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The right way to Plan a Journey to Kashmir


The right way to plan a visit to Kashmir? For this, there are a whole lot of elements that you’ll have to think about like learn 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 forth. All of those questions can’t be answered in a single put up when you actually need it to be detailed.

I’ve visited Kashmir a couple of instances and have written a number of detailed articles that may be of assist to everybody planning a visit. This info is scattered in a number of posts and getting the main points that you just want could be a little time-consuming.

For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the put up beneath. Comply with the hyperlinks, check out the articles and each query that you’ve got about visiting Kashmir will certainly get answered. You will see that full details about standard locations like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Gurez, and Aharbal, in addition to some offbeat locations like Drung Waterfall, Chatpal Valley, Sinthan High, Daksum, and a number of other different locations.

If there are nonetheless some doubts left, you may contact me on Instagram and I will probably be comfortable to assist in any manner that I can. I’d significantly recognize it when you may additionally think about subscribing to my YouTube channel.

To get the perfect resort charges, and taxi expenses, and to arrange your journey to Kashmir, you may converse with Kunal @ 9910 402 252. Give him my reference and you’ll absolutely get a reduced price.

Finest 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 can depend upon what sort of journey you have been trying ahead to.

If you wish to see snow, January and February are splendid instances. If you wish to see lush inexperienced views, September would be the finest time. For a honeymoon journey, I’ll suggest April and September.

If you wish to see flowers and the Tulip Backyard, it’s best to plan for April. If you wish to see Apple orchards, August and September is the perfect time to go.

For images, a visit within the post-monsoon season will probably be finest. For finances vacationers, August and November are good instances to go.

This nevertheless is only a temporary overview. For a extra detailed and month-by-month breakdown of this info, please check out When is the Finest Time to Go to Kashmir.

Cellular Community and Knowledge Connectivity

BSNL has the widest community in Kashmir however Airtel is healthier by way of the standard of the community. Jio works decently nicely however the companies of Vodafone and Concept aren’t that nice.

The necessary 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 probably 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’d have good reception and knowledge connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. In the event you went slightly offbeat, your telephone could or could not work relying on the service supplier.

I’ve lined this matter in nice element in one other article Cellular Community and Knowledge Connectivity in Kashmir you can check out. I’ve given a region-wise breakdown of the community reception on this put up.

Kashmir Journey Price

How a lot will a Kashmir journey price? This may depend upon a whole lot of elements just like the variety of vacationers, period of the journey, mode of commute, private preferences, and so forth. However with that being mentioned, there’s nonetheless a median per-person price that may be calculated.

Check out this put up – The right way to Calculate the Complete Price of Kashmir Journey. Whereas I can’t provide the precise price of the Kashmir journey, I can nonetheless provide you with an concept of how one can calculate your personal Kashmir journey finances. That’s the info that I lined on this article.

Utilizing the numbers beneath, you’re going to get a reasonably good estimate of how a lot you’ll find yourself spending within the valley. These are among the minimal expenditures that you’ll find yourself incurring for lodging, taxi, meals, procuring, and so forth.

Garments to Pack for Kashmir Journey

The subsequent necessary query will probably be associated to your packing. The garments that you just want for visiting Kashmir will range in keeping with the season and month of your journey. It is going to additionally depend upon the locations you take into consideration to go to and your mode of commute as nicely.

I’ll suggest looking at Garments for Kashmir Journey – Issues to Pack for Kashmir Journey for extra info on this facet. On this put up, I’ve talked intimately in regards to the sort of garments that you have to be packing for a visit to Kashmir in several seasons.

Locations to Go to in Kashmir

Now allow us to check out the vacationer locations in Kashmir, locations that you just 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 checklist as a result of that’s the place you’ll have to go first. Srinagar will probably be your base to discover the attractive valleys of Kashmir.

However is it simply that? The reply is not any.  It isn’t only a base to discover Kashmir however quite 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 referred to as Kashmir the paradise on earth, and Srinagar is the guts of that paradise. With its serene blue lakes and sumptuous 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 consider 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.

Old Srinagar City Tour | Winters in Kashmir - Ep 2 | Aali Masjid, Patthar Masjid, Khanqah

Gulmarg

Gulmarg for my part is the most important vacationer attraction in Kashmir. Often called the meadow of flowers, it’s a heavenly place to tread in that provides mesmerizing landscapes and an enthralling chance of assorted journey actions.

