Pahalgam is a renowned tourist destination of Kashmir that attracts numerous tourists around India to visit this place and witness the surreal beauty surrounding the place. Pahalgam is located in the Anantnag district and is near the banks of Lidder river. In Pahalgam, you can also spot the famous Betaab valley where the Betaab movie was shot, after which the name of the valley was kept after the movie starring Amrita Singh and Sunny Deol.
If you are planning to visit Pahalgam, then you must include these four tourist attractions in your itinerary . Each of these places will be offering you mystic charm and soothing ambience to enjoy your leisure time.
Here is the list of 4 attractions around Pahalgam that attract tourists from different parts of India. These attractions are stated below:
- Chandanwari
- Aru Valley
- Betaab Valley
- Amarnath
- Kolahoi Glacier
- Tulian Lake
- Panchtarni
- Dabyan Valley
- Dal Lake
- Sheshnag Lake
Table of Contents
Attraction Around Pahalgam
Chandanwari
Chandanwari is a picturesque valley that is located on the outskirts of Pahalgam. The valley is placed at an elevation of 2895 meters above the sea level and has a religious significance as it is the gateway to Amarnath Yatra. The place offers you mesmerizing scenery that is surrounded by forests and has the Lidder river flowing through the valley. If you are looking for an offbeat destination then you must visit this destination and enjoy the scenic beauty of the surrounding panorama.
Things to Do
- Shopping at the local shops and buying handicrafts and souvenirs
- Sledging
- Hiking
- Photography and sightseeing
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Chandanwari is between the months of March and April, when you will get pleasant weather that will help you explore the surroundings in a comfortable manner.
How to Reach
Chandanwari is situated at a distance of 16 km from Pahalgam and you can reach there by traveling for 30 minutes via taxi.
Aru Valley
Aru valley is another popular tourist destination near Pahalgam which is nested amidst green grasslands and offers a majestic view of the Himalayan ranges. There are a number of activities that you can engage to in this valley, which will help you have an enjoyable time. Both nature lovers and thrill seekers love to visit this place and find this destination appealing and is also an ideal spot for a picnic.
Things to Do
- Fishing in the Aru river
- Photography and sightseeing
- Heliskiing and skiing
- Enjoying picnic
- Going on a horse ride
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Aru valley is between the months of July and September, when you can enjoy the lush greenery and mesmerizing sightseeing.
How to Reach
Aru valley is situated at a distance of 12 km from Pahalgam which will take about 30 minutes to reach, via taxi. In order to get entry to the valley, you need to purchase a ticket worth ₹25.
Also Read: Most Beautiful Lakes in Ladakh
Betaab Valley
Betaab valley is a renowned destination of Pahalgam, which became popular after the movie Betaab was filmed, starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh, in this region, upon which the name of the valley was kept. The alpine meadows, dense vegetation and the surrounding mountain views attracts the visitors to travel to this destination, when visiting Pahalgam. This place also offers delightful scenery and photography locations where you can capture tons of photographs.
Things to Do
- Photography and sightseeing
- Camping and trekking
- Enjoying picnic
- Visiting Bobby hut, where bobby movie was shot
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Betaab valley is between the months of October to April, when you will find a comfortable climate and pleasant scenario around the valley that will help make your visit pleasurable.
How to Reach
Betaab valley is situated at a distance of 7 km and will take approximately 15 minutes to reach the destination by car from Pahalgam.
Amarnath
Amarnath is a popular pilgrim spot to all Hindus across India. It is believed that at this site, Lord Shiva has explained the meaning of eternity and life to his consort and wife, goddess Parvati. It is also considered to be one of the holiest shrines of India where you can witness the Lingam of lord Shiva and has many religious beliefs surrounding it.
Things to Do
- Enjoying the panoramic vistas surrounding you.
- Seeking divine blessings at the Amarnath temple.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Amarnath is during the Shravan month that prevails between the months of July and August, when you can spot thousands of Hindus setting out for Amarnath yatra, as only during that specified period, the Amarnath cave is accessible.
