“Top 25 Things to do in Kashmir : From Houseboats to Hidden Valleys”

1. Stay in a Houseboat on Dal Lake

The ultimate Kashmiri experience begins on the tranquil waters of Dal Lake. Staying in a wooden houseboat adorned with Kashmiri craftsmanship allows you to experience the life of royalty. Each morning you will awake to a view of floating gardens, lotus blooms, and shikaras canoeing their way past your window.

2. Go on a Shikara Ride on Dal Lake

Gliding peacefully along on a shikara ride, Dal Lake reflects the majestic mountains surrounding it, and it’s a great way to enjoy Srinagar’s beauty while shopping from floating shops on the lake.

3. Visit Mughal Gardens in Srinagar

You can still feel the legacy of the Mughal emperors in Srinagar’s splendid gardens. Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi are in full bloom with flowers in spring and summer and are such beautiful backdrops for photos.

4. Visit the Tulip Garden in Spring

In April each year, Asia’s largest tulip garden blooms with a variety of colors. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a beautiful sight to visit in spring, if you can.

5. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola

The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest cable cars in the world, as you take it above snow-covered peaks and alpine forests. In winter, it’s the entrance to skiing slopes, and in summer, it’s the entrance to meadows of flowers.

6. Skiing in Gulmarg

If you love adventure, skiing in Gulmarg is one of the best things to do in the winter. Tree skips, powdery snow, professional trainers, and pristine inclines proclaim it a ski haven for international travelers.

7. Trek to Thajiwas Glacier in Sonmarg

A short trek can take you from Sonmarg to the glistening Thajiwas Glacier— a snowy wonderland adorned with waterfalls and pine forests. You can also take pony rides if you prefer traveling comfortable.

8. Stroll Around Betaab Valley in Pahalgam

Betaab Valley is well-publicized in Bollywood films—even a veil of celebrity can’t undermine its draw to tourists. The captivating meadows, rivers, and snow-capped hills will keep your Instagram feed buzzing with pictures of your family picnic.

9. Rafting the Lidder River

Adventure enthusiasts have the option of river rafting in Lidder River, located near Pahalgam. There is tremendous excitement as the rapids fill every ride with just the right mix of exhilaration and an outlet of safe adventure.

10. Access Aru Valley

Aru Valley takes you to an alpine meadow and a serene travel destination for horse riding, camping, and trekking. Aru Valley isn’t as popular as Pahalgam—far less tourist activity means you won’t be disturbed.

11. Discovering the Golden Chinars

In autumn Kashmir is magical as chinar trees paint a spectacular color pattern of crimson and gold. Walking through tree-lined streets of Srinagar can often feel like you are when you walk through a painting.

12. Buy Pashmina Shawls and Carpets

Kashmir creates some of the best handicrafts in the world. At local shops, you can buy authentic pashmina shawls, silk carpets, papier-mâché products, and walnut wood carving.

13. Experience the Famous Wazwan Feast

The Kashmiri Wazwan is a multi-course meal, but it’s about more than just eating. It’s an art form. Dishes like Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, and Yakhni demonstrate the complexities of food culture in the valley.

14. Drink Kahwa and Noon Chai

Relish Kahwa, which is tea infused with saffron, dry fruits and almonds; or Noon Chai, a singular salty pink tea. Kahwa and Noon Chai are indispensable to Kashmiri traditions of hospitality.

15. Trek the Great Lakes of Kashmir

For serious trekkers, Kashmir’s Great Lakes trek is a once in a lifetime experience. The 7-day trek meets all of the requirements of an alpine trekking experience: breathtaking views, varied terrain, alpine lakes (Vishansar, Gadsar, Nundkol) and surrounded by the mighty Himalayas.

16. Check Out Yusmarg Meadows

Known as the “Meadow of Jesus,” Yusmarg is a serene area flanked by mountains and dense pine forests; it’s an ideal location for day trips and picnics.

17. See Doodhpathri Valley

Doodhpathri is untouched and beautifully green while the streams are milky white, offering a lovely escape. Since Doodhpathri isn’t on the tourist radar, it feels incredibly special.

18. Explore the wonders of Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley is off the BEATEN path, with its richness of natural and cultural beauty, traditional wooden architecture, unique Dard culture, and a sense of adventure.

19. Visit Saffron Fields of Pampore

Visit Pampore during autumn and enjoy the saffron in full bloom along with the beauty there. Witnessing the harvesting of saffron, which is the most expensive spice in the world, is a rare and unique experience.

20. Attend the Tulip Festival

In April, the annual Tulip Festival is celebrated with sanguine festivities and cultural shows and thousands of blooming tulips in spring. It is a fun time for families and youth!

21. Experience Paragliding in Sonmarg, Harwan

For the best mountain views in Kashmir, look no further than paragliding soaring above the meadows and the rivers. It’s a thrilling experience that you surely won’t forget.

22. Go for Spiritual Tour

Kashmir is filled with shrines and ancient temples. For example, visit the Hazratbal shrine, Shankaracharya temple or Shah Hamdan mosque to get an appreciation of what the spiritual richness of the valley is like.

23. Go Horse Riding in Pahalgam

Horse riding will mean skirting through the pine forests and valleys on your trusty steeds. The horse would be a sensible way of traversing Kashmir’s rugged landscape.

24. Go Trout Fishing

Many of the rivers and lakes in Kashmir are filled with trout. Trout fishing in the Lidder River or Vishansar lake in winter can be tranquil and rewarding.

25. Stay in a Mountain Camp

A camping trip in Kashmir, whether it is in the Aru Valley, or Sonmarg, or right beside an alpine lake will allow you to embrace the totality of nature away from the encroaching air from civilization , under the vast “stony relaxing” night sky saturated with the Himalayan stars.