Attractive Tourist Places
Srinagar
Located in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, which is called 'Paradise on Earth', Srinagar’s landscape is interspersed with greenery, lakes and hillocks. The city is spread out along the banks of the Jhelum River and is famous for its surrounding natural beauty and postcard tourist spots. The two parts of the city are connected by nine bridges. The Hari Parbat and the Shankar Acharya hills lie on either side of the city.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam is a situated at the junction of Aru and Sheshnag Rivers. Aru flows into the Kolahoi Glacier beyond Lidderwat and Sheshnag from glaciers along the great Himalayas. The culture of the town can be witnessed in its food habits, clothes and religious beliefs. Pahalgam is the base camp for the pilgrimage to Amarnath.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg is surrounded by forested hills and meadows, snow-capped peaks, deep ravines and valleys. The most visited spot of the region is Khilanmarg. Another popular spot is Alpather Lake. The most popular activity here is skiing, as well as the cable car ride, the Gulmarg Godola, which is one of the highest cable car facilities in the world. People desiring a more natural atmosphere can visit the Nanga Parbat, Haramukh and many other regions of the Kashmir Valley. One can also visit the shrine of Baba Reshi, a Muslim mystic saint.
Sonamarg
The name Sonamarg means ‘Meadow of Gold’. This name was given to the place as it is completely covered with a sheet of flowers during spring that appear gold in colour. The place has alpine weather conditions with pleasant summers and heavy snowfall in winter. Around the city, there are many places to visit like the trek to Gadsar Lake featuring snowtrout, Satsar and alpine flowers, along with a trip to frozen Satsar Lake or Baltal. Other significant places in the city of Sonamarg include the Nilagrad, The Krishnasar Lake, Thajiwas.
Ladakh (Leh)
Ladakh (Leh) is situated in Jammu & Kashmir and is the highest inhabited region of India. Leh Ladakh, referred by multiple names such as ‘The Last Shangri-la’, ‘Little Tibet’, ‘The Land of Numerous Passes’, ‘The Land of Mystic Lamas’, ‘The Broken Moon’ and ‘Moonscape’ (the Moon Land), is a remote yet popular tourist destination characterised by placid blue lakes, freezing winds, barren landscape and multi-hued mountains.
Patnitop
Situated on a secluded plateau in the Shiwalik belt of the Himalayas, Patnitop is a popular destination offering opportunities for adventure sports, walks and picnics. Situated amidst picturesque surroundings. The 600 year old 'Nag Temple', a temple to honour the Serpent deity.
Katra
Katra is the gateway to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Nestled in the lap of the Trikuta Mountains. Katra is also the place where travellers have to register before commencing their journey to the shrine at the top of the mountains. The town, situated at a height of approximately 750 metres.
Vaishno Devi
The hills of Vaishno Devi are home to the famous Mata Vaishno Devi Temple, and the nearest town is Katra. The Shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi which is a narrow hilly cave is in a part of the lower Himalayas called Tirkuta Hills.
Nubra Valley
Originally named as Ldumra, meaning ‘the valley of flowers’. The River Shyok which joins Siachan or Nubra River bifurcates into a large valley that distinguishes the Karakoram ranges from Ladakh. Known as the orchard of Ladakh, the valley on the foothills of Karakoram ranges is dotted with yellow and pink wild roses during summers and wild lavender post-monsoons.
Kargil
Kargil lies on the border region adjoining Pakistan in the Himalayan mountain ranges. This place is popular for its Buddhist monuments. The village of Shergol in the Wakha River valley consists of several cave monasteries and Buddhist nunneries. Popular Buddhist sculptures can be found in the Buddhist monastery of Mulbek Gompa.
Aru & Betaab Valley
Aru Valley is a small yet self-sufficient scenic village. The location of the village among the grasslands, make this place a tourist delight. The village also serves as the start point for trekking to Kolahoi glacier. Betaab Valley is surrounded by snow-covered mountain peaks and dense pine and deodar forests, this valley is the mouth of River Sheshnag. There is a beautiful garden in the valley, with a bridge to cross the river.