'''Pahalgam''' is a city in India. Heaven on Earth. A Small place of 2-3 km but you can spend a week without getting bored.

Get in

Taxi from Srinagar Airport or town centre to should be Rs 2,200 and is a 2 1/2 hour trip one way. From Jammu is 8 hours to get Pahalgam.

For budget travellers, the cheapest way to reach Pahalgam is to travel to Jammu by rail and then catch a share taxi (4WD Sumo or Minibus) from the Jammu bus stand to Srinagar which costs Rs. 200-400 pp and get off at Khanabal. This journey takes 6-7 hours. Within Khanabal district, catch a three-wheeler auto to Anantnag Sumo stand (Rs. 30 for an auto) from where you should be able to get another 4WD share Sumo to Pahalgam for Rs. 40-50 per person which drops you off at the Pahalgam Sumo stand in approximately 1-1.5 hours.

These rates vary from season to season with extreme rates in peak season (Mid-April to June). For those without any budget constraints, another option is to hire a personal Sumo from Jammu bus stand to Pahalgam for Rs. 3400 (March 2008). A hired sumo from Anantnag to Pahalgam costs Rs. 500-700 (March 2008)

Sometimes the localites confuse the word Share taxi with a hired taxi. So its easier to explain it to them by saying that you want to travel in a "Service ''gaadi''".

Buses also ply from Jammu bus stand to Pahalgam but they are very uncomfortable and take more time (12-14 hours). The rates are around Rs. 150-200.

Get around

Getting around Pahalgam is done mostly by walking, taxi and ponies.

See

There are 3-4 sights to be seen like Baisaran, ChandanWadi, Aru.

Other tourist spots include the fisheries, Bobby hut, Golfcourse, Amusement park. These places can even be covered by a pony ride but its better to walk.

Do

  • '''Amarnath Yatra''' The holy pilgrimage to the Shiva Lingam this year starts in June 2007 and runs for 2 months. This yearly pilgrimage starts in Pahalgam and takes 3 days. Pilgrims take a taxi 16 km to Chandiwari then they walk or take a pony to the cave and back which takes at least 2 days with an overnight stay in either Shishnag or Panchtarni. It is a trip not for the faint hearted as it is quite arduous though the faithful in their devotion to Shiva push on regardless and always make it.
  • Pahalgam offers lots of '''treks''': Aru Valley, Kohli Glacier, Tarsar Lake, Chandiwari and Leh. The road to Ladakh is now open after winter so jeep safaris and camping trips to Leh, Pahalgam offers Fishing.
  • *Go for a '''pony ride''' to Kashmir Valley, Dabian and Baisaran where you can even have a picnic. Make sure to carry food and water along with you. Pony rides cost Rs. 300 in off-season (Feb-Mar) and can even go as high as Rs. 1500 in peak season (May-July)
  • '''Shooting the rapids''' Pahalgam offers white water rafting trips down the Lidder River. It is a beautiful trip winding down the Lidder River through the natural forests and down the exhilarating rapids.
  • * <do name="Himalaya Fun 'n' Tours " alt="" address="" directions="" phone="" email="info@himalayafunandtours.com " fax="" url="" hours="The season for rafting is May to August and the trips go for 30 minutes and approximately 3 km. " price="">White Water Rafting can be booked in advance by email. Each boat takes 6 passengers with 2 rafting guides with helmets and life jackets provided. No experience is required as all training provided. </do>
  • * <do name="Mountain Magic Trek,n,Tours " alt="" address="Lari Pora Pahalgam Kashmir 192126" directions="Just after Lari Pora" phone="01936 243255/211076" email="" fax="" url="http://www.mountainmagictours.com/" hours="" price="">Enjoy White Water Rafting.
  • Kashmir is known not only for its natural beauty but a number of other things also. One of them is adventure tourism. In fact, adventure tourism in Kashmir is one of the major draws for the tourists. An array of options exists in the valley for the adventure loving visitors. Some of the places in the valley where the adventure sports facilities are available are Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam, Drass, etc. The mountain ranges as well as the gushing rivers of the valley provide abundant opportunities for adventure tourism in Kashmir.

