here from Srinagar, you can either rent a taxi service in Srinagar or take a shared taxi. Depending on the state of the roads, the trip lasts about 3 to 4 hours.
Aru from Pahalgam: You can go by car from Pahalgam, another well-liked tourist destination in Kashmir. To get there from Pahalgam, you can take a local bus or hail a taxi.
Best Time to Visit Aru Valley
The greatest time to visit Aru Valley is during the summer, from April to June when the weather is nice and the valley is in full flower.
Because of the pleasant weather and stunning autumn foliage, the months of September and October are also fantastic times to travel. Visitors who prefer winter sports like skiing can go between December and February to see snowfall.
Stay Options in Aru Valley
A variety of lodging choices are available here to accommodate various spending limits and tastes. You may want to examine the following options for lodging:
- Resorts and Hotels
- Guest Houses and Homestays
- Camping
In this Valley, there are numerous lodging options with nice accommodations and modern conveniences. Both travelers on a tight budget and those seeking more opulent lodging can stay at these places. Hotel Mount View, Hotel Pine-n-Peak, and Kolahoi Green Resort are a few well-liked choices.
To ensure availability, it is advisable to book reservations in advance, especially during the busiest travel season. To make reservations, you can use Internet travel agencies, get in touch with the lodgings directly, or enlist the services of a regional tour operator.
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