Floating clouds over the snow covered mountains, a gushing river and a thick forest cover of pine and fir trees is how this picturesque town of Pahalgam greets its visitor. A popular tourist destination in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of 2,130metres. Interestingly, Pahalgam -- the well -known and well visited destinations in Kashmir Valley of today was once a quaint shepherd’s village.
How to Reach Pahalgam?
By Air : Pahalgam doesn’t have an airport to call its own. However, reaching Pahalgam can be achieved by landing at the Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport , commonly known as the Srinagar Airport, , which is situated almost 95 kms away from Pahalgam. Many Indian carriers such as Jet Airways, IndiGo, GoAir, JetLite, Kingfisher Airlines, Indian Airlines and SpiceJet touchdown regularly at this airport and can be boarded from majority of Indian metros and cities.
By Rail : If you are looking to reach Pahalgam by rail, you’ll find the closest railhead to this place is situated in Jammu, known as the Jammu Tawi Railway Station.
By Road : Well connected to Srinagar and Jammu by roadways, Pahalgam can be easily reached by buses and taxis that can be seen plying on these roads. If you aren't too keen on travelling on state run buses, you can book your journey with one of the luxurious or even general coaches of the sundry private companies. Hiring a private car is also a good idea to reach Pahalgam.
Best Time to Visit Pahalgam
The best time to visit Pahalgam is from mid April to mid November as the weather during these months is ideal for travel and you can indulge in a host of outdoor activities. July to August is also the best time to embark on a pilgrimage to the holy Amarnath Shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The summer months are March to June. During this time the temperature is pleasant at 25ºC, best for exploring outdoors.
Things to do in Pahalgam
The list of things to do in Pahalgam is all about going for long walks or simply relaxing at the bank of Lidder River. If you are the adventure enthusiast then you can enjoy white water rafting, skiing, trekking or just gorge on delicious paranthas at the dhabas.
Places Near Pahalgam
Panchtarni is a point where five streams meet and hence the name. Situated at a distance of 40 kms from Pahalgam, Panchtarni is an ideal camping site if you want to have some adventure.
Sonamarg is another interesting place near Pahalgam. Situated at a distance of 42kms from Pahalgam, Sonamarg or Sonmarg which essentially means `meadow of gold’ and is a beautiful town that is surrounded by splendid glaciers and serene lakes. A snow covered meadow in the magnificent Himalayan region in the Kashmir valley. Situated just before the famous Zoji La pass Sonamarg is the gateway to Ladakh.
Hotels in Pahalgam – Choice is Yours
There are numerous hotels in Pahalgam ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.