    The challenge of the turbulent rivers is no less than that of the rugged mountains. The icy heights of the Himalayas are the source of some of India's mighty rivers. Fed by innumerable streams they race along tortuous boulder strewn beds, cutting deep gorges and breaking into silvery white rapids.

    With the intricate network of mountain rivers flowing through a myriad of different colours of rocky gorges, forests, flowers and high mountain villages, the Lidder River Pahalgam provide ideal locales for the perfect water adventure.

    The sport of white water river rafting calls for a triumph over the swift swirling river as it gushes past spectacular mountains. It is practised mainly in the upper reaches where the water is wild and white as it frothes and foams, crashing against narrow gorges, rocky outcrops and falls at deep gradients.

    As with trekking, mountaineering and other sports, river rafting too has been classified and graded in terms of degrees of difficulty. The suitable period for river running depends on the adequacy of water volume. Thus April to September are most appropriate. The equipment required is ordinary outdoor gear, goggles, antiseptic cream and a liking for getting wet

    Conditions of Travel

    Your place is reserved on receipt of your booking. If tours are cancelled on grounds of safety you will receive a voucher to the value of the tour (this does not include travel costs). Please inform our staff of any health problems or if you have limited swimming abilities. White-water activities are not suitable for pregnant women. We cannot be held responsible for loss of valuables or glasses. Route changes, price changes and changes to exchange rates may occur. Minimum ages must be respected. Insurance is the responsibility of passengers Please understand that in the event of your cancellation you will be charged any costs incurred by us Alternatively, you can nominate somebody else to travel in your place at no charge. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that for insurance purposes hydrospeed / Riverboogie may be considered a risk activity that may result in a reduction of your insurance cover or may not be covered at all. Important

    Cancellations and changes of bookings can only be accepted by telephone during office hours from 9.00 AM to 12.00 AM and 14.00 PM to 18.00 PM.</do>

    Buy

    Pahalgam has many shops offering all things from Kashmir like, shawls, carpets, clothing with the unique chain-stitch embroidery and farens (long woollen ponchos unique to Kashmir). There are also two banks with atm machines for withdrawing cash.

    Eat

    Pahalgam has many restaurants, dhabas and coffee shops and all the hotels and guest houses have their own restaurants.

  • '''Nathu Rasoi''' is a budget restaurant (dhaba) specialising in North Indian food. It is highly recommended by the locals, although it opens only during the peak season.
  • '''Dana Pani''' is a vegetarian restaurant serving delicious North Indian food at cheap rates (Rs. 100-150 pp in off season). Fixed meals come at Rs. 75.
  • '''Punjabi Rasoi'''' is next to the Nathu Rasoi.
  • Drink

    Sleep

  • '''Himalaya House''', Laripora Road, tel. +91-1936-243072, [http://www.himalayafunandtours.com/]. Himalaya House is a small Guest House situated right on the River Lidder foreshore in Laripora with beautiful views of the surrounding pine forests and mountains. Laripora is 5 minutes by taxi or a 20 minute walk into the centre of Pahalgam. Rooms start at Rs 1,000. Packages of room, room and breakfast or room and full board are available. Internet access is available in this guest house.
  • '''Hotel Noor Mahal''', Close to Main Market-Tourist Office, Pahalgam. Tel. 094149532530, 09906886742, +91-1936-210612. Fax. +91-1936-243227. Very clean and comfortable rooms available at Rs. 350-400 (Feb-Mar) and Rs. 1000-2000 (May-June).
  • '''Hotel Brown Palace''', Lari Pora Pahalgam,tel.+91-1936-243255. [http://www.brownpalace.in/]. The place is ideally located with the lidder river running past it in the front. The hotel building is from early 70s - the rooms are varied, the furnishings are comfortable , some rooms are unsuited. The in-house restaurant specializes in home cooked meals, both western and Indian. The hotel includes modern amenities including hot showers, clean cozy rooms with great views, and a quiet location 15 minutes walk from the city.
  • Contact

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