When it comes to the most beautiful places on earth, Kashmir can be placed right at the top. And you can fight us on this! The crowing glory of India, or the northernmost state of the Indian subcontinent, Kashmir, has been portrayed with numerous adjectives, but they would still fail to describe its loveliness. It may even awaken the poet in you and inspire you to write singularly original couplets to capture its essence.
Kashmir is teeming with tourists spots that just beg to be admired. With mountains that are kissed by snow, the wind blowing across the majestic frontier of the Himalayas, gliding glaciers, emerald-green valleys with exotic flora and fauna, an exciting mix of different cultures, fascinating people, and history as deep as the waters of the Chenab river (Askini in Sanskrit as mentioned in the Rigveda), Kashmir is more than what you have ever imagined. It will leave you in raptures as you enter its realm.
This makes Kashmir the perfect hide-out for this summer vacation, assuming you are looking for that perfect escape from the daily drudgery and the Indian Summer’s intense heat. In that case, you are sure to appreciate the warmth of the Pashmina shawl draped around you amidst the cool soothing clime, serene landscapes with blooming gardens, aromatic saffron fields, gurgling rivers, Chinar trees & Pine-scented valleys, and the Shikara rides on the glassy lakes of Kashmir.
So, hang on whilst we take you through a thoroughly researched guide to exploring the nooks & crannies of Kashmir, and activities that you can do here with sightseeing.
Table of Contents
Places to visit in Kashmir in the Summer
The topography of Kashmir consists of the Tawi Valley, Chenab Valley, Kashmir Valley, Sind Valley, Poonch Valley, and Lidder Valley, which spreads over 100 km wide and 15,520.3 km2 (5,992.4 sq mi) in area. Divided by the mighty Himalayas from the Tibetan plateau to the Pir Panjal range, the Kashmir valley is rich in culture. Some rivers flowing through this region are Jhelum, Lidder, Chenab, Sutlej, Ravi and Indus. The spectacular views of the Dal Lake and the Nagin Lake lined with the houseboats will leave you mesmerised.
Srinagar
The capital of Kashmir, Srinagar, is a well-known city in India and is the biggest city in this state. Popularly called the Paradise of Earth, Srinagar can be found on the banks of river Jhelum and the Dal & Anchar lakes. The Mughal rulers were so enamoured by the natural beauty and weather of Srinagar, that they designed the grand Mughal Gardens for their enjoyment here. It is also home to Asia’s most expansive tulip garden. Locally this place is known as the mirror of the mountains. Predisposed to pretty snowfalls that would charm you, it is the perfect retreat for your summer vacation with the most delicious cuisine to boot. Visited either with your friends, family, or ‘the special one’. It will capture your heart and have a hold on your memories long after leaving the place.
Nearest Airport: Srinagar airport
Things to Do: Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh, Shankaracharya Hill, Sonamarg, Tulip Festival in Srinagar at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden (seasonal), Nigneen Lake, Yousmarg, Shalimar Bagh, Char Chinar, Betab Valley
Best Time to Visit: April-October
Sonmarg
Pitted as one of India’s most popular romantic destinations, Sonmarg—the meadow of gold, welcomes you with a charming & ethereal feel. This place offers some of the best views that a person can ever wish to see. Have a cup of the finest tea and bundle up to take in the spectacular surroundings. Embraced by the Himalayas, this hill station is located 80 km northeast of Srinagar. It is perched at about 2800 km from sea level and is widely sought after for its snow-laden fields. Sonmarg is sure to hook you in with its lakes and glaciers that look like the landscape of the movie Frozen.
Nearest Airport: Approximately 2 hours 45 min drive from Srinagar airport
Things to Do: Thajiwas Glacier, Zoji-La Pass, Vishansar lake, Whitewater rafting at Baltal, Kashmir Great Lakes Trek.
Best Time to Visit: May-October.
Pahalgam
Looking like something that you pulled out of a high-budget Bollywood song, Pahalgam is situated in the Anantnag district of Jammu & Kashmir Valley. Pahalgam is also a popular pilgrimage site, the Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam offers several intriguing spots to explore. And sports. You can try sledging on the planes of a frozen glacier; how cool is that? Chandanwari, located 16.6 km away from Pahalgam, is the actual base camp of the Amarnath. With sparkling rivers twinkling mischievously, Pahalgam should definitely be on your list of places to stop by when visiting Kashmir.
Nearest Airport: Fly to Srinagar Airport and hire a cab to Pahalgam.
