Kashmir Sightseeing
Overview:
Kashmir is one of the popular sightseeing destinations of India. Accommodating a number of lush valleys, meandering rivers, pristine lakes, alpine passes with towering mountains in the backdrop, people often come here for tours in various towns.
One reason that makes it globally popular is that Kashmir is a year round destination. The place is accessible throughout the year.
Each season has its own uniqueness and charm. There’s something different about each of them.
Starting from Srinagar which houses a number of Mughal Gardens to Pahalgam, known for a number of valleys, there’s a lot of Kashmir sightseeing places here. Even offbeat destinations are readily visited by tourists in recent years.
With Cliffhangers India, plan a fun trip to Kashmir this year with your friends and family.
Here’s a detailed page about a tour to Kashmir for sightseeing. It contains various places you can visit here and a number of activities to enjoy. Take a look!
Kashmir Sightseeing Packages
Cliffhangers India offers a number of Kashmir Sightseeing Packages. Whether you are coming here for your honeymoon or a big family vacation, we got you covered with a range of affordable packages.
They include sightseeing in various towns such as Srinagar, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, etc. Since we offer personalised itineraries, tourists also include offbeat regions such as Gurez Valley, Keran Valley, Sinthan top, etc.
To book a suitable package, visit our official website through the link given here: https://cliffhangersindia.com/tour-category/kashmir-tour-packages/ . You can email us at info@cliffhangersindia.com or directly call us at +91 88993 66900 .
Brief Comaprison
Sightseeing in Summer
Sightseeing in Kashmir in Summer sounds like the perfect plan. Summer is an ideal time of the year in the valley.
It is the peak season here with every sightseeing spot accessible and open.The valley flourishes from July to September with clear skies and sunny days. The weather is pleasant and comforting with a wild moderate temperature level.
As the snow of the winter season has melted by now, the views are crystal clear. As you go on the city tours, you even get a chance to indulge in multiple activities like river rafting, trekking, paragliding, pony rides, mountain biking, etc.
With mild temperature, you would not shiver in the daytime. Although, nights can get colder. Pack clothes and other essentials accordingly.
Sightseeing in Winter
Winter in Kashmir lasts from December to February. Even the last weeks of December and initial weeks of January are the peak season in the valley.
Even in the extreme cold conditions of winter when it snows heavily, people often come here for sightseeing. The places are open especially in hill stations like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, etc.
In Gulmarg, you can visit Gulmarg Golf Course, Khilanmarg and Baba Reshi shrine. These places not only offer sightseeing, a bunch of snow activities like skiing are available here.
You can even visit Dal Lake for Shikara rides as they are accessible even in winters. Make sure to bring warm clothes like thermals, sweaters and cardigans, jackets, etc. to remain warm and safe.
Sightseeing Places in Kashmir
Srinagar
The summer capital of Kashmir, Srinagar is home to numerous Mughal Gardens, historical buildings, some epic lakes and more.
Start Kashmir sightseeing from Srinagar. Visit Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake for Shikara rides. You can visit the floating fruits and vegetable market through the ride.
After that comes the ancient gardens or Baghs constructed in the Mughal Era.
The most popular ones are Nishat Garden, Shalimar Garden and Chashme Shahi Bagh.
They are not only for sightseeing purposes but you can even arrange picnics here in the parks nearby.
More popular tourist spots here for sightseeing are Shankaracharya Temple, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Pari Mahal etc.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is one of the most visited towns of India. It is a significant addition to the Jammu and Kashmir sightseeing. The place is best visited in the winters. Different sports like skiing, sledging, snowboarding etc can be enjoyed here.
During this time of the year, it snows heavily in the valley. December to March are suitable months to visit Gulmarg. The main highlight of Gulmarg city is the Gondola Ride, the highest cable car of the world.
The ride takes approximately half an hour and takes you to beautiful places like Koongdori to Apharwat Peak. You also get a glimpse of Alpather Lake on this ride.
