“Crafted with Love, Kashmir is truly Heaven on Earth”
Kerela got its name “Heaven on Earth” because of the beautiful alpine meadows that go over the horizon. Kashmir has a lot of tourist attraction points that are known for their superior beauty. Spread across the lap of the Pir Panjal Mountains, this beautiful district hosts some of India’s most picturesque attractions in the country that demand exploration.
It doesn’t matter if you are on a solo trip, a romantic vacation, or simply a holiday with your family, Kashmir will make every moment worth your while. Kashmir is known for its natural magnificence.
There are a lot of must-visit locations in Kashmir that will leave you spellbound. It is such a famous destination that you will find multiple Kashmir tour and travel packages on the internet. In this blog, we will learn about some of the most famous tourist spots that are worth the visit on your trip to Kashmir.
Picturesque locations
Srinagar
The city wakes up with pre-dawn prayers and zikr where nature sings the winter melodies on the nine bridges. The city smells like heaven on both sides of the Jhelum River that passes through the valley.
The city takes on the morning light mirroring the mountains, while the moon still hangs pale over the tranquil Dal Lake. It adds to the beauty of an array of alluring houseboats. The shore is decorated with the Mughal gardens that speak of history strung out for several kilometers. The subdued fortress and wooden mosques of the old times make a mark in the center of the city.
Be it beautiful silk sunsets, shades of white, the palace of fairies, or old roses on a breeze, Srinagar is the place where love arrives in memories of forever to liberate us into life.
Gulmarg
Situated at an elevation of 2730 meters above sea level, Gulmarg justifies the tag of “Meadow of Flowers”. The meadow is blessed with an Anglican Church of St Mary’s that sits on a hillock. It can be accessed off the dead-end road that links the 1965 neo-colonial style Hotel Highlands Park with the historic Gulmarg Golf Club.
During your visit to Gulmarg, explore the splendid mature pines traversing to the elevation of bald Mt. Afarwat. To make it to the mountain, you can choose to trek for a fun experience. However, if you are not comfortable with trekking, you can get a pony ride for INR 300 per hour.
Tourists also have the option to take a cable car that will take them to a height of 3747 meters. The view from up there is so flawless that it will leave you in awe. On this cable ride, you will also come across Nanga Parbat which is the world’s ninth highest mountain peak located across Pakistan.
Sonmarg
A tiny township located at a height of 9000 km above sea level at the banks of the gushing Sindh River. This fascinating town is located in Ganderbal district is at a distance of 70 kms from Srinagar International Airport.
The Valley connects numerous Himalayan peaks like Kolhoi Peak, Sribal Peak, Amarnath Peak, and so on. The charm of the place becomes more attractive with wide varieties of flowers and alpine trees gracing this quaint town.
You will enjoy meadows of gold, sun-kissed peaks, breathtaking lakes, and towering glaciers. This beautiful town is full of mountain ranges and valleys to explore through trekking. It is used as a base camp for trekkers going to Ladakh and for many trekking routes to different lakes of Kashmir such as Krishnasar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Vishansar Lake, and so on.
During winter the valley is covered with snow offering an opportunity for tourists to enjoy sledding, skiing, or snow fighting. Tourists can also enjoy fishing trout and other species in Vishansar Lake, Krishnasar Lake, Gangabal Lake, and so on.
Pahalgam
In the midst of Liddar Valley is situated a picturesque destination; Pahalgam. Located in the Anantnag district in Jammu at an elevation of 2740 meters above sea level. You can get the sight of various shepherds which adds to the aesthetics of the beautiful destination.
Pahalgam is one of the most lavish destinations in India that has secured its spot on the bucket list of many travelers. Other than the tranquility, you will surely find many out-of-the-world destinations. The beauty of the lakes will take your breath away. The tall and beautiful pine trees will follow you throughout your visit.
If you are an adrenaline junkie, you can look forward to a lot of activities during your trip. If you visit this destination in the right season, you can have one of the most remarkable skiing experiences. Pahalgam offers different activities for all age groups, especially kids who have a wonderful time moving around this beautiful place.
The weather is quite chilly from November to February with plenty of snow around.
