12 Best Things to do in Kashmir

1. Take a Shikara ride

Shikara ride is first and must things to do in Srinagar. A small boat, a light, flat-bottomed boat is called shikara.

The gondola like boats, with spring cushion seats and silken curtains is used for pleasure rides, which is the most soothing and relaxing aspect of holidays in Kashmir. Many places of interest around the Dal Lake can be visited on a Shikara.

Another unique feature are the marts-on-boat and can go shopping on a Shikara. The little punts carry cargos of anything from flowers and vegitables to Handicrafts and general merchandise over here. 

Where to try: Dal Lake in Srinagar and Manasbal Lake near Sonamarg Timings: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm; all days of the week

2. Night Stay in Houseboat

Dal lake is also famous for its majestic Houseboats. A houseboat has two to four bedrooms with attached bathrooms and common drawing and dining room. These are well furnished luxuriously, with rich wood carved interiors, laid with beautiful Persian carpets and housing priceless Kashmiri handicrafts. Staying in a houseboat is a very unique and unforgettable experience. It is the most favoured accommodation for most of tourists.

3. Go for a ‘Gondola’ cable car ride

Gondola cable car ride is one of the exciting and must things to do in Kashmir for people of all ages.

The two-stage gondola lift ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Apharwat Peak (13,780 ft).The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of  (12,293 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)).  

Tourists prefer to travel via cable car to enjoy the best views of the snowcapped mountains.

The ride takes place in three phases.

Phase 1: Gulmarg to KongdooriPhase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak

Timings: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Ride) | 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Ticket sale); all days of the week Cost per person: INR 700 (Phase I) | INR 900 (Phase II) 

4. White River Rafting in Sindh

Sindh River Sonamarg ecstasies the Sonmarg River Rafting in white water familiarity, only a few sporting can relate with the delight that river rafting in the White Water. There is an outpouring of adrenalin that contests through each manner and heaves above all influence as you sweep in a blowup grimy above the cascades. The feeling is boosted at Sonmarg as the countryside the stream passes through is purely striking. Pastures and forests spread the banks and in the background are the snow sheltered peaks. Sonmarg has also held Worldwide White Water Rafting Competitions In 2008.  

Details:

Short Lidder River Rafting: 3 km (Pahalgam) | Yarganpal to Yaneed Bridge | Grades II & III (Closed)Medium Sindh River Rafting: 8 km (Sonamarg) | Mamar to Satrun Margund | Grades II, III, & IVLong Sindh River Rafting: 28 km (Sonamarg) | Mamar to Wayul Bridge | Grades II, III, & IV

5. Tee-off at the Gulmarg Golf Club

The Gulmarg Golf Club is coveted as one of the largest and highest 18-hole golf courses in the world. Playing golf in this ‘Meadow of Flowers’ is, indeed, one of the most fun-filled activities to do in Jammu and Kashmir.

Timings: 08:30 am – 10:00 pm Entry Fee: INR 800 for Indians | INR 1200 for Foreigners

6. Taste some  Kashmiri food (Wazwan)

Like in any other destination across the world, trying the local cuisine is one of the most important things to do in Kashmir. We all have heard about the Kashmiri Kahwa (tea) and Lamb Mutton Rogan Josh. But the cuisine has many more sumptuous dishes. These include Nadroo Yakhni (yogurt based Kashmiri curry with lotus stems), Paneer Chaman (fried paneer simmered in tomato sauce and flavored with spices & fennel seeds powder), Dum Aloo, Matschgand (minced meatballs cooked in spicy red gravy), and Gushtaba (minced mutton cooked in flavorful yogurt gravy and spices). 

7. Visit the many tourist attractions in Kashmir

Be it a family tour, honeymoon, or an outing with friends, no one would want to miss the beautiful attractions of Kashmir. Of the various places to visit in Kashmir, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg are the most popular ones. Heading to explore these cities is one of the most popular things to do in Kashmir.

Places to visit in Srinagar: Dal Lake, Nehru Park, Floating Post Office, Shankaracharya Hill Temple, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Zain-ul-Abidin’s mother, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal, Hari Parbat Fort are the key attractions of Srinagar.

Places to visit in Gulmarg: Maharani Temple, Ziarat of Baba Reshi, Khilanmarg, Apharwat peak, and Strawberry Valley are some of the places to visit in Gulmarg.

Places to visit in Sonamarg: Thajiwas Glacier, Manasbal Lake, Ganderbal, Khir-Bhawani temple, and Narang temple are the major tourist attractions of Sonamarg.

Places to visit in Pahalgam: Lidder River & Amusement Park, Deer Park & Zoo, Mamleshwar Temple, Betaab Valley, Sheshnag Lake, Aru Village, Matrand Sun Temple, Saffron fields, and Anantnag Sulpher Springs are some of the attractions of Pahalgam.

8. Shopping in Kashmir

Shopping is one of the most common things to do in Kashmir. And no, I do not mean just antiques and other souvenirs. Tourists here can shop for exquisite Kashmiri handlooms and Pashmina shawls, antique copperware like samovars, Namda hand-woven carpets, local garments called Ferins, and expensive Doda Sapphire.

And then there are flowers, fruits, and vegetables sold on the shikaras in Dal Lake. More than the what you buy, how you buy will be the reason for your excitement here.

9. Take pony ride excursions

Pony is a common mode of transport in the valleys of Kashmir. Taking a short pony ride in the beautiful valleys is another interesting thing to do in Kashmir. Pony rides in Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg are very popular.

You can visit beautiful places by pony.

Baisaran (Mini Swizerland), Dabyan, Tulyan Lake, Kolhai Glacier In Pahalgam.

Thajwas Glacier in Sonamarg

 Affarwat, Khillanmarg, Strawberry Valley  in Gulmarg.

Offbeat things to do in Kashmir

10. Take a heritage walk around Old Srinagar

They say, walk more to know more. And the same is true with Srinagar. With some structures over 4 centuries old and gardens that are no less than a paradise, the city has an architecture that is influenced by 3 different styles and 3 different religions. Walking through the old town is one of the peaceful things to do in Kashmir.

11. Trek the hills

There are short treks and hikes that tourists can take in the valleys of Kashmir. There are many high altitude alpine lakes in Kashmir, such as Vishansar Lake, Tarsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Alpather Lake, and Satsar Lake. Since these beautiful lakes can only be accessed after scaling the hills, trekking has become one of the best things to do in Kashmir for the nature lovers and adventure seekers.

❄ Things to do in Kashmir in Winter ❄

12. Skiing and snowboarding

With the onset of winters, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg are entirely covered in snow. And this open ups an opportunity for the winter sports. Snowboarding and skiing are the best things to do in Kashmir during winters, especially if you have an adrenaline rush to satiate.

Skiing Organizers: Powerhounds (Gulmarg) | Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports (Pahalgam)

Adventure seekers can also take a beginner level ski course at Pahalgam:

So, pick your mojo and include your favorite things to do in Kashmir in your trip itinerary by planning your Kashmir holiday with Tourist Taxi Srinagar (Business Unit Of) SS Caravan Travels Kashmir.

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