List of top 6 Tourist Places to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir

Kashmir

Planning a Trip to Jammu and Kashmir? Here’s our list of 6 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Jammu and Kashmir.

Couple of places in the subcontinent comes close to the tummy-flipping appeal of the Himalayan mountain system. Like a pretty young lady, magnanimously voted by all as the beauty of her household, Jammu and Kashmir (often referred to simply, as J&K) has always been enveloped in an aura of secret and elusiveness. J&K include 3 main areas: consistently oriented Jammu (the winter capital of the state), the quite, flowery valleys of Kashmir and the cold, ruggedly good-looking desert land of Leh-Ladakh. Whichever location you decide to begin with, try finishing the entire circuit to do complete justice to these spellbinding lands of the North.

Srinagar

Found on the banks of the Jhelum river, at an elevation of 5,200 feet, Srinagar holds the difference of being the “summer season capital” of J&K. Srinagar is well known for the” Dal Lake” and its lots of vibrant ‘shikharas’ and house-boats. It is also known for dry fruit, saffron and standard Kashmiri handicrafts like handwoven woollen shawls, carpets and carpets.

Kashmir Tour

Pahalgam

Not far from the stress of Srinagar is a beautiful little hill-town called Pahalgam. The area holds an abundant cover of plants, the dominant forest consisting of conifers which represent over 90%. There are many types of unusual, threatened and secured species to be found among the vegetation here. Wildlife enthusiasts are bound to identify some Hangul, Musk deer, Serow, Brown bear, Leopard, Rhesus macaque, Grey langur, Wild bears etc, apart from a large range of exotic mountain birds. Due to the continuous hazard of prohibited border crossings, the Indian army is constantly patrolling the location and is on continuous high alert. However, the location is safe for tourists.

Also Visit – Luxury Kashmir Tours

Gulmarg

Famous beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar make Gulmarg a premier hillstation in the area. Initially called “Gaurimarg” by shepherds, its present name was given up the 16th century by the Mughal Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. But Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of flowery beauty- it likewise boasts of the highest green golf course in the world – at an altitude of 2,650 meters. The journey to Gulmarg is half the magic of reaching there– roads avenued by high aromatic poplars, rice fields sprinkled with stunning villages and lots of pretty fragrant flowers. There is a point referred to as “View Point”, where travelers typically stop to get a lungful of fragrant air and take in the appeal of the white-capped mountains.

Srinagar

Sonamarg

Located at an altitude of 2730 meters, Sonamarg (that equates as ‘Meadow of Gold’) is backed by snowy mountains that stand tall against a cornflower blue sky. The Sindh River that meanders through the valley is plentiful with Trout, and angling is a favourite activity in this location. Ponies can be employed for the journey up to the Thajiwas glacier which is a major regional destination throughout the summertime (we suggest you have a heart and walk instead). Weekend campers arrive here in herds throughout peak season. Heavily forested Sonamarg is filled with the fragrance of sycamore and alpine flowers, silver birch, fir and pine. Great to check out if you’re an out and out nature fan.

Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking

Leh/Ladakh

There is hardly any left to say about the cold, bare and hauntingly gorgeous desert of Ladakh, that hasn’t already been said prior to. Tales of its charm and mystique are sung everywhere, with individuals from all over the world putting the region on their bucket list of locations to experience before they pass away. It’s cold, it’s crystal clear and it’s extremely, extremely photogenic up here. Bi-humped bactrian camels, red cloaked monks, and flocks of mountain goat trudge along, lending the landscape an ageless aura. Stunning blue-green lakes ripple silently within giant basins of brown and purple rock.

The sun and clouds shower each part of the region in a different shade at various times of the day; sometimes a confident golden, in some cases a glowering indigo. The region is really utilized to travelers, so you will constantly find lots of locations to remain, eat and rest. Hiring local driver-driven jeeps is expensive, so numerous individuals prefer to brave the terrain on yaks, bikes or on foot. Leh is a peaceful, spiritual little town, soaked in custom and Buddhist culture. Lots of people choose to remain in Leh and make day journeys into Ladakh and its neighbouring towns. Ladakh is great to visit if you’re into travel photography or composing or simply want a great experience and some alone time.

Vaishno Devi

The holy shrine of the Hindu Mother Goddess situated in these hills have made this location really famous. Every year, thousands of pilgrims, travel their method up the steep slopes, to provide prayer to their goddess. The shrine complex itself is developed on a high outcrop, and makes for quite the twinkling sight at night. The holy cavern shrine of Vaishno Devi is nestled in a lovely recess of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas. It lies 61 km north of Jammu at a height of 5,200 feet above the water level in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. In the cavern there are pictures of 3 divine beings viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati. Perfect to visit if you’re into religion and spirituality.

