Pahalgam is a picturesque valley in Kashmir, known for its lush green meadows, beautiful landscapes and pristine rivers. Pahalgam is a Kashmiri word which translates into “Shepherd ‘s village”. The presence of meadows and pastures clearly signifies the name of this village. It is located at a distance of 95 kms. from Srinagar. It is situated at the confluence of Lidder river and Sheshnag lake. Here is the comprehensive Pahalgam travel guide that will ease your trip planning.
Pahalgam is the adventure hub of Kashmir. You can do mountaineering, golfing, skiing, river rafting, rock and ice climbing, trekking, zorbing and ziplining. There are various sightseeing spots around Pahalgam, such as Baisaran valley, Betaab valley, Chandanwari and Aru valley. Pahalgam holds religious and cultural significance for the Hindus as they come to seek blessings of Lord Shiva at Amarnath cave.It is a prominent tourist destination and serves as the base for various Kashmir treks. Therefore, it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kashmir.
Uncover Mystical Charm of Shepherd’s Valley of Kashmir
Our comprehensive Pahalgam travel guide will take you through the various important details like how to reach Pahalgam with different means of transportations, best time to visit Pahalgam, best stays in Pahalgam and much more.
How to Reach Pahalgam
You can reach Pahalgam by flight, road and train. It totally depends on your preference how you want to reach Pahalgam. Here are the best possible transportation options and routes which will help you on your trip to Pahalgam.
How to reach Pahalgam by Road
- From Srinagar: Pahalgam is 90 kms away from Srinagar, it will take you 2-3 hours to reach Pahalgam, you can take a bus, car or private vehicle available from Srinagar to Pahalgam.
Srinagar-Pampore-Awantipora-Bijbehara-Anantnag-Pahalgam
- From Jammu: The distance from Jammu to Pahalgam is around 280 kms and it will take you 8-9 hours to reach Pahalgam. Buses are operated by JKSRTC.
Jammu-Udhampur-Patnitop-Anantnag-Pahalgam
- From Delhi: From Delhi you can take a bus or car to reach Jammu via Punjab then you can follow the route from Jammu to Pahalgam.
Note: You can explore Pahalgam by car, buses or ponies. There are no taxis or buses allowed from other states (Jammu or Srinagar) within Pahalgam. So, for local sightseeing you can hire taxis, buses or ponies.
How to reach Pahalgam by Flight
The nearest airport to Pahalgam is Srinagar airport in Srinagar. There is no direct flight connectivity to Pahalgam. The distance between Srinagar to Pahalgam is around 90 kms and it will take you almost 2 hours to reach Pahalgam by road. You can hire a taxi to reach Pahalgam.
How to reach Pahalgam by Train
Pahalgam does not have a railway station but you can reach the nearest railway station located in Udhampur at a distance of 220 kms from Pahalgam. You can also reach Jammu Tawi railway station which has good connectivity to Delhi, Amristar, Kolkata and Pathankot. Then you can hire a cab or take a bus to reach Pahalgam.
Pahalgam Itinerary
Day 1 | Srinagar Arrival
After arriving in Shimla, you will check into a designated houseboat. Afterwards we will go for local sightseeing. You will get to visit Shankaracharya Temple and the pristine Dal lake.
Then we will have dinner followed by an overnight stay in the houseboat.
Day 2 | Gondola ride and Drive to Gulmarg
After early morning breakfast, we will continue our journey to the next destination, Gulmarg. It is one of the sought after places in Kashmir, known for adventure activities and snow-clad landscapes. We will take a Gondola ride which will drop us to Kongdoori peak and indulge in skiing, snowmobiling and sledging. And later we will check into our hotels followed by overnight stay in Gulmarg.
Note: The tickets for the Gondola ride depends on the availability, in case it won’t be possible to get it, we will look for another alternative and offer you other snow activities.
The rides will be done at your own expenses.
Day 3 | Drung Waterfall and Drive to Pahalgam
After early morning breakfast we will check out our hotel and head to a sightseeing tour. We will visit the mesmerizing Drung waterfalls, in winters it freezes and the low temperature beautifies it more, something can’t miss visiting. And we will head towards the beautiful hill station Pahalgam, we’ll check into our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Note: You can reach Drung waterfalls either through ATV ride or with a cab. You can opt for an ATV ride at your own expenses while the local cab is included in the package.
Day 4 | Pahalgam Sightseeing
After early breakfast we will check out of our hotels and step out for the local sightseeing tour of Pahalgam. We will visit Aru valley, Betaab valley and the Tarsar Marsar lakes. And later we will visit Chandanwari, which is the starting point of Amarnath yatra. Pahalgam holds religious and cultural significance in the eyes of visitors. After sightseeing we will head back to Srinagar and check into our hotel and rest for the day.
Day 5 | Sonmarg Local Excursion
After early morning breakfast we will head to Sonmarg. Sonamarg valley will amaze you with its natural beauty and stunning landscapes. After spending some quality time in Sonamarg we will head back to Srinagar followed by dinner and overnight stay.
Note: Due to weather conditions if Sonamarg won’t be possible then we will visit Yousmarg/ Doodhpathri.
