Pulwama

With a number of charming landscapes, Rajouri is one of the famous tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir. The place is associated with ancient times and legend of Mahabharata as it was a part of the kingdom of Panchal. The city name literally means the land of kings and situated on the foothills of Pir Panjal range.It has various tourist places like Rajouri Fort, Gurdwara Chhati Padshahi, Balidan Bhavan, Rama Temple, Jama Masjid and Shiv Mandir. For the thrill-seekers there are a number of treks which can be enjoyed from Rajouri to see the untouched beauty of Kashmir. Other scenic spots not to miss here are Dehra ki Gali, Law Bawli, Darhal Malkan etc.Highlights: Trekking, scenic beauty, mythological relevance, historical site etc.

One of the most popular religious places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir, Vaishno Devi draws in millions of devotees. Vaishno Devi is believed to be a trio of three Goddesses: Mahalaxmi, Mahasaraswati, and Mahakali, in Hindu mythology.The shrine is dedicated to Goddess Durga and has a holy cave where people come to pay their respects. It is a famous site to undertake a religious trek which involves an uphill climb of about 13 kms. The trek can be completed on foot in 6-9 hours or one can use helicopter services/ ride on a horse to reach the shrine on the top. The trail is filled with a number of shops that sell a variety of snacks and refreshments along with religious souvenirs here.Highlights: Religious site, trekking, scenic views, photography etc.

With its panoramic locales and prominent tourist sites, Patnitop is one of the must visit tourist places in Jammu and Kashmir. It is located in the Lower Himalayan Range and enthralls everyone with its scenic views of Chenab basin and Pir Panjal valley. A delight for nature lovers, it has various meadows where you can enjoy picnics with your loved ones.With the snow in winters, it promises a thrilling escape as you can indulge in a number of adventure activities in Patnitop. The place is an ideal getