Overview
Main articles: Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus Before militancy intensified in 1989, tourism formed an important part of the Kashmiri economy and Kashmir was the favorite destination for Bollywood. Kashmir had 19 cinema halls which were closed due to rising Islamic Terrorism. The tourism economy in the Kashmir valley was worst hit. However, the holy shrines of Jammu continued to remain popular pilgrimage and tourism destinations. Every year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit holy shrines of Vaishno Devi and Amarnath which has had significant impact on the state's economy.Tourism in the Kashmir valley has rebounded in recent years and in 2009, the state became one of the top tourist destinations of India. Gulmarg, one of the most popular ski resort destinations in India, is also home to the world's highest green golf course. The decrease in violence in the state has boosted the states economy specifically tourism. It was reported that 7.36 lakh tourists visited Kashmir in 2010 including 23,000 foreigners. In 2011, the number of tourist arrivals in Kashmir touched the mark of 10 lakh.
Transportation
Main articles: Srinagar International Airport and Jammu AirportBy plane
Srinagar International Airport
Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport in Srinagar offers regular flights that connect Kashmir to other major cities of India. It is also the most preferred way to reach Kashmir by travellers.
By train
Banihal Railway station.
The last stop on the railway line north is Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station, where you can catch onward buses and hire SUVs/MUVs (Tata Sumo / Toyota Innova/ Mahindra Scorpio). However it is better to get down in Jammu and catch a taxi from there as these are more readily available.
The Jammu–Baramulla line is a railway line being built in India to connect the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country. The Project officially coded USBRL (Udhampur Srinagar Baramulla Railway Link) starts from the city of Udhampur, 55 kilometres (34 mi) north of Jammu, and travels for 290 kilometres (180 mi) to the city of Baramulla on the northwestern edge of the Kashmir Valley. The route crosses major earthquake zones, and is subjected to extreme temperatures of cold, as well as inhospitable terrain, making it an extremely challenging engineering project.
By Bus
There are two ways to get in by land - via Jammu and up to Srinagar or via Manali in Himachal Pradesh and up to Leh.
Khardungla 18380ft.
Transportation within
Sanji Chhat helipad vaishno devi
Buses are operated by J&K SRTC to most points around the state. They offer package tour to Gulmarg, Shonmarg, Yusmarg, Wular lake, City tour, etc. There is Tourist information center, where one get the tickets plus info.
4 wheel drive jeeps are quicker, a little more expensive and reach more locations. Private hire jeeps are also available.
Dolled up with pristine nature, Kashmir has many popular tourist attractions that are perfect for those planning a family vacation, holiday with friends, pilgrimage tour, adventure, and a honeymoon. In the most popular attractions of Kashmir Tourism, Dal and Nigeen Lake in Srinagar, one can enjoy a unique stay at the houseboat or enjoy a Shikara ride. The beautiful alpine lakes like Tarsar Marsar, Gadsar, Vishnasar lakes, offer adventure lovers the best trekking experience.Then there are other points of interest including Dachigam National Park near Srinagar; apple orchards and Lidder river in Pahalgam; skiing slopes and cable car in Gulmarg; and Thajiwas Glacier in Sonmarg.The religious sites in Kashmir like Amarnath Cave, Shankaracharya Temple, Charar-e-Sharief, Hazratbal Shrine, and Baba Reshi Shrine, set amidst a picturesque setting, offer pilgrimage opportunities to devotees from near and far.
Best time to visit to KashmirObviously November was not ideal to tick off the best places to visit in Kashmir as temperatures dropped till around freezing level at night time. During the day it was pleasant in the sun, but in the shade it was pretty cold. Good thing was there were hardly any tourists around. If you plan to go skiing in Gulmarg then November is not the best time to go to Kashmir either as there was not enough snow yet when we went up the mountain. November is a perfect season to avoid the tourists and also a great time for hiking
Best places to visit in Kashmir
If you ever consider to go off the beaten path, then a trip to Kashmir should be high on your list. I hit all the tourist places in Kashmir but did hardly see any tourists not at all any Western people. Staying with a Kashmiri family is an interesting way to get in touch with these people, to find out the locals view upon the political situation and to learn about this fabulous and yet mostly undiscovered region. The people are super welcoming and curious why you are visiting their 'country'. I met so many warm people and everyone was super nice and smiley. I loved hanging around in the streets and trying their local street food.