Such is the great thing about this tiny hamlet that it attracts individuals from all around the nation all year long. It’s presumably 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 different elements of the nation but additionally is a favourite weekend getaway for the native Kashmiris as nicely.

Under is an inventory of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll suggest looking at these earlier than visiting this stunning little city.

In the event you have been planning a winter journey to Gulmarg, chances are you’ll wish to try the video beneath. This was shot throughout one in every of my journeys to Gulmarg within the month of January.

Gulmarg in Winter | Kashmir in Winter - Ep 3 | Snowfall in Gulmarg | Srinagar - Tangmarg - Gulmarg

Sonamarg

The subsequent vacation spot that it’s essential to go to throughout your Kashmir journey is Sonamarg. The place is well accessible, stays open for a lot of the yr, has loads of resorts, affords superb views, and is ideal for every kind of journeys.

Public transport can also be simply obtainable. There’s a day by day bus between Srinagar and Sonamarg. Apart from that, shared cabs additionally journey on the route recurrently.

For lodging, there’s a variety of resorts to select from, each for finances vacationers in addition to somebody searching for a luxurious keep. Learn on to search out out extra.

Under is an inventory of articles that present the data that you have to know with a view to plan your journey.

In the event you have been planning on visiting Sonamarg within the winter season, you can even check out the video beneath to get extra particulars on the subject.

Gagangir - Sonamarg in Winter | Kashmir in Winter - Ep 8

Pahalgam

The title Pahalgam wants no introduction. It is without doubt one of the most visited locations of Kashmir, one which receives vacationers all yr lengthy. No journey to Kashmir is full until Pahalgam is part of the itinerary.

Situated at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, Pahalgam is finest identified 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 might be deliberate, locations it’s best to go to there, lodging, public transport, and a number of other different helpful ideas.

However for my part, the precise enjoyable of visiting Pahalgam is within the winter season. That is when the pure fantastic thing about this place is at its finest. Check out the video beneath to know what I’m speaking about.

Pahalgam in Winter | Kashmir in Winter - Episode 6 |  Srinagar to Pahalgam - Betaab Valley

Drung Waterfall

Drung Waterfall, often known as Drang Waterfall or Durung Waterfall, is a vacation spot that should discover a place in your itinerary if you’re planning a winter journey to Kashmir. It is probably not that giant in dimension however the sight that it presents within the winter season is really majestic and is bound to appeal you off your ft.

Because the temperature within the valley drops, the water of this fall begins to freeze. By early January, your complete face of the mountain that it falls from is roofed by a thick layer of ice. The water nonetheless continues to movement down however is surrounded by big icicles and snow.

The waterfall is positioned about 42 kilometers from Srinagar and 16 kilometers from Gulmarg. It stays accessible for all 12 months and may simply be included in your journey to Gulmarg. You’ll be able to go to Drung at any time of the yr however it’s within the winter season when the waterfall is really at its finest.

For extra particulars on this one in every of its sort waterfall, please check out The right way to Plan a Journey to Drung Waterfall and What to See. You can even check out the video beneath for extra particulars.

Drung Waterfall | Kashmir in Winter - Ep 4 | Drang Waterfall near Gulmarg

Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley is without doubt one of the least explored areas of Kashmir and the one that may actually be referred to 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 just see listed below are very totally different than what you will note elsewhere.

Often, 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 go away you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such vacation spot that I’ll extremely suggest that you just discover a place for in your journey plans.

How one can plan your journey to Gurez are particulars that I’ve lined within the posts beneath.

how to plan a trip to kashmir

Allow us to now check out some offbeat locations that don’t discover a place in everybody’s itinerary however are positively value visiting.

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 can be immensely stunning however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. However for somebody eager to go offbeat and avoid 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 meadows of Pine Fir and Deodar. It sits at an altitude of two,730 meters (8,957 ft) above sea degree and receives heavy snowfall within the winter season.

The area doesn’t have all-year highway connectivity but and within the months of peak winter, it may well 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 trustworthy, it’s not but a hill station as there’s little to no growth within the area. What you see is nature in its uncooked type. 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 wish to keep in a single day. You’ll be able to check out Doodhpathri – A COMPLETE Journey Information & Itinerary to search out out extra.

