Ultimate Travel Guide to Jammu & Kashmir

Travellers who do not have Jammu & Kashmir on their bucket lists are very rare. If this destination is on your list, read on to find out more…

The movies you have watched, the pictures you have seen, and the travel vloggers that you follow all tell you one thing – Jammu & Kashmir are beyond beautiful, and these are places that you must visit at least once in your lifetime. Jammu & Kashmir are in every sense the crown jewels of India.

There is a lot to see and experience in Jammu & Kashmir; there is virtually no limit to the number of tourist attractions, the shops and markets to visit, good places to taste the incredible cuisine and live some of the most magical days of your life. For a first-time visitor, Jammu & Kashmir could be a bit overwhelming, and the sheer number of places to see is only one of the reasons why. Worry no more; this here is the ultimate travel guide to help you make the most out of your trip to Jammu & Kashmir.

Where is it?

For those of you who have only seen Kashmir in photographs or read about it in books, Jammu & Kashmir is a union territory situated in the northernmost part of the Republic of India in the Kashmir region. As of 2019, the Kashmir region has been divided into two Union Territories, namely Jammu & Kashmir on the West and Ladakh on the East. The Kashmir region is one of India’s international border regions near China and Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir are also two distinct locations separated by distance and diversity in terms of culture, language, and groups of people. Kashmir is primarily a mountainous area with lush greenery, whereas Jammu is situated at a lower altitude, over two hundred kilometres from Kashmir by road. Jammu and Kashmir are also home to people of varied religious groups who speak many languages such as Kashmiri, Dogri, Pahari, and many more.

What are the tourist destinations in J&K that you should not miss?

You’ll definitely need more than ten fingers and ten toes to count all the tourist destinations in J&K, which is also why you might not be able to see it all in one go. So, here are tourist places in and around Jammu & Kashmir you shouldn’t miss to make the most of your trip.

1. Srinagar: This heavenly city in the Kashmir valley, spread along the banks of the Jhelum river, is a traveller’s paradise. The Majestic Jhelum river flows through the city to rest in the Dal lake, reflecting the city’s proud mountains. The Dal lake is the abode of the famous houseboats and the smaller Shikara boats made famous by traveller’s tales and the numerous movies shot in the region. The eastern shore of the tranquil Dal lake is adorned by the beauty of the Mughal gardens. The floating vegetable market, the apple orchards, the beautiful mosques, and the virtually endless number of shopping outlets are some of the major attractions of Srinagar. You can visit Srinagar between April and September in the Summer when the temperatures are pleasant and range from 10℃ to 30℃. This is the season to witness Asia’s largest tulip garden in full bloom. The winter season is between October and March when temperatures range from 0 to 15℃, and you can see the snow-covered hills and the frozen Dal lake where children play sports. You can reach Srinagar by air, rail, or road as it is well connected to all the major cities of India.
2. Jammu: The city of Jammu, located on the banks of the river Tawi is picturesque with meadows, valleys, and lakes surrounded by the Himalayas that guard over the city like a benevolent ruler. Three rivers, namely the Tawi, the Chenab, and the Ravi, flow through this region, and the Shivalik hills bisect the region. ammu is also home to major tourist attractions such as the Vaishno Devi temple, Bhimagrh fort, Bahu Fort, Amar Mahal, and the Mubarak Mandi palace complex. The trek to the famous Vaishno Devi temple is an excellent mix of adventure and spirituality, filled with picturesque sights and challenging paths. Boating at the Mansar lake and shopping for handicrafts, sweets, and saffron in the famous markets at Hari Market, Raghunath Bazaar, and Vir Marg are some of the other major attractions of Jammu. The ideal time to visit Jammu is the winter season, between February and November. March to June are the summer months and can become hot. Jammu is very well connected, and travellers can reach Jammu by air at the Satwari airport; daily bus services to almost all major north Indian cities are also available. The Jammu Tawi railway station connects Jammu to the southernmost corner of the country in Kanyakumari.
3. Gulmarg: The Pine-fringed city of Gulmarg resembles a ski resort. It is located at an elevation of 2730 metres above sea level, and it is aptly named the Meadow of Flowers. The Anglican Church of St Mary’s, built in the 1890s, the Hotel Highlands Park, which is reminiscent of the 1965 neo-colonial style of architecture, and the old Gulmarg Golf Club add to the charm of Gulmarg. The two-stage gondola cable car to the top of Mount Afarwat and the treks to the same location are some other major tourist attractions in Gulmarg. The Gulmarg Biosphere reserve which is the abode of a vast variety of flora, fauna, and birds is a must-see location for those who appreciate the beauty of nature. The strawberry field of Gulmarg is another major destination where tourists can pick fresh strawberries from the shrubs. April to June is the ideal time to visit Gulmarg. Gulmarg lies close to Srinagar.

What kind of clothes should you carry for your trip to Jammu & Kashmir?

The climate of Jammu and Kashmir is influenced greatly by the altitude, the hills, and the water bodies in and around the region. Jammu, the hottest area of the Kashmir region, experiences temperatures as high as 38℃ in peak summer; however, nights are very cold. Therefore it is important to carry thermal wear and wind-resistant clothing. Snow boots could be useful while visiting regions with heavy snowfall.

Are there any security concerns about visiting Jammu & Kashmir?

Being part of the international border region, military forces could be on high alert at most times to deter any acts of war or terrorism. It is always safe to ensure the conditions in the region are safe before visiting. You could rely on reputable media sources to gather your information.

It is also important to follow guidelines laid down by the government and the military to ensure your safety. Most tourist places in Jammu & Kashmir, especially religious sites, are heavily guarded and have many restrictions.

Scams to look out for in Jammu & Kashmir

Jammu & Kashmir is a popular tourist spot and is naturally the perfect location for scams that trick tourists out of their hard-earned money. It is always safe to rely on reputable sources for any information. Unlicensed tour guides and agencies that trick tourists into buying unreasonably expensive tour packages are some of the most common scams tourists could come across. Kashmir is also home to beautiful handcrafted textiles, art & craftwork, and exotic spices such as saffron. The ideal choice would be to purchase souvenirs from government-approved vendors and verify the prices of commodities with trusted sources of information.

Conclusion

Travelling to Jammu & Kashmir is a wonderful experience and something that everyone should be able to feel at least once in their lifetime. There are so many tourist destinations and activities that make J&K a traveller’s paradise; however, it could be a bit difficult without the right kind of guidance. Follow Cleartrip for more tips like this and for deals on travel packages you will find nowhere else.

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