How to Reach
In order to reach the Amarnath cave, you need to travel a distance of 141 km from Srinagar and is situated at an elevation of 3888 meters above the sea level. In this year, the yatra started from 1st July and will end on August 19th. A limit of 1000 travelers per day has been maintained in this yatra towards Amarnath. A registration fee worth ₹100 has to be paid for participating in the Amarnath Yatra this year.
Kolahoi Glacier
Kolahoi Glacier is a hanging glacier that is situated near Lidder river and offers breathtaking views to the visitors.The locals refer to this glacier as the “Goddess of Light” as it serves as a water source to major rivers like Lidder and Jhelum. This glacier is situated at an elevation of 5425 meters above the sea level.
People from different parts of India visit this glacier to gain a pleasant trekking experience. The trek to this glacier starts from Aru valley and passes through green meadows, banks of Lidder river and 25 beautiful alpine lakes and you can witness the wide expanse of land covered with coniferous forests.
Things to Do
- Trekking and Camping
- Enjoying the panoramic vistas
- Photography
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Kolahoi Glacier is during the months of March to October, when you will be able to trek to the glacier with pleasant weather conditions that will reduce the risk of uncertainties as well.
How to Reach
The only means of reaching this glacier is through trekking or one can also hire horses or ponies to reach this glacier. The distance between Pahalgam and Kolahoi Glacier is 16 km and you need to be experienced for trekking to the top of the glacier.
Also Read: Must Visit Places in Kashmir
Tulian Lake
Tulian Lake is a popular destination near Pahalgam that offers splendid scenery, blueish green water, tranquil environment and majestic views of Pir Panjal and Zanskar mountain ranges. You need to trek through the steep road and you need to exercise caution while trekking to the lake. This lake is situated at an elevation of 12000 feet above the sea level with icebergs floating on the lake.
The lake is a kilometer long and its shape resembles that of number 8. After trekking to the lake, you will find a peaceful and tranquil environment where you can also sight the mountain ranges that are over 15000 feet above the sea level and enjoy the majestic views.
Things to Do
- Trekking and Camping
- Enjoying the surrounding panorama
- Photography
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Tulian Lake is in between the months of April and August, when you will find pleasant weather and will also be able to witness the surrounding scenery that will mesmerize you.
How to Reach
Tulian Lake is situated at a distance of around 16 km from Pahalgam and you need to trek your way up to the lake as no vehicles are allowed due to poor road conditions. However, you can hire horses or ponies to reach the destination.
Panchtarni
Panchtarni is a beautiful place near Pahalgam that is also one of the main stops on the journey to holy Amarnath Yatra. It is a sacred site as the name itself translates to five streams, which is the confluence point of 5 rivers. The place is surrounded by lush green meadows and snow capped mountains offering the visitors a picturesque and serene setting of environment,
which also helps them spend their leisure time amidst the natural environment and experiencing tranquility. During the season of Amarnath Yatra, you can expect to see a bustling crowd of pilgrims and devotees trekking to the path of Amarnath.
Things to Do
- Enjoying the panoramic vistas
- Enjoy the local cuisine
- Photography
Best Time to Visit
Panchtarni is best to visit between the months of May and October, as you can experience both summer and early autumn offering a temperate climate, which is also ideal for pilgrims and trekkers.
How to Reach
Panchtarni is located at a distance of 190 km from Pahalgam and will take around 5 hours and 40 minutes to reach the destination.
Also Read: Best Places to Visit in Kashmir
Dabyan Valley
Dabyan valley is a beautiful meadow allocated on the top of a mountain range and surrounded by snow capped mountains offering breathtaking views of Lidder river and Pahalgam. It is also called Doban valley which is considered to be a hidden gem that is present in the Gurez valley of Kashmir.
The meandering streams, lush green forests and majestic mountains that makes it a suitable destination for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. Dabyan valley is located at an altitude of 2438 meters above sea level. The picturesque landscape and scenic beauty of the surrounding snow capped mountains, alpine forests and lush green forests.