For more information on Kashmir tour packages contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in Delhi India.

Explore 4 hidden tourist destination of Kashmir

Here is list of hidden tourist destination of Kashmir below:

Pampore Kashmir

Palmpore

Located 16 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam, Pampore is the centre of Kashmir’s saffron industry, producing 90% of the state’s saffron. Called the ‘golden bowl of Kashmir’, it is known for producing the best-quality saffron in the world.

By the end of October these bright flowers are in full bloom, bathing the landscape in swathes of lovely purple. The vast stretches give the impression of ‘a newly wedded bride draped in a saffron shawl taking a nap’. It brings alive the romance of King Yusuf Shah and Zoon, the beautiful Kashmiri poetess. According to lore, one moonlit night in October, the king strayed into the saffron fields where he saw Zoon and fell in love with her. They were soon wed and Zoon became queen Habba Khatoon.

Blossoming at dawn, the flowers quickly wilt as the day passes. Thus entire families, including children and helpers, fan out over the fields with baskets before sunrise, plucking the flowers. It is a festive occasion with kahwa or saffron tea being served as a refresher. The flowers are then spread out on sheets and left to dry, after which the stigma, from which the spice is derived, is separated.

The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism organised Saffron Festival, held every October, gives visitors an opportunity to witness the colourful harvesting process.

Despite the tedious process, where every single stigma stem is carefully plucked by hand, very little saffron – is actually obtained even from vast tracts of land: 150 flowers yield barely one gram of saffron threads, making it one of the most expensive, and prized, spices in the world.

Avantipur Kashmir

Avantipur

Founded by Avantivarman (855-883 AD), the first king of the Utpala dynasty, the ancient township of Avantipur is in Anantnag district, 28 kms from Srinagar, on the road to Pahalgam. Avantivarman built two magnificent temple complexes here, 500 m from one another: Avantisvamin, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantisvara, dedicated to Siva. Forgotten over time, the emples were rediscovered during an excavation in the early 20th century.

The massive temples were once ornately decorated with sculptural details and even today, despite their ruinous state, give a clear indication of their original grandeur. Also Visit – Vaishno Devi Helicopter Booking

Doodhpatri Kashmir

Doodhpatri

FROM SRINAGAR: 47 KMS

ALTITUDE: 1,600 M APPROX

Doodhpatri is yet another beautiful meadow, just 42 kms from Srinagar, accessed via Budgam and Khansahib. The relatively lesser-known place is being developed as a tourist resort by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism. Also Visit – Kashmir tour packages

The tranquil meadow, surrounded by thick coniferous forests, provides an idyllic setting for a relaxing outing. The river Doodh Ganga, flowing through here, is abundant in trout and draws angling enthusiasts.

Four kms before one gets to Doodhpatri is a vast green meadow at Parihas, from where one can choose to trek to Doodhpatri.

Both Parihas and Doodhpatri are being developed by Jammu and Kashmir Tourism as tourist destinations.

Close by is the ziarat of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din (whose dargah is at Chrar-e-Sharif). It is believed that the holy saint spent 12 years at this site doing ibadat (worshipping the Almighty). Every year, during the last week of August, a three-day Urs is held, that draws people from all faith from across Kashmir.

Achabal Kashmir

Achabal

Thirteen kilometers northwest of Kokernag, is the splendid garden at Achabal. It is 8 kms from Anantnag, off NH 1B. Built by Nur Jahan, the garden is also called Begamabad Bagh.

According to CM Stuart Villiers, gardens sprang up wherever the Mughal royal party set up their camps (Gardens of the Great Mughals). Renowned historian Takeo Kamiya writes, ‘Till today natural spring water runs with vigour in the fountains and canals. The profusion of sycamore trees in this Mughal garden gives it a lively appearance.’

The French traveller Francois Bernier, who visited Kashmir with Aurangzeb in 1664, records: ‘The spring [at Achabal] gushes out of the earth with violence, as if it issued from the bottom of some well and the water is so abundant that it ought rather to be called a river than a fountain. It is excellent water, and as cold as ice. The garden is very handsome, laid out in regular walks, and full of fruit trees — apple, pear, plum, apricot, and cherry.’

For more information on hidden tourist destination of Jammu and Kashmir contact Swan Tours one of the leading travel agents in India.