5 Offbeat Places in Kashmir everybody is talking about!

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It isn’t just because of the appealing landscapes of Kashmir that they call it “Heaven on earth”. Kashmir has much more to offer. Whether you are an adrenaline rusher or an enthusiast of nature, there is one thing for everyone that this epitome of India has to offer to its visitors. Situated at the northern head of India, Kashmir deceits huddled between the snow-clad mountains and shining green valleys. Its incomparable charming beauty earned it the title of ‘Heaven on Earth’.

The valley of Kashmir is rich in history, culture, and natural phenomena on one side, and is a political controversy on the other side. The spicy taste of native cuisines, different types of teas, trekking, staying on houseboats, and visiting many holy shrines are favorable things tourists would love to do. The native textiles and craftsmanship are quite famous and thus shopping here are good.

Kashmir is a state located at the top of North India and it is usually in the headlines not because of its spectacular beauty but because of the frequent conflicts happening in the state. As expressed earlier that we, despite the sceptical nature of our near and dear ones, went to explore Kashmir tourist places.

We all know that Kashmir is called a “Paradise on Earth” and for most of us, Kashmir is Love. From the heavenly hills to unearthly meadows and snow-capped mountains to exotic valleys this piece of heaven has everything. So apart from the touristy locations, here are the top 5 offbeat places in Kashmir you definitely can’t miss during your trip to the valley.

TOP 5 OFFBEAT PLACES IN KASHMIR

Yusmarg

Yusmarg, known as the “Jesus Meadow” is one of the spectacular places in Kashmir located at an altitude of 7500 ft above sea level in the Pir Panjal Mountain Range. It is said that Lord Jesus stayed here for several days savoring the heavenly beauty of the state. The entire region is full of rolling green meadows, rich vegetation, dense forests, towering hills, and snow-clad mountains that will take your breath away. The region is also a perfect spot for camping and horse riding. During the winter season, you can also go skiing here.

Chatpal

Another place to visit in Kashmir is Chatpal located towards the south. This is a place that is quite similar to Pahalgam, as the entire region is covered with rolling hills and forests. It’s a small paradise in Kashmir where a lot of crowds are not seen as it is not a regular touristy spot. It’s a perfect spot if you are looking for a place far away from the crowd, peaceful and amidst nature. The untouched natural beauty, coupled with the constant sound of an ever-flowing stream and the rustling leaves of beautiful pine trees make this place one of the best offbeat destinations in Kashmir.

Doodhpathari

Doodhpathari or the valley of milk is defining one of our favorite places to visit in Kashmir. It’s a hill station with lush green meadows located close to Srinagar. Located at a staggering altitude of 8,957 feet above sea level, this entire region is covered with snow-capped mountains. Gorgeous meadows of pine, fir, and cedar cover the valley. This place is inaccessible during winters but during spring and summers, the entire meadow is covered with daisies, forget-me-nots, and butter cups. It’s such a gorgeous sight to witness that anyone who visits this place is going to fall in love with it.

Daksum

One of Kashmir’s trekker’s and nature lovers’ paradise is Daksum which is located at an altitude of about 8000 feet. It is marked as one of Kashmir‘s offbeat and undiscovered jewels located in the middle of Bhringi River Valley. Daksum is surrounded by lush coniferous forest and a flowing stream created by the melting of the glacier. On top of this, you will see a lot of wooden huts lined up along the stream. Daksum is a place for those who like to spend time amidst nature in solitude.

Kokernag

It won’t be wrong if I say that every time we visit Kashmir we discover a new place. One of such discovery was Kokernag – a place wishing will compel you to stay in Kashmir for ever. Kokernag is a hidden gem of the Anantnag district which houses the biggest trout fishery of Asia. This place is home to varieties of plants and flowers and for non-vegetarians Kokernag is a paradise. You can visit this place throughout the year but if you wish to avoid the chilling weather then the best time would be from July to September.

If given a chance we would have loved to visit this piece of heaven once in every month. However, due to extreme climatic conditions visiting Kashmir during a few months is not possible. You have to plan your vacation time here and that depends on what you wish to see and experience. You might want to simply relax and enjoy the lush greenery of this region during the summers. Or you might be a winter person who enjoys the snow and the cold during winters.

Best time to visit Kashmir

From March to June is the Summer season in Kashmir where one can enjoy the lush green meadows and pristine natural beauty of this region. The weather is very pleasant and the temperature remains between 15°C to 30°C. Summer is the perfect time for exploring the gorgeous valley of Sonmarg, witness the popular Tulip Festival, take a ride on Dal Lake and indulge in adventure trekking to the alluring trails of Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.

Monsoon season starts from July to September during which you can witness the Apple picking activity in Kashmir. During Monsoons Kashmir also receives heavy rainfall.

For those who love cold and snow, October to February is the right time for you to visit Kashmir. This is the time to witness snowfall as the entire Kashmir Valley is covered with a snow blanket. This is also the best time for skiing activities.

Getting around in Kashmir

Once you have reached Kashmir traveling inside this region is very easy. There are taxis available which will take you to where ever you wish to go and there are mini busses too if you wish to travel on them. In fact, buses are the most commonly used means of transport in Kashmir. These mini buses travel across the city as well as some of the suburban areas too. Should you wish to travel at the comfort of your own car you can hire a self-drive car too.

During the past and even today, many tourists have reservations about visiting Kashmir. This is mainly due to the civil unrest and the violence that this beautiful place faces time and again. Many times the region has also been declared off-limits to tourists on a number of occasions however as soon as the situations get back to normal you see thousands of tourists flocking back into the region. No matter what the situation is in Kashmir but once you witness the beauty of this region you will always come back for more. And we really hope you liked our list of the offbeat places in Kashmir to visit!