Take in mind that traffic is horrific and travelling around takes time. Affordable private jeeps can be arranged through local travel agencies and there is no need to book a tour in advance. Definitely not if you are the adventurous type. There are many cool places to visit in Kashmir that are completely off the beaten track.
1. Stay in a houseboat on the Dal Lake
Spending some nights on the majestic Dal Lake should definitely be on your list of places to see in Kashmir. There are innumerable houseboats, literally hundreds to choose from so I am sure there is always a room available and your bargaining position is really strong. This is a truly local experience as staying on a houseboat means you eat the local food cooked by the family and you all eat together, share stories and drink tea together.
Take a local boat and spend some time on the lake. Let someone peddle you through the little canals on the side of the lake and discover complete villages on stilts.
There are several options to rent kayaks, jet skis or go wake boarding with snowcapped mountains in the background. Prices are very affordable!
3. Visit Nishat Bagh Mughal Gardens
A peaceful park on the side of the Dal Lake that makes up for a lovely afternoon stroll or wven watch the sunset. Flanked by the Dal Lake on one side and the majestic mountains on the other side this park is one of those unique places to see in Kashmir.
4. Go hiking around Pahalgam
Make your way up to this little village tucked away at the end of a valley. This lovely town offers spectacular mountain views and amazing hikes around the town. There are plenty of accommodation options here. Hike to Baisaran, only a 5km hike uphill through the forest where a huge meadow surrounded by pine forest gives you fabulous views of lofty snowcapped mountains. You can can also experience zorbing here.
The Kashmir Valley is around the corner from Pahalgam and so is the spectacular Sheshnag Lake, to me one of the best things to do in Kashmir. If you are here in summer this is also your gateway to continue your trip to the spectacular next door region Ladakh.
6. Hiking in Sonamarg
One of those places you see on Instagram photos and you ask yourself where is this. Sonamarg is a sleepy town in the mountains with eexceptional mountain views. One of the best tourist places in Kashmir for die-hard hikers. Bring a tent and you will never want to leave again!
Kashmir is known for its many fruit, flower, nuts and saffron plantations. If you are questioning what to buy in Kashmir than these products should definitely be on your list, although flowers are hard to bring home. LOL! This is where saffron is produced and therefore way cheaper here than anywhere else in the world.
8. Go rafting at Lidder River
Although I would not recommend you to go in November rafting in the Lidder River is good fun. It is way too cold in the beginning of the winter season so may be not worth it for normal people, but I bet in summer it is a refreshing activity. The rafting is among those things to do in Kashmir when you have plenty of time, but the coolest thing ever. It is suitable for all levels but the surrounding is simply spectacular!
9. Climb a mountain in Gulmarg
Gulmarg definitely became one of the most popular places to visit after they finished the construction of the world’s highest gondola that takes you up almost 4,500 meters. From up top you will have fabulous views from to Himalaya range in the East to the mountains in Pakistan in the West. There are plenty of hiking opportunities around. I climbed a peak in the surrounding area to catch a glimpse of Pakistan. In winter skiing is one of the best things to do in Kashmir and Gulmarg becomes a busy ski village. A lift ticket will cost you $25 per day. There are endless backcountry possibilities and heli-skiing is an option too. According to some local ski guides a 42km powder run is possible.
10. Go shopping
Everyone knows about the Kashmiri hand hoven carpets and visiting a place where to make them is already interesting itself. It is hard to deny to beautiful colors of the pashminas and 100% Kashmiri pullovers, but I managed.
OTHER TURIST PALECE
Tulip Garden
ARU VALLAY
Alpather Lake In Gulmarg
Vaishno Devi In Jammu
Lolab Valley In Pahalgam
Mubarak Mandi Palace In Jammu
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