Shikara Ride in Dal Lake
Also known as ‘Jewel in the crown of Kashmir’, Dal Lake is one of the most popular attractions of Jammu and Kashmir. Dal Lake is not only popular for its beauty and serenity, but also its colorful Shikaras. You really can’t miss enjoying a Shikara ride at Dal Lake. The ride offers a soothing and relaxing experience to every tourist. Dal Lake is dotted with a number of Shikaras (long boats) which are beautifully decorated. These colorful boats offer an opportunity to experience the natural beauty of Kashmir at its best as you sail through its most popular attractions. Shikara ride at the lake is a popular thing to do in Kashmir for those who wish to enjoy some time amid a soothing and pleasant ambiance.
Vaishno Devi Yatra
It is believed that no prayers go unanswered at this shrine and it is the place from where helpless and disheartened return happy. To reach the shrine, devotees have to cover a trek of 13.5 km. Ponies, palanquins and helicopters are available for reaching the shrine. The best time to visit the site is from the month of March till July and September to December.
Chashme Shahi
One of the most popular Mughal Gardens in Jammu and Kashmir, Chashme Shahi is a beautiful garden known for its Mughal charm. The garden features Mughal architecture and also takes some influence from Persian architecture. The terraces of the garden are beautifully covered with colorful flowers. Beautiful waterfalls and fountains adorn this garden and make it more alluring.
The place is set at a picture perfect location which offers a number of views to capture in the camera. This is why, the place is a must visit for photographers. The star attraction of the garden is its freshwater spring which flows through the centre of the terraces into three sections: waterfall, fountains and aqueduct. The most popular feature here is the stream, rich in minerals and iron and has healing properties. The garden remains open from 09:00 am in the morning till 07:00 pm in the evening. It is open all days except Friday. Entry fee to the garden is INR 10 per person.
Shalimar Bagh
Shalimar bagh is one of the finest Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. The garden was built back in 1619 by Mughal Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, Nurjahan. Earlier, the garden served as the summer residence of the Mughals. Major area of the garden is covered with water canals and fountains which add to the beauty of the garden. Colorful flowers, soothing ambience and old Mughal architecture make this place perfect for a day out with friends and family. Nothing can be better than relaxing at the garden on a fine sunny day. Light and sound shows are organized in the garden every evening. The best time to visit the garden is from the month of May to October. Shalimar Bagh is open all days of the week except Friday from 9 am till 7 pm.
Bahu Fort
A popular attraction of Jammu city, Bahu Fort was built back 3000 years ago by Raja Bahulochan. During 19th century, the fort was renovated by the Dogra Rulers. Bahu Fort holds immense religious importance as it houses a temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. The temple is known as “Bave Kali Mata temple”. The historical ambience of the fort opens arms to history buffs and photographers from all over. Bagh-i-Bahu, one of the largest underground aquariums in the subcontinent is located in the garden of the fort. The aquarium houses 400 varieties of marine and fresh water fish. The fort is a delight for every kind of traveler who desires to spend some great time at a beautiful place with their friends and family.
Golfing in Gulmarg
Gulmarg is not only known for its natural beauty and serenity, but also as a great golfing destination. Set at an altitude of 2,650 meters, Gulmarg Golf Course is the second highest and oldest golf course in the world. The golf course was built back in the year 1911 by the Britishers. The golf course was recently redesigned in the year 2011. The golf course is set at a beautiful location which adds to the fun of golfing at the course. Spread over an area of 7505 yards, the gold course has a layout of 18 hole, par 72. It is a must visit if you wish to experience golfing at its best.
Chadar Trek
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What if you got to trek over a frozen river? Chadar trek is one of the most exciting and challenging treks. Covering a distance of 105 km, you will have to trek up to the Zanskar Valley which is beautifully nestled amid snow capped mountains. To reach the valley, you have just one way. Cross the frozen Zanskar River and enjoy every unique element of this trek, the unusual camping sites, picture perfect scenery and chilly weather. Test your trekking skills with this trek. Beat the extreme conditions and climb over the snow covered trails.
