Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir

A natural landscape and a fairy tale place on your mind? Kashmir is calling you for the Wales of adventure and to offer you the best tourism experience in the world.

Have you ever wondered why Jammu and Kashmir is called the ‘heaven on this earth’?

Because it serves the creativity of mother nature and the serene well. The majestic valleys, hill-topped mountains, the land of sanctity, flower meadows, the golden rush of the sunsets, the locales, floating beautiful houseboats, the habitats, the traditional and cultural backdrops that date back ages, and whatnot. You name it, Kashmir has it.

Jammu and Kashmir is not just a place/state to visit but it unfolds multiple dimensions of the pristine getaways which turn out into a piping hot cup of Kashmiri special kahwa, the drooling authentic Kashmiri cuisines, the greenest valley or the meadows amid the shepherd locals, flowing blue and green lakes, trekking trail spots, socializing the people from an ancient town, going nuts on the shopping spree to the markets, and many more is worth a lively experience in this lifetime. Not only this, there are some vibrant cities of Kashmir including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Jammu, and Sonmarg that teleport you to another illustrative experience. Bollywood has this obsession with Kashmir that many movies like Bobby, Raazi, Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani, Notebook, 3 Idiots, and others were shot in the eloquent Kashmir-e-waadiyaan. You can also get the chance to get yourself clicked amid some of the picturesque sceneries.

Explore the timeless beauty of Kashmir which will last in your memories forever. Drool over the beautiful natural sceneries, hop on adventurous activities, and participate in the Tulip Festival of Kashmir. Seek blessings at the most prominent, religious, and holy pilgrimage site of Hinduism- Mata Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu, Katra. Still getting delusional about where to go in Kashmir, what to explore, and when to visit the paradise of Kashmir?

Be worry-free! Xenium Holidays has got you covered for everything you want on your trip. This page has everything you would want to know about Kashmir. 

Top-most Destinations To Visit in Jammu and Kashmir

 Kashmir is much more about a divine and serene experience. However, here's a list of the majorly recommended places that you must visit in Jammu and Kashmir:-

Sonmarg

Sonmarg is the prominent adjoining spot of the tourism getaway to Ladakh, and Amarnath Yatra. This is a hill station covered with numerous flora including forest greens of silver birch, fir, pine, and alpine flowers, hence known as the golden meadows of Kashmir which is situated by the Sindh river, way before its existence on this earth. Major attractions of Sonmarg include Vishansar Lake (the origination source of the river Nelum, which freezes in winter), river Nilagrad (red-coloured water which consists of medicinal properties), Thajiwas Glacier (ice skiing, ice scooting, horse/pony riding, etc), Shutkari (famously known for white water rafting), Zojila Pass (across which Kashmir and Tibet were connected at the silk route for trading in historical past), etc.

Gulmarg

Located in the Pir Panjal range of Kashmir, Gulmarg is known as the flower meadow paradise or the flower bouquet. It’s covered with pristine and lush green and eloquent nature’s essence that attracts people from across the globe. You can experience the world-famous Gondola cable car ride (needs prior booking to get a convenient slot availability), skiing, and snowboarding in Gulmarg.  The important point to note here is, that to visit Gulmarg, you need to book a local union taxi/cab from Tangmarg which is almost 13 km away from Gulmarg.

Srinagar

Delve in the serene charm of Srinagar whether in the summer’s spree or in chilly winters, Srinagar has it all for you. The highly recommended activities in Srinagar include- Visiting the Shankaracharya Temple, trekking at the zero point, hopping on the local authentic cuisines, a shopping spree at the Lal Chowk, strolling down the lanes at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, birdwatching at Manasabal Lake, paragliding, Hazratbal Mosque, a quick visit to Jamia Masjid, houseboat stays, shikara ride on the Dal Lake, walking hands in hands in the Mughal Gardens, and so on.