These places are too famous for offering the winter sports mentioned above. You can also come here during the summer season when the gorgeous meadows are a visual treat.
During this time, visit local attractions like Gulmarg Golf Course, Baba Reshi Shrine, Khilanmarg, Gulmarg Wildlife Sanctuary, etc.
Sonmarg
Sonamarg which means Meadow of Gold is about 80 kilometers from Srinagar. Located in the Ganderbal district of kashmir, it has so many places for sightseeing.
It starts from the Thajiwas Glacier which is about 7 kilometers from the main town. Visit Baltal Valley for the lush meadows.
The Zojila pass that connects Kashmir valley and Leh Ladakh is a popular attraction here at Sonmarg. Do visit the zero point situated at the end of the pass.
Among sightseeing, the most notable ones are the alpine lakes. Gadsar lake, Vishansar lake, Satsar lake, Gangabal Lake and many more top the list.
At a distance of only 6 kilometers, visit the Nilagrad river. It is popular for its reddish water colour.
The best activities to do in Sonmarg after sightseeing are Pony riding, ATV rides, trekking, mountaineering, fishing and angling.
Pahalgam
Also known as the “Valley of Shepherds”, Pahalgam lies in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
There’s so many places in the town for sightseeing. It starts with the valleys like Aru valley, Betaab valley, Baisaran valley and Chandanwari.
Visit the Mamleshwar Temple and Pahalgam Golf Course.
Situated on the banks of the majestic Lidder river, the city offers not only a much-needed company of Mother Earth but also an adventurous journey with different sports like river rafting, boating, fishing, etc.
There are many trekking trails in Pahalgam as well such as Tarsar marsar Trek and Tulian Valley trek that leads to beautiful destinations.
Gurez Valley
Visit Gurez Valley, one of the most scenic regions of Kashmir. Start the trip by visiting Habba Khatoon Peak and Spring.
It is a very famous spot of the valley for sightseeing. Explore a nearby village called Chorwan Village. After this, Pakistan land starts. Sheikh Pora village should be your next destination.
The setting of the village is very ideal with forests surrounding it. There are mountains in the background.
Take a slow stroll here and interact with villagers who belong to the Shina tribe.
You will get an interesting insight into their households and traditions. Visit scenic spots like Fethkutan, Wular Lake, Tulail Valley, Tragbal Lake etc. located in proximity.
Sinthan Top
Lying at an altitude of about 12,440 feet, Sinthan top gives a panoramic and a holistic view of the surroundings such as Kashmir Valley and Jammu region.
People often trek to Sinthan Top for different activities like skiing, picnics, sightseeing, sledging, horse riding, etc.
There are some waterfalls seen near the attraction. One interesting thing about Sinthan top is that it is generally covered in thick snow except for 2-3 months in Summer.
For sightseeing, June to September is suitable. You can camp in nearby valleys like Sinthan Top meadows and Padder valley meadows, etc.
The place is remotely located and there’s no local people seen here. Only shepherds can be spotted with their cattles.
Daksum Valley
Daksum valley is a hidden gem of Kashmir, popular among nature-enthusiasts. The ambience of the town is soothing with endless natural beauty.
Grassy meadows and water-streams flowing nearby are the major highlights.
The Bringhi river is the highlight of the place with its turquoise waters and gorgeous surroundings. You can also visit Daksum Wildlife Sanctuary for a wildlife tour.
Nestled by the towering Pir Panjal range, the place is known to offer a lot of activities to do such as trekking, photography, sightseeing, camping etc.
A total distance of 85 kilometres needed to be covered to reach Daksum from Srinagar.
Keran Valley
Keran Valley is an off-beat place that is at the edge of the borders. Apart from touristy places of Kashmir, do include this offbeat valley in the itinerary.
When you are here, you see that it is not a single village but an amalgamation of other villages too like Mundiyan and Pathran.
The popular places to visit in Keran Valley are the Cobra Post, the last post of India, Kishanganga river for fishing and angling, Keran Village, etc.
