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Srishti Kapoor

Pahalgam: An Enchanting Hill Station

About the Place:

The hill station is situated around 90 km away from Srinagar and is a popular tourist attraction. It lies in the Anantnag district, and is located on the banks of Liddar River. Its name translates to “the village of shepherds'' in the Kashmiri language. One of the popular trekking options is the Kolahoi Glaciers trek via a beautiful village named Aru. The famous Bollywood movie Betaab was also shot in Pahalgam after which the valley was then named as the Betaab Valley. 


Its snow-capped mountains, green meadows and rugged terrains make it an ideal place for adventure enthusiasts.  Chandanwari, situated near Pahalgam, acts as the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra which is one of India’s most important pilgrimages. Since Srinagar airport is the closest, those in Mumbai can book a Mumbai to Srinagar flight and travel to the hill station. .


Climate

The town experiences a temperate climate and has short and mild summers and long and cold winters. The temperatures can go as high as 32.2°C and even drop below 0°C at times during the year. 


Best Time to Travel

The months spanning from March to June are believed to be the best time to travel to the town. The weather during the day is favourable for sightseeing and touring. The temperatures usually range from 11°C to 25°C. 


Religious tourists can also consider travelling in July-August as that is the time the Amarnath Yatra takes place. The nearest airport is in Srinagar. Those in Delhi can book a Delhi to Srinagar flight in order to come visit. 


Where to Go

There are many places to visit in Pahalgam and also near it as well. The hill station has a lot of natural beauty and scenic landscapes to offer.


Sheshnag Lake

The lake is considered an epitome of natural beauty and is one of the top local attractions. The place is known for its peace and serenity. It is surrounded by tall alpine meadows and enveloped in snow capped mountains. The lake region is very popular among nature lovers. Many devotees believe Lord Sheshang still resides in the Lake. Hence, the site is important to them.


Baisaran

It is also referred to by many as the mini Switzerland of India. The pristine lakes, tranquil meadows and picturesque settings are enough to justify the tag. It’s a nice place to sit down and have a picnic or even a peaceful stroll. Baisaran also offers other activities like zorbing, pony rides, etc. 


It can be found at a distance of just 6 km from Pahalgam. It can be reached on foot or by taking a pony ride as well. The fit ones can also reach Baisaran by taking a hike which should take about an hour or so.


Betaab Valley

A well renowned tourism site in the town that offers picturesque surroundings encircled by tall deodar trees and pine forests combined with the Lidder River flowing right through it. The Betaab Valley is situated in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir at a distance of 15 kilometres from Pahalgam. 


The valley got its name from the Bollywood movie Betaab starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh which was shot there. The valley lies between Pahalgam and Chandanwari en route to the Amarnath Temple Yatra. The Betaab valley along with Aru and Chandanwari are known as the three angelic valleys. 


The valley is characterised by meandering streams, snow-capped mountains and sprawling fertile pastures. The valley is also known for being a popular campsite and trekking base for tourists that want to explore nearby regions or set out for the Amarnath Yatra. The valley is also a great place for horse-riding.


Aru Valley

Aru Valley is situated near snow-covered Himalayan peaks. It is indeed a mesmerising village in Kashmir. It is located at a distance of about 11 km from Pahalgam and is also the base camp for treks to the Tarsar-Marsar Lake and the Kolhoi Glacier. 


The valley is known for its scenic meadows and lies close to the Aru river which is also a tributary of the Lidder river. Activities like trekking, hiking and horse riding are common here. During winters the place gets filled with snow as far as the eye can see and becomes a great place for skiing. 


Kolahoi Glacier

It is a hanging glacier famous for its breathtaking views and is situated over the Lidder River. Trekking is the only way to reach this glacier, however, horses can be hired for some parts of the journey. Reaching the glacier is extremely challenging and inexperienced trekkers are advised not to attempt it. 