Pahalgam

Pahalgam is one of Bollywood’s favourite spots, and you can also relish it with your loved ones or maybe with someone special. The adjoining travel experience across Pahalgam includes- Amarnath cave and temple visit, Betaab Valley (Bollywood’s paradise), an escapade to Mamal Temple, Sheshnag Lake (nature’s ultimate destination), Lidder Amusement Park, Aru Village & Valley (to drool over the lush green meadows and socializing with the locals/shepherds of the valleys), Baisaran Hills, Avantipur Temple, Pahalgam Golf Course, Tulian Lake on riding ponies, exploring snow-clad vistas of the famous Chandanwari, Kolahoi Glacier, Lolab Valley amid white waterfalls and rocky mountains, Panchtarni that confluence the five streams from ages, Tarsar Lake, etc.

Yusmarg

Yusmarg is famously known for what history unfolds to it, as it’s believed that Jesus Christ died here and he once strolled through Yusmarg from where the place got its name. Famous tourist attractions in Yusmarg consists of Pakherpora Shrine, Charar-i-Sharief, Doodhganga River, Nilnag Lake, Sang-e-Safed, Harijan Durgah, Burgah, Nomadic jhopras, Cherry parks. You can take part in multiple amazing activities in Yusmarg such as trout fishing, trekking, camping, skiing, and horse riding, etc.

Patnitop

A major hill station of Jammu and Kashmir which is almost 80-100 kms away from Katra and Jammu respectively. It serves as one of the most visited tourist destinations there as you can witness the beautiful chilling and adventurous winters covered in heavy snow at Patnitop various sites. The major tourist attractions here include - Nathatop, Sanasar Lake, Baglihar Dam, Billo ki Powri, Shiva Garh, Skyview of Patnitop by Empyrean at Sanget Valley. You can take part in various snow adventure like skiing, trekking trails of the mountains, and natural springs, picnic on the top hill, and so on..

Katra

Surrounded by the majestic Trikuta hills, Katra is known for its historical and religious backdrop of Hinduism. Activities that you can indulge in Katra involve- exploring Himkoti, white water rafting, Jhajjhar Kotli picnic hopping, sulla park strolling, spending time at Nau Devi Cave temple, Shiv Khori exploration, a shopping spree for woollens and shawls, pilgrimage tour to Vaishno Devi. The top destinations of Katra where you can have an unmatched experience are Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, Charan Paduka, Ban Ganga, Bhairavnath Temple, Baba Dhansar, Himkoti, Bagh-e-Bahu, Sanasar (paragliding spot), Raghunath Temple, Ranbireshwar Temple, Dera Baba Banda, Amarnath caves and temple.

Jammu

Jammu is a faceted sightseeing destination that unfolds as a multi-dimensional tourism facility for everyone. The famous tourist attractions of Jammu are Bahu Fort, Mubarak Mandi Palace, Mansar Lake, Shivkhori, Raghunath Bazaar, Amar Mahal Museum, Mahamaya Temple, Baba Bhairavnath Temple, Poonch Fort, Akhnoor Fort, Surinsar Lake, Dogra Art Museum, Amar Mahal Museum, Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary, Nathatop, etc

Must-do Activities While Travelling to Kashmir

Kashmir is not just a tourist destination, it offers a multi-faceted experience for solo travelers, couples, love birds, history enthusiasts, and those who want to experience adventure at its best. Here’s a list of activities you can explore while travelling to Kashmir and its haven counterparts:-