Things to Do: Betab Valley, Mamal Temple, Sheshnag Lake, Betab and Aru Valleys
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
Vaishno Devi
Vaishno Devi is a pilgrimage site through and through. A serene place perfect for taking a step back from the hubbub of modern life, Vaishno Devi nourishes you with peace of mind. Hosting the Vaishno Devi Mandir, located in Trikuta hills, 13 km from Katra, this famous shrine garners millions of devotees from all over the world. It is considered a manifestation of Goddess Durga, mentioned in ancient Hindu texts and is considered among one of the 108 Shakti Peeth in India.
Nearest Station: Katra Railway Station.
Things To Do: Vaishno Devi Mandir, Katra, Ardhkuwari, Vaishno Devi Yatra, Bhairavnath Temple, Vaishno Devi
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Gulmarg
Touted as the Meadow of Flowers, Gulmarg is indeed a sight for sore eyes. With dainty flowers that circumvent the entire surface, Gulmarg is a popular tourist attraction. With a loyal base of tourists who scour Kashmir to see the views of mountains and flowers, Gulmarg is a must-visit spot. Apart from charming people with its pretty pictures, Gulmarg has also been developed as an adventure hub as the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is located here.
Nearest Airport: Fly to Srinagar Airport and then hire a cab till Gulmarg
Things To Do: Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Strawberry Field, Apharwat Peak, Gulmarg Gondola, Alpathar Lake, Drung Waterfall
Best Time to Visit: October-June
Khilanmarg
Khilanmarg is only 6 km from the Gulmarg bus station and is a beautiful paradise carpeted with flowers of varied colours in spring, transforming into a skier’s dream destination in winter. Those who have seen the beauty of Khilanmarg will vouch that it is another gorgeous place in Kashmir. The valley, with its enchanting landscapes, will mesmerise you with breathtaking panoramas. If weather permits, tourists can also enjoy a horseback ride from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg, as the route is just amazing! The horse takes you between tall pine trees, water streams and apple orchards and everything is so picturesque. There is a children’s park en route where you can stop to enjoy the place. Then go to the point to view Nanga Parbat, snow-clad mountains and glance at the Baba Reshi shrine. You can also visit strawberry fields nearby.
Those who enjoy nature will love visiting this place in the summers as the aromatic flowers are a big attraction. In winter, of course, it is where people go to enjoy skiing.
Things To Do: Skiing in winter, hiking, nature walk
Best Time to Visit: Spring and winter season
Anantnag
Proudly called the Home to Temples, Anantnag is a pure and captivating place. Located at a distance of 53 km from Srinagar, Anantnag is regarded as the commercial and financial capital of the Kashmir valley. Anantnag hosts three gushing rivers named Arapath, Brengi, and Sandran. Want a few days of peace and quiet, or need to add a serene spiritual location to your list? Look no further. It is a large business and trading centre of the valley.
Nearest Airport: Fly to Srinagar Airport and then hire a cab till Anantnag
Things To Do: Verinag, Martand Sun Temple, Amarnath Ji’s cave, Kishtwar National Park, and Daksum
Best Time to Visit: May-October
Aru Valley
The Aru Valley lies along the Aru river, a tributary of the Lidder river, and is visited for the variety of activities offered here, such as horse riding, hiking, and trekking. Besides their
resplendent meadows, Aru Valley is situated in a quaint village that gives a much-deserved respite during the months of Summer. It is set around 11 km from Pahalgam; it is the base camp for trekking to the Kolhoi Glacier and the Tarsar-Marsar Lake. If you pick the right time, Aru Valley covers up as a winter wonderland covered with snow.
Things To Do: Chandanwari, Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Baisaran, Lidder River, Kolahoi Glacier
Best Time to Visit: July–September
Pantnitop
Like something picked out of a storybook, Patnitop is an awe-inspiring destination. Sansar and Nathatop, located 17 km and 14 km away respectively, are favoured spots visited by several thousand tourists every year. Patnitop is a famous hill station in the Udhampur district of Jammu & Kashmir and offers views of snow-tipped mountains and endless valleys and mountains. This little place is also perfect for trekking, paragliding, and skiing spots, apart from the astounding views.
Nearest Airport: Fly till Srinagar or Jammu airport and hire a cab till Patnitop.
Things To Do: Nathatop, Skiing in Patnitop, Paragliding in Patnitop, Madhatop, Naag Mandir, Shiva Ghar
Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year
Amarnath
Who goes on vacation to Kashmir and leaves out Amarnath? That is just the trajectory. Sounding every bit as regal and beautiful as its name, Amarnath draws some of the largest groups of visitors to the Indian subcontinent. This place is that it is one of the most important pilgrimages in India for the worshippers of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath cave has an enshrined Shivaling formed naturally with ice, which is worshipped as Lord Shiva. The Amarnath Cave is accessible only during the Sharavan months of July-August, meaning you’ve hit the jackpot with wanting to visit it during the Summer.
