The Only Jammu and Kashmir Travelling Guide You’ll Ever Need

With a diverse culture, filled with green landscapes and huge mountain cover, the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory is popular by its name “heaven on earth”.

Located at the top of the Indian map, UT Jammu and Kashmir is one of India’s most popular tourist places. With locations such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir have a lot to offer to make your holiday worthwhile and memorable.

If you plan to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and visit all the tourist places in India, Jammu and Kashmir, we have compiled a full-fledged guide to help you do the most on your trip.

In our guide on all tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir, we have featured the ideal ways to travel to Jammu and Kashmir, things to do there, places to stay, and everything you require to make your trip a memorable one.

The birth of Jammu and Kashmir

Being a princely state of India during the British East India Company’s rule from 1846 to 1952, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was created due to the first Anglo-Sikh war.

During the time of partition between India and Pakistan, the ruler of the state, Hari Singh, approached India to combat the retaliation from Pakistan. This led to a series of decisions where the western and northern districts were passed to the jurisdiction of Pakistan. These regions included Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The rest of the territory remained under the jurisdiction of India, which now remains to be called Jammu and Kashmir.

Previously, Jammu and Kashmir was identified as a state and counted as one of the states of the Indian country due to the presence of Article 370. However, the Article was removed on 31 Oct 2019, thus converting Jammu and Kashmir into a Union Territory.

How to travel to Jammu and Kashmir

By flight – Jammu and Kashmir, both places have individual airports. The Sheikh-ul-Aalam International airport is Kashmir’s airport that connects Kashmir to different cities in India. Most travellers prefer visiting Kashmir through flights only.

By rail – Currently, Kashmir doesn’t have a railway station that connects it to other parts of India. The last station on the northern line is the Udhampur railway station, 272 km from Kashmir. Passengers can usually board a bus or taxi to visit Kashmir from there onwards.

By road – Road travel is a possible option for passengers travelling to Jammu and Kashmir. Buses such as NH1 and NH44 connect Jammu and Kashmir to major cities of India.

Things to do in Jammu and Kashmir

Shikara Rides – Popular in Srinagar, especially in Dal lake, Shikara rides allow you to ride on the calm waters of Dal and Nagin lakes. The rides are available throughout the day and cost anywhere from ₹150 to ₹300 per person.

Skiing – Winters come with enormous snow in places like Gulmarg and Sonmarg. If you are into skiing or want to enjoy the beautiful snow-filled landscapes here, you can visit places like Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Verinag, and more.

Trekking – Your overnight stays at places like Pahalgam, Sonmarg or even Gulmarg are ideal times to go on treks with your friends. You can easily find nice trekking routes throughout all the major sightseeing places.

Best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir’s winters could get cold. It doesn’t snow in Jammu, which means the weather is moderate in winter. In summers, however, the weather in Jammu could get really hot, sometimes even about 35 degrees.

Since Jammu and Kashmir, both have different climates, your trip to either of these places could also be during different times. If you’re visiting Jammu, February to June are the best months to visit as the weather is moderate.

For Kashmir, the winters are snowy, and the summers are moderate. So you can visit in winter to enjoy the snow and other places. If you’re visiting Kashmir, March to August is the best time to visit.

5 tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir

On your trip to Jammu and Kashmir, you can’t miss the most popular tourist attractions of the place. In this section, we have named the famous tourist attractions in Jammu and Kashmir for you to add to your list of places to visit in the Union Territory.

  • Gulmarg – Gulmarg is practically the first name that comes to everybody’s mind when they think of tourist places in India, Jammu and Kashmir. With a beautiful landscape, lush green gardens, snow-covered mountain tops, dense fir forests, and restaurants that serve the best Kashmiri cuisines, Gulmarg is one of those places you just can’t get enough of. Gulmarg is also a popular skiing destination with the highest cable car project. The place is a must-visit destination on your trip to Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Pahalgam – Located in the Anantnag district of Kashmir valley, Pahalgam is situated on the banks of River Lidder. The place is known for its forests, cool climate, and calm environment. Pahalgam is a popular picnic spot not just for tourists but also for the locals of the valley. On your visit to Pahalgam, you can also stay the night in one of the huts with all the amenities you’d need for yourself and your family.
  • Srinagar – Being the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar city is one of the most famous tourist places in India, Jammu and Kashmir. The city is not only the hub for religious and historical sites but also home to some of the most beautiful spots, including the Dal Lake, Boulevard Road, Pari Mahal, Tulip Garden, and other attractions. Srinagar also has multiple eateries and restaurants that will serve you the top cuisines from Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Vaishno Devi – Standing on the Trikuta hills in Jammu, Vaishno Devi is a major Hindi pilgrimage in India. The place is situated about 14 km from the Ban Ganga bridge. Thousands of Hindu devotees all across India visit the Vaishno Devi every year. For adventure-seeking tourists, you can trek on the pilgrimage. Other methods of travelling include palkies, horses, or even helicopter rides.
  • Doda – Located in the eastern part of Jammu, Doda is a popular sightseeing and adventurous destination. Even though the climate could get very cold in the winters, that still doesn’t stop the thousands of tourists that visit this popular tourist place in India, Jammu and Kashmir. The place is popular for mountain biking, trekking, paragliding, and snow skiing.

Conclusion

Both Jammu and Kashmir are really beautiful places to visit. With the beauty, culture, and hospitality of the people here, your trip to Jammu and Kashmir will be one of the most memorable trips.

We hope our Jammu and Kashmir travel guide gave you enough insights into the beauty of the place.

If you plan to travel to other destinations next, you might want to check our guides on other places on our blog. You can also book your flight to Jammu and Kashmir through our Cleartrip ticket booking portal and find the best deals for yourself.

FAQs

How can I reach Jammu and Kashmir?

Jammu and Kashmir have individual airports for you to book a flight. You can also travel by train or board a bus to take you directly to Kashmir.

How can I travel around Kashmir?

You can easily book a cab to visit all the tourist attractions in Kashmir. The inter-city buses will also allow you to travel anywhere in Kashmir.

What is the best time to visit Kashmir?

The best time to visit Kashmir is from March to August.

How can I go from Jammu to Srinagar?

You can book a direct flight from Jammu to Srinagar. You can also board the buses from Jammu to Srinagar or book a taxi.

What is Srinagar popular for?

Srinagar is the summer capital of Kashmir. The city is popular for its attractions, its food and its lakes.

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