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How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir – A COMPLETE Travel Guide

October 26, 2022

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How to plan a visit to Kashmir? This actually is a query that may by no means be answered in short. There are a whole lot of elements that you’ll have to think about like the right way 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 submit when you really need it to be detailed. Not simply Kashmir however when visiting anyplace anyplace, you’ll have to fastidiously analysis every a part of the journey, to make sure that your journey stays hassle-free

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

For the sake of comfort and ease of navigation, I’m cataloging these articles within the submit beneath. Follow the hyperlinks, check out the articles and each query that you’ve about visiting Kashmir will certainly get answered.

Best Time to Visit Kashmir

When is the perfect time to go to Kashmir? There is definitely no straight reply to this query as a result of it’ll depend upon what sort of journey you have been wanting ahead to.

If you wished to see snow, January and February are very best occasions. If you wished to see lush inexperienced views, September would be the greatest time. For a honeymoon journey, I’ll advocate April and September.

If you wished to see flowers and Tulip Garden, you need to plan for April. If you wished to see Apple orchards, August and September is the perfect time to go.

For images, a visit within the post-monsoon season will likely be greatest. For funds vacationers, August and November are good occasions to go.

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

Mobile Network and Data Connectivity

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

The essential factor that you need to know is that solely postpaid connections work within the valley. Irrespective of which community you have been on, your telephone will likely be lifeless as quickly as you enter Kashmir if it was a pay as you go connection.

But if it was a postpaid telephone, you should have good reception and knowledge connectivity in vacationer locations like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. If 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 Mobile Network and Data Connectivity in Kashmir that you could check out. I’ve given a region-wise breakdown of the community reception on this submit.

Clothes to Pack for Kashmir Trip

The subsequent essential query will likely 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 may even depend upon the locations you bear in mind to go to and your mode of commute as properly.

I’ll advocate having a look at Clothes for Kashmir Trip – Things to Pack for Kashmir Trip for extra data on this side. In this submit, I’ve talked intimately in regards to the type of garments that try to be packing for a visit to Kashmir in several seasons.

Places to Visit 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 turn into the very spotlight of your journey.

Srinagar

I’m including Srinagar first to the listing as a result of that’s the place you’ll have to go first. Srinagar will likely be your base to discover the attractive valleys of Kashmir.

But is it simply that? The reply is not any. It isn’t just a base to discover Kashmir however slightly 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 center 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 is simply a lot to see right here and a lot to do. This I consider is the very motive that regardless of all of the unrest and tensions, Srinagar continues to stay some of the visited vacationer locations in our nation.

Gulmarg

Gulmarg for my part is the largest vacationer attraction in Kashmir. Known because the meadow of flowers, it’s a heavenly place to tread in that gives mesmerizing landscapes and an enthralling chance of assorted journey actions.

Such is the great thing about this tiny hamlet that it attracts folks from all around the nation all year long. It is presumably a kind of locations the place the vacationer season by no means ends.

From households to journey lovers, Gulmarg has quite a bit to supply everybody. It not solely attracts vacationers from the opposite elements of the nation but additionally is a favourite weekend getaway for the native Kashmiris as properly.

Below is an inventory of articles that I’ve posted on Gulmarg. I’ll advocate having a look at these earlier than visiting this stunning little city.

Sonamarg

The subsequent vacation spot that you need to go to throughout your Kashmir journey is Sonamarg. The place is definitely accessible, stays open for a lot of the yr, has loads of motels, gives superb views, and is ideal for all types of journeys.

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

For lodging, there may be a variety of motels to select from, each for funds vacationers in addition to somebody on the lookout for a luxurious keep. Read on to search out out extra.

Below is an inventory of articles that present each data that it is advisable know to be able to plan your journey.

Pahalgam

The identify Pahalgam must 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.

Located at a distance of about 100 kilometers from Srinagar, Pahalgam is greatest 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.

In the articles beneath, I’ve talked about how a visit to Pahalgam may be deliberate, locations that you need to go to there, lodging, public transport, and several other different suggestions that may be of use.

Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley is without doubt one of the least explored areas of Kashmir and the one that may really be referred to as an offbeat vacation spot. It is a spot of excessive scenic magnificence that doesn’t actually get the eye that it really deserves. The vistas and the pure fantastic thing about the mountains that you just see listed here are very completely different than what you will note elsewhere.

Usually, if you speak about visiting Kashmir, it’s principally 4 locations that come to thoughts – Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Even Srinagar simply acts as a base to discover the opposite three locations.

But Kashmir is a lot extra. There are so many different locations right here that can go away you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such vacation spot that I’ll extremely advocate that you just discover a place for in your journey plans.

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

Mughal Road

Not many individuals would know in regards to the Mughal Road. Srinagar Jammu National Highway, often known as NH44, is usually thought-about to be the one street connecting the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.

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

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

This route is the alternate technique to journey between Jammu and Srinagar and to succeed in some inside areas of Kashmir just like the city of Rajouri. It can also be a really scenic route that positively deserves to be explored.

For extra particulars on Mughal street, you’ll be able to check out the posts beneath.

Aharbal Waterfall

Aharbal Waterfall is without doubt one of the most stunning waterfalls in Kashmir. It can also be essentially the most simply accessible one and but by no means crowded. Located 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 really deserves.

