Pahalgam(90kms) situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag and the Lidder streams. Once a humble shepherd’s village, it is now Kashmir’s one of the premier summer resort, cool even during the height of summer. It also provides facilities for skiing, and works on an Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports is already underway. Skiing courses are conducted at Patnitop in the months of January and February. During the winter months, there are introductory courses for visitors / beginners at the gentle gradient slopes of Patnitop. At Madhotop (5 Kms from Patnitop on Sanasar Road), excellent possibilities for all kind of skiing exist.

Pahalgam is not only a hill-station. It is a recreation resort. It is like going into the lap of nature to do so many things - one of the best - that "do-nothing". Here you can have a romantic trip with your beloved, a get together with you family, and have what they call a 'quality' family time. Also you can indulge yourself in doing those little interesting things with the family and kids, like take a pony ride, just picnic next to a beautiful river, just lie down under the sun next to your 'hut' with fresh breeze blowing, and read a book. Go to a cozy market and have a cup of coffee, or eat normal not-cooked-at-home food, or shop some of the exquisite of Kashmiri handicraft.

The resort is surrounded by many places of interest, the best being the upland meadow of Baisaran. Hajan, on the way to the Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for picnics. And Mamal, one of the eight tiny villages of Pahalgam, has a 5th century Shiva Temple. Chandanwari, 16 km from Pahalgam is the starting point for the annual Amarnath Yatra held in summer. The Amarnath Cave, houses an ice stalagmite in the shape of a natural Shivling, which waxes and wanes with the moon.

Getting there

Pahalgam is accessible from road, unless you can find a way to travel in a copter. There is, of course, no train connectivity either. If you are driving from Jammu, you can decide to go to Pahalgam some 45 kms before Srinagar (at Khanabal). Or you can fly into Srinagar, or drive first to Srinagar and then drive to Pahalgam - which is 96 kms away. It can take 2-3 hours.

Government buses leave for Srinagar (Rs 120, two hours) at 4pm and Jammu (Rs 250, 12 to 14 hours) at 8am, but only if there are enough tourists. Private buses to Srinagar (Rs 42) leave three times a day, or take a local bus to Ananatnag (Rs 20, one hour) and change.