Things to Do
- Sightseeing and Photography
- Going for a horse ride
- Camping
Best Time to Visit
It is best to visit Dabyan valley during the months of May and October, when the weather remains pleasant and you get a moderate temperature. Moreover, during this period of time, you will also get rto witness flowers blooming in the valley offering a scenic view.
How to Reach
Dabyan valley is situated at a close proximity to Pahalgam at a distance of 3.7 km and takes around 12 minutes to reach the destination.
Dal Lake
Dal Lake is one of the popular tourist destinations of Kashmir where people visit from different parts of India to gain a pleasant experience. The lake is renowned for its floating market, which offers beautiful scenery during daytime as well as nighttime.
The lake covers an area of 26 square kilometers that holds a floating market, wooden houseboats and beautiful shikaras. Exploring Dal Lake by traveling in a Shikhara is the best way to experience the scenic beauty that you can witness from the lake such as the beautiful snow capped mountains and greenery.
You can also travel to different tourist attractions via Dal lake like Mughal gardens Chinar park. You can also shop from the floating markets present at Dal Lake and also enjoy different cuisines while riding at Shikara.
Things to Do
- Benjoying shikara ride
- Enjoying overnight stay at Houseboat
- Shopping at floating market
- Photography
- Enjoying the local cuisine
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Dal Lake is during the months of March to November, as the weather remains pleasant and also clear skies that will offer you a clear view of the surroundings.
How to Reach
Dal Lake is situated at a distance of 95.2 km from Pahalgam and will take around 2 hours and 22 minutes to reach the lake.
Also Read: Things to do in Kashmir
Sheshnag Lake
Sheshnag Lake is a pristine beautiful lake of Kashmir that has less productivity of algae, making the water clear and clean. The lake is 0.7 km wide and 1.1 km long and is surrounded by mountains on all sides. The spectacular scenery around the lake will make you feel mesmerized as mountain peaks standing at an elevation of 16310 feet, 16570 feet and 16850 feet above the sea level guards the lake.
The name Sheshnag translates to “King of Snakes”, which is a popular trekking destination. As per the locals, Sheshnag lake is believed to be created by Sheshnag himself and is considered to be his abode.
Things to Do
- Sightseeing and Photography
- Going for a horse ride
- Camping
- Trekking
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Sheshnag Lake is between June and September and during these months, the weather remains pleasant and you will get a moderate temperature, which will allow you to explore the surroundings in a comfortable manner. In the months of July, you will also find the surrounding valley b;looming with beautiful flowers, offering amazing scenery to the visitors.
How to Reach
The Sheshnag Lake is situated at a distance of 18.9 km from Paghalgam. You need to travel to Chandanwari base camp from where you need to trek to reach the lake.
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Frequently Asked Question
Which place is called Mini Switzerland in Pahalgam?
Baisaran valley in Pahalgam is called the Mini Switzerland, due to its panoramic vistas and natural beauty.
What is the famous thing in Pahalgam?
Pahalgam is a renowned tourist destination of Kashmir that offers the tourists with a number of places to visit, such as, Wadiye Hajan, Mamaleshwar Temple, Chandanwari, golf course and many more.
How to reach Chandanwari from Pahalgam?
In order to reach Chandanwari from Pahalgam, you can hire a taxi or cab from where it will take about 30 minutes to cover a distance of 16 km.
How many days are sufficient for Pahalgam?
It is estimated that two days will be sufficient to explore the surroundings of Pahalgam and enjoy the different sightseeing.
Which valley is most beautiful in Pahalgam?
Betaab valley is considered to be the most beautiful valley of Pahalgam and is also one of the best attractions which is surrounded by pine forests and deodar trees amidst which you can spot Lidder river flowing.
Why is Aru Valley famous?
Aru valley is famous for its pristine lakes, lush meadows and mountains and also serves as base camp to the Klahol glacier trek.