Day 6 | Departure from Srinagar and the trip ends
On this day after having early breakfast we will check out of our hotel with standard check out timing (11:00 am). We will end our trip with a lot of memories that will last forever.
Places to Visit in Pahalgam
There are various places for Pahalgam sightseeing. Here are the places to visit in Pahalgam in one day.
Betaab valley
Betaab valley is the picturesque valley located uphill from the main town around 16 km from Pahalgam. It is known for its emerald green meadows and thickest of Deodar, pine and walnut trees. It is named after the bollywood movie “Betaab”. Before 1983, it was known as Hagoon or Hagan valley. The valley is flanked by the Lidder river and beautifies the valley to the fullest. It is a must visit place to visit near Pahalgam.
Aru Valley
Aru valley is located about 12 kms from Pahalgam. You can take a drive and enjoy the scenic view of the Aru village. Aru valley serves as the base for several treks, such as Kolahoi glacier, Tarsar-marsar treks. The valley is accessible throughout the year, You can indulge in horse riding, skiing in winter months. During summer and autumn months the valley blooms and the weather remains pleasant making it the best time to visit Kashmir.
Chandanwari
Chandanwari is the starting point of Amarnath yatra. It is the best place for sightseeing and photography. You can also indulge in snow activities like skiing and snowboarding. You can explore this place by hiring a pony and taking a ride into the scenic forest.
Amarnath Cave
Amarnath Cave holds deep religious significance for Hindus. Every year in the months of July and August the yatra takes place and Pahalgam serves as the base for the yatra. The cave is located at an altitude of 3,888 m above sea level. It is 46 kms away from Pahalgam.
Golf Course Pahalgam
The golf course is also known as Lidder valley course, situated at a height of 7,250 feet above sea level. It is referred to as a plateau by locals, being set on the confluence of Lidder river and Sheshnag river, giving the spectacular views to the visitors.
Entry tickets for Pahalgam golf course:
- Adults: INR 500
- Child: Free( child may not allowed to play)
- Timings: 7:00 am- 7:00 pm
Tulian Lake
Tulian lake is nestled amidst the high altitude mountain in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir., it is a pristine alpine lake. The lake is surrounded by snow-covered peaks, including the Zanskar lake.
The lake is known for its turquoise blue waters and making it a popular destination for trekkers and nature enthusiasts. You can trek to Tulian lake and it takes almost two days to complete the trek. It’s a bit challenging, nevertheless the most adventurous one.
Sheshnag Lake
Sheshnag lake is a blue alpine lake surrounded by rocky mountains. The lake has crystal clear water due low algae productivity. It is located at a distance of 23 kms from Pahalgam. You can trek to Sheshnag lake which is a 9 kms trek, the ideal time for this trek is mid-June to October.
Mamleshwar Temple
Mamleshwar temple is one of the oldest temples of Kashmir valley, it is set on the bank of river Lidder river in Pahalgam. It holds strong religious significance for Hindus. This is a place where Lord Shiva beheaded Lord Ganesha and gave him an elephant head.
Activities to do in Pahalgam
There are a plethora of adventure activities to do in Pahalgam. Mountaineering, skiing, white river rafting, rock and ice climbing, zorbing, and ziplining. Moreover, you can do white river rafting in Lidder river and try camping in Aru valley.
Best Time to Visit Pahalgam
Summer season (March to June)
Summer is the peak season. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 15 °C. The weather remains pleasant and clear. This season is ideal for sightseeing and picnicking. The days remain cool and the nights get chilly during these months.
Autumn (July-September)
This season is the moderate season. The temperature ranges from 18 °C- 30 °C. During these months Amarnath Yatra takes place. The region receives rain showers. It is an ideal time to trek. to Chandanwari and Aru valley. You can stroll through the Pahalgam by taking a pony.
Winter (October-February)
October is the best time to visit Pahalgam, you can visit Chandanwari and enjoy river rafting in Lidder river. You can also visit Betaab valley, Aru valley and Tulian Lake and enjoy the breathtaking views of snow capped valleys. Pahalgam receives heavy snowfall during these months making it ideal for snow adventures such as skiing and sledging.The temperature ranges from -6°C to 10°C. It is the best time to visit Pahalgam.
Where to Stay in Pahalgam
Pahalgam is a popular hill station where you can find plenty of hotels and resorts for your stay in Pahalgam. We have curated the list of hotels that will facilitate your stay and save you time. Here are some best locations to stay in Pahalgam.
- Himalayan Hills
- Srichan Resort
- Sun n Shades
Note: These are the properties (above) where we provide stay in Pahalgam.
Some other hotel/resort options that you can choose from:
- Radisson Golf Resort, Pahalgam
- The Pahalgam Pines
- The Hermitage by Grand Hotels
- Radisson Golf Resort Pahalgam
- Srichan Resorts
Pahalgam serves as the base to explore other nearby scenic places. So, you can plan your stay accordingly in order to cover the other places. There are no hotels near Betaab valley, Chandanwari and Baisaran valley.
Plan your perfect getaway today and explore Pahalgam like never before!