Pahalgam Kashmir and Aru Valley – Full Circuit Tour Package – Deluxe

Pahalgam – Full Circuit Tour Packages – Deluxe – 02 nights/03 days

Please notice differences to Comfort in green color.

Ever thought you should give yourself some exercise surrounded by majestic mountains, fresh water streams and lush meadows?

Get your bag packed for an unforgettable trip – Pahalgam is what you’re looking for and Sontrips your gateway to this paradise!  

Day 01: Srinagar to Pahalgam via Anantnag and Lidder Valley, Betaab Valley, Chandanwadi Valley

Please plan to arrive at Srinagar International Airport (SXR) in the morning as sometimes due to uncertain weather conditions, your flight could be cancelled and if you planned to arrive in the morning, there would still be time to catch another flight later.

You will be picked up by taxi from Srinagar Airport and taken to your hotel in Pahalgam.

On your way to Pahalgam you will pass “Saffron fields” (actually crocus fields) near a small city called Pampore. Between end of October and beginning of November you will especially notice the purple colored blossoms. In Kashmir, Saffron is closely linked to a very delicious tea, called “Kahwah”. It is this green tea which has some of the saffron stigmas/strands in it. Did you know that Saffron has been the most costly spice worldwide for quite some time? The reason is quite simple: Each crocus plant has only three small stigmas/strands colored crimson red which is known as the “Saffron”. In Kashmir, you would get 1g of Saffron for around INR150/- . In order to get 1kg of Saffron you would need to pick around 500 000 stigmas – and then it is still to be dried, which will reduce the quantity! Please do your own math to find out how much that would cost.

There are two main routes to reach Pahalgam. On the outward journey please go via the district city Anantnag, the return journey via a so called Apple Valley (and we would add “Walnut Valley”). The total distance is about 100km. Though about 10km longer, if you go through Anantnag, you will see the countryside from a different perspective and in addition you could have a stop-over at a sun temple called “Martand” which is now a ruin. It is located in a village called Mattan, roughly 6km from Anantnag.

At Anantnag think about having a stop-over and also lunch. Before arriving at Pahalgam, this could be the best scenic location. At the so called KP road, you will pass cafes like 9 Miles Café & Grill, Hunger Street, Amigos, Kooks, Parsa’s, and Al-Muizz to name just a few.

If you decide to stop after lunch at the temple ruins, you will see them on a hill right side off the main KP road. The temple dates back to the 8^th century AD and is dedicated to the Hindu sun deity called Surya. From here onwards  you will travel beside a canal on your right side and then as the road winds slowly uphill you will witness the spectacular Lidder river on your left. During the warmer months of the year you may spot river rafters there.

This is also the place where your Eden Resorts and Spa is located.When you arrive, make yourself comfortable in your room – you’ve made it – a long day‘s journey! In the hotel, a welcome drink with a little snack will be served. Depending on the time, you may want to order something for lunch.

Once you’re ready, get your basic items packed and off you go.

Your first destination would be “Chandanwadi” which could literally be translated as “family valley”. Your hotel will organize a local taxi for you to get there – and back, of course :). A nonstop journey to Chadanwadi will take around 45 minutes (17 km) from Pahalgam. You may have already realized that this is not going to be a straight highway road – so be prepared for ups and downs, and lots of hairpin bends! But don’t worry, you may want to stop the driver anyway sometimes on this scenic road for some photo opportunities.

At Chandanwadi there is a footpath you take towards the beautiful but wild river Lidder. The small village is basically known for the starting point of the annual so called Amarnath Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to a cave located about 26km away from Chandanwadi. During July and August this is extremely busy. Until May you may also see snow. Locals will offer rides on a self-made wooden sledge at the hill that winds steeply across the river. Other than that, ponies of course are waiting for their customers and last but not least the beautiful landscape is to be admired. Along the footpath toward the river you will usually find some stalls offering souvenirs and basic food/drinks.

When you’re ready, request your taxi driver to take you to your next destination: Betaab Valley. It is about 20 minutes away and you already passed it already on your way to Chandanwadi. There are certainly some scenic  spots to pause for a moment, though be very careful as the cliffs plunge down steeply at certain points. Make use of the dedicated platform which gives a stunning outlook to Betaab Valley. Your driver will then descend steeply following some hairpin bends in order to reach a parking lot which is the starting point for a nice walk into the valley. Your driver will arrange payment of the park entry fee before you can enter. Depending on the season, the most recent attraction is a zip-wire that leads across this river. Otherwise, walk along the path, cross the bridge and keep left along the river until you reach the open plain which you could cross until you spot a (children’s) park. The entire area is suitable for a picnic on the soft grass, of course also depending on the season. This valley has become even more famous due to Bollywood movies. In fact, it is said to be named of the same name movie “Betaab” (released in 1983). There are also a few stalls here, where you could quench your thirst or enjoy a snack.

By dusk at the latest ask your driver to return to Pahalgam, which is about another 20 minutes ride. After you have refreshed yourself, enjoy your dinner at your hotel Eden Resorts and Spa!

After such a long day with extensive travel – you definitely deserve a good night‘s rest!

