Pahalgam is one of the best locations for adventure sightseeing in Kashmir. It is ridden with picturesque villages, valleys and verdant forests. A deep yet wide Lidder basin also creates the perfect ambience for treks, nature walks and overnight camping. A destination so enriched by natural secrets is bound to have awe-inspiring locations nearby, only hidden behind the rugged cliffs or snow-covered meadows. Indeed, the places to visit near Pahalgam all come with their unique magical beauty. Here are the top places that tourists visiting Pahalgam must add to their travel plans.
Best Time to Visit Pahalgam?
Pahalgam looks its best both in the shining summer sunlight and the snowy clouds of deathly winter. In the summer, the temperature in Pahalgam usually ranges from 11 to 25 degrees celsius. The wind is cool and crisp but bearable. These days most of the rain occurs during early spring, when precipitation can be as high as 71 mm. This is the best time for photographers and nature lovers! A worthy contestant to the snow-filled valleys of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and the nearby regions receive plenty of snow in the winters when the temperature ranges between -2°C to 12°C.
Tourist Places Near Pahalgam – Delightful New Locations To Add To Your Itinerary
1. Aru Village
The most popular tourist spot for adventure and sightseeing near Pahalgam is the perfect modernisation of a traditional Kashmiri village. Aru is a chosen location among advanced trekkers, paragliders and rafters because they provide international level, customized facilities for different age groups and even disabled sports persons. Aru is also surrounded by verdant meadows, and seasonal springs and dips down to the rocky, scenic banks of Lidder. Here, campers set up tents and anglers try to bag some trout regularly. Beautiful animals and birds liven up the place and are a treat for ecology enthusiasts.
Entry fee: 25 INR per person
Time Taken To Visit: 1 to 2 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
2. Chandanwadi
A lesser-known but glorious stop, this high-altitude valley presents a view of Pahalgam that the town itself cannot. Rugged mountain slopes, soft grass and sheets of snow are common sights here. Completely free from human touch, Chandanwadi happens to also be a famous camping spot for tourists going towards Kolahoi and devotees towards Amarnath. A place for trout fishing, sledging, hiking and paragliding. If you want to stumble into uninterrupted nature on the back of a chubby pony, here is your chance to experience that as well! Most people, however, visit this destination to get a glimpse of Chandanwadi Glacier.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 6 to 7 hours
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
3. Kolahoi Glacier
Glaciers are all the rage these days – and your trip to Kashmir can never be complete without seeing one. Kolahoi is located 6 km away from the town. Among simple places to visit near Pahalgam for trekking, the journey to Kolahoi Glacier includes fragrant valleys, dewy meadows and mysterious coniferous forests. The Kolahoi Glacier is a hollow Glacier that has been critically impacted by global warming in recent years. All visitors are requested to maintain a safe distance and not litter or pollute the place in any way. At the same time the open area all around this Glacier provides plenty of space for leisure, play, eating local delicacies and taking striking pictures.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 12 to 14 hours
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
4. Tulian Lake
Located in one of the most dangerous yet exhilarating alpine areas of Kashmir, Tulian Lake can only be visited in the summers and requires trekkers to travel on foot for 3 to 4 days. The lake is home to the protected brown trout species and several exotic alpine flowers that are rarely seen in India. One of the most enchanted tourist places near Pahalgam, the journey to Tulian Lake will take you through bowl-shaped grassland valleys and ancient spruce-n-pine forests that resemble the fairytale forests of Europe. Travellers spend a day in the golden Deno Valley. There are provisions for several adventure sports at the summit of the trek.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 2 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
5. Baisaran Valley
‘The Mini Switzerland’ is the pride of Kashmir and is located just 5 km away from the main Pahalgam market. It is often considered to be a part of Pahalgam tourism and is characterized by sunlit forests and gently rolling meadows, just like the popular Kanimarg. The perfectly chiselled Pir Panjal ranges reward us with awe-inspiring vistas. Pony rides through clean woods, eating at traditional local cafes and taking photos at the Deon Valley Point totally worth the little trek to this hidden wonder. Pahalgam Old Village, free of unnecessary modernisation lies close to Baisaran river banks. Another viewpoint in Baisaran is the Kashmir Valley point.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 2 to 3 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
