Top 10 Offbeat Places to Visit in Kashmir

"Gar Firdaus bar roo-e zameenast, hameenasto, hameenasto, Hameen-ast” - Us travellers have believed and acted on that couplet of Firdaus for way longer than I can remember! Longing for that heaven, the summer holidays see an insane exodus of families parking themselves in Kashmir, many years, year over year. The crown state of India, Kashmir is one of the most sought-after destinations in India, and yet, the surreal beauty of this land is often lost in travelling the beaten path!

I decided to dig deeper, and find places in local Kashmir that are still untouched with their intrinsic peace and quiet still intact. And boy did I find some amazing treasures! If you find yourself in Kashmir the next golden time and are unable to find a hotel in Betaab Valley because of the mad rush like I did, head to these attractive beauties instead. Trust me, “if there’s paradise, it is here”.

1. Verinag

Verinag is one of the main sources of River Jhelum and an underexplored traveller’s attraction in the Anantnag District. Set amidst a plethora of healthy chinar (maple) trees and hosting gushing blue water at the reservoir, Verinag is almost midway between Pahalgam and Srinagar. Here’s where you have your midway chai break even if you’re sticking to the oft-travelled bit of Kashmir.

How to go: You can visit Verinag by taking either a cab or a state transport bus from Srinagar.

Where to stay: There are a number of hotels to select for your stay in either Srinagar or Pahalgam or in Verinag itself

What to do: one of the best places to visit in Verinag is Mughal Garden

Read more: Here is the Perfect Itinerary for a Safe Trip to Kashmir

2. Yusmarg

Yusmarg, or Yousmarg, loosely translates to ‘Jesus Meadow’. The common folktale on which this one rests is that Jesus once stopped in Yousmarg with his followers during his travels of the world. Not without reason, that too! Rolling green meadows with pines in the background and an 11-kilometre trek that leads up to a frozen lake, Yusmarg has sights and sounds that are worthy of evoking major wanderlust in your heart!

How to go: By road – There are regular buses plying to Yusmarg from Srinagar. You can either take a bus or book a cab

By train – The nearest railway station to Yusmarg is Jammu Tawi. You can take a bus from here to Srinagar and then from there to Yusmarg

By air – The nearest airport is at Srinagar That is well connected with direct flights from Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai etc

Where to stay: You can book your stay in Srinagar as Yusmarg is merely 2 hours drive from Srinagar

What to do: Trek to Nilnag lake, Sang e Safed, Tatta kutti mountain range and Tosa Maidan. yusmarg is also famous as a picnic spot

3. Chatpal

Untouched hills and woods, a virgin spring snaking through the valley and the crisp cold mountain air almost make Chatpal close cloning of Pahalgam, but only better! If you plan to vacation in this little bit of paradise, you’ll feel like the only inhabitants of the valley, and isn’t that just what we need at times?

How to go: There is no regular transport available to reach Chaptal. One has to book a taxi or a cab to reach here

Where to stay: There is no accommodation available in the form of hotels or resorts. But there are two government guest houses where you can stay

What to do: There is a short trek available from Chaptal to the valley, you can also enjoy the natural beauty and talk to locals to know their side of the story about the place

4. Doodhpathari

An inverted bowl of green in summers and white in winters, Doodhpathari is a verdant green meadow close to Srinagar. The meadow becomes a spread of white snow in the winters and has a stream coursing through it which always looks white at a distance. It is believed that a priest once prayed in the meadow of Doodhpathari, and poked the ground with his stick for water, however milk oozed from the ground. That’s where the meadow derived its name.

How to go: There is no proper road to get to Doodhpathri so one has to book a cab or hire a taxi to reach this place from Srinagar.

Where to stay: There are multiple hut shaped igloos for you to stay in Doodhpathri. Though you can book a stay in Srinagar as the basic amenities in these huts are not up the mark

What to do: This place is famous for camping and trekking. You can reach the place and trek to places and hilltops nearby

Read more: The Most Romantic Places in Kashmir

5. Kokernag

Home to the biggest trout fishery of Asia, Kokernag is a hidden gem in the Anantnag District; 25-odd kilometres away from Anantnag and 80 kilometres from Srinagar. It forms a huge cascade of springs due to its unique ‘hen-like’ structure. A one day stay in Kokernag is amazing if you’re a non- vegetarian and a fan of fresh trout and mountain air!

