Things To Do In Kashmir

Mostly located in the Himalayan ranges, Kashmir offers a plethora of experiences that one must take by indulging in the below listed exciting things to do. The location and the terrain make some of the things are exclusive to this destination, so go ahead and enjoy all of these:

1. Shikara Ride

A Shikara is a traditional light rowing boat which is mostly seen on the pristine Dal Lake and Manasbal Lake near Sonamarg.Apart from other lakes, It is one of the most incredible and relaxing aspects of a holiday in kashmir and should be included in your itinerary if you want to experience the surreal beauty of this region to the fullest. Along with the houseboats, it is also considered to be a cultural symbol. But even apart from leisure and tourism purposes, the shikara is also used by the locals for seaweed harvesting, fishing and transportation. To watch these beautifully decorated boats glide serenely on the lake is a treat to the eyes, and you should definitely not miss out on this experience during your holidays in Kashmir.

Some of the famous tourist places which you can visit with a shikara ride in Kashmir are Nishat and Shalimar gardens. Hazratbal Mosque is another famous tourist place in Kashmir Valley that can be visited with a shikara.

Nigeen Lake, although a part of Dal Lake, is great for enjoying a shikara ride. It is much calmer, serene and surrounded by snow capped peaks, and treats you to spellbinding views of sunrise and sunset.

Where to try:Dal Lake in Srinagar and Manasbal Lake near Sonamarg

Timings:6:00 am – 5:00 pm. 

Best time in the year:March to May, September to December

Cost per Person:INR 150 – INR 300 per Shikara

                            

2. Night Stay in Houseboat

And it is not just the shikara rides in Dal Lake, this is one of the best offbeat things to do in Srinagar. Spending a night at the houseboat docked at Nigeen and Dal Lake jetty is also among the top things to do in Kashmir. Be it Honeymooners, families, or solo travellers, a night stay at one of the houseboats in Srinagar is something that you simply can not miss. The houseboats have Wifi and airport transfer facilities available. You can also avail the meals facilities provided by them. Houseboat stay facility in Kashmir is the best experiences if you are here with your family, a group of friends or with your partner.

Kashmir’s houseboats are made of cedar wood which stays healthy even after staying for years in water.

Inside the houseboats the main feature is the carved wood paneling.

Walnut wood is used for furniture on which intricate carvings are done.

The porch area is one of the major parts of the boat for guests to sit and relish incredible views of Dal Lake.

Location: Dal lake & Nigeen Lake Srinagar

A houseboat in Srinagar, much similar to hotels, these floating houses vary in size, facilities, and amenities ranging from luxury to mid-range to budget houseboats.

3. Gondola Cable Car Ride

Asia's largest and highest and world’s second-largest and second highest cable car project, Gulmarg Gondola is the top attraction in Gulmarg. In fact, a Gulmarg tour without a ride on the popular cable car is considered incomplete. This must-do activity in Gulmarg is perfect for family vacationers, romantic couples as well as adventurers seeking to get to the top the mountain for the best skiing experience (in winter). The scenic views of mountains and valley during the cable car ride are also unforgettable and unmatched. The gondola can ferry 6 people at a time.

The Ride Takes Place In Three Phases:

Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori

Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak

Phase 3: Kongdoori to Mary Shoulder [Chair Lift]

Timings: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm all days of the week

Cost Per Person: INR 700 (9.45US$) (Phase I) | INR 900 (12.15US$) (Phase II) | INR 300 (4.05US$) (Chair Lift)

4. Kashmiri Cuisine

Like in any other destination across the world, trying the local cuisine is one of the most important things to do in Kashmir. We all have heard about the Kashmiri Kehwa (tea) and Lamb Mutton Rogan Josh. But the cuisine has many more sumptuous dishes. These include Nadroo Yakhni (yogurt based Kashmiri curry with lotus stems), Paneer Chaman (fried paneer simmered in tomato sauce and flavored with spices and fennel seeds powder), Dum Aloo, Matschgand (minced meatballs cooked in spicy red gravy), and Gushtaba (minced mutton cooked in flavorful yogurt gravy and spices).

Both Jammu and Kashmir regions have delicious dishes on offer, however, some of them have become quite popular even for the tourists. The region of Kashmir, in fact, with its variety of dishes on offer, has become a hub for culinary tourism. Here are the top dishes from Jammu & Kashmir to try on your holiday:

1. Dumaaloo

2. Chaaman

3. Rogan Josh

4. Rista

5. Gushtaba

6. Rajma Chawal

7. Kalaadi Kulcha

8. Khatta Meat

                                    Restaurants famous for Kashmiri Cuisine (Wazwan)

1. Ahdoos Restaurant (Residency Road Srinagar)

2. Shamyana Restaurant (Boulevard Road Srinagar)

3. Spice Multi Cuisine Restaurant (Residnecy Road Srinagar)

4. Linz Cafe (Poloview Srinagar)

5. Lhasa (Boulevard Road Srinagar)

                                              

5. Shopping

Shopping is one of the most common things to do in Kashmir. And no, I do not mean just antiques and other souvenirs. Tourists here can shop for exquisite Kashmiri handlooms and Pashmina shawls, antique copperware like samovars, Namda hand-woven carpets, local garments called Ferins, and expensive Doda Sapphire. And then there are flowers, fruits, and vegetables sold on the shikaras in Dal Lake. More than what you buy, how you buy will be the reason for your excitement here.

The bustling markets of Jammu are home to a variety of exciting items that you can take back home from your trip. Here are some of the things to buy in Jammu during holiday:

1.Papier Mache items

2.Walnut and other dry fruits

3.Wooden artefacts

4.Traditional handicrafts

5.Earthenware crockery

6.Traditional jewellery

                       Spiritual Things to do in Jammu & Kashmir

     

6. Amarnath Cave and Vaishno Devi Temple

The Vaishno Devi Yatra is a pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Devi. The Trikuta mountain, where the shrine is located, has one base but three different peaks. A similar structure is seen inside the cave. The three heads are said to be of Mata Kali, Mata Laxmi, and Mata Saraswati – Hindu goddesses. This yatra, too, takes place in the months of July and August

                  

7.Ladakh Buddhist Monasteries.

Of the numerous places to visit in Leh Ladakh, the Buddhist monasteries are the rarest gems of Jammu Kashmir tourism. An exploration of these Gompas is one of the most religious things to do in Jammu and Kashmir. Some of the most popular monasteries (gompas) of Ladakh are:

1.Hemis Monastery: Constructed by Stagchen Raschegn during the 17th century, the monastery is most popular for its masked dance during the Hemis festival.

2.Thiksey Monastery: Home to over 500 monks, the monastery houses many items of Buddhist art like wall paintings, statues, thangkas, and swords.

3.Likir Monastery: Believed to be the first monastery to be erected by Tibetan monks, it was founded by Lama Dhwang during the 14th century. The monastery houses many Tibetan artifacts.

This place is indeed a heaven on the Earth, isn’t it? So how can you afford to miss out Jammu and Kashmir from your places to visit bucket list? Plan a trip to Kashmir and head out to meet nature face-to-face. Also make sure that you experience all the above-given things to do so that when you return home, you take a piece of Kashmir along with you. “Nair Khaudaayas Havaal!” ('Have a good journey’ in Kashmiri)

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