Pahalgam and Aru Valley – Full Circuit Tour Package – Comfort

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

Please notice differences to Budget in green color.

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

Plan to arrive at Srinagar International Airport (SXR) in the morning as sometimes due to weather changes, your flight might be cancelled and if that happens, you could still get a later flight during the day.

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. You will notice the purple colored blossoms between end of October and beginning of November. 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 pay around INR150/-  for 1g of Saffron. In order to get 1kg of Saffron you would need to pick around 500 000 stigmas – and it is yet to be dried! Ok, you can do your own math to find out how much that would cost!.

There are two main ways to reach Pahalgam. The outward journey we recommend is via the district city Anantnag, the return journey via a so called Apple Valley (and we would add “Walnut Valley”). Though about 10km longer (expect a total distance of about 100km). going through Anantnag will give you the opportunity to view the countryside from a different perspective and you could also 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.

When you reach Anantnag consider have a stop-over and also lunch. Before arriving in Pahalgam, this would be the best 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, they can be seen on a hill right side off the main KP road. It dates back to the 8^th century AD and is dedicated to the Hindu sun deity called Surya. From that location onwards you will travel beside a canal on your right 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.

Just before you reach Pahalgam, you will come to a road toll check post (municipal toll plaza): welcome to Pahalgam!

Upon reaching your Volga hotel which is located directly at the main market in Pahalgam, 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 will 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 would be around 45 minutes (17 km) from Pahalgam. You may have observed already 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 can take towards the beautiful but wild river Lidder. The small village is basically known for the starting point of the annual festival so called Amarnath Yatra, a Hindu pilgrimage to a cave located about 26km away from Chandanwadi. During July snf August this place is usually very busy. Until May you will probably see some snow. Locals will offer you a ride on a self-made wooden sledge at the hill that goes up steep hill across the river. Other than that, ponies of course are waiting for their customers and last but not least the beautiful scenery is to be admired. Along the footpath toward the river you can usually find some tent stalls offering souvenirs and basic food/drinks.

When you’re ready, ask your taxi driver to take you to your next destination: Betaab Valle. It is located about 20 minutes away and you already passed it on your way to Chandanwadi. There are certainly some spectacular  spots to pause at 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 good walk into the valley. There is an entry fee to pay at a booth on your right before passing the gate. Depending on the season, the more recent attraction is a zip-line that goes across this river. Otherwise, walk along the path, cross the bridge and keep left alongside 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 when you arrive. This valley became even more famous due to its appearance in some Bollywood movies. In fact, it is said to have the same name as the 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, about another 20 minutes ride. After you have refreshed yourself, enjoy your dinner at Volga Hotel!

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

Day 02: Pahalgam to Aru Valley and Meadows / Lidderwat

When you get 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 today.

Before you get started: Please wear good footgear/clothing today – this would be especially true if you prefer to hike rather than using a pony to reach your destination “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: get some basic snacks/food in Aru Valley, but if you want to make sure, you can also arrange supplies for your lunch and the snacks you require before you start today’s trip. Usually restaurants offer take-aways too, or get some “finger-food-type” to carry you through the day. Please take 2 liters of mineral water with you. Do take something which you can share with your guide; that would be a very kind gesture indeed.

Your first destination will 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, you will probably be offered ponies as soon as you get out of your taxi. Either manage this yourself or you can kindly ask your driver to help you get a pony – if you intend to ride one at all. What you definitely need, at the very least, is a local guide. You could also arrange to take a guide and a horse which could take care then of your luggage and serve as “emergency transport” in case you can’t manage to walk anymore – or worst case for instance, twist your ankle.

Depending on your situation, you may want to ask for a toilet stop here, as this is the last opportunity before you reach the open woods. Please collect all your rubbish and never throw it away in the open countryside. Leave the place in a better way than when you found it.

You will then hike/ride steeply uphill from Aru toward an area called “Green Top”. Not much further on you will be able to 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 scenic meadows. Do take time every now and then for a short break to enjoy this unique breathtaking scenery. You will also pprobably 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 known as “Valley of the Shepherds”.

In order to reach the camp site “Lidderwat”, which consists literally of a wooden hut, on the left of the river, you need to cross the river at least once – we hope, via an intact bridge :).

Take a longer break of about an hour at Lidderwat site with a rest and snacks/refreshments and again enjoy this breathtaking scenery.

Then get ready for your return journey – use the same path in reverse.

Try to call your taxi driver once you get closer or when you reach “Green Top” to tell him your estimated time of arrival. Your driver will then take you from Aru back to Volga Hotel in Pahalgam. After getting refreshed, 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 if required accordingly.

Your return trip will be slightly different compared to your trip to Pahalgam. Since Kashmir is also famous for its delicious apples and walnuts it would be sad to miss out on the opportunity to visit the respective growing areas. You will cross the Lidder River again and follow it for some time. On your way you will first spot the walnut trees. September marks the harvesting seasons for 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. In order to buy a full box or a few fresh ones only, the month of October will work 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 road. During harvest season lots of trucks are parked beside this road. Soon after the “Apple Valley” you will reach a town called Bijbehara which marks the entry point to the new National Highway (NH 44) which you used on your way to Pahalgam. Just in case you were not able to get your box of apples at the “Apple Valley”, this is the place you want to look out now before you reach a little colony on both of the NH 44 called Sangam. After Sangam cross the Jhelum River again and this is the starting point where you could get a good bargain for a cricket bat. You will have noticed already 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 from Hyderpora Flyover, on the right side. Hyderpora Flyover is the crossroad where you would exit left to the airport road, which is familiar to almost anyone, and about 5km from the airport.

Your driver will drop you at the airport – but we hope you will not forget the splendid memories of your holiday with Sontrips :).

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