Though, the whole of Jammu & Kashmir, India is pleasant, few of the places are truly a haven for the tourists to Jammu & Kashmir, India. Travel to the hill stations of Jammu & Kashmir and experience the outstanding heights and engaging climate. Tour to the hill stations of Kashmir and indulge in the most challenging wild sports in the mild surroundings. Enjoy the trips to Sonamarg and Patnitop in Kashmir , still unexplored. Enjoy every bit of it while on your most flavoured tour to Jammu & Kashmir. Reach few of the highest points of the world in Kashmir, India and be the most privileged to have seen this glittering crown of India - Jammu & Kashmir.
Location : Situated in the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Altitude : 2,740 m
Major Importance : Hill Station
Best time to Visit : May To June in the Summers.
At a height of 2,740 m, Sonamarg in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is the last major point in the Kashmir valley before the Zoji La pass into Ladakh . At the pass the green, lush Kashmiri landscape abruptly switches to the barren, dry landscape of Ladakh. Sonamarg is thus not only a good base for treks but also a jumping off point for trips into Ladakh. The passage to Sonamarg is through the Sindh Valley which presents yet another bewitching facet of countryside in Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2,740 m, Sonamarg is framed by snowy mountains against sapphires sky. Sonamarg literally means the 'Meadow of Gold' and although this could be due to the profusion of flowers that wraps the meadow in the spring .The Sindh River flows through the place and is bountiful with Trout and Mahseer.
Arriving At Sonamarg
By Flight
Sonamarg is in Srinagar District on the Srinagar Leh Highway, 81km from Srinagar. The nearest airport is in Srinagar Airport, connecting the capital city with all the major cities in India.
By Trackways
The nearest Railhead is at Katra and from there National Highway NH1A connects the Kashmir valley with India.
By Roadways
Every sort of transport to suit every budget from Buses to Taxis ply on National Highway NH1A. Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag, which leave at fixed time from the Bus stands. Taxis and other sort of transport can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates.
Location : 110 km From Jammu, J&K
Altitude : 2,024 m
Major Attractions : Trekking, Skiing & Aerosports
Best Time To Visit : Summer- May To June
Patnitop a beautiful hill station in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is no less beautiful or serene. If one is aiming to get away from it all for some time, this place is hard to beat. With all its beauty as a hill station, it is a charming plateau at an altitude. The grassland is surrounded by dense forest and lush green Pines.
Arriving At Patnitop
By Roadways
Buses and taxis are available from Jammu, Katra, Udhampur. By a taxi it takes about 3 and a half hours to reach Patnitop and bus takes about 5 hours.
The Major Fascinations At Patnitop
Picturesquely situated at a high altitude, there are many pleasant walks around this popular hill station. Patnitop is a good starting place for many short or longer treks into the nearby mountains. An attractive one-day walk is to Shiva Garh, about 11-km from Patnitop at an altitude of almost 3,500 metres.
Other Fascinations At Patnitop
Patnitop is a perfect spot for walks and picnics. Sanasar, 19-km away was chosen by J&K Tourism for major development. Situated in a Gulmarg-like meadow it has picnic spots around. The 6-hole golf course is being expanded to 9-holes. Pony rides along little known trails, camping and walks can be indulged in by those with a less adventurous interest. One who is interested in extreme sports can opt for Para gliding and basic skiing, introduced in recent years.
Location : 56-km From Srinagar, Kashmir, Jammu & Kashmir
Significance: Capital Of Jammu & Kashmir
Main Attractions : Houseboats & Mughal Gardens
Best Time To Visit : In Summer - June To Early November; In Winter - December To February
Srinagar, the crowning glory of hill stations, is the celebrated capital city of Jammu & Kashmir. Srinagar is called the city of lakes, which has fascinated tourist's from centuries, with its beautiful picturesque Himalayan backdrop, glittering lakes that are surrounded by houseboats and Shikaras and the grandeur of Mughal architectural. This summer capital of the state Jammu & Kashmir is also a business centre and a favourite holiday resort.
Location : Baramulla district. Gulmarg is 57 km southwest from the capital city of Srinagar and is close to the Indo-Pakistan border.
Altitude : 2730 meters
State : Jammu and Kashmir
Major Attractions : Skiing
Best Time to Visit : Throughout the year
The Meadow of Flowers
Gulmarg a prime location in the state of Jammu & Kashmir is about 57 Kms. from Srinagar, the capital of Jammu & Kashmir. At an altitude of 2730 m, Gulmarg is exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range. Gulmarg or the `Meadow of Flowers' is a lovely blooming sight where an opulence of flora displays various colours with the changing seasons. Gulmarg's astounding beauty, prime location and closeness to Srinagar naturally make it one of the prime hill stations in the country. Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was impressed by the sight of its green slopes embellished with wild flowers. Today, Gulmarg is not only a mountain resort of exemplary beauty - it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's major ski resort in the winter.
Arriving at Gulmarg
By Flight
The airport at Srinagar at 57 km is nearest to Gulmarg. The airport caters to the air transport to the hill resort. Regular flights connect Srinagar with the other major cities in India.
The Trackways
The railway station in Katra is the nearest to Gulmarg that caters to the rail transport to the hill resort.
Gulmarg boasts of a magnificent grassy golf course that is the world's highest too. One can even hire the golf sets from Gulmarg. The Golf Club offers short-term memberships to the players.
Gulmarg is an excellent base for trekking in the northern Pir Panjal Range. Nanga Parbat can be viewed to the north from several view points, including Khilanmarg, west and over 1,500 feet up the woody hillside from Gulmarg.
Gulmarg is amongst the best skiing resorts in India. Gulmarg is also a good skiing sight for learners. Ski enthusiasts can easily get all required gear and equipments as well as professional ski instructors in Gulmarg, to try out a hand on skiing. The longest ski run in Gulmarg is provide by the Gondola Cable Car Lift, where skiers can swoosh down the slopes from the height of 2, 213m.
Gulmarg Biosphere Reserves
This is located at a distance of 48-km from Srinagar, to the southwest of Gulmarg. It is famous for storing several rare and endangered species such as the musk deer, and a brilliant and varied fauna.
This lake is frozen until mid-June and even later in the year one can see rocks of ice floating in its cold waters.
Location : Anantnag district.
Altitude : 2130 meters
State : Jammu and Kashmir
Best Time to Visit : Throughout the year
Pahalgam is situated at the junction of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river. Pahalgam was once a humble shepherd's village with astounding views. Today, Pahalgam is Kashmir's prime tourist resort. It is cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 25 degree C. Pahalgam is bountiful with many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking.
The Major Fascinating Sights At Pahalgam
The most beautiful of these is the huge, unspoiled grassland of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Filmgoers will recognize it instantly as it has been the location of several movie scenes.
Pahalgam has eight tiny villages within its surroundings, one of which is Mamal. There is a Shiva temple here, generally considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple, dating back to the 5th century.
The Amarnath cave is 6 kms away from there. During the month of Sawan, an ice stalagmite forms a natural Shiva-Ling in the Amarnath cave.
It can be reached from Lidderwat. There are delightful camping sites and flower meadows at Sikiwas, 24 kms from here. To reach the nearby Mansar lake one has to cross a 243 mts high bridge.
The ambience of Pahalgam offer exciting trekking opportunities, the best known being Pahalgam-chandanwari-Sheshnag- Panchtarni- Amarnath Cave Temple- Sonamarg trek.
Pahalgam Club has a 9-hole golf course, which can be used by tourists. Golf sets can be hired from the Tourist Office.
One can go for fishing in the Lidder.
