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Destinations


Jammu and Kashmir
Pahalgam

Away from the grind of daily life, Pahalgam is situated among the soaring mountains, glistening glaciers, gushing silvery streams of ice water and dense pine and cedar forests with soft whistling winds and revitalising air.

Overview
Ninety five km east of Srinagar at an altitude of 2,130 metres, Pahalgam is unspoiled by the ravages of progress. Away from the grind of daily life, Pahalgam is situated among the soaring mountains, glistening glaciers, gushing silvery streams of ice water and dense pine and cedar forests with soft whistling winds and revitalising air.

Pahalgam is an ideal place for an adventure sports enthusiast. It offers wonderful treks, skiing, mountaineering and camping sites. Facilities for roller-skating, table tennis, badminton and cards are available at the Pahalgam Club. One can take a temporary membership at the Pahalgam natural golf course.

En route to Pahalgam one comes across the beautiful Lidder Valley with tourist spots at Mattan, famed for its springs and the hillside cave shrine of Aishmuqam. The river Lidder is an angler's delight and even an amateur can catch a rainbow trout from the rushing streams. The large brown bear is a natural inhabitant of the thick forests. Pahalgam is in Anantnag district which is famous for Kashmir handmade "gabbas" and exquisitely designed wooden toys.

Pahalgam is the base camp for pilgrims going to Amarnath Cave.

Landmarks
Chandanwari (16km: 2,923m)
It is famous for its snow bridge.

Baisaran (5 km: 2,438m)
Pine forests dot this meadow which presents a picturesque view of the snow-clad mountains. The snow covered Tulian lake at an altitude of 3353 m is 11kms from Baisaran.

More on Kashmir
• Overview
• History
• People
• Economy
• Festivals
• Wildlife
• Adventure
• Tourist Information
• Climate

Places to Visit:
• Drass
• Gulmarg
• Jammu
• Sonamarg
• Srinagar
• Ladakh
• More on Ladakh
• Pilgrim Places
• Amarnath Yatra
• Vaishno Devi

Travelogues
• Kashmir
• Journey to Ladakh

Adventure
• Mountaineering
• Trekking
• Rafting
• Paragliding
• Rock climbing

Sheshnag Lake (27 km: 3,658m)
The waters of this greenish blue lake are covered with ice till June.

Panchtarni (40 km)
It is the confluence of five streams and gives Panchtarni its name. A good camping site.

Amarnath Cave
Pahalgam is the base for the religious trek to the abode of Lord Shiva. A narrow spiralling path from Panchtarni leads to the Amarnath Cave. The massive ice shivlingam is visited by thousands of pilgrims between July and September.

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Aru (11 km: 2,408m)
This charming meadow can be reached by walking along a mountain path. The river Lidder disappears at Gur Khumb and reappears after 27 mts.

Lidderwat (22km: 3,408m)
A beautiful camping site set among dense forests. Starting point of the trek to the Sindh Valley.

Kolohi (1,467 m)
Base for a three-day return trek to the Kolohi Glacier.

Tarsar Lake (34 km: 3,962m)
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.

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Accommodation
Luxurious and well-run hotels with central heating are available. JKTDC has a Dak Bungalow and a number of huts which are available on hire. The Tourism Department runs a dormitory complex for budget group tourists. The Tourist Reception Centre is at the main road. PWD Rest houses at Chandanwari, Aru and Lidderwat offer comfortable accommodation, which needs to be booked well in advance from Srinagar.

How to Get There
The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. The nearest rail head is at Jammu.

Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag. Taxis can be hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates.

The J&K Road Transport Corporation runs daily sight seeing tours from Srinagar. Assistance is available at Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.

Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva


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Editor: Romola Butalia       (c) India Travelogue. All rights reserved.