Pahalgam
From Wikitravel
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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Get around
Getting around Pahalgam is done mostly by walking, taxi and ponies. Ponies are avaialbe at officially published rates everywhere - Main market, Laripora, Aru, etc. Aru can be reached by taxi for an onward treck to Lidderwat, Kolohoi Glaciers, etc.
Aru is a great place to stay in - in the lap of nature. Options for stay here are rather limited though.
[edit][add listing] 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.
[edit][add listing] 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. 550 in off-season [Kashmir Valley, Dabian and Baisaran ] (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.
- Himalaya Fun 'n' Tours, (info@himalayafunandtours.com). The season for rafting is May to August and the trips go for 30 minutes and approximately 3 km.. 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. edit
- Mountain Magic Trek,n,Tours, Lari Pora Pahalgam Kashmir 192126 (Just after Lari Pora), ☎ 01936 243255/211076, [1]. Enjoy White Water Rafting. edit
[edit][add listing] 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.
[edit][add listing] 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) [Rs. 50 for a Masala Dosa]. Fixed meals come at Rs. 75. Kulfi is a must try in this restro.
- Punjabi Rasoi' is next to the Nathu Rasoi.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- Himalaya House, Laripora Road, tel. +91-1936-243072, [2]. 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. [3]. 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.
[edit] Contact
[edit] Get out
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