6. Lolab Valley
Close to Kupwara, this charming destination adds to the beauty of tourist places near Pahalgam. One of a kind destination, Lolab is a sleepy hamlet home to the famous Kalaroos Cave, dense fir forests of Madmadav and ancient hot water springs. The valley is also known as ‘The Fruit Bowl Of Kashmir’, and produces large quantities of cherry, apple, walnut, apricot and peach harvests throughout the year. A crystal clear Lalkul stream flows through the valley and waters the historic Varnow Village. One rather unknown destination for historic sightseeing near Pahalgam is the Sat Barran (seven doors) which you can visit by staying a day at Lolab.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 2 to 3 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
7. Panchtarni
This is both a pilgrimage and tourist location for natural and spiritual sightseeing near Pahalgam. Panchtarni Valley is located close to Anantnag village and is home to the gorgeous five-glacier fed tributary Panchtarni River. Many homestays have sprung up in this village that houses tourists even when the whole Valley is blanketed in a subtropical winter. It is a stop on the beautiful Lidderwat Walk Trek. Amarnath Yatra also spends at least a day camping in Panchtarni and discovering the delicious local food, spicy hot tea and woollen handicrafts. Be sure to stop at this location on your way to our next destination, The Sheshnag Lake.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 4 to 5 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
8. Sheshnag Lake
Different from all other high-altitude alpine lakes of Kashmir, this oligotrophic water body is surrounded by barren, rocky terrain and rolling mountain peaks making this destination one of the best places to visit near Pahalgam. The banks are covered with small spots of snow throughout the year and the lake freezes quickly with the advent of winter which is located at an elevation of 3590m. Travellers conquer versatile landscapes at different tropical to alpine altitudes to finally get to this lake. The Sheshnag Lake was believed in ancient India to be the true home of Lord Shiva and its waters are still believed to have healing properties.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 1 to 2 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
9. Tarsar and Marsar Lakes
This is one of a kind of treks in Kashamir that starts and ends at the Aru Village. Undoubtedly one of the most visited tourist places near Pahalgam, the twin lakes of Tarsar and Marsar are home to rare floral plants, trout fish suitable for angling, camping grounds and wild ponies grazing on moss laden grasslands. A snow white landscape and large, crisp boulders surround the turquoise bodies of water. Visitors can reach these lakes on foot, on bikes, on ponies and even helicopters. A splendid golden view of surrounding peaks and gentle dips of high altitude pastures encourage great photography. Tarsar and Marsar are also chosen destinations for paragliding.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 7 daysOpening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
10. Budgam
One of the most historic places to visit near Pahalgam, this unending carpet of grass is home to the Tomb of Sheikh Noor-ud-din, Shrine of Khan Sahib and the mysterious Nilnag Lake, a chosen site for stargazing and campfires. Budgam is located close to the Dachigam National Park which offers both natural and zoological wonders. It is also situated at a close distance from Doodhpathri, a snow-white meadow where nomads settle in with their grazing cattle in late spring and summer. A few destinations that you cannot miss while in Budgam are Sukhnag Falls, Pushkar Nag and Gandhak Nag.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time Taken To Visit: 4 to 5 days
Opening and Closing Timings: open 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Badgam is 93.7 km away from Pahalgam and it roughly takes 2.5 hours to cross this distance on the road.
A. Kolahoi Glacier is a short trek that is quite beginner-friendly and often attempted by children as well. It is suitable for any beginner who is in good respiratory and cardiovascular health.
A. Aru Valley, Chandanwadi, Sheshnag Lake and Baisaran meadow are all such dazzling places to visit near Pahalgam that offer amazing adventure sports facilities for beginners and trained adventurists.
Conclusion
So, do you see how some simple tweaks can turn your trip to Pahalgam into something truly out of the ordinary? With the whole Kashmir Valley at your fingertips, it is no biggie anymore to include places like Gulmarg, Budgam and Srinagar in your next Kashmir Tour for an undeniable adventure. Need help choosing among the endless Kashmir Travel Packages for Families we provide for you? Contact our travel expert today!