How to go: By air – Kokernag is located at a distance of 76 kilometres from Srinagar airport. You can either take a bus or book a cab to reach this breathtaking place

By road – A number of buses ply from Srinagar to Kokernag. Kokernag is well connected with major places in Kashmir

By train – The nearest station to Kokernag is Jammu Tawi

Where to stay: There are a number of hotels and guest houses available to select from for your stay in Kokernag

What to do: You can visit Kokernag waterfall, Botanical garden, Achabal

6. Nubra Valley

140 kilometres from Leh, Nubra Valley is one of the most beautiful places in the Leh region of Jammu & Kashmir. Shyok and Nubra rivers, red gold monasteries, landscapes that look nothing short of a painting, all make up the lesser-known wonder that Nubra is.

How to go: The nearest airport is at Leh which is 150 kilometres away from the valley. You can take a bus or book a cab from Leh to the valley.

Where to stay: Holiday campsites and a few hotels are available for booking a stay in Nubra valley

What to do: You can visit Khardung La, Diskit Gompa, Zimskang museum, Hunder Gompa and statue of Chamba while you are in the valley

7. Pulwama

A virgin paradise of apple orchards, adventure sports, springs, waterfalls and valleys, Pulwama is located just about 40 kilometres from Srinagar. It is a reasonably good option to explore Pulwama on a day excursion from Srinagar.

How to go: You can reach Srinagar and then book a cab or take a state transport bus from Srinagar to Pulwama

Where to stay: There are many budget hotels available in Pulwama if you are planning to stay for a day or two in this amazing place

What to do: You can visit Awantipore, Pulwama waterfalls. If you are a wildlife lover then you can pay a visit to Tral

8. Hemis

The Ladakhi monastery town, home to snow leopards and red pandas, is one of those places you’ll never hear being talked about in common parlance. Hemis has a beautiful monastery to its name, the Hemis Gompa, which is great if you want to be enveloped in a cascade of peace. Given its proximity to Leh, you can reach Hemis in a direct bus or taxi ride from Leh.

How to go: By air – Kushok Bakula Rimpoche Airport in Leh is closest to Hemis

By train – Nearest station is Jammu Tawi Railway Station

By road – Hemis can be reached via Leh by two popular routes- from Srinagar via Kargil via Srinagar-Leh highway and from Manali via Sarchu and Dharchu via Manali-Leh highway

Where to stay: You can book rooms in budget hotels near Hemis Thiksey Satana Monastery, Leh or just stay in a monastery

What to do: You can visit Hemis National park, Hemis monasteries, Gompas and Hemis Festival ( if you plan your holiday in July)

Read more: Recreate These Fun Bollywood Moments in Kashmir!

9. Dachigam National Park

Dachigam National Park is at a decently motorable distance of 22 kilometres from Srinagar and is easily one of the most talked-about wildlife reserves in India because of its exotic fauna family. Among the animal friends, you’ll spot here will be the rare species like the endangered Kashmir Stag, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Weasel, Red Fox, and Jackals, among others. The Marsar Lake makes Dachigam an even more amazing destination to flock to!

How to go: You can reach Srinagar which is 22 kilometres from this place and then take a cab to reach the park

Where to stay: Accommodation is limited in this place, though you can select from the two government rest houses available in the area

What to do: You can walk around or take a safari to Dachigam National Park. You can even shop at a range of shops available near the park

10. Bangus Valley

Like most of Kashmir, Bangus Valley is a big meadow that consumes all of your visual vistas, with its beautiful pine and deodar forests. During summer, the valley turns into a carpet of little flowers. You would need the Army’s permission to foray into the Bangus Valley, but it is worth going through all that trouble, because, Bangus serves as an amazing campsite if you enjoy sleeping under a blanket of stars!

How to go: This valley is situated at about 150 kilometres from Srinagar. It can be reached through two ways from Srinagar, one is through Handwara through Satkoji and the other way through Chowkibal through Malasari.

Where to stay: The valley is not yet developed for tourists so either you can stay in Srinagar or look up for homestay in any local’s place

What to do: you can visit Dodkol (known for its sweet and cold water) and Bangus spring (hot water spring)

Kashmir’s surreal beauty is at a whole different level once you see yourself exploring these hidden bits of the state. And now, with a spike indirect flights to Srinagar and Leh, Kashmir has never been closer! What are you waiting for? Book your flights and hotels now!