Rightly known as the ‘Paradise on Earth’, Kashmir is a destination that needs to be lived and felt. Especially with the extreme summers and heatwaves, what you’d want to do is plan a long getaway to enjoy time together as a family. And what better place to visit than hill stations that are both cooler and stunning to look at?
A combination of picture-perfect landscapes, verdant valleys, fabulous food, and warm locals gives you a glimpse of just how special the place is. Probably the best way of getting the most out of your trip is by trying out all the offbeat activities the place has to offer. Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do in Kashmir that you must put on your itinerary to get an experience that’ll etched in your memories for a long, long time.
10 Things You Must Do In Kashmir
Enjoy The Shikara Ride On The Dal Lake
Dotted with colorful wooden boats with misty peaks of Pir Panjal Mountains in the backdrop lies the beautiful Dal Lake. As one of the most prominent lakes of India, your visit to Kashmir will be incomplete without witnessing the pristine waters of this Srinagar’s jewel. And what better way to dive in the experience than enjoying a traditional Shikara ride on the Lake with all your loved ones?
Available in various sizes and used for multiple purposes, you’ll see this wooden carved boat usually at Dal Lake and Nagin Lake. With pointed ends on both sides, these shikaras are a cultural symbol and can only be spotted in Kashmir. These gaily-painted shikaras are extensively used for boating tours, daily travel, and for getting back and forth from the houseboats.
You might even come across some local photographers who let you put on a traditional Kashmiri outfit and take pictures on the shikara. Get the best family photo framed for lifetime memories. The flower markets and traditional shops lined on either side of the lake only add to your wholesome experience of the tour.
Explore The Architectural Marvels Of Srinagar
Every summer vacation needs a hint of culture and history. Kashmir is a testament to blended traditions and beliefs of various cultures and the art and architecture in the union territory are proof of that. Influenced by three different styles and religions of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam, these structures represent the pluralism of a diverse society. And one of the best ways to explore this rich heritage of Kashmir is by taking a stroll through Srinagar.
Jama Masjid, featuring over 370 pillars, made of the maple trees is one of the main attractions of Srinagar. The structure represents the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and depicts the amalgamation of two cultures. Khanqah-i-Maulla is another captivating mosque in the old city of Srinagar. Decorated with papier mache, the mosque represents wooden architecture and is similar to the Buddhist chaitya halls.
Along with these prominent structures, you can also admire the old markets of dry fruits, spices, and threads while walking through the lanes of the old Srinagar. From houses with ‘Zoon Dub’ or the balcony to houseboats carved intricately, the marvels of Srinagar are truly a pleasure to all eyes.
Please Your Eyes With The Gondola Ride At Gulmarg Valley
If your heart isn’t full after soaking in the beautiful landscapes of Kashmir, a gondola ride at Gulmarg Valley is exactly what you need. Probably the best way to enjoy the mesmerizing views of the majestic snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and serene lakes is through the cable-car gondola ride. As the world’s second-highest operating cable car, the gondola ride offers you a bird’s eye view of the Gulmarg Valley.
The months from January through May are the best for enjoying either the snow-capped mountain views or even the lush greenery around you. The ride usually takes place in 3 phases. First from Gulmarg to Kongdori (Phase 1), followed by Kongdori to Apharwat Peak (Phase 2), and at the end from Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder (through chair lift) in Phase 3. The ride lasts about 10 minutes, but the journey between the phases is worth every second.
Indulge In Kashmiri Cuisine
It’s important to fill the tummies of the mini humans before they get cranky and throw tantrums. So, exploring Kashmir’s local cuisine has to be on your checklist. The famous Kashmiri Rogan Josh and the mouth-watering Chicken Biryani are sure to tickle all your taste buds. Kashmiri Kahwa or tea is yet another delicacy you cannot miss out on during your trip to the Valley.
A few other sumptuous dishes of Kashmir include the aromatic Dum Olav (Dum Aloo), Paneer Chaman, the traditional Yakhni or Yogurt Lamb Curry, and the Matschgand (minced meatballs cooked in spicy red gravy).
Mostly consisting of non-vegetarian dishes, the traditional form of Kashmiri cooking is known as ‘Wazwan’. But the vegetarians need not be disappointed. The Kashmiri Modur Pulao or sweetened rice made with saffron, ghee, dry fruits, milk, and sugar, as well as the Lyodur Tschaman (cottage cheese cooked in creamy turmeric-based gravy) are dishes definitely worth trying. All these dishes are as flavorful as their names; so be ready to dig your spoons in!
Walk Through The Vibrant Gardens Of Kashmir
Ignoring the vibrant verdants in Kashmir would be criminal. You cannot have a complete itinerary without adding the many gardens that graces the land. With patches full of colorful flowers, spices, tall Chinar trees, and herbs, everyone will surely fall in love with the picturesque views. Imagine walking through a row of blooming roses on a clear sky and mountains as your backdrop with your family. Sounds like something right outside a dream.
