Here are the top 9 Things to do in Kashmir, while you will visit the Kashmir often referred to as “Heaven on earth”, is a land of unmatched beauty and calmness. Filled with pure snow-clad mountains, charming houseboats on serene lakes, dense green gardens with vibrant flowers, and cultural temples and shrines, the things to do in Kashmir are an endless list of fascination.
Kashmir Tourism is an elegant masterpiece where you can do every travel activity that will soothe your mind and take you to the depths of the beauty of this wonderland.
There are numerous travel activities that you can enjoy during your holiday in Kashmir such as a Gondola ride in Gulmarg, a Shikara ride in Dal Lake, visiting the Mughal gardens, houseboat stays in Dal Lake, river rafting, shopping in local markets of the valley, trekking in mountains, golfing in Gulmarg, pony rides, skiing in Gulmarg and many more.
Kashmir tour Package is a complete of beauty with adventure and everyone wants to enjoy the beauty of this place at its fullest. So, during your trip to Kashmir, you should not miss a single tourist activity that will make your tour a truly unforgettable one.
If you are planning to visit Kashmir, here are some of the travel activities in Kashmir which you could go for during your Kashmir trip.
Things to Do in Kashmir Top 10 travel activities
Kashmir is a place that is truly for everyone. Whether you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, or you are looking for an adventure, Kashmir has something to offer for everyone.
If you are looking to relax and rejuvenate, there are plenty of options for you. You can take a leisurely stroll through one of the many gardens, take a cable car ride up to the top of a mountain, or even just sit by one of the many lakes and take in the natural beauty that Kashmir has to offer.
For the more adventurous, there are plenty of options as well. You can go hiking or camping in one of the many national parks, go white water rafting down one of the many rivers, or even try your hand at skiing in the winter.
1- Take a Shikara ride in Dal Lake
1- Shikara Boat Ride in Dal Lake: Shikara Ride is one of the most recommended tourist Travel activities in Kashmir and it is undoubtedly one of the best travel activities to do in Kashmir. Shikra rides are famous in Nigeen Lake and Dal Lake but most tourists love to enjoy the Shikara ride in Dal Lake.
Shikara is a wooden boat with two extreme ends. The boat rower sits at the extreme end of the boat while the customer sits at the middle end. The shikara is beautified with vibrant colors of red, green, orange, and yellow. It has a roof that is canopy-shaped for protection against sunrays and rain. There is carpet also where customers can relax and enjoy the mesmerizing tides of Dal Lake.
You should never miss a shikara ride on your tour to Kashmir. Shikara ride allows you to explore the beautiful destinations which are around Dal Lake and in the idle of the lake.
You can visit floating markets, Chaar Chinari, and Hazratbal shrine through a shikara ride in Dal Lake which provides you with a memorable experience on your holiday to Kashmir.
Best Time To Do
Morning: 6 Am & Evning : 5 Pam to 8 PM
Boat Ride Cost: Minimum 600 Rs Per Hour to 1200 Rs
2- Stay in a Houseboat
Houseboat Stay: apart from luxury resorts and hotels of Kashmir valley, you can also book a houseboat for a stay making your Kashmir tour a truly fascinating experience.
Houseboats are well crafted with traditional Kashmiri architecture. Houseboats are characterized by dining rooms, bedrooms with attached washrooms, changing rooms, and a balcony that provides a picturesque look of Dal Lake.
From traditional to luxurious to eco-friendly houseboats, you can stay in any one of them based on your preferences and budget. These houseboats are well equipped with basic amenities like wifi connections, ac rooms, laundry facilities, etc.
If you want to experience Kashmir hospitality then a stay-in houseboat is the best choice to enjoy its local culture with scenic views of Dal Lake.
Best Time To Stay
March Till August
Houseboat Saty Price: 3,300 Rs to 10,500 Rs
3- Gondola Ride in Gulmarg
Gulmarg gondola ride:- the gondola ride in Gulmarg is one of the most popular travel activities in Gulmarg, Kashmir. Gulmarg gondola is the highest cable car ride in the world which is at an elevation of 3980 metres above sea level.
