Being a travel junkie, I’ve always known that no vacation is complete without a long, tiring trek and that jaw-dropping view as the reward. Similarly, no trip to Kashmir is ever complete without having Pahalgam in the list.
At RSI, we understand the importance of finding the perfect place to travel and explore. Those once a year trips, adventures and excursions are much more than just a change of scenery - they're an opportunity to make memories lasting a lifetime, and that is why we bring forth one of the most sought after destinations in the entire north of the country for an ever lasting reminiscence.
Hop on this journey to explore some of the best spots and the best places to stay in Pahalgam. With the best prices. For the best time of your vacation.
Overview
Just around 90 kms from Srinagar, beside the Lidder river in Anantnag district, lies this hugely popular and one of the most visited destinations in the whole of north, if not the country. No visit to Kashmir is complete and ticked without Pahalgam being covered.
Having a bunch of gorgeous, eye-pleasing neighbors like Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari, Pahalgam is that name which all potential travelers and/or travel connoisseurs have in their itinerary; solo, groups and couples alike.
Located at an altitude of over 7200 ft. above sea level, Pahalgam, throughout the year, boasts of a mid to chilly cold weather (average temperature ranging around 1.5 degree celsius). Having a number of luxurious hotels and affordable homestays and guest houses, Pahalgam remains the most perfect spot for trekking around, rafting, skiing, shopping, sightseeing and having a rejuvenating time in the aromatic and soothing vibes.
Things to do in Pahalgam
Rightly known as the ‘Valley of Shepherds’, Pahalgam is surrounded by lush valleys with coniferous trees around, offering electrifying views in its surroundings.
From having scenic valleys for Bollywood buffs to Amarnath Caves for Lord Shiva devotees, Pahalgam offers a long list of attractions and activities for each type of tourist, ranging from nature enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies to laid back, bonfire with karaoke connoisseurs alike. Some of the top tourist attractions offered by Pahalgam are:
Aru Valley
About 12 kms off Pahalgam lies this quaint, little village, the views of which resemble our beautiful wallpaper pictures. Having very few resorts, homestays and food centers, the warm-hearted locals live a secluded life and welcome every tourist with a smile.
Skiing in winters, trekking base camps, pony rides and nature in its rawest form are some of the top attractions offered by the valley. Trekking in Aru Valley is a fun way to explore the nearby hill stations like Kolhoi Glacier, Green Top Trek and Tarsar-Marsar Lake.
For hardcore nature lovers, Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is another major MVP of the valley.
Betaab Valley
Originally known as Hajan Valley, or Hagoon Valley, this serene hill got renamed after the release of the blockbuster movie ‘Betaab’.
Offering a range of attractions such as trekking, exploring the large fauna, horse riding, photowalks etc, this popular valley has a number of restaurants having local cuisine with lip smacking food to dig on to.
Enroute to Chandanwari, this quaint valley is a 15 minute drive from Pahalgam if you have your own vehicle, otherwise, a horse ride can alternatively be taken from Pahalgam.
Chandanwari
Situated on the outskirts of Pahalgam, Chandanwari holds extreme religious and tourism importance. Located at a distance of around 15 km, Chandanwari is the last motorable road towards Amarnath Yatra, acting as the base camp for devotees.
Donned by the Chandanwari Glacier, this quaint spot is beautified by the majestic Sheshnag and Lidder river flowing beside it.
Chandanwari Pahalgam offers a range of activities such as sledge rides, trekking, hiking and horse rides. For the shopaholics, there’s a local market enroute the valley to score essentials (medicines, batteries, food etc.) and souvenirs alike.
How to Reach Pahalgam
Easily accessible from every major city, Pahalgam is well connected by every mode of transport: by air, railway or by road.
By Air : The nearest airport being Srinagar International Airport, you can land at Srinagar and reach Pahalgam from Srinagar, which is around 90 kms from the airport and can be covered by easily available private or shared taxis.
Having frequent and well connected flights from every major city, Srinagar International Airport is around 900 km from Delhi.
By Train : Though the nearest railway head is Udhampur (around 220 kms), Jammu Tawi railway station (around 242 kms) is better connected with a number of trains around the country on a daily basis. From there, you can take any private or shared cabs to Pahalgam, which are easily available at the station itself.
By Road : Pahalgam and the rest of the Kashmir Valley are connected by a well-maintained road system. The most pleasant way to go to Pahalgam is by a shared or private cab. Otherwise, regular buses, both private and state-run, to Pahalgam, are available from Srinagar, Jammu, and Anantnag at affordable rates.
Best time to visit Pahalgam
Visited by a plethora of tourists throughout the year, Pahalgam has something or the other to offer to its visitors in each season. The best time to visit Pahalgam majorly depends on your personal preference and the ongoing scenarios at the valley.
The months of mid-November till late February are perfect for experiencing the extreme chilly weather and the snowfalls. With temperature ranging from 7 to -5 degree celsius, some trek points like Chandanwari might be closed during the snow. However, Pahalgam during this period is absolutely heavenly for hardcore winter lovers. For summer lovers, the whole period of March till mid June can be considered a wonderful time to visit the mountain town. Scented by aromatic winds of freshly bloomed flowers, the temperature typically ranges from 7 to 18 degree celsius during this period.
However, during the Amarnath Yatra (July to August) period, the whole valley is overly flooded by devotees in thousands. This might not be the best time to visit the valley because of the overflowing crowd, which results in jam packed accommodations and unbelievably soared prices of the available ones. Being the rainy season, planning a visit to Pahalgam during the period of July - September might not be the best decision.
The weeks of Eid-ul-Adha and Eid-ul-Fitr are not suitable either. The valley is into fasting and celebration which results in probable unavailability of rooms and food. Similarly, Independence and Republic days would not be the best choices given the increased security in Srinagar.
Covering the centrally located homestays and guest houses Pahalgam, we offer great stays, with greater views and the greatest discounts. Check out our Pahalgam homestays listings and make your vacation to Pahalgam a truly reminiscing one!
