Pahalgam:

95 km. east of Srinagar, 2400 mts above sea level. Popular holiday resort. It is called “Shepherds village” at the head of the Lidder valley. Best place for trout fishing. Apart from angling , Pahalgam is also known as the starting point for trekking. Pilgrims route to Amarnath Cave Pahalgam, in Kashmir's Anantnag district, is about 96 km from the state capital of Srinagar. It is a quaint little village sitting on the banks of river Lidde. Untouched by urban development, Pahalgam is an angler's paradise, promising to please even an amateur with a rainbow trout. The thick pine and cedar forests around this hill town provide a natural habitat for the large brown bear. Pahalgam has a golf course at 2400 metres above sea level. For adventure-seekers, camping equipment, ponies and skiing equipment are easily available. Kolahoi is a popular destination for trekkers via Aru, a fascinating meadow. Pahalgam is also the base camp for pilgrims proceeding to the shrine of Lord Shiva at Amarnath.

Gulmarg:

56 kms from Srinagar, one and a half hour journey, 2690 mts above sea level. .It is called “Meadow of flowers”. In summer best for trekking, golfing and pony rides . One can have beautiful walk around and can see in good weather the high mountains like Naga Parbat (In Gilgit) 7650mts high, Kolohi and Harmukh which are 5425 and 5124 mts high.Gulmarg has the world’s highest green golf course in the world. There are cable cons that ferry the tourists up to the height of 3095 mts. (Gondola).Gulmarg’s legendary beauty, prime location in the Himalayas and proximity to Srinagar naturally makes it one of the premier resorts in Asia. Gulmarg is an all-weather resort with refreshing summer meadows and pastoral scenes to keep the camera busy, the winters offer off-piste, deep-powder, long-run skiing and snowboarding. The Himalayan resort of Gulmarg is one of the newest and increasingly popular ski destinations. Head here for the world’s highest gondola ski lift and eye-opening views. Gulmarg ski resort is located in India’s northwestern corner, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, 35 miles from the state capital of Srinagar. Gulmarg is in the southwestern Himalayas and it lies at an elevation of 8858 feet in the shadow of Apharwat Mountain. It is served by three short ski lifts and a cable car. Skiing ranges from beginner to extreme off-powder skiing.

Yusmarg:

50 kms southeast of Srinagar, one and half hour journey through pine and fir forests. On the way to Yusmarg is the shrine of famous Kashmiri Sufi saint : Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly known as Nunda Rishi. One can go up to Nilnag Lake either by foot or on a pony back. Tourist huts are also available here.Nearby are several peaks-Tatta Kutti and Sang Safed to name a couple of them. About 13 kms from Yusmarg, a short detour away from the Srinagar road, is Charari- Sharief, the Shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint Sheikh Noor-ud-din or Nund Reshi, now rebuilt after the devastating fire of 1994 which engulfed the entire building. Yusmarg is an ideal day-picnic resort. 50 kms southeast of Srinagar, one and half hour journey through pine and fir forests. On the way to Yusmarg is the shrine of famous Kashmiri sufi saint : Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly known as Nunda Rishi. One can go up to Nilnag Lake either by foot or on a pony back. There is Tourist huts available.

Sonmarg

87 km. from Srinagar, 3 hours journey, 2800mts above sea level. It is called Golden meadow” at the head of the river Sind with beautiful mountains and glaciers. Base for the treks to Harmukh range via Nichnai, Vishensar Lake, Gangabal and to Nara Nag . Also the Pilgrim route to Amarnath Cave , which can be done in one day from here. Famous for Trout fishing. Sonamarg, which means ' meadow of gold ' has, as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a cerulean sky. the Sindth meanders along here and abounds with trout and mahseer, snow trout can be caught in the main river. Ponies can be hired for the trip up to Thajiwas glacier a major attraction during the summer months. The climate of Sonamarg is very bracing; but the rainfall is frequent though not heavy, except for two or three days at a time in July and August with fine spell in between.

Mughal Gardens:

Shalimar:

The Abode Of Love’ is said to have been a village, built by Paravarassna II. He used to stay here when on a visit to Sukhswami a saint living near Harwan. In 1619 Jehangir ordered a garden to be laid out this spot, calling it, Ferrah Bakkash (Delightful). In 1727 A.D Zaffar-Khan. A governor during the reign of Shah Jahan made an extension of it and called it ‘Faiz Baksh’ (Bountiful). The garden is laid down in four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal runs through the garden lined with polished stones and supplies with water from Harwan.Chasma – Shahi : East of Srinagar. Built in 1634 A.D by Shah- Jahan. It commands a superb view of the Dal Lake it has the advantage of having a natural spring of Pure, Cool and Sparking water known as Chasma- Shahi (Royal Spring).

Nishat Bagh :

The Garden of bliss laid down by Asif Khan father of Empress Noorjahan in 1633AD on the bank of Dal Lake with Zabarvan Massif at the back. In Nishat commands magnificent view of the Lake and the Snow capped Pir Panchal Range to the west of the valley.

Harwan :

Harwan Garden is a beautiful garden, situated at Harwan, about 18 km from Srinagar, in Jammu and Kashmir. This huge garden lined with flower beds and Chinar trees, is an ideal spot for picnickers. The picturesque Harwan Lake is behind the garden. The canal flowing through the middle of the garden is fed by the lake.

Pari Mahal:

Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

Lakes

Dal Lake

In Srinagar’s Aquatic Plaza around the lake. Villages and Orchids and the Famous gardens built by the Moghul Emperors famous for Shikra ride. Most of the House Boats around in Dal Lake. From the Lake one can see the Historic Shankara Charya Hill in the east and the west Hari Parbat.

Nigeen Lake:

Popular for water sports like water skiing, swimming, diving and sailing.

Manasbal Lake:

This Lake is famous for Lotus flowers during summer and Paradise for Bird Watchers,. Between the river and foot of the Mountains spurs lower end of the Sind valley famous for Picnic spot.

Wular Lake:

The Largest fresh water Lake in India 26 Kms long and 8 Kms wide. Surrounded by the mountains. The river Jehlum pases right through the Lake the deepest part is near the Hill Called BABA SHUKR-UD-DIN on the north west side.

Kashmir Wildlife

Kashmir is rich in the diversity of flora and fauna in the forest areas, and domesticated species outside the forest. It is a home to number of species that are listed as endangered like the Kashmiri stag called 'Hangul' and snow leopard that has survived here from times unknown. You can see many more fascinating and exquisite forms of life in the many national parks and sanctuaries that are here in the state.

Dachigam National Park:

The park is without a doubt the most scenic of all the parks in the state. The animal for which the park is most famous is the endangered species Hangul, the Kashmiri stag. Other animal species that you will see in the park are Musk deer, Brown Bear, Leopards, Jungle Cats and many more.