Shankaracharya Temple
People from all over visit the temple to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva. The temple is not only known for its religious importance, but also architectural importance. The temple remains open all days a week from 8 am till 5 pm. The best time to visit the temple is from the month of May to September when the weather remains pleasant.
Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa was built back in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu Gyomyo Nakamura. The stupa is located at a height of 4267 meter on a hilltop in Chanspa, 5 km away from Leh. Shanti Stupa safely preserves the remnants of the Buddha. Shanti Stupa was built with an aim to promote world peace and to commemorate 2500 years of Buddhism. Also, the stupa acts as a symbol of ties between the people of Ladakh and Japan. The white-domed stupa offers a beautiful view of the surroundings. This is why, the place is a popular tourist attraction of Leh. The beauty of the place lies in its tranquility which offers a unique experience to every visitor. Shanti Stupa remains open for tourists from 5:00 a.m. till 9:00 p.m.
Hazratbal shrine
The beautiful structure of the Hazratbal Mosque is entirely made of white marble. The alluring Himalayan Mountain Range at the backdrop of the mosque adds to its beauty. The mosque features a blend of Mughal and Kashmiri architecture. People can enjoy great view of the Dal Lake from the mosque.
Thiksey Gompa
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| Morning prayers in Thiksey Gompa |
The star attraction of the monastery is the Maitreya Temple which was built in the year 1970 to commemorate the visit of 14th Dalai Lama. The temple has a 15 meter high statue of Maitreya, which is the largest statue in Ladakh. Other than Maitreya temple, there are many more temples in the monastery which are dedicated to different guardians of the protector deity of Thiksey. The monastery offers a mystical ambience where people can spend some time in tranquility. Also, they can enjoy a panoramic view of the Indus valley from the monastery. Thiksey Gompa remains open all days a week from 7 am to 7 pm. Entry fee per person is INR 20.
Betaab Valley
Taking its name from Bollywood super hit movie, Betaab, starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh, Betaab Valley is a popular tourist attraction of Kashmir. Set at a distance of 15 km from Pahalgam, the valley is set amid snow capped mountains and lush greenery. Pine and deodar forests surrounding the valley offer a soothing ambience to every visitor. This beautiful attractions is a must visit if you wish to spend some time close to nature. Musical chirping of birds, sight of colorful flowers and strong breeze adds to the beautiful experience of visiting the valley. The panoramic view the valley offers promises to sway your heart away at once. Betaab Valley is a well-known camping site for trekkers.
Hari Parbat Fort
Set on the top of the Sharika Hill, Hari Parbat Fort holds immense religious importance. Sharika Hill is considered sacred as the famous Sharika Mata Temple is located there. The hill also serves as a location for the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib. Gurdwara Chatti Patshahi is another religious shrine located in the vicinity of the fort.
Kheer Bhawani Temple
Kheer Bhawani is a popular temple dedicated to Goddess Bhawani. The temple is constructed over a sacred spring. There is an unusual tradition of offering Kheer to the presiding deity, Goddess Bhawani. This tradition became a part of the name of the temple, which is why the temple is known as Kheer Bhawani Temple. The water of the scared spring changes occasionally. When the water turns black, it is believed to indicate inauspicious times for Kashmir. The temple holds much importance for people following the Historical Vedic Religion in Kashmir, who are known as Kashmiri Pandits. People from all over the world visit the temple to seek the blessings of Kheer Bhawani Temple.
Camping in Aru Valley
Set amid sparkling lakes, snow capped mountains and colorful meadows; Aru Valley is located at a distance of 12 km from Pahalgam. Aru valley is a perfect site for camping as it offers a scenic and tranquil ambience to stay. The beauty of the valley lies in the peaks, lakes and meadows surrounding it. The valley serves as the starting point for the trek to Kolahoi glacier. Aru valley is also a base camp for the Tarsar-Marsar lakes trek, the Katrinag valley, the Vishansar-Kishansar lakes trek and Kangan trek. The best time to visit Aru Valley is during the summer season, from the month of March to June when the weather remains cool and pleasant which is apt for camping and other adventure activities. During winter season, the entire Aru valley gets covered in snow which also makes it a great location for activities like skiing and heliskiing.