• Pilgrimage tour of Mata Vaishno Devi Temple and Amarnath Caves- Located on the Trikuta Hills of Katra, Jammu, Mata Vaishno Devi Temple is the ultimate Hindu pilgrimage site. Visit Amarnath caves along the way to Mata Vaishno Devi temple.
• Stay on a houseboat- Take an enthralling stay experience of the houseboats in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir. Delve in the beauty of floating house stays to make your stay more enchanting.
• Ride a Shikara on Dal Lake- Riding a shikara on the serene waters of Dal Lake will give you goosebumps throughout the trip as it passes by one of the most picturesque regions of the city.
• Take a cable car ride ‘Gondola’- Take a ride to the highest cable car in the world and witness the landscapes of Kashmir at its best. The Gondola cable car ride is completed in three stages- Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdoori), Phase 2 (Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak), and Phase 3 (Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder).
• Gulf clubbing in Gulmarg- Golf course in Gulmarg is the highest and largest 18 hole golf course in the world which is surrounded by the vibrant flower meadows.
• Go on a shopping spree- Shop over a range of souvenirs, from Pashmina shawls, pherans, silver hand-designed jewellery, and kaleen, to antiques for interior decor, artefacts, and much more.
• Drool over Kashmiri cuisines- You can taste the mouth-watering, authentic, and traditional cuisines of Kashmir and undoubtedly it’s an experience worth spending for.
• Heritage Walk in Kashmir’s Old City- Take a stroll through the old and super ancient 4th-century lanes of Old Srinagar. Jamia Masjid has 370 pillars which are constructed of maple trees. The ancient architecture of the old city will give you an accent of cultural belongingness which emphasizes variant art forms.
• Trekking at Great Lakes- Trek through the Great Lakes of Kashmir amid snow-clad mountains, pinnacles, alpine trees, vibrant meadows, and barren lands covered in rocks, etc.  
• Nature and Wildlife Safari- Take a watchful nature experience where you can sightsee various flora and fauna at the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries of J&K like- Kishtwar National Park, Dachigam National Park, Kazinag National Park, and Salim Ali National Park. You can see some of the rare species such as marmots, Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, black-necked cranes, musk dears, and beautiful migratory birds.
• Tulip Garden Festival celebrations- Visit the colourful ranches of tulips at the Indira Gandhi Memorial tulip gardens. You’ll find other species of flowers like Hyacinth, daffodils and ranunculus. April is the best month to capture memories of Asia’s largest tulip festival celebrated all across the Jammu and Kashmir. While you can take a watchful tulip meadow experience throughout the months from March to May.
• Adventure sports- Mountain biking, paragliding, skiing, snowboarding, gondola cable car riding, shikara riding, white water rafting, golfing, trekking trails, lake and waterfall hopping, mountain biking, and so on.
• Camping and campfire picnic- Camp down the trekking ranges of mountains and snow-capped barren lands. You can experience the campfire picnic as well which will let you relish the ultimate camping memories.

What is the Best Time to Visit Jammu and Kashmir

 Most of the time, when to visit Jammu and Kashmir becomes a delusional question. You can visit J&K anytime or in any season of the year. However, Winter is considered the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir as you can experience snowfall and snow-related activities during this time. Flowers and valleys bloom in the winter seasons mostly, so you won’t regret visiting Kashmir between October to March.

Delicious Cuisine of Kashmir You Should Try Once in Your Lifetime

These are the best Kashmiri food options that you’ll commonly find around the city and at the local restaurants/eateries:-

• Rogan Josh
• Modur Pulao
• Dum Olav
• Yakhni Lamb Curry
• Goshtaba
• Kahva
• Shab Deg
• Kashmiri Baingan
• Kashmiri Rajma
• Momos Thukpa
• Butter Tea
• Khambir
• Thenthuk
• Sheermal
• Nadir Monji

How to Reach Jammu and Kashmir

By Air

Fly and land at the airports of Jammu or Srinagar. There are two airports in J&K including- Sheikh Ul Alam Airport in Srinagar and Satwari Jammu Airport in Jammu. Every state’s domestic and international flights connect to these two airports of J&K.

By Train

Long-journey trains to Jammu and Kashmir are available from every state of India. However, travelling to J&K from Delhi by the train Jammu Tavi- Srinagar Express which drops at Jammu Tawi railway station in Srinagar (the capital city of Kashmir) railway station in 15 hours. You can take a bus further to explore other parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

By Car/Vehicles

You can travel to Kashmir by roadways from any part of the country. The highway route that connects Jammu and Srinagar to each other is National Highway 1D. However, during peak times, it can get a little congested to drive through your vehicle/car/etc by the roadways.

Do’s & Don’ts in Kashmir

• Carry your warm/woollen clothes while travelling to J&K, because it can get chilly weathered any time dow the year
• Wear appropriate and decent clothes while visiting a temple or a religious place
• Always carry a bag in which you can keep your cash, mobile, important medicines, essential stuffs, etc
• Do not hire any random tourist guide, instead search and hire a licensed tour guide to avoid any kind of misguidance
• Book a hotel in advance which has in-built heating facilities in your room
• Don’t carry too much cash or valuable items like jewellery, non-essential documents, and so on.