You can book a gondola from Gulmarg Resort and it will take you to Apharwat Peak which is the end point of the gondola ride.
A Gondola ride in Gulmarg takes you to the mesmerizing aerial views of the meadows and snow-clad mountains of Gulmarg. If you are a photogenic person, then a gondola ride is the perfect activity that will provide you with an opportunity to capture some of the best shots of Gulmarg such as lavender fields, blanket of snowy hills, dense green forests, and much more.
Best Time To Do:
Any Time in the Year
Gondola Ride Cost: 800 Rs Per Phase
How to Book: You can go online through the website: GulmargGondolaride.com
4- Pony Ride in Kashmir
Pony ride in Kashmir:- pony ride is another famous travel activity & Things to Do in Kashmir, unique to the scenic locations of Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg. Pony rides or simply horse rides in Kashmir offer you a memorable experience of visiting Kashmir valley by taking you to offbeat and magical locations.
While your trip to Kashmir, you can enjoy a pony ride in Pahalagam which is a well-known tourist attraction of Kashmir. Horse riding in Pahalgam will take you to some of the most beautiful places in this meadow such as Aru Valley, Chandanwari, and Baisran Valley.
Pahalgam is a vast meadow and exploring it by foot would be too exhausting but these pony rides will help you to visit different locations without walking on foot.
Gulmarg pony rides are also a well-known tourist activity that will take you to some of the offbeat locations such as Maharani temple and St. Mary’s church.
Pony rides in Sonamarg are mostly well known for a visit to Thajwas glacier. You can book a pony in Sonamarg and enjoy the unique and snow-clad views of the Thajwas glacier. Pony rides are accompanied by local pony drivers or ponywalas who will guide you with routes and safety rules to ensure a safe and delightful pony ride.
Where to Do: Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonmarg
Pony Ride Cost: 1000 Rs to 15,00 Rs Per Person
5- Explore the Mughal gardens of Kashmir
Explore Mughal Gardens in Kashmir: The Srinagar tour is incomplete without exploring the magnificent Mughal gardens of Kashmir. These gardens were built by Mughal emperors featuring terraced lawns, enchanting fountains, and colorful blossoms. The most visited Mughal gardens of Kashmir are located in Srinagar district located on the banks of Dal Lake.
Some of the popular Mughal gardens in Srinagar are Nishat bagh, Shalimar bagh, Chashma shahi, and Pari mahal.
You can visit these gardens while your houseboat stays in Dal Lake as all these gardens are located nearby to Dal Lake.
These gardens are a best example of Mughal architecture which attracts thousands of tourists every year. You can travel to these gardens generally in the spring and summer seasons when you can enjoy calm and pleasant weather.
Best Time to Visit: March to August
Garden Fees: 40 Rs Per Person
6- Shopping in Kashmir
Shopping in Kashmir: this is a delightful travel activity that is a combination of Kashmiri handicrafts, graceful textiles, and unique souvenirs. If you are a travel lover and a shopaholic person, then Kashmir is a perfect place for you which provides you with the best places to explore and shop.
Kashmir is a hub of traditional things which are unique only to this region. During your ride in Shikara, you can visit the floating markets of Dal Lake where you can shop for local handicrafts. you can also visit Lal Chowk and Polo View Market, Srinagar where you can shop for traditional Kashmiri carpets, pashmina shawls, and papier mache products.
You can also opt for other local places of Kashmir where you will find traditional Kashmiri things, dry fruits, saffron, and Kashmiri bats
Best Places to Do: Srinagar – Gulmarg – Lalchowk- Pahalgam
7- Rafting in Kashmir
Rafting in Kashmir: River rafting is widely regarded as one of the most thrilling travel activities of Kashmir offering an exciting adventure among the magnificent landscapes. Rafting in Kashmir is mostly popular in upper reaches like Pahalgam, Sona Marg, and Ladakh.
