Kokernag is a literal gem of a hill station located in the alpine regions of Kashmir and therefore characterized by crystal clear water bodies, evergreen shady trees, blushing autumns and fresh summer grass. According to most tourists who have had the chance to go through all the many Tourist Places To Visit in Kokernag, being in this tourist location feels like being transported to some European or North American destination. ‘Koker’ means Chicken and ‘Nag’ can mean both Serpent and Sulphurous Water Spring to Kashmiri residents – you guessed correctly, one of the most popular activities to do in Kokernag is to visit the famous spring which has given this place its name. More about this soon!
Tourist places in Kokernag are almost all untouched by human intervention, which is precisely why this place has become so famous among offbeat travellers and foreign tourists these days.
Fun Tourist Places & Activities in Kokernag – The Chicken-Claw Spring
1. Visit the Papa-Shudan Nag
Sulphurous water springs are a rare water spring occurrence that can only be seen in a few select geographical locations around the world. Kashmir is a suitable place for these natural formations and therefore many water springs occur at various hill stations in this state. Some people believe that Kokernag got its name from the clock formation that formed at Papa-Shudan Nag due to the collection of all springs. But most people believe in a fascinating story of how a bucket of water that belonged to an immortal Saint turned into a serpent and then into a chicken – which chicken then used its claws to dig a sulphurous water spring out of the ground and help three village women. In any case, thousands of tourists from around India come to this place to touch the water of this spring which is known to have intensely strong magical powers of healing.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 to 2 hours
2. Fishing for Trout
Trout fishes are pride to Kashmir. In fact, trout fishes are considered to be one of the most delicious species of fish and are cultivated worldwide as preview quality freshwater produce. The government department handling aquaculture in Kokernag has set up perennial commerce for trout fishes with the provision for tourists to come to visit the government stores and purchase trout for home. Additionally, there are countless ponds and streams around this hill station that support fishing as one of the most widely chosen activities to do in Kokernag.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Opening and closing timings: no official timings but fishing is acceptable only in the daytime.
Time taken to visit: 3 to 4 hours
3. Kokernag Waterfall
Waterfalls are the pride of the Himalayas. Kokernag Waterfall is also one of the main tourist places in Kokernag for travellers to enjoy. More than that, the little distance that you have to cover from the main hill station to this waterfall is one of the first ravishing trips anyone can ever make in their life. Not only because the journey in between is so very beautiful and romantic, but you also get to take a sneak peek at the traditional, wooden cabin lives of truly rural Kashmiri people. For many tourists who initially come to visit other aspects of Kashmir, Kokernag becomes a brief stopping point simply because of this waterfall and the sulphurous water spring.
Entry fee: no entry fee
Open and closing timings: no official opening and closing timings
Time taken to visit: 1 hour.
4. Kokernag Botanical Garden
Vegetation and the mountains are fascinating for those who live on the plains. For this reason, naturally the botanical gardens of Kashmir make for one of the most interesting sightseeing locations for vegetation lovers who just want to spend a little quiet time exploring the grand and little vegetative species of the region. Similarly, sightseeing in Kokernag is simply incomplete without enjoying some exciting activities like picnicking, hiking and plant spotting in the coconut botanical gardens.
Entry fee: 20 INR per person
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
5. Kokernag Rose Garden
While rose plantations don’t offer as much variety in terms of vegetation as botanical gardens do – they still take the cake for being extensively loved photographic locations that everyone can enjoy. The Rose Garden of Kokernag is famous throughout Kashmir and is considered to have mental health benefits among travelers as well! Not only photography, but you can also similarly plant, watch, walk and jog, spend time sitting down in the garden premises, buy your loved ones bouquets etc from this rose garden.
Entry fee: 50 INR per person
Opening and closing timings: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Time taken to visit: 2 to 3 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. It takes 4 to 5 days to explore properly.
A. Kokernag is 70 km from Srinagar.
A. The official, as well as the locally used name for Kokernag, is Bindoo Zalangam.
Conclusion
Kokernag is a massively underrated location in Kashmir that definitely needs to be on your bucket list if you want to complete the whole of Kashmir this year, or anytime soon. Our experienced travel agents can prepare a customized Kokernag travel package for all types of tours that can cover the essential locations! Contact us today for Kokernag and other Kashmir travel packages that will be prepared for you and you alone!