Day 02: Pahalgam to Aru Valley and Meadows / Lidderwat

When you have got up, enjoy your breakfast! You’re going to need some energy today – depending on your choice of course – as you venture out into the majestic woods and meadows that Pahalgam offers you.

Before you get started: Please wear good footgear/clothing today – this would be especially so if you prefer to hike rather than using a pony to reach “Lidderwat”. How long does it take to reach Lidderwat from Aru? Well, it much depends on whether you walk or use the pony. Estimate 2-3hrs for walking and half an hour less for the trip on horseback. The distance is about 8.5 km.

Food/Drinks: your hotel will arrange a lunch parcel for you to take away. Make sure you also take at least 2 liters of drinking water which is provided. A very kind gesture would be to take something in addition which you could share later with your guide.

Your first destination would be “Aru Valley”. Again your hotel will organize a local taxi for you. Please do exchange phone numbers with your driver so that you can call him to take you back to Pahalgam in the evening. Try not to leave later than 10am – it gets late very quickly and you do not want to hike when it’s dark.

At Aru (Valley), which is a small village, your driver will arrange at least one pony per person along with a local guide for you. Even if you intend to hike the entire path, you can always decide to let your pony carry your luggage and/or you yourself as “emergency transport” in case you can’t manage to walk anymore – or worst case for instance, twist your ankle.

You may want to ask for a toilet stop here, as this is the last chance you will have before reaching the open woods. Please collect all your rubbish and never throw it away in the countryside. Leave no traces of where you have been.

Then hike/ride steeply uphill from Aru towards an area called “Green Top”. Not much further away you will spot the Lidder river on your left. The river is basically your companion and orientation for the entire trip. It leads you through beautiful woods and lush meadows. Do take the time every now and then for a short break to enjoy this unique breathtaking environment. Very likely you will also pass blockhouse buildings which serve the local nomadic people as their shelter during the warmer months. You may spot their livestock nearby, too. For good reason, Pahalgam is called the “Valley of the Shepherds”.

To reach the camping site “Lidderwat”, which consists of a literal wooden hut, on the left of the river, you need to cross water at least once – we hope by using an intact bridge :).

Take a longer break of about an hour at Lidderwat with a rest and snacks/refreshments and again enjoy the fantastic panoramic views.

Use the same path by which you came for your return journey.

As you get closer or reach “Green Top”, it would be a good idea to call your taxi driver so that he knows when to meet you. Your driver will then take you from Aru back to your hotel, Eden Resorts and Spa, in Pahalgam. After getting refreshed at the hotel, you can sit back and enjoy your dinner at the hotel.

Congratulations, you made it, after a long day being out and probably getting lots of fresh air and exercise, too. You should be able to “Sleep well”!

Day 03: Pahalgam to Srinagar via Walnut / Apple Valley

Get up and have your breakfast at the hotel. After checking out, your taxi will be waiting for your return trip to Srinagar International Airport. If you plan to have longer shopping/eating stop-overs on your way to the airport you need to arrange this with your driver before departure and pay accordingly.

Compared to your trip to Pahalgam, your return trip will be slightly different. Since Kashmir is also famous for its delicious apples and walnuts it would be sad to miss the opportunity to visit the respective growing areas. Travelling from Pahalgam you will cross the Lidder River again and follow it for some time. You will notice  the walnut trees first. September is the harvesting timefor this stone fruit. Certainly you would be able to buy some – if not fresh then as dried. Ideal as a tasty souvenir for your loved ones at home. So are the apples. However, you would need to look really carefully to find for example sliced dry apples. To buy a full box or a few fresh ones only, October will probably be best. Not difficult to miss them either: “Apple Valley Resort” could be the address to have a short break. It is located in the middle of a roughly 2 km totally straight section of this road. During harvest season lots of trucks will be parked beside this road. Just beyond the “Apple Valley” you will reach a town called Bijbehara which marks the entry point to the new National Highway (NH44) on which you already travelled on your way to Pahalgam. If you were unable to get your box of apples at the “Apple Valley”, this is the place to get them as there is a little colony on both sides of the NH44 called Sangam.

Beyond Sangam you cross the Jhelum River again and this is where you could get a good bargain for a cricket bat. You may have already noticed the many shops on your way to Pahalgam. It is THE spot we would say in Kashmir when it comes to buying a cricket bat fresh from the factory. If you have enough time, you may want to ask the shopkeeper to show you how these cricket bats are made – there is still a lot handicraft and patience involved (a good bat needs to dry for quite some time)!

If you are interested in dry fruits, saffron, etc. you may want to stop again at one of the shops that you will notice right and left of the National Highway between the towns Awantipora and Lethipora.

If you want to plan a stop-over at a restaurant, the ones closest to the road to the airport are “14^th Avenue”; turn right at Hyderpora Flyover, then continue for about 1km and find it on the right side,   and “The caliph” on the NH44 about 2km further towards Hyderpora Flyover, on the right side. Hyderpora Flyover is the crossroads where you would exit left to the airport road, which is familiar to almost anyone, and about 5km distance from the airport.

Upon reaching the airport your driver will drop you – but we hope you will not forget the splendid memories of your journey with Sontrips :).

We hope you have had a pleasant and relaxing stay – share your memories with your loved ones and recommend us please.