Whether you are a professional rafter or simply an adventure lover person, rafting in Kashmir is suitable for all. Lidder River in Pahalgam is well known for its rafting activity. It offers excellent opportunities for rafters from Pahalgam to Bumzo. Rafting in Pahalgam is suitable for both beginners and experienced rafters.
Sonamarg is another meadow that provides a thrilling rafting experience to adventure freaks. River rafting in Sonamarg takes place at Sindh River which originates from Thajwas glacier.
Zanskar river rafting or Chadar trek is a challenging yet enthralling rafting experience that every professional rafter must try at least once in a lifetime. It involves rafting over a frozen river during winter, attracting thousands of adventure enthusiasts from all over the globe.
The best time to Do it: May Till August
Where to Do: Pahalgam & Sonmarg
8 – Golfing in Gulmarg
Gulmarg golf course: is situated at an elevation of around 8500 feet, making it one of the highest golf courses in the world.
Golfing in Gulmarg offers an unforgettable experience amidst lush greens, stunning surroundings of pine and chinar trees, and snow-clad mountains.
If you are a golf lover, then you should definitely try your hands on this amazing travel activity amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
Playing golf at such a high altitude of 8500 feet (2650m), provides golfers a unique and thrilling experience which makes it one of the most liked golf courses among the golfers.
Gulmarg Golf Course remains open from May to September when the weather is mild and pleasant. The golf course opens at 10.00 am in the morning till 4.00 pm in the evening.
If you are a member of the Gulmarg Golf Course, then you don’t have to pay any entry fee but if you are not a member, then an entry fee is applicable.
9- Trekking in Kashmir
Trekking in Kashmir: is not only about exploring picturesque landscapes but also connecting with nature, local culture, and a spirit of adventure.
Kashmir treks bless you with opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and glaciers, amazing high-altitude lakes, pristine wilderness, and panoramic sunset views.
The most thrilling and glorious Kashmir treks are the lake treks. You can enjoy this travel activity in various lakes of Kashmir such as the Tarsar Marsar trek, Kolahoi glacier trek, and Gangbal trek.
The best season for trekking in Kashmir is from June to September when the weather is calm and trekking routes are also accessible. Based on your experience, you can hire local trek guides who will guide you with different trek routes and also with safety considerations.
Where to do: Pahalgam & Sonmarg
Best Time: May Till August
10- Cherish Kashmiri cuisine
Kashmiri cuisine: The most interesting travel activity that you can enjoy during your Kashmir trip is tasting the local cuisine of Kashmir. Kashmir cuisine reflects the rich cultural heritage and is best in flavour and aroma making it hard to resist for any tourist.
Wazwan, a multi-course meal is the best Kashmiri cuisine that no one wants to miss. It consists of 36 dishes mostly nonvegetarian and very few of them are vegetarian.
Wazwan offers you various delectable dishes like Rogan josh, Tabak Maaz, Gushtaba, etc. Kashmiri wazwan is an out-of-world experience and it is mostly cooked during weddings and other festivities.
You can also try some other delicacies of Kashmir which are unique to the region. Nadru yakhni( lotus stem with Yoghurt curry), Kashmiri noon chai( pink tea), Kahwa(green herbal tea), Kashmiri saag (Haakh), and Muji gaad(radish with fish) are some other delicacies of Kashmir which are worth tasting.
Kashmir also has some very tasty breads such as tsot, kulcha, Sheermal, lavasa, and Bakirkhani which can be consumed with noon chai and kawa.
Explore local attractions in Kashmir
- Dal Lake – Kashmir Valley has india’s most beautiful natural sceneries and has been called ‘Paradise on earth’. Among its fascinating beauty, Dal Lake is called the ‘jewel in the crown of Kashmir’ or ‘jewel of Srinagar’.
Dal Lake is a major tourist attraction located in Srinagar city. It is an urban lake and the second-largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir after water lake.
The lake is shallow with a depth of around 6m and currently, it has an area of around 16 sq kilometres. Swimming, boating, and skiing in a frozen lake in winter are some of the water sports activities that you can enjoy in Dal Lake.
One of the most fascinating ways to explore Dal Lake is by taking a shikara ride. Shikara is a wooden boat that is beautifully designed with vibrant colors. You can visit different attractions through your shikara rides in Dal Lake.
Dal Lake is also popular for its charming houseboats which provide tourists a beautiful stay in Kashmir apart from hotels.
The lake is also known for its floating gardens and floating markets. Made with aquatic plants like water hyacinth and lotus, the floating gardens of Dal Lake are also called Raad.
- Nishat Bagh- Situated at the eastern end of Dal Lake, Nishat Garden is the second largest Mughal garden next to Shalimar Garden in the Kashmir valley with the Zabarwan mountain range forming a backdrop to the garden. Nishat is a famous tourist attraction of Srinagar city which attracts thousands of tourist every year.
Nishat Garden or Garden of Joy was built and designed by Asif Khan, elder brother of Mughal queen Noor Jahan in 1633 A.D.It is a terraced Mughal garden with lavish mountains and covers an area of about 46 acres which is decorated with vibrant flowers.
Initially, the garden had 12 terraces but now it only has 9 terraces due to the construction of roads alongside the garden. The layout of Nishat Garden is based on a style garden facing east to west direction. It has a rectangular structure with a length of 548 metres and a width of 338 meters.
The 9 terraces of the garden are fenced with cypress and chinar trees. Nishat Garden is divided into two sections namely a public garden for public visitors and a private garden for Zenana.
- Aru Valley- Aru Valley is a beautiful tourist destination located in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, about 12 km from Pahalgam and about 11 km upstream from Lidder River. It is a picturesque valley situated at an altitude of 2400 meters above sea level and is surrounded by lush greenery and snow-covered hills.
The valley serves as a base camp for various treks such as the Kolahoi glacier trek and the Sonamarg trek . Tourists can also enjoy other activities like skiing, horse riding, bird watching, and camping in Aru Valley. This serene hill station is nestled in majestic Himalayan ranges amidst green dense forests. Aru Valley is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers offering enchanting views and thrilling experience.
The valley is a gateway to several beautiful tourist spots such as Lidderwat, Tarsar Lake, Kolahoi Glacier, and Sonamarg.
- Khilanmarg- The beautiful valley of Khilanamarg is located just 4 km away from Gulmarg. This miniature valley in Gulmarg is surrounded by majestic sights of mighty Himalayan peaks. Khilanamarg is well known for its alluring natural beauty, making it an ideal location for tourists who love skiing, camping, hiking and other outdoor activities
- Thajiwas in Sonmarg- One of the major attractions in Sonamarg is the Thajwas glacier. It is situated at a distance of just 3 km from Sonamarg with an altitude of 3000 metres above sea level. Thajwas is covered with snow all over the year and is a perfect destination for trekking and camping. Referred to as the ‘ hidden jewel of Kashmir’, Thajwas glacier is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Sonamarg.
Thajwas glacier trek is a short trek that starts from Sonamarg and ends at Thajwas which takes about 2 hours to complete. This trek takes you to th frozen lake through pine and fir trees with lush greens surrounding its way.
Things to Do in Kashmir FAQ
What outdoor activities can I enjoy in Kashmir?
Kashmir offers plenty of outdoor activities such as trekking, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, paragliding, river rafting, fishing, and golfing.
What are the famous dishes to try in Kashmir?
Some of the famous dishes to try in Kashmir include Rogan Josh (a flavorful lamb dish), Wazwan (a traditional multi-course meal), Kashmiri Pulao, noon chai, and Kahwa (a traditional Kashmiri green tea).
What are the must-visit tourist attractions in Kashmir?
Some of the must-visit places in Kashmir include Dal Lake, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Dal Lake, Pari Mahal and Shankaracharya Temple.
What are the options for accommodation in Kashmir?
Kashmir offers a range of accommodation options, including luxury hotels, boutique guesthouses, houseboats on Dal Lake, and budget-friendly lodges and hostels