Destinations / Jammu and Kashmir
A Kashmir valley town on the Lidder river, with pine forests, meadows and side valleys.
FamousMeadowRiverTrekPilgrimage
Pahalgam is a river-side hill town about 95 km from Srinagar, used as a base for Aru and Betaab valleys, rafting and pony rides, and treks towards Kolahoi Glacier and the Tarsar-Marsar lakes. It suits families and couples who want easy scenery, and trekkers who want a starting point. In 2026 two well-known spots, Baisaran and Chandanwari, are closed by a district order, so plan around the valleys that are open.
Trip planner
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
| When | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April to June | The main season. Meadows are green with snow still on the peaks; days are roughly 7 to 24 C. Good for rafting. Weekends get crowded. |
| July to August | Amarnath Yatra period (3 July to 28 August in 2026). The town fills with pilgrims, rooms should be booked 3 to 4 weeks ahead, and one source says non-pilgrims must leave the yatra route by 3 pm. |
| September to October | Fewer visitors, clear skies and autumn colour; roughly 4 to 23 C. Often called the best-value time. |
| December to February | Cold, about -5 to 5 C, with heavy snowfall. Upper routes can close and side valleys may be hard to reach. |
A green meadow beside the river, ringed by pine forest and snow peaks, named after a Hindi film shot here. It has walking paths, wooden bridges and pony rides.
A village and meadow inside the Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary. A 30 to 45 minute uphill walk from the village leads to the wider upper meadow with a view of Kolahoi Peak.
The river runs through the town and can be reached on foot. Rafting trips of 2.5 km, 5 km and 8 km are sold, costing about 500 to 1,500 per person. Keep out of fast-flowing sections.
An old stone Shiva shrine near the town, described as dating to about the 12th century. It is an active place of worship, so dress modestly.
An open green course in the Lidder valley with mountains behind it, used as an easy viewpoint and walking spot close to town.
The starting point of the Amarnath Yatra at about 2,895 m, known for a snow bridge from mid-May to late June. Closed to tourists until 31 December 2026 under a district order of 7 July 2026.
A pine-ringed meadow above the town, normally reached on foot or by pony. Closed to visitors until 31 December 2026 as a security precaution after the April 2025 incident.
A high alpine lake at about 3,350 m, reached by a full-day trek or pony ride. Check locally whether the route is open, since it lies beyond Baisaran.
Worth a stop on the drive from Srinagar, the last stretch whether you arrive by train, bus or air. Stopping needs a taxi or your own vehicle; buses do not wait. Distances are by road.
Kashmir's saffron town. The fields flower from late October into November; roadside shops sell saffron, dry fruit and kahwa.
Ruins of a 9th-century Vishnu temple built by King Avantivarman, beside the highway. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ruins of an 8th-century Sun temple built by King Lalitaditya on a plateau above Mattan. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
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| Budget level | Type | Price per night |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Simple guesthouses and budget hotels in town | ₹1,200 to ₹5,000 |
| Mid-range | River-side hotels and resorts | ₹7,000 to ₹14,000 |
| Luxury | Large resorts and five-star hotels | ₹14,000 to ₹60,000 |
Dhabas in the market serve simple thalis of dal, vegetables, roti and rice for about 100 to 150. Hotel restaurants serve Kashmiri and north Indian food; a fine-dining meal costs about 1,500 to 1,800 per person.
Vegetarian thalis are easy to find at dhabas, helped by the pilgrim traffic.
| Budget level | Stay per room | Food per person | Local transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | ₹1,500 | ₹400 | ₹1,100 per vehicle |
| Mid-range | ₹7,000 | ₹1,000 | ₹1,800 per vehicle |
| Luxury | ₹14,000 | ₹3,000 | ₹600 per vehicle |
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
| Budget level | What | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Luxury | Union taxi round of Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari | about ₹2,500 |
No permit was found to be needed for Indian visitors to Pahalgam town, Aru or Betaab. Carry photo ID, as police checkpoints are common. Baisaran and Chandanwari are closed by district order until 31 December 2026. The Amarnath Yatra needs its own registration.
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