Dal Lake
Famous as “The Jewel of Srinagar”, Dal Lake spreads across an area of around 26 square kilometers. Tourists visiting Dal Lake love taking rides in the beautiful Shikaras, which are basically wooden boats decorated beautifully with canopies overhead.
Tourists enjoy shopping for authentic Kashmiri items from the floating market or lake market. These markets lie in the lake and sell a number of items like saffron and handicrafts. The houseboats on Dal Lake feature floral patterns and intricate carvings which add to the beauty of the majestic lake.
These boats feature single rooms and luxury suites that offer comfortable accommodations. Tourists enjoy ice skating on the lake in winter.
Pulwama
Lying at a distance of 40 km from Srinagar, Pulwama is known fondly as the “Rice Bowl of Kashmir”. The beautiful township is known for its aromatic saffron fields, pleasant weather, and picturesque apple orchards. It also hosts some of the most majestic waterfalls, verdant valleys, and mesmerizing natural springs.
Pulwama is also called “Anand of Kashmir”. It offers a variety of adrenaline-pumping options to satisfy the adventurer inside you. Tourists can enjoy trekking, skiing, and snowboarding depending on the availability.
Shalimar Garden
The Shalimar Garden (Shalimar Bagh) is largest among the three Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. It was constructed in 1619 at the order of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, who dedicated the garden to his wife Nur Jahan.
Nicknamed the “Crown of Srinagar” this public park has a setting that overlooks shimmering waters of Dal Lake.
The term ‘Shalimar’ means house of love in Sanskrit and is also referred to as Farah Baksh and Faiz Baksh. The beautiful Shalimar Garden offers an amazing combination of man-made structures, brilliant architecture, natural allure, and well-maintained gardens.
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is one of the most important places in Kashmir because of its religious significance. It is known for its historical importance. The establishment of Jama Masjid dates back to the early 15th century. It was constructed by Emperor Sultan Sukder.
The Masjid has gone through several fire breakouts and undergone reconstruction many times. The Grand Masjid stands out in its Indo-Saronic style of architecture.
You will be welcomed by a huge courtyard at the entrance. The halls are big enough to accommodate 33,333 people at once. These halls are flooded by devotees every Friday.
Yusmarg
A short drive outside Srinagar will take you to the astounding beauty of Yusmarg which has earned the title “Meadow of Jesus”. With its never-ending green pastures spread across the horizon, Yusmarg is a little paradise of its own.
It is one of the places most sought after by tourists in Kashmir on weekends. The meadow is home to some of Pir Panjal’s highest peaks such as Tattakutti and Sunset Point, which presents an unparalleled view of the valleys underneath.
A few temples and Hindu Shrines can be found scattered across the meadow. During winters Yusmarg remains covered in complete snow and can be a great place for snow sports.
Sanasar
Sanasar is a little cup-shaped meadow in Jammu which is named after the two villages, Sana and Sar. The meadow is known for its Gulmarg-like beauty. It is a famous destination for trekking and camping. There are various hiking trails that carve a way through the hills here.
This makes Sanasar an ideal place for amateurs as well as experts in the sport. A 5-hour long trek will take you to the Shank Pal Temple. It is a 400-year-old temple dedicated to the snake god ‘Naga’. The town is also home to one of the highest 9-hole golf courses in the country.
Dachigam National Park
Dachigam National Park is home to the now-endangered Kashmir Stag. It is situated on the outskirts of Srinagar. It has been a protected area since 1910, filled with grasslands that bloom in spring and freeze in winter. This makes Dachigam the most beautiful place to visit in Kashmir.
Apart from Kashmir Stag, herds of Musk Deers, Langurs, Black Bears, and many other endangered species are protected here. The strength of its bird population makes it one of the best places for birdwatchers.
How Can You Travel to Kashmir
After getting to know so much about the serene beauty of Kashmir, you might be wondering how you can get there. Do not worry. Unify Holidays has got you covered.
Unify Holidays has curated multiple Kashmir trip packages for all travel enthusiasts. We have expertise in planning vacations, which makes us the best travel agency for Kashmir tours. There are various Kashmir tour packages for family that have different locations focusing on the requirements of different tourists.
At Unify Holidays we take it as our utmost priority to make your vacation memorable. We will do all the travel and accommodation bookings for you, so you don’t have to. All you need to do is pack your bags and the fun begins.