Some places are meant to be lived while others are meant to be explored. Nonetheless, Kashmir is one that should be felt by the heart. The state’s allure and beauty will be engraved in your mind for a long time. The proper way of having such an experience cannot be merely fulfilled by visiting the place - one must perform various activities to get the real feel of Kashmir.
Some activities like skiing and trekking might have already crossed your mind. But this is not it. There is so much more that Kashmir has to offer. So if you are wondering what these activities could be, think no more. We have curated a list of the top activities in Kashmir that you can perform during your stay here. It doesn’t matter whom you are traveling with - these ventures are for everyone.
What are we waiting for? Let’s jump right to the details.
If you visit Kashmir but do not stay in a houseboat, have you really visited the state? Spending a night on a houseboat in Srinagar is one of the best things you can do. The beauty of Dal Lake is for all to appreciate - group travelers, solo travelers, families, and honeymoon couples. What’s more, the houseboats offer various amenities and even facilities like airport transfers and Wi-Fi.
If you are up for an adrenaline rush, white river rafting is the perfect adventure for you. While then activity in the Lidder river in Pahalgam is the most popular one, you can also consider going for the same in Sonmarg. Do not forget to pay attention to the safety instructions that the instructors provide right before you step in for the experience.
The following are some of the most famous rafting ventures:
Sindh River Rafting (Sonmarg): The longest of all, it goes from Mamar to Wayul Bridge and is a journey of 28 km.
Sindh River Rafting (Sonmarg): Another choice is an 8-km-long river rafting, which begins at Mamar and ends at Saturn Margund.
Lidder River Rafting (Pahalgam): The shortest of all, this river rafting activity is from Yarganpal to Yaneed Bridge and is just 3 km long.
The dense forests and snow-covered mountains of Jammu and Kashmir are home to some of the most beautiful and rarest species of fauna as well as flora. If you are a fan of wildlife and love such adventures, you can visit one of the following national parks:
Salim Ali National Park
Kazinag National Park
Dachigam National Park
Kishtwar National Park
Hemis National Park
Some of the most attractive and rarest species that people visit these national parks for are griffon vultures, monal pheasants, golden eagles, Himalayan black bears, red foxes, marmots, brown bears, musk deer, and snow leopards. Furthermore, you can also go bird watching - there are 24 wetlands in the state. The most ideal spots for the same are Surinsar and Gharana in Ladakh. Here, you will get to see bar-headed geese, European blue whistling thrush vultures, and black-necked cranes.
The most common mode to travel in Kashmir valleys is the pony. A short ride in the gorgeous valleys of Kashmir will give you an experience of a lifetime. The most popular pony rides take place in Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam.
You cannot leave Kashmir without savouring the local cuisine. Most of us have already heard about the lamb mutton rogan josh and Kashmiri Kahwa. But the cuisine consists of many more mouthwatering dishes. These comprise Gushtaba (minced mutton cooked in spices and yogurt gravy), Matschgand (minced meatballs cooked in red gravy and spices), dum aloo, Paneer Chaman (fried paneer cooked in tomato sauce and topped with fennel seeds powder and spices), and Nadroo Yakhni (curry based in yoghurt with lotus stems).
One of the most offbeat activities to perform during your stay in Kashmir is golfing. When you visit Gulmarg, you can go golfing at its own club, which has the highest and largest 18-hole golf courses across the globe. The natural golf course is what offers a sense of being connected to nature. The tickets are not too costly as well - it is just INR 800 for Indian citizens.
Are you ready for an exciting ride other than that on a pony? If so, go for the Gondola Cable Car Ride. The best part about it is that people of all ages can perform this activity. And it will take you through the snow-capped mountains and lush green meadows of Kashmir, which is an experience of a lifetime. There are three phases to the ride. The first phase is a ride from Gulmarg to Kongdoori, the second from Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak, and the third from Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder. The last is the cheapest of all and comprises a chair lift.
Prepare yourself to admire the beauty of the crystal blue waters and distant mountains as your shikara boatman takes you through a journey across the Dal Lake in Srinagar. Far from the chaos of the busy life of cities, a shikara ride is perfect for a refreshing and rejuvenating experience.
All three areas of Ladakh, Kashmir, and Jammu offer a variety of trekking and camping opportunities. When you go camping during your vacation in Kashmir, you will get to enjoy nature’s beauty - gaze at the night sky full of stars as you fall asleep and wake up to a gorgeous blue sky.
A trip to Kashmir is the best way to bask in nature’s beauty. And there is no better way to do this than to perform activities that help you get the proper vibe of the state. Whether it is a pony ride in the mountains, a shikara ride on the Dal Lake, a stay on the houseboat, or a wildlife tour at one of the national parks, one must be open to everything in order to experience the Kashmir trip the right way.
