Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds, is a beautiful hill station located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. I went on a day excursion to Pahalgam in 2012 on my trip to Srinagar, where I explored two of the valleys Aru and Baisaran.
When I think of Pahalgam, I think of lush green meadows surrounded by snow capped mountains, gushing streams through the pine forest and breathtaking views of the valleys. It is a perfect destination for a day trip as well as for an extended stay.
Pahalgam is home to several valleys like Chadanwari, Baisaran, Aru valley and many more that will leave you spellbound. Therefore, share the perfect itinerary along with some tips to make the most of your time here.
Reaching Pahalgam
Start your day early from Srinagar so that you can cover multiple valleys in a day. Pahalgam is 88 km from Srinagar and takes approximately 2 1/2 hours to reach. You can book a taxi from any local government operated station to get the best price. On your way, you will pass through several saffron fields and apple orchards.
Tip: Don’t forget to make a quick stop to click pictures with the majestic Pir Pinjar Range in the background and soak the aroma all in.
Chandanwari
Make Chandanwari your first stop and enjoy a scenic view of the mountains and Lidder river. The valley also serves as the commencement point for Amarnath Yatra every year from June to August. During this time the valley is flooded with thousands of devotees. However, if chaos is not your gig, then visit the valley between November and May to enjoy the tranquil ambience. You can camp along the Lidder River and explore the lakes, glaciers and waterfalls close by.
Betaab Valley
Make a quick stop at the pristine Betaab Valley located between Pahalgam and Chandanwari. The valley gained prominence after being featured in Amrita Singh-Sunny Deol starrer Bollywood film Betaab. It is at a walkable distance from Pahalgam and also serves as a base camp for several nearby treks.
Aru Valley
Aru Valley is another famous valley in Pahalgam that serves as a base camp for Kolahoi Glacier and Tarsar Lake trek. During winters you can indulge in thrilling snow activities like skiing and Heli skiing. Whereas, during the summers you can go fishing in the Aru River.
Baisaran
Baisaran is another beautiful valley with breathtaking landscapes. It is crowned as the mini Switzerland of India and is merely 5km from Pahalgam. If you have a decent fitness regime, then I would recommend you to hike up till Baisaran. It will take approximately 1 hour to reach the top. Moreover, you will get a picturesque view of Pahalgam. If you are not very enthusiastic about walking, then take a pony or a horse that will cost 500 INR.
Tip: The horsemen might ask you to pay somewhere between 2000 INR to 2500 INR per person. However, I would recommend you to bargain and bring it down to 500 INR (which is the actual cost of the ride).
Where to eat?
For lunch, you can head to the Nathu’s Rasoi, a restaurant serving delicious North Indian food. We too had our lunch here before heading to Baisaran. I liked the food quality as well as the quantity. It is a complete value for money kind of place that will not burn a hole in your pocket!
If you haven’t read the article about my trip to Srinagar yet then here’s a link for you. Also, let me know the valleys you would want to visit in the comments.