Lidder River

The glacial river is about 73 km long and originates from Kolhoi glacier. The area around the river also makes for a nice picnic spot and is good for other activities too such as fishing, horse riding, angling, white water rafting, etc. 


The river is also considered one of the most important tributaries of the Indus. It is also the main water source for the nearby Anantnag region which can only be accessed by trekking. It is one of the best places to visit in Pahalgam.


Amarnath Yatra

The pilgrimage route draws hundreds of thousands of pilgrims each year that visit the site during the Shravan month in Hindu calendar. This occurs from July-August and is the only time in the whole year when the Amarnath Caves can be accessed. The cave can be found at an altitude of 3,888 m. The shrine holds great religious significance in Hinduism and is considered one of its holiest shrines. 


What to Do

There are tons of activities that can be undertaken in the region. It's a great place for both individuals and groups to visit and have fun.


Picnics

Pahalgam has a lot of natural beauty and scenic landscapes to offer. The hill station has a calm ambiance about it which is ideal for a picnic spot. 


Fishing

The town has long stretches of rivers which make it a good site for those that like trout fishing. 


Trekking and Hiking

The green landscapes, mountains, etc. create a great setting for hiking and trekking. However, beginners should not trek on their own but instead engage in supervised treks to avoid getting lost or any mishaps.


Horseback Riding

It is quite a popular activity here and is great fun. In fact, tourists can even hire horses to travel to certain places as well. 


Apart from the aforementioned there are several other activities as well that one can engage in like water rafting, zorbing, angling, skiing, etc. 


Hotels & Resorts

There’s lots to explore in the town and nearby areas and most likely cannot be covered in one day. Hence, it's important to make arrangements for accommodations.


Jahangir Cottage Pahalgam


Address: Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir 192126


Brief Description: The hotel accommodation has been rated 2-star and even offers private balconies. Some of the facilities provided by the hotel are a shared kitchen, a 24-hour front desk and a restaurant.


Paradise Guest House


Address: Chandanwari Road Next to Lidder River, Pahalgam India


Brief Description: The property is situated on the bank of Lidder river and even features a garden. The hotel lies in Main Town Pahalgam. It even offers a 24 hour front desk and all units are fitted with a TV.


Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Pine N Peak, Pahalgam


Address: Aru, Road, near Amusement Park, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir 192126


Brief Description: The property is rated 5-star and offers free WiFi. The accommodation offers airport transfers and bicycle rental services are also available.


Hotel Seven Pahalgam


Address: Chandanwari Road, 192126 Pahalgām, India


Brief Description: The hotel offers a terrace, a garden, free private parking and a shared lounge. 


Zebrina Guest House Pahalgam


Address: Chandanwari Rd, nearby Poshwan Park, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir 192126


Brief Description: The hotel has a spa bath and is air conditioned. The property even offers river views and provides water sports facilities, private beach area, garden, shared lounge, restaurant, etc. 


Mir Guest House


Address: Pahalgam, Laripora, Jammu and Kashmir 192126


Brief Description: The property offers accommodation with a terrace, free private parking and a garden. It has family rooms as well. 


Final Thoughts

The hill station has mesmerising natural beauty and scenic landscapes to offer. It is a great place for nature lovers and a great destination for couples as well. Religious tourists also do travel here due to the Amarnath Yatra. Pahalgam, in general, is a good vacation spot for practically anyone. 


It is great for sporty people, especially, as there are tons of outdoor activities to do that are common here. Trekking and hiking are the most popular among these. There are plenty of lakes and rivers too for water sport and fishing lovers. The town is also the perfect place for photography lovers too as there’s plenty of picturesque landscapes on offer here. It’s no surprise that a Bollywood movie has even been shot here.


Snow sports like skiing are also an option here in certain places. The place is quite cool compared to many other parts of India, hence, its best to come prepared with warm clothes and everything else. 


There are lots of incredible places to see here as well. Most of the attractions are natural which is understandable for hill stations. All in all, a great place to visit especially for admirers of nature.

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