Mughal Highway

Not many individuals would know in regards to the Mughal Highway. Srinagar Jammu Nationwide Freeway, often known as NH44, is commonly thought-about to be the one highway connecting the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.

It’s true that it’s certainly a greater maintained, wider, extra traveled upon, and shorter strategy to journey between the 2 locations however it’s positively not the one one.

There really exists one other route that’s way more scenic, much less crowded, takes you thru some inside elements of Kashmir, and has existed for much longer than the common NH44 freeway. Sure, I’m speaking in regards to the historic Mughal highway.

This route is the alternate strategy to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to achieve some inside areas of Kashmir just like the city of Rajouri. Additionally it is a really scenic route that positively deserves to be explored.

For extra particulars on Mughal Highway, you may check out the posts beneath.

Aharbal Waterfall

Aharbal Waterfall is without doubt one of the most stunning waterfalls in Kashmir. Additionally it is probably the most simply accessible one and but by no means crowded. Situated 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.

If you’re planning to go to Kashmir, I extremely suggest that you just discover a day in your itinerary for a go to to Aharbal. How will you plan that’s what I’ve talked about within the article beneath.

Are you able to go to Aharbal Waterfall within the winter season? It is going to rely so much on the climate on the time of your journey however sure, a visit might be deliberate. Check out this quick video beneath to see how this stunning waterfall seems to be in winter.

Aharbal Waterfall in Winter

Daksum Valley

Daksum, often known as Daksum Valley or Daksum Village, is a viewpoint or a picnic spot positioned on the Anantnag-Kishtwar highway close to Sinthan High. Surrounded by lush inexperienced mountains and sitting proper subsequent to the Bringhi River, it’s a standard spot among the many locals for household outings and faculty picnics.

If you’re somebody who likes spending time in nature, away from the group in an offbeat place, Daksum may be your cup of tea. It actually appears like in the midst of nowhere and when you have been right here in the course of the weekdays, there would hardly be anybody round. For extra particulars, please learn The right way to Plan a Journey to Daksum Valley.

Sinthan High

Sinthan High, often known as Sinthan Cross, is a mountain move positioned in Kashmir’s Breng Valley, on the highway that runs between Anantnag in Kashmir and Kishtwar in Jammu. At an altitude of 12,500 ft, the highest of the move is often known as the 360-degree viewpoint because it affords a captivating panoramic view of the encompassing peaks and the valley.

It’s a stunning mountain move that ought to discover a place in each vacationer’s itinerary who’s coming towards Pahalgam. As a consequence of its shut proximity, Sinthan High might be simply included with a visit to Pahalgam. The drive from Srinagar to Sinthan High by means of the Daksum Valley can also be fairly scenic and affords an opportunity to go to another locations like Achabal Gardens, Kokernag, and Daksum.

For extra particulars, please learn The right way to Plan a Journey to Sinthan High and check out the video beneath. This video covers each Daksum Valley in addition to Sinthan High as a result of each these locations are proper subsequent to one another.

Sinthan Top - Daksum | Kashmir Safarnama - Episode 2

Chatpal Valley

Chatpal, additionally referred to as Chattabal, shouldn’t be actually a reputation that many vacationers find out about. It’s a small valley positioned close to Pahalgam however whereas Pahalgam receives hundreds of tourists every year, virtually nobody goes within the path of Chatpal. It’s a type of locations in Kashmir which can be nonetheless unexplored and but to search out their place on the vacationer map.

Nearly all of the parents you will discover in Chatpal will simply be the locals from Anantnag or any of the close by villages, on the market for a picnic or a household outing. Even they go to Chattabal normally over the weekends, on Sundays. For the remainder of the week, you’ll hardly see anybody there.

If you’re somebody who likes to go to offbeat locations, away from the group, and spend a while in peace, then Chattabal will certainly look charming to you. For extra particulars, please check out The right way to Plan a Journey to Chatpal Valley and take a look at the video beneath.

Chatpal - Chattabal Valley | Kashmir Safarnama - Episode 3

Public Transport in Kashmir

One of the simplest ways to journey to Kashmir is both by your self-owned car or a personal taxi. However if you’re a finances traveler, you can even go for public transport which is accessible within the type of buses and shared taxis. The issue nevertheless is that it’s not frequent.

