Travel guide

Things to Do in Pahalgam: Top Sights, Timings & Season

Pine forest and the Lidder river at a gentler altitude than Gulmarg, and the trailhead for three side valleys. Pahalgam sits at 2,130 m, 2h 30m from Srinagar, and works best…

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Altitude: 2,130 m
District: Anantnag
Type: valley
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct

Pine forest and the Lidder river at a gentler altitude than Gulmarg, and the trailhead for three side valleys. Pahalgam sits at 2,130 m, 2h 30m from Srinagar, and works best between Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct. Vehicles from Srinagar cannot continue to Betaab, Aru or Chandanwari — local union taxis are compulsory and are charged separately from any package transfer.

Last updated 26 July 2026

Pahalgam in brief

Altitude: 2,130 m
District: Anantnag
Type: valley
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Sep, Oct
Distance from Srinagar: 90 km
Drive time: 2h 30m
Peak season: Apr–Jun and Sep–Oct
Road: Good metalled road via Anantnag. Local union taxis are mandatory beyond the town.

What to see in Pahalgam

Betaab Valley
Aru Valley
Chandanwari
Baisaran
Stay: riverside hotel
Stay: mid range hotel

Kashmir in pictures

Dal Lake, Srinagar — evening shikara ride
Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 1 towards Kongdoori
The Lidder valley at Pahalgam
Sonamarg under snow — open May to September
Tulip garden, Srinagar — a short window each April
Mughal gardens above Dal Lake, Srinagar
Houseboat and shikara, Dal Lake
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

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.

Why do I need a separate local taxi at Pahalgam?

Vehicles from Srinagar are not permitted beyond Pahalgam town. Travel to Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari must use local union taxis, which are charged locally and are not part of any package transfer.

How reliable is snow at Gulmarg?

Reliable from roughly late December through February. November and early December are a gamble. If snow is the entire reason for the trip, January and February are the safest months.

How much does a Kashmir trip cost?

It depends on hotel category, season and group size, which is why a single figure is misleading. Ask for a costed itinerary for your specific dates rather than working from an advertised starting price.

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Tell us your dates and we will map this guide onto a costed plan.

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