Pahalgam is a beautiful hill station located in the Anant Nag district of Jammu-Kashmir. It is popular because of its scenic beauty, adventurous trekking spots, and the Amarnath Yatra. It has attracted filmmakers often, and many Bollywood movies have been shot here.

Tourism in Pahalgam is a once in a lifetime experience. It is sometimes credited to be a ‘health resort’. Pahalgam truly calms your body, mind, and soul. It gives you the rejuvenation you need with its eye-catching landscapes and rugged terrains. Read on for a short travel guide to Pahalgam.

Air: The closest airport to Pahalgam is the Sheikh-Ul-Alam in Srinagar, about 90 kms away. Flights from all major cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, etc are linked to this airport. From here, you can get a taxi till Pahalgam.

Rail: Udhampur railway station is the nearest railway station, located 217 kilometers away from Pahalgam. Trains to all major cities are linked from here. Another nearby railway station is the Jammu Tawi station which is 285 kilometers away. You can get a taxi or a private vehicle from here to Pahalgam.

Road: Srinagar and Jammu are linked to Pahalgam with State Road Transport Corporation Buses. You can also opt for private buses, with various facilities like deluxe, AC, Non-AC services. A road journey will give you the delight to witness the beauty of the neighboring places during your journey.

Pahalgam has three distinct seasons: Summer, Winter, and Monsoon. It is peak tourist season during summers because of the pleasant weather. Months of March to June register a rush of tourists. However, Pahalgam is not restricted to being a Summer tourist spot. It is also frequently visited during Monsoon. Adventure lovers visit Pahalgam during winter when it is snowing heavily. During this time, snow related activities, adventure sports, and trekking are coveted activities. Thus, the best time to visit Pahalgam depends on what you want to do there.

Trekking: Pahalgam is a great place for trekking enthusiasts. The rugged terrains and the sloping mountains can give an adrenaline rush. Trekking between the greenery of meadows and the snowy mountains is a once in a lifetime experience. Major trekking routes are the Kolahoi Glacier, Amarnath Holy Cave, Sheshnag Lake, Tulian Lake, Chandanwari, Tarsar Lake and Marsar Lake.

White Water Rafting: If you love adventure, you should try white water rafting at Pahalgam, in the Lidder river. Aru branch of the river is the most popular. Most often, the rafting starts from the upper reaches of the river where the icy cold water gushes swiftly down to the rest of the Pahalgam valley.

Enjoy a picnic: If you are not into adventure or sports, you can simply enjoy the breathtaking view that Pahalgam has to offer. The scenery is such that it rejuvenates your mind and body. It gives you a spiritual feeling. The views of sunrise, sunset, and twilight are gorgeous. Take some time out to go for a little picnic and treat your eyes and mind.

Golfing: The Pahalgam Golf Course, which is situated way above the normal ground level, is a total treat for the people who love the sport. You can enjoy golf between the mountains, or you can just enjoy watching others playing it!

Pahalgam food is all about hogging on the delicious Kashmiri Cuisine, called Wazwan in the local language. The popular delicacies in Pahalgam are Matshgand, Kaanti, Modu Pulaav, Muj Gaad, Marcha-Wangan Korma, etc. Fish lovers must try Trout Beat. Eat at Dana Pani and Nathu’s Rasoi. Besides these, Pahalgam has numerous restaurants, dhabas, hotels, and resorts where in you can treat your belly and taste buds.

The Main Market and Zamindar-Home of Handicrafts are the shopping places in Pahalgam. Being a shepherd’s valley, Pahalgam is all about woolen items. You can shop for carpets, shawls, wall hangings, etc. with beautiful Kashmiri embroideries. People also shop for the world renowned Pashmina shawls, Phirans, Jamawar Shawls, Jackets, Stoles, etc.