Things To Do: Amarnath Cave, Amarnath Yatra, Baltal, Pahalgam
Best Time To Visit: May to September
Kishtwar National Park
Located between a plateau above the Chenab river and below the Nagin sheer glacier, the Kishtwar National Park gives you a glimpse of the wild side of Kashmir and is a much-visited place. This location is perfect to be visited in Summer as it has a saffron growth in a limited time, and its harvesting is accompanied by ceremonies and festivals. This park has an area of 400 sq km and contains fifteen species of mammals, including the elusive musk deer and Himalayan black & brown bears. The Kishtwar National Park has an exquisite variety of flora and fauna.
Best Time To Visit: May-June, September-October
Don’t think twice. Go visit Kashmir & Regret Never!
If we haven’t yet convinced you to pick Kashmir as your summer vacay spot, you need to Google the pictures & videos right away. Kashmir is a culturally enriching place with so much to offer and lacks nothing in terms of tourist attractions. Be sure to include the marvellous sights this place possesses in your itinerary and arm yourself with a good camera, cause everywhere you see it is mind-blowingly gorgeous.
And pack warm clothes!
So, book your flight tickets to Srinagar with Aertrip and get to the airport right away! Kashmir beckons you to have a splendid summer vacation with your loved ones.
FAQs
Q1: What are the top places to visit in Kashmir?
Kashmir is a place in India that people visit for its natural beauty. A lot of people come here for adventure and thrill. There are several places to visit in Kashmir that you can explore and enjoy.
The following are some of the places to visit in Kashmir:
Dal Lake: Dal Lake is the heart of Srinagar, which reflects the city’s old-world charm. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kashmir. The lake has numerous houseboats that offer accommodation and food for tourists who want an overnight stay on the water.
Gulmarg: Gulmarg is a ski resort situated at 2,650 meters above sea level on Pir Panjal Range near Sonamarg, southwest of Srinagar. It is the second-highest ski resort in India.-
Nishat Bagh: The Nishat Bagh is the oldest Garden in Srinagar, open to the public since 1839. This garden presents a variety of flowers and plants brought from different parts of Kashmir and beyond. Its beautiful landscaped lawns host various events, such as Patrick’s day, independence day, and Muharram.
Srinagar’s historic Esplanade: Srinagar’s Esplanade is a large open grassy area that stretches from the Dal Lake to the Shalimar Gardens. It is lined with grand neem trees, large flower beds, fountains, and lights.
The Hari Parbat Fort: The fort was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar, and it overlooks the Dal Lake.
Gandhi’s House: It is now a museum that showcases Gandhi’s life and activities in Kashmir.
Habba Kadal: This place is famous for its night markets, where you can buy a variety of goods.
Q2. What are some of the activities that you can do in Kashmir?
Kashmir is one of the most popular tourist spots in India. It is a beautiful place with lots of activities to do. Some of the most popular activities in Kashmir are:
- Hiking
- Trekking
- Camping
- Kayaking
- Paragliding
Q3. What is the weather like in Kashmir this time of year?
The Kashmir region is known for its unpredictable weather and can be sunny one day and snowing the next.
The Kashmir region has a very diverse terrain, which affects the area’s climate. The northern part of Kashmir is mountainous, so it has an alpine climate with cold winters and generally cool summers. The southern part of Kashmir is more desert-like, which means it has hot summers and cold winters.
Q4. What are the tourist attractions in Kashmir Valley?
Kashmir Valley is a valley in the Hindu Kush mountains in Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations and attracts many visitors every year because it is home to many picturesque lakes, rivers, and mountains.
The most popular tourist attractions in Kashmir Valley are Dal Lake, Wular Lake, Tawi River, Mughal Gardens, Shikara Ride on Dal Lake and Gulmarg.
Q5. Is it a good time to visit Kashmir in July?
Kashmir is a fantastic place to visit in July. The weather is cool and pleasant, the air is fresh, and the waterfalls are flowing.
Q6. What are the best things to buy in Kashmir?
There is a host of things to buy in Kashmir as souvenirs that include walnuts & walnut wood carved items, papier-mache artefacts, Kashmir Pashminas & fabrics with Kashmiri embroidery, Kashmiri tea (Kahwa), and copperware. These are handcrafted by the locals and make some great items to buy and also buy spices, including the locally grown best quality saffron.