These border-line villages offer a peek into the traditional himalayan life where homestays are quite popular.
The distance between Srinagar and Keran Valley is about 85 kilometers.
Summer and Autumn season is the preferred time to make plans as the longer daylight hours gives you sufficient time for sightseeing.
Weather and Temperature in Kashmir
Weather in Kashmir depends on the season you are travelling in. It is the same for temperature as well. In summer, the temperature is around 15°C to 25°C and the weather remains balmy. It is always sunny and clear during the day time.
Nights are comfortable as well. As you progress towards autumn, the temperature starts to drop and it starts to feel cool in the evenings and early mornings. By December, the temperature is around 5°C.
It is sub zero at night, resulting in heavy snowfall. By January, the temperature ranges between 0°C to -5°C and in alpine regions, it goes as low as -10°C. The weather is quite extreme in winter.
As we approach spring, the temperature rises and there’s greenery seen all over. Keeping the current weather and temperature in Kashmir in mind, carry suitable clothes to remain safe and comfortable.
Kashmir Sightseeing Itinerary
Day 1 Srinagar Arrival
The most convenient way to reach Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir would be by a flight. They are quite affordable and would save some time. After landing at the airport, take cab or taxi service to reach the hotel. After that, take some time to relax and rest, clearing all the jet lag. Have a local Kashmiri dish in your lunch and relish it. In the evening, visit Dal lake, the major tourist place of Srinagar and enjoy Shikara ride there. Spend the evening exploring the nearby markets. You can stay there in a houseboat at night and enjoy the beautiful sunset view. Have an authentic Kashmiri dinner at night and call it a day.
Day 2 Srinagar Sightseeing
Dal Lake is not the only place to explore in Srinagar for Kashmir sightseeing. After relaxing for the whole night, start your day with a hot cup of Kahwa and enjoy your breakfast. Spend the entire day, visiting other attractions of Srinagar. The city is famous for its Mughal Gardens which were constructed by the Mughal emperors. Visit Nishant Garden, Pari Mahal Garden, Shalimar Gardens. Do explore Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden if you are in Kashmir in spring. Lastly, trek to the Shankaracharya Hill, located on the hilltop. The temple is spiritually significant among pilgrims. By evening, you can stroll around in the markets to buy things that are Kashmir-specific such as saffron, Pashmina shawls and other souvenirs to take back home as a memory.
Day 3 Pahalgam Enroute Sightseeing
After exploring the capital city of Kashmir, the next destination on the Kashmir sightseeing itinerary would be Pahalgam. Pahalgam is about 90 kilometers from Srinagar. Generally, it takes about 3 hours to reach the town but with enroute sightseeing, you’ll be there by evening. The route leading to Pahalgam from Srinagar is filled with scenic spots to stop by. As you move ahead on Srinagar-Pahalgam Highway (NH501), the first place to explore is Manasbal Lake. Birdwatching here is an interesting activity to do. Some other places to explore on your way to Pahalgam include the Bat factories, Saffron fields and apple orchards. As you reach Pahalgam by evening, enjoy your steaming hot dinner and call it a day.
Day 4 Pahalgam Sightseeing
Starting the day in Pahalgam, visit the Lidder river. The local attraction is known for various activities like river rafting, boating and fishing. The town is home to a number of valleys. First one would be Betaab Valley, renamed after the hit movie ‘Betaab’ starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh. Located at just 15 kilometres from Pahalgam, the place is a base camp for many treks. After Betaab, visit another beautiful valley called Aru valley where you can enjoy fishing, river rafting, sightseeing, photography, horse rides etc. Tarsar Marsar trek starts from here. You can set up picnics and pitch camps to enjoy the surroundings. Chandanwadi is unmissable. It is the starting point of the religiously famous Amarnath Yatra. For a spiritual tour, visit the Sun Martand Temple in Pahalgam. By evening, come back to your hotel. Enjoy dinner and relax for the night.