Sheshnag Lake
One of the most popular attractions of Jammu and Kashmir, Sheshnag Lake is located near Pahalgam. The lake is considered sacred and is believed that a serpent named Sheshnag dug this lake and made it his abode. People believe that the divine serpent, Sheshnag still resides in the lake. The lake is located on the pilgrimage route to the holy Amarnath Caves. The sparkling waters and breathtaking sights of the snow- capped mountains leave every visitor mesmerized. The place offers a great ambience to photographers. There is so much what photographers can capture with a visit to this beautiful lake. The beauty of the lake is enhanced by the sprawling green pastures surrounding it. Sheshnag Lake is natural habitat of brown trout fish which is mainly found here. The lake becomes inaccessible during winters as snow covered mountains feed it.To reach the lake, one needs to trek uphill from Chandanwari for which ponies are available. The best time to visit the lake is from the month of June till September, when the weather remains pleasant.
Gondola Ride in Gulmarg
Gulmarg boasts of housing the 2nd highest cable car in the world - Gulmarg Gondola. Gulmarg Gondola is an exciting ride which is Asia’s longest and highest cable car ride. The ride is a two-phase ropeway which carries 6 people at a time. People are taken through two phases, the first one is from the starting point to Kongdoori valley and the other phase is from the Kongdoori valley to Apharwat peak. This 20- minute ride promises to every individual with an experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the breathtaking sights of the alluring Gulmarg valley and enjoy some great time with your friends and family. You really can’t miss this on your visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
Mountain Biking at Khardung La
Khardung La Pass, set at an elevation of 18380 ft, is the highest motorable road in the world. What if you get a chance to enjoy mountain biking at Khardung La Pass?
Mountain biking at Khardung La Pass includes tons of excitement, fun and challenges. You get to ride through the high mountain passes which offer spectacular views of snow capped mountains, picture perfect landscapes and rugged terrains. Mountain biking tour through the pass covers the entire Ladakh Range as it is connects Leh city to Indus and Nubra Valley.
While you cross the Indus Valley, you get to enjoy beautiful views of the Zanskar Range to the southwest and the Karakoram Range to the northeast. To enjoy a great biking experience at Khardung La is to join the biking tours organized by several tour operators.
White Water Rafting in Indus
Originating in Tibet, the sparkling Indus river flows through Ladakh, Leh and then passes into Pakistan. Indus River offers with a great river rafting course where camps are set at different locations to meet the interests of every individual. Indus River rafting is commonly suitable for grade 2 and 3 trips. At some areas, it also matches with 4 and 5 grade rapids. While you enjoy river rafting on Indus River, you get to enjoy captivating views of the beautiful landscapes of Ladakh and Zanskar ranges. You also get to look at Buddhist monasteries set at high cliffs around Ladakh. People from all over the world visit Ladakh to enjoy river rafting at Indus River. A variety of options are available for rafting lovers. River rafting expeditions range from a day to 2 weeks.
Paragliding in Sanasar
All the adventure activities in Sanasar are organized by Jammu and Kashmir Government authorities. Soar high through the clear blue skies and let the fresh breeze caress your face. Explore the beauty of the Sanasar Valley by gliding high in the sky like a free bird.
Located at a distance of 129 km from Jammu city, Sanasar is a must-visit, if you are an adventure enthusiast. The best time to visit Sanasar for paragliding is from the month of May to June and September to October.
Leh Palace
Built back in the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal, Leh Palace is one of the major attractions of Leh. The palace is nine storey’s high, which used to accommodate the royal family. During mid 19th century, the palace was abandoned when Ladakh came under the control of Dogra forces. Today, the palace is being restored by the Archaeological Survey of India. One can enjoy panoramic views of Leh and surrounding areas from the roof of the palace.
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