• Cities
• Other destina...
• Understand
• Talk
• Get in
• Get around
• Do
• Eat
• Drink
• Stay safe
• Get out

This article is about the Kashmir Valley. For the Indian-controlled part of the entire Kashmir region, see Jammu and Kashmir. For the Pakistani-controlled part, see Azad Kashmir.

The Kashmir [1]valley is a region of Jammu and Kashmir state in India.

[edit] Cities

• Srinagar
• Anantnag
• Gulmarg
• Pahalgam

[edit] Other destinations

[edit] Understand

The Mughal Emperor Jahangir is said to have once written about Kashmir, Gar firdaus bar rue zamin ast hamin ast, hamin ast, hamin ast! ("If there be paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here!"). He was writing about Kashmir, a land divided between the northern half of the northern-most state of India, Jammu and Kashmir and the district of Kashmir in Pakistan. Torn by war, terrorism and violence since 1948, this beautiful valley has long been considered a dangerous place to go to, but tourism is slowly coming back to the valley as kidnapping, explosions and terrorism is slowly dropping.

The most famous places to visit in Kashmir are Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg. Other places include Sonamarg and Verinag. There are various trekking routes available across whole of Kashmir. Adventure sports in the form of water rafting, paragliding and others are available at various tourist locations.

[edit] Talk

The most commonly spoken language in the Vale of Kashmir is Kashmiri (or Kashur). The younger generation speaks English quite well. Most of the sign-boards and directions are written in English. English is one of the official languages of the government apart from Kashmiri, Urdu, Gojri and Dogri. Hindi is also widely spoken across Kashmir.

[edit] Get in

Almost all the domestic airlines in India fly from New-Delhi to Srinagar Airport. The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi from where various places in Kashmir are 6-8 hours by road. You can also hire a Taxi or take a bus form New Delhi. The Travel time by road is about 20 Hrs.

[edit] Get around

The best way to travel across the known destinations in Kashmir is to hire a Taxi for about $60 a day. If you want to visit high altitude lakes and mountaineering destinations you can hire a horse to carry your stuff up the mountains. The tourism department also provides guides, maps and equipment to mountaineers and takers.

[edit] See

[edit] Itineraries

[edit] Do

The list of things to do is long, however this is the brief.

• Enjoy a Shikara ride in the Dal Lake, which you will remember rest of your life! You can also swim in the lake.

• Stay in a houseboat.

• Take a walk on the streets of Old City [downtown Srinagar].

• Go trekking.

• In winters you can go on a skiing/snowboarding adventure at Gulmarg.

• If you are lucky enough to find the lakes frozen during winters, take a walk on the Dal Lake. But be careful.

• Enjoy white water rafting at Phalgam and Gulmarg.

• Visit the Gardens made by Mughal Kings on the banks of the Dal Lake in the foot hills of Zabarwan mountains.

• During Spring season visit the Asia's Largest tulip garden.

• Go fishing in any of the lakes in Srinagar. The license to fish costs about $5 per Lake for the entire summer.

• If you are visiting high altitude lakes (some of the few zero pollution lakes on the planet). Enjoy eating and fishing brown trout. The license costs about $12.

• Eat according to you appetite, don't diet. You need extra energy.

• Use the state owned JKTDC's transports, whenever you can, they are sincere and reliable.

[edit] Eat

Kashmiri Wazwaan. The royal cuisine of Kashmir, it's a preparation of a number of meat dishes served with traditional rice by professional chefs called "Wazas". Kashmiri wazwan has its' origin in Persia and is almost always served in Kashmiri marriage parties. Spicy meat preparations are the most striking dishes in "Wazwan" though a few vegetable preparations are also served.

[edit] Drink

Kashmir being a Muslim society does not have drinking as a part of her culture. However, most hotels in Srinagar server liquor and other alcoholic beverages

[edit] Stay safe

The past decade of turmoil has left traces in the Valley. Its important that you get yourself registered with the Foreigners’ Registration unit of Tourism Department. The registration counters are at Tourist Reception centers at Srinagar Airport, Srinagar City, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Phalgam and other places. Incase of an emergency you can contact the nearest tourist police office or police station. The emergency number of Police Control Room is 100.

[edit] Get out