If you have been planning to go to Kashmir, I’ll extremely advocate that you need to discover a day in your itinerary for a go to to Aharbal. How can you propose that’s what I’ve talked about within the article beneath.

Yusmarg

Yusmarg is situated 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 is a kind of locations in Kashmir which might be immensely stunning however don’t get the eye that they rightfully deserve. But for somebody eager to go offbeat and keep away from the gang, Yousmarg is ideal.

For extra particulars on this vacation spot, please check out Yusmarg – A Comprehensive Travel Guide & Itinerary.

Doodhpathri

Doodhpathri is a small hill station in Kashmir. It lies in a bowl-shaped alpine valley surrounded by snow-clad mountains and the 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 street connectivity but and within the months of peak winter, it might get very tough to succeed in right here. For the remainder of the yr although, a visit to Doodhpathri can truly be made in lower than half a day.

To be sincere, it isn’t but a hill station as there may be little to no improvement 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 space is essentially unexplored and receives little or no tourism. However, 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 wished to remain in a single day.

You can check out Doodhpathri – A COMPLETE Travel Guide & Itinerary to search out out extra.

Public Transport in Kashmir

The greatest technique to journey to Kashmir is both by your self-owned car or a personal taxi. But if you’re a funds traveler, it’s also possible to go for public transport which is offered within the type of buses and shared taxis. The drawback nevertheless is that it isn’t frequent.

It will likely be onerous to discover a JKSRTC bus anyplace in Kashmir. You must depend on mini-buses and shared cabs operated by the locals. They shouldn’t have a set schedule or timetable however can be found all through the day.

For extra particulars on this matter, please check out How to Travel in Kashmir by Buses & Shared Cabs. In this submit, I’ve supplied full particulars on how one can commute from Srinagar to different locations by public transport.

Taxi Rates

If you have been planning on renting a taxi on your journey, the posts beneath may also help you get a value estimate. An essential factor that you need 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 for Pahalgam from Srinagar, it might solely drop you in Pahalgam. To go to native locations like Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, you’ll have to lease a neighborhood cab in Pahalgam.

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

Similarly, this rule can also be relevant when you meant to maneuver on to Kargil, Zanskar Valley, or Ladakh after exploring Kashmir.

Renting a Bike

Renting a motorbike in Srinagar is a good way to probe for individuals who reached Kashmir by flight. There are a number of bike leases within the metropolis that you could get the bikes from.

Please check out How to Rent a Bike in Srinagar and Srinagar Bike Rental Rates. From each of those posts, you will get to know the process and the fee concerned.

Itinerary Planning

Your ultimate itinerary for Kashmir will fully depend upon the variety of days you’ve got in hand, your funds, and your preferences. But I’ll advocate having a look at How to Plan your Itinerary for Kashmir.

In this submit, I’ve shared completely different examples of itineraries primarily based on the time at hand. You can choose any one of many instructed itineraries and both comply with it utterly or modify it as per your comfort.

Food to Try in Kashmir

Your journey to not simply Kashmir however anyplace is incomplete until you’ve got tasted the native delicacies. That for my part is definitely the most effective elements of touring to completely different locations.

The mouth-watering native meals to strive in Kashmir is an expertise that you just simply can’t miss. Below is a complete listing 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 properly.

There are a whole lot of locations throughout Kashmir the place they solely serve vegetarian, even Jain meals as properly. So discovering a spot to eat is not going to truly be an issue.

The posts beneath present extra data on the meals that you need to strive in Kashmir and the place.

Hotels

In the posts beneath, I’ve reviewed a number of the motels that I’ve stayed at throughout my journeys to Kashmir. You can check out the knowledge and footage that I supplied and resolve when you want to keep at any of those.

Travelogues

Below 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 want to, you’ll be able to check out these logs to realize additional data and see footage of the locations.

I’ve tried to be as detailed as potential in these logs, offering a number of mandatory particulars for anybody eager to plan an analogous journey.

By Car

This one was my longest journey to Kashmir and lined a lot of the vacationer locations.

Bike Trip

The journey above was fully in my Thar. Take a take a look at this second travelogue. This was a whole bike journey performed in a special method.

Winter Trip

The travelogues above have been each from the summer time season. If you have been planning to go to Kashmir through the winter season, the travelogue beneath may be of assist.

Other Travelogues

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

If you prefer to your journey story to be revealed on my weblog, you’ll be able to ship it to me with the related footage at [email protected] I can provide a ultimate contact to the log, put it up on the log and add the hyperlinks right here.

Photos

If you prefer to to check out a few of my photos of locations in Kashmir, you’ll be able to take a take a look at the posts beneath. This may also help you resolve whether or not or not you need to go to that specific place or not.

How to plan a visit to Kashmir – Conclusion

I consider that’s it. This ought to cowl the vast majority of the knowledge that it is advisable get to be able to plan an gratifying and hassle-free journey to Kashmir.

If there was a particular query that you weren’t capable of finding a solution to, please be happy to ask within the feedback part beneath. You can even comply with me on Instagram and chat with me reside or subscribe to my YouTube channel and ask a query there.