Add the renowned Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden in Srinagar to your list. It’s full of radiant tulips during the summers. A walk amongst these flowers will make up for the lack of lush greenery in the concrete jungle. Along with tulips, you’ll even find rows of roses, hyacinths, daffodils, and iris.
If you loved spending time amongst the tulips, head to Shalimar Bagh. It was built by Emperor Jahangir as a display of his ardent affections towards the queen. You’ll find tall Chinar trees shading the pathway and endless rows of fragrant flowers.
Indulge In A Shopping Spree
If retail therapy works best for you, then the Kashmir markets are your place to be. And we aren’t just talking about the Pashmina shawls that you’ve always heard about. From wooden carvings and antique copperware to exquisite handlooms and local garments, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the variety of things you find in these markets.
If you like the aroma of flowers, don’t forget to hop on the shikaras and explore the markets at Dal Lake. You can also shop around for some sweet fruits and vegetables over there.
Some unique items that you can buy in Kashmir include a ‘Namda’ or a Kashmiri hand-woven carpet, Kashmiri crewelwork wall hangings, lac ornaments, a ‘Ferin’ or a long garment cut out of local tweed, and Kashmiri red chili as well as saffron.
If you’re in a mood to splurge, you can also look out for the ‘Doda Sapphire’, a piece of jewelry found exclusively in Kashmir. Just be ready with a heavy pocket and brush up your bargaining skills, for you’ll definitely be spoilt for choices when walking around these aesthetically pleasing markets of Kashmir.
Experience The Pleasant Houseboat Stay
Have you ever dreamt of staying amidst the calm waters with a serene view of the moonlight falling like glitter and the stars lighting up the world around you? If you want to check it off your bucket list, indulge in a pristine houseboat stay, available at the Dal Lake jetty.
The houseboats docked here are equipped with Wi-Fi and also offer airport transfer facilities. But if you want to unwind from the hubbub of the city life and are looking for the calm in the chaos, spend a night at the houseboat that makes you feel closer to nature with panoramic views creating a special space in your memories. You’d be surprised how luxuriously they’ve set up the houseboats for maximum comfort and a delightful stay.
Feed Your Adrenaline Rush With Paragliding And River Rafting
Kashmir isn’t just a paradise for its scenic views and natural beauty, but also for all adventure lovers out there. From camping, trekking, paragliding, river rafting, skiing, to hot air ballooning, there’s everything to satisfy your adrenaline cravings. To keep it more family friendly, you can check out hot air ballooning and paragliding.
They give you unobstructed views of the beauty Kashmir harbors and an adrenaline boost. Or, you can opt for river rafting through the wild waves to experience the fun kind of rush in your gut. But before doing any of the activities, make sure you check in with the authorities and practice all the safety measures.
Sanasar, Harwan, Sonamarg, and Gulmarg are popular places for paragliding in Kashmir. As for river rafting, you can check out the Short Lidder River Rafting, the Medium Sindh River Rafting, or the Long Sindh River Rafting. The easy-to-moderate water rapids make it ideal for enjoying river rafting as a group activity.
Soak In The Serenity Of The Buddhist Monasteries
Since the time of Hindu rulers like Emperor Ashoka, Buddhism has been an important part of the classical Kashmiri culture. You can spot a number of monasteries in Kashmir that bring along a sense of calm and offer peace to your inner mind and soul. Alchi Monastery and Basgo Monastery are amongst the monasteries you’ll find in Kashmir. The welcoming vibes and calm atmosphere of these places only add to their architectural charm.
Enjoy Golfing At World-Class Golf Courses
Along with adventure activities, you should also try your hand at golfing when visiting Kashmir. Home to some of the world-class golf courses, golf tourism is one of the main attractions of Kashmir. The peak season for playing golf in Kashmir is between April to November with summers being the best time to enjoy the sport.
Kashmir has around four world-class golf courses with the ones at Pahalgam and Gulmarg being the most popular. The 9-hole golf course at Pahalgam, also popularly referred to as ‘Plateau’ by the locals, is considered to be the most elevated golf course on Earth and offers some of the most remarkable views of Kashmir’s beauty. The Gulmarg golf course also holds the record of being the highest green golf course with scenic views of the chinar and pine trees. You should definitely keep your phone or camera handy to capture the beauty of these photogenic locations.
Summing Up
Make the best of the summer vacation and spend it exploring an entirely different culture and trying out new foods. These things to do in Kashmir will maximize the fun factor of the trip and it has something for everyone to enjoy! From shopping to river rafting to marveling at unique architecture, boredom would definitely not be a part of your dictionary for this getaway.
FAQs
Which Fruit Is Famous In Kashmir?
Kashmir is most famous for its apple fruit production, but over the years, the state has also been recognized as a leader for its strawberry production.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Kashmir?
The months between March and June are the best time to visit Kashmir as the climate is ideal for sightseeing as the weather is neither hot nor too cold.
How Many Days Are Enough For Kashmir?
7 days are a good amount of time to explore Kashmir’s major towns like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Srinagar, Pahalgam, Dudhganga, and Yousmarg.