Day 5 Gulmarg Day Tour
Spend the fifth day of your trip in Gulmarg. Visit Gulmarg from Pahalgam via Srinagar. There’s a lot of enroute sightseeing spots such as Tangmarg town and Drung waterfall. Start the road trip a little early in the morning as it would take about 3.5 hours to reach there.Some of the places to visit in Gulmarg for sightseeing are Maharani Temple, Outer Circle Walk, Alpather Lake, Gulmarg Golf Course, Maharaja Palace, Khilanmarg, and Baba Reshi Shrine. In winter in Gulmarg, you can do skiing, snowboarding, skating etc. The hill station is famous as a skiing destination globally. Gulmarg Gondola, the largest cable car ride is a must-have experience. It is done in 3 stages. Click stunning pictures here. After enjoying a gorgeous sunset in the evening, head out to your hotel and relax for the night.
Day 6 Sonmarg Day Tour
The last destination of the Kashmir sightseeing in Sonmarg. The distance between Srinagar to Sonmarg is 80 kilometres and it would take 2.5 hours to cover it. Once you are there, you will see why it is loosely translated as “meadows of gold”. The place will mesmerise you to your core. It is breathtaking with its scenic beauty and adventurous activities that are available. Some of the places to visit in Sonmarg are Thajiwas Glacier where you can have a pony ride up to there. A picnic with your family is a perfect choice near Krishnasar lake. A small trek to the lake is thrilling. A shopping spree in Sonmarg Market or Main Road Market, Thajiwas Park Market can be enjoyed. Stay in sonmarg in a hotel or guesthouse that night. Relax and rejuvenate for the next day.
Day 7 Departure
Next day, come back to Srinagar from Sonmarg. After having a fun and peaceful trip in kashmir, you are ready to go home with memories of a lifetime. Book a cab to the Srinagar Airport and say goodbye to this piece of heaven on Earth.
Best Time for Kashmir Sightseeing
Best time for Kashmir sightseeing is in summer. It lasts from March to October. During this time, different local attractions are open to the tourists. In Srinagar, the Tulip festival is celebrated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in March and April.
Do come here to participate in various events and activities. Whether it is the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar, valleys of Pahalgam, passes of Sonmarg or alpine regions of Gulmarg, the most ideal time for local sightseeing is definitely in summer.
The weather is moderate with mild temperature. The roads are well maintained and the conditions are good. You can easily get taxis or cabs for the intercity rides as well as for Kashmir sightseeing tours.
In winter, some of them are not accessible due to heavy snowfall especially in January and February. However, you can surely come to Kashmir from December to March as well for various snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, sledding etc.
Things to do
Shikara Ride
Shikara rides available in Kashmir are an excellent way to visit different places for sightseeing. Through the ride, you can visit the floating vegetable market on Dal Lake, Char Chinar, Mughal Gardens, etc.
You can feel the excitement and serenity in your heart. It must be on your itinerary for a surreal experience of a light rowing boat.
Apart from being used for tourism and a glance of Dal Lake, it is also used for harvesting, fishing and transportation by locals. Apart from Dal Lake, you can enjoy the ride at Nigeen Lake and Manasbal lake.
These lakes have the most pristine waters and are very peaceful.
Visit Mughal Gardens
Mughal Gardens are one of the popular sightseeing spots in Kashmir. They are mostly located in Srinagar. Among them, Shalimar Garden is the most famous one.
The location of Shalimar Bagh is by the shores of Dal Lake. Also called the ‘house of love’ in ancient times, the garden has varieties of flowers bursting in the most gorgeous way.
Built by the east side of Dal Lake, Nishat Garden is the second largest Mughal garden of Kashmir Valley and is visited by Lakhs of people annually. It is perfect for every nature-lover and photography enthusiast.
Lastly we have Chashme Shahi bagh, perfect for outdoor picnics and nature walks.