It will likely be arduous to discover a JKSRTC bus wherever 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 put up, I’ve offered full particulars on how one can commute from Srinagar to different locations by public transport.

VARGIS KHAN

Taxi Charges

If you’re planning on renting a taxi in your journey, the posts beneath will help you get a price estimate. An necessary factor that it’s best to bear in mind is that locations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg have their very own taxi charges.

What it means is that when you rented a taxi to Pahalgam from Srinagar, it may solely drop you in Pahalgam. To go to native locations like Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, you’ll have to lease an area cab in Pahalgam.

The identical rule applies to Gulmarg. If you wish to go for a drive to Bota Pathri, you’ll have to lease one other cab in Gulmarg for that.

Equally, this rule can also be relevant when you intend to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir. Check out the posts beneath to search out out taxi charges relevant for these specific areas.

Renting a Bike

Renting a motorcycle in Srinagar is an effective way to probe for individuals who attain Kashmir by flight. There are a couple of bike leases within the metropolis which you will get the bikes from.

Please check out The right way to Hire a Bike in Srinagar and Srinagar Bike Rental Charges. From each of those posts, you will get to know the process and the fee concerned.

Self-Drive Rental

In the event you would nevertheless wish to lease a automobile in Srinagar and drive it round by yourself, that can also be an possibility. Please check out The right way to Hire a Self-Drive Automobile in Srinagar for extra particulars.

Itinerary Planning

Your closing itinerary for Kashmir will fully depend upon the variety of days you’ve in hand, your finances, and your preferences. However I’ll suggest looking at The right way to Plan Your Itinerary for Kashmir.

On this put up, I’ve shared totally different examples of itineraries primarily based on the time at hand. You’ll be able to decide any one of many advised itineraries and both observe it utterly or modify it as per your necessities.

cafe liberty

Meals to Strive in Kashmir

Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete until you’ve tasted the native delicacies. That for my part is definitely top-of-the-line elements of touring to totally different locations.

The mouth-watering native meals to strive in Kashmir is an expertise that you just simply can’t miss. Under is a complete checklist of what to eat and the place.

A standard query that will get requested most frequently is about vegetarian meals and its availability. You shouldn’t have to fret about that as nicely.

There are a whole lot of locations throughout Kashmir the place they solely serve vegetarian, even Jain meals as nicely. So discovering a spot to eat won’t really be an issue.

The posts beneath present extra info on the meals that it’s best to strive in Kashmir and the place.

Motels

Within the posts beneath, I’ve reviewed among the resorts that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You’ll be able to check out the data and footage that I offered and determine when you want to keep at any of those.

Learn by means of my evaluations beneath. I’ve additionally posted footage of the resort rooms you can check out and determine if you want to remain at any of those resorts.

how to plan a trip to kashmir

Travelogues

Under are the hyperlinks to detailed travelogues that I used to be in a position to pen down of a few of my Kashmir journeys. If you need to, you may check out these logs to realize additional info and see footage of the locations.

I’ve tried to be as detailed as doable in these logs, offering a number of needed 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 fully in my Thar. Check out this second travelogue. This was an entire bike journey accomplished in a special method.

By Flight

This was the time once I caught a flight to Kashmir, employed a self-drive rental in Srinagar, and drove round some offbeat locations.

Winter Journeys

The travelogues above have been each from the summer time season. If you’re planning to go to Kashmir in the course of the winter season, the travelogue beneath might be of assist.

This one is one other winter journey to Kashmir.

How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir

Different Travelogues

These travelogues have been written by different authors detailing their journeys. Have a look and I’m positive you will get a whole lot of useful particulars from their journey tales.

If you need your journey story to be printed on my weblog, you may ship it to me with the related footage at [email protected]. I can provide a closing contact to the log, put it up on the log, and add the hyperlinks right here.

Pictures

If you need to check out a few of my pictures of locations in Kashmir, you may take a  take a look at the posts beneath. This will help you determine whether or not or not you wish to go to that exact place or not.

The right way to plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion

I consider that’s it. This could cowl nearly all of the data that you have to get with a view to plan an pleasing and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.

If there’s a particular query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, you may contact me on Instagram and I will probably be comfortable to reply. You can even think about subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a query there.