Explore Kashmir

Summer capital & heart of Kashmir valley

Kashmir's summer capital and the starting point of most trips: Dal and Nigeen lakes, the Mughal gardens of Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi, and the old city around Jamia Masjid.

Dal LakeNigeen LakeSrinagar AirportHari ParbatShankaracharya Temple

Meadow of flowers & world’s highest ski cable car

A high meadow resort known for the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, and for skiing in winter. Tangmarg is the town below.

Valley of shepherds on the banks of Lidder River

A riverside town in the Lidder valley and base for Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari. Local sightseeing runs on Pahalgam's union taxis.

Aru ValleyBetaab ValleyTulian Lake

Meadow of gold & Thajiwas Glacier gateway

On the road to Ladakh, with the Thajiwas glacier walk and the high Zojila pass beyond. Trips to Zero Point use Sonamarg's local taxis.

Lush pasture of milk with crystal streams

A quiet meadow in Budgam district, popular for day trips from Srinagar.

Peaceful meadow paradise & Nilnag lake trek

Meadows and forest walks within easy reach of Srinagar, with short hikes to Nilnag lake.

Untouched frontier valley along Kishanganga River

A remote valley beyond the Razdan pass, with log-built villages and the Habba Khatoon peak. Carry ID and check current road and access rules before you go.

Starting point of sacred Amarnath Yatra & snow sledge point

Situated 16 km from Pahalgam at 2,895m elevation, Chandanwari is famous for its natural snow bridge and as the traditional base of the Amarnath pilgrimage.

Chandanwari Snowfield

Mini Switzerland of India with pine-ringed meadow

A hilltop meadow 5 km from Pahalgam, surrounded by dense pine forests and snow-capped peaks, offering zorbing and pony trekking.

Spectacular 3,748m mountain pass connecting South Kashmir to Kishtwar

A high mountain pass situated in Breng Valley (Kokernag) offering 360-degree snow-clad views of both Kashmir and Jammu divisions.

Deepest lake in Kashmir and lotus paradise

Located in Ganderbal district, Manasbal is famous for its crystalline waters, extensive summer lotus blooms and ruins of Mughal garden Darogabagh.

The crystal-clear spring source of the Jhelum river

An octagonal stone reservoir and Mughal garden commissioned by Emperor Jahangir at the foothills of the Pir Panjal range.

The Gateway to Ladakh & second coldest inhabited place on Earth

Situated at 3,280m elevation across the Zoji La pass, famous for the Kargil War Memorial, rugged mountain peaks and Tololing heights.

One of Asia's largest freshwater lakes

Wular sits in Bandipora district, about 60 km north of Srinagar. The lake fills and shrinks with the seasons, drawing thousands of migratory birds in winter. Fishing communities have lived on its banks for centuries, and the drive up through Sopore and Bandipora is scenic on its own.

Kashmir's hidden highland meadow

Bangus sits in Kupwara district and very few tourists make it here, which is the whole point. Two wide meadows — Bada Bangus and Chota Bangus — open up above the tree line with views of snow-capped peaks on every side. A good choice if you want Kashmir without the crowds.

Gateway to Lolab Valley and Bangus

A small district town in northwest Kashmir, Kupwara is the base for trips to Lolab Valley, Bangus and the trout streams of Handwara. Fewer visitors come here than to the main tourist belt, so you get a more everyday sense of Kashmir life.

Walnut groves and quiet trout streams

Lolab is a long, green valley near Kupwara lined with walnut, apple and chinar trees. The Lolab stream runs through it and is stocked with trout. It's a classic off-the-beaten-track day trip or overnight from Srinagar — the roads are good and the scenery rewards the drive.

Ancient temple ruins and a trek to Gangabal

Naranag is a tiny village in Ganderbal district with 8th-century temple ruins at its edge and a classic two-day trek to the twin lakes of Gangabal and Nundkol above the tree line. The trail is well-marked and passes through pine and fir forest before reaching the open alpine zone.

A vast meadow that was once a firing range

One of Kashmir's largest high-altitude meadows, Tosamaidan in Budgam district was used as a military range for decades and only opened to tourists in 2014. The landscape is dramatic — wide grasslands ringed by pine forest — and it's still quiet enough that you can walk for hours without seeing another visitor.

Natural spring, trout farm and rose garden

Kokernag is a small resort town in Anantnag district built around one of Kashmir's most famous natural springs. The government garden here is famous for its roses in spring, the trout farm produces fish that appear on local menus, and the forest walks are easy and pleasant. A good lunch stop on a longer drive through south Kashmir.

Mughal garden with a natural spring channel

Achabal garden near Anantnag was built by Empress Nur Jahan and is one of three Mughal gardens in south Kashmir alongside Verinag and Kokernag. A constant natural spring feeds a channel of water through terraced lawns and old chinar trees. It's calm, rarely crowded and easy to combine with Kokernag and Verinag in a single day.

Kashmir's Niagara — a 25-metre waterfall

The Vishav river drops 25 metres over a wide rock face at Aharbal, which locals call "the Niagara of Kashmir." The pool below the fall is cold and clear, surrounded by pine forest. It's a full-day trip from Srinagar through Shopian district, and there's a forest rest house if you want to stay the night.