Gondola Ride
Gulmarg Gondola is a year-round activity, not to be missed in Gulmarg in Winters. It is a lifetime opportunity to enjoy a ferry on one of the highest cable car rides in the world.
There are two phases of the ride in which the first phase is between Gulmarg base to Kongdoori taking approximately 9 minutes.
The second phase takes place between Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak, taking 12 minutes to reach. These places offer various winter-sports in Gulmarg and are among the highest ski resorts in Asia.
You can easily get the Gondola passes from online websites. They cost you around INR 1100 for both the phases.
Trekking
Every tourist should come to Kashmir valley once, just for undertaking the Himalayan treks available here.
From Kashmir Great Lakes trek to Tarsar Marsar trek, these are some of the most popular ones, best done in summers.
They take a complete whole week with itineraries lasting from 7 to 9 days. The basecamps of these lakes are just as beautiful as the rest of the trek.
For Kashmir Great Lakes, Sonamarg is the starting point, whose beauty cannot be defined in words. The Aru Valley for Tarsar Marsar valley is no different case.
It is ethereal. There are some other treks in Kashmir that are worth it such as Tulian lake trek, Alpather Lake trek, Shankaracharya Temple trek, etc. These are smaller yet exciting.
Skiing & Snowboarding (winter)
Skiing and Snowboarding are among the popular winter sports that Kashmir valley offers. Skiing in Gulmarg is the ideal thing to do.
The skiing slopes of Gulmarg are best and even compared to those of Switzerland. There are skiing courses for beginners too. Some other activities to do here would be snowboarding, sledging etc.
December to March is the convenient time to enjoy such snow activities. But the most perfect timing is from January to Mid-february as the snow, this time, really sticks to the ground.
There are high chances that you would catch a live snowfall at this time of the year.
Camping
If you are an adventure enthusiast, camping in the meadows of Kashmir is the perfect activity.
You can camp not only in the middle of a vista, but on the shores of lakes and rivers as well.
As you go trekking even for a day, do spend the night in the wilderness. Along with camping, you can stargaze at the cellar skies of the valley. Campers often light bonfires and play light hearted games with each other.
While summer is a suitable time for camping, people do visit Kashmir for snow camping in winter.
Do remember to wear premium camping gears like sturdy tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags.
Golfing
The Gulmarg Golf Course is located at a walking distance from the town of Gulmarg. It is the perfect place for golfing in Kashmir.
The 18-hole course was built before independence and has been the point of attraction since then. Both beginners and experienced people can visit here to enjoy some Golfing.
Apart from the thrill that can be experienced, the place is no less than a heaven.
With the setting of the course lying in a beautiful meadow and around 18 kinds of flowers blooming here, it is considered one the greenest golf courses of the world.
Visit here from 9 am to 10 pm. Sunrise and sunset are magical time periods.
Shopping
After having a successful sightseeing trip in Kashmir, conclude it by going on a shopping spree in the older than time markets such as Lal Chawk and in Old Srinagar.
Markets are seen in other towns as well such as Tangmarg market, Gulmarg local market, etc. There are numerous shops where you can buy different varieties of architecture like carpet, shawls, walnut carvings, and more.
There are Kashmiri spices, different kinds of nuts like walnut, cashews,saffron etc. You can buy souvenirs and gifts for your friends and family.
Markets are a great place to interact with the locals there and get to know about the city in a better way. Evenings are the most convenient time to do it.
How Many Days are Enough for Kashmir Sightseeing?
A complete week or 7 days are enough for sightseeing in Kashmir. It is considered the ideal time duration for a thorough exploration of the valley. You can cover major touristy places of Kashmir which includes both sightseeing and activities.
Starting with Srinagar, you take rounds at different towns like Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, each day. Having a personalised itinerary helps you in not missing any place. Remember to keep it flexible as well.
Booking hotels, taxis in advance helps in achieving a complete sightseeing tour of the valley. Lastly, 7 days may be the ideal duration but you can surely visit Kashmir even for the weekends. It is a perfect escape from your high speeding city life.
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