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Aru Valley Travel Guide — 2,414m, Best Time & Access

Aru Valley sits at 2,414 m in Anantnag district, about 102 km and 3h by road from Srinagar. The quieter of the two Pahalgam side valleys and the trailhead for the Tarsar–Marsar…

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Altitude
2,414 m
District
Anantnag
Type
valley
Best months
May–Sep

Aru Valley sits at 2,414 m in Anantnag district, about 102 km and 3h by road from Srinagar. The quieter of the two Pahalgam side valleys and the trailhead for the Tarsar–Marsar trek. The best months to visit are May–Sep.

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Aru Valley at a glance

Altitude
2,414 m
District
Anantnag
Type
valley
Best months
May–Sep
Distance from Srinagar
102 km
Drive time
3h
Peak season
May–Sep
Road
12 km beyond Pahalgam. Local union taxi only.
Permits
Not required for Indian nationals
Coordinates
34.0983, 75.2611

Before you go to Aru Valley

  • Point 1

    Mobile coverage is unreliable.

  • Point 2

    The base for Kolahoi and Tarsar–Marsar treks — trekking here needs a permit and a registered guide.

  • Getting there

    12 km beyond Pahalgam. Local union taxi only.

  • When it is busiest

    May–Sep

Planning around Aru Valley

Near Aru Valley

Kashmir in pictures

  • Shikara boats and a lantern-lit houseboat on Dal Lake at sunset, snow peaks behind
    Dal Lake, Srinagar — evening shikara ride
  • Red Gulmarg Gondola cabin climbing above snow-covered pines towards the Pir Panjal range
    Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 1 towards Kongdoori
  • A fast river running over boulders through a green pine valley below snow-capped peaks
    The Lidder valley at Pahalgam
  • Visitors sledging and building a snowman on the snowfield at Sonamarg, glacier peaks behind
    Sonamarg under snow — open May to September
  • Rows of red, yellow and pink tulips below snow-capped mountains at the Srinagar tulip garden
    Tulip garden, Srinagar — a short window each April
  • Terraced fountains and flower beds of a Mughal garden running down towards Dal Lake
    Mughal gardens above Dal Lake, Srinagar
  • A boatman rowing a canopied shikara past a carved wooden houseboat at sunset
    Houseboat and shikara, Dal Lake
  • Group tour travellers photographed together at Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg
    Group departures across the three main valleys

Our current packages

Printed rates for our standard Kashmir itineraries. Tap any sheet to read it at full size, or send us your dates for a quote against them.

Prices shown are package totals on the terms printed on each sheet. Airfare, gondola tickets and local union taxi charges are excluded — ask us for a quote against your dates.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to reach Srinagar?

By air to Srinagar (SXR). Delhi has the widest frequency and most cities connect through it. The rail alternative is to Jammu Tawi followed by roughly 260 km by road, which adds a full day each way.

What is Chillai-Kalan?

The traditional 40-day period of deepest winter in Kashmir, running from around 21 December to 31 January. It is when snowfall is heaviest and most reliable, and when the valley is coldest.

What is the best time to visit Kashmir?

April to June for tulips, green meadows and mild weather; December to February for reliable snow at Gulmarg. March and October are the best value — usable weather at noticeably lower prices. September is the quiet compromise: summer warmth without summer crowds.

How many days are enough for Kashmir?

Five nights covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam at a reasonable pace. Four nights works if you drop one valley. Three nights only makes sense from Delhi, and Sonamarg almost never fits into it.

Do Indian nationals need a permit for Kashmir?

No permit is required for Indian nationals visiting Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonamarg. High-altitude treks such as Tarsar–Marsar do require registration and a licensed guide, arranged locally.

What is not included in a typical Kashmir package?

Most packages exclude return airfare, Gulmarg gondola tickets, local union taxis at Pahalgam and Sonamarg, pony rides, and entry tickets at ticketed gardens. Union taxi charges in particular surprise people, because they are compulsory and separate from your package vehicle.

Build a trip around Aru Valley

We plan the route, stays and drive times around what you actually want to see.

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