Nubra-Valley

A tri-armed valley that is separated by Nubra (Siachan) River and Shyok River, Nubra Valley in Ladakh is popular for its cold desert and picturesque landscape. The valley is connected to Leh with Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world. Nubra valley is amongst the top tourist attractions in Ladakh and its Diskit Monastery and Hunder Village are a must-visit.

Nubra Valley’s Hunder Village is known for its cold desert and the opportunity of camping and riding on Bactrian Camel (double-humped camel). The Diskit Monastery in the largest town of Nubra Valley is the oldest and largest one in the region and is also a must-see. However, the main attraction here is the 32-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha which is hard to miss out due to its size.

Turtuk, an offbeat village has been made accessible for the tourists since 2010. Here, tourists have the chance to enjoy tribal tourism; interact with the locals and learn and understand about their culture and lifestyle. There’s also the opportunity for enjoy eco-friendly camping at Turtuk.

Other than this, Nubra Valley has many other remote villages and monasteries to see. The hot spring at Panamik Village is one of the best places to see. For adventure lovers, it is the best destination in Ladakh for trekking, mountain biking and motor biking tours.

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Pangong Lake

Pangong Tso Lake is one of those places which you can imagine would be very beautiful, but it’s not until you visit it that you come to terms with its beauty. Among the other famous lakes in Ladakh, this one is especially popular both because of its breathtaking beauty and being a delicate border point along the Line of Actual Control.

It achieved immense popularity after being featured in a Bollywood movie called “3 Idiots.” <br/>, or Pangong Tso, as it is commonly known, is a high altitude saltwater lake situated at almost 4,350 meters. The lake is almost 5 kilometers wide and 134 kilometers long, with one-third of it lying in India & the other two-thirds in China. This famous lake in Ladakh is also quite deep, as it reaches a maximum depth of almost 328 feet. The foremost thing to see at Pangong Tso Lake is its beauty, you just can't get enough of it.

The mountains, with their gradual slopes which meet the deep blue meditatives waters of the lake, is a sight that remains lodged in your memory for a long time. Brahminy ducks can also be seen standing on the banks of the lake, looking for a catch or two. The lake is extremely popular among photographers, selfie enthusiasts and those on a bike trip to Ladakh

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Hari Parbat

Hari Parbat is a popular tourist attraction that is frequented by visitors in large numbers owing to its historical and religious significance. It is the site of several important edifices, which include the Durrani Fort, Parvati Temple, a Gurudwara and shrines of Akhund Mullah Shah and Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib. The earliest fortifications on this hill were established by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1590, when he planned to build a new capital named Nager Nagor. However, not everything went according to plan. The present citadel was constructed in 1808 under the supervision of Shuja Shah Durrani.

There are two mythological legends associated with Hari Parbat, which is also known as Koh-e-Maraan. The first one states that this hill was originally a huge lake, where a demon named Jalobhava resided. To get rid of his atrocities, the natives prayed Hindu Goddess Parvati for help. She turned into a bird and dropped a pebble on his head. The pebble kept increasing in size until the demon's head was crushed. It is said that Hari Parbat is the same enlarged pebble, which became the abode of all Hindu gods. Another version of the tale is similar but includes two demons – Tsand and Mond.

The temple of Sharika Bhagwati is present on the western slope of this hill, which is also known as Predemna Peet. Goddess Parvati is worshipped here as 18-armed Sharika – the presiding deity of Srinagar. Har Navum – the birth occasion of the Goddess – is celebrated at the temple by offering taher-charvan (rice and goat liver meat).

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Nishat Garden

Nishat Garden in Srinagar, Kashmir is popularly known as the ‘Garden of Bliss’, the Nishat Garden or Nishat Bagh, is the second-largest Mughal Garden in Kashmir Valley, after Shalimar Bagh and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Srinagar.

The beautiful garden is on the eastern side of the picturesque Dal Lake and is situated against the backdrop of the magnificent Zabarwan Mountains. This surreal garden is a place of sheer delight for nature lovers, family vacationers as well as romantic couples as it offers them spectacular views and a memorable experience.

Nishat Bagh was designed by Asif Khan, the elder brother of Nur Jahan, in 1633 AD. It is believed that Emperor Shah Jahan on witnessing the grandeur and beauty of the Nishat Bagh, was so impressed and awestruck that he expressed his gratitude to Asif Khan three times.Like all the Mughal Gardens, the design and layout of the Nishant Bagh is largely influenced by Persian architecture.

It has a beautiful water channel flowing through the middle, which further adds to the romantic charm of the garden. Nishat Bagh is famous for its 7 terraces decorated with beautiful flowers like roses and lilies with each terrace representing a zodiac sign.

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Sonmarg

Sonmarg, which means "Meadow of Gold", is a picturesque hill station in the Kashmir Valley located in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of 2800 meters and adorned with a majestic glacier, meadow, dense forests, and snow-capped mountains makes Sonmarg an ideal holiday destination in Kashmir.

For nature lovers, Sonmarg offers the chance to unwind amidst its scenic vistas; adventure buffs who can indulge in trekking and camping activities for adrenaline rush; and honeymoon couples can spend time cozying up amidst its beauty.

The flower-laden (in summers) valley of Sonmarg, nestled amongst the majestic Himalayan range has many tourist attractions to offer and Thajiwas Glacier is the major one. It is an easy day hike recommended to even family vacationers.

The adventure lovers in Sonmarg have great opportunities to head out for scenic treks. Amongst the most popular treks starting from Sonmarg are Gangabal Lake Trek and Krishansar and Vishansar twin lakes which in fact also make for important brown trout fishing destinations in Kashmir.

The Baltal Valley, located 15km away, is one of the best tourist destinations near Sonmarg. It offers some of the most breathtaking views of the Himalayan mountains. This valley serves as a camping area for pilgrims heading towards the sacred Hindu pilgrimage of Amarnath Cave. The nature lovers will also love to see the beautiful vistas of the Nilagrad River which boasts a red hue in its water and is known to have medicinal properties.

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Gulmarg

Nestled in the Pir Panjal Range in a cup-shaped valley, Gulmarg has been specially touched by nature’s splendid hand, and is a place which the gods would also love to visit. This magnificent tourist destination in the valley of Kashmir is great for both a family, honeymoon and snow adventure sports lovers.

Dubbed as one the best skiing destinations in India, Gulmarg is adorned with lofty snow-capped mountains, lush greenery, small lakes, and a large variety of flowers.

A holiday in Gulmarg promises to be a memorable one, with several sightseeing opportunities in tourism places like Khilanmarg, Tangmarg & Ferozepur Nallah. You can also take a spiritual tour to famous religious sites in Gulmarg like St. Mary’s Church, Baba Rezi Shrine & Maharani Temple. Another interesting activity that you should try is visiting the 18 hole Golf Course, counted among the highest golf courses in India.

Gulmarg also offers its fair share of thrill & adventure to the tourists. The most popular adventure activity in Gulmarg is skiing, which can be enjoyed by both amateur & experienced skiiers. Other than that, tourists can also enjoy a Gondola cable car ride, and more.

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Pahalgam

Pahalgam, also known as the “Valley of Shepherds”, located in the Anantnag District of Kashmir, is a nature lovers retreat, which makes us believe that paradise is not always far. Sitting on the banks of the foaming and gurgling Lidder River, this famous tourist place in Kashmir mesmerizes visitors with its lush meadows, verdant forests, sky-kissing mountains, apple orchards, and very peaceful environment.

It is counted among the top tourist destinations of Kashmir because there are opportunities for camping, sightseeing, trekking, pilgrimage yatra, white water rafting and fishing.

A family holiday to Pahalgam is very exciting and you can do a lot of things to make your vacation a fun filled one. You can spend time by the bank of the Lidder River & enjoy the blissful company of Mother Nature. Other places where you can see the awe inspiring beauty of Pahalgam are Aru & Betaab valleys along with Bainsaran, which are dotted with meadows, lakes & streams.

Pahalgam is also popular as a spiritual destination for being the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, which is undertaken by Hindu pilgrims during the months of June & August, and begins at a town called Chandanwari, located almost 16 kilometers from it.

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