Overlooking the Lidder River, Pahalgam is a picturesque hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s surrounded by spectacular landscapes that can be explored while hiking and white-water rafting or on a pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave Temple.

Things to do

Get a taste of Europe in the mountains of India at the Baisaran Meadow, nicknamed “Mini Switzerland”. Backed by snow-capped peaks, the meadow is surrounded by emerald pine trees and is a popular camping stop en route to the icy waters of Tulian Lake.

Visit the beautiful village of Aru, a base camp for trekkers heading to the immense Kolahoi Glacier. Walk to its glistening alpine lakes, then stop at the Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, which houses rare and endangered high-Himalaya species, such as musk deer, brown bears and snow leopards.

Get your adrenalin pumping while white-water rafting along the Lidder River in the Pahalgam Valley. You can opt for a family-friendly trip along Grade II and III rapids or a longer rafting adventure to tackle the more technically difficult rapids en route to Ganeshpora.

Travel to Chandanwari, the starting point of the famous Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage route. Follow the trail to the sacred Hindu cave temple of Amarnath, see where the Bollywood movie “Betaab” was filmed or go snow sledding when the route closes during winter.

Getting there

Pahalgam is 2.5 hours’ drive from Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport or around eight hours’ drive from the railway station in Jammu. Both buses and share taxis travel throughout the region, while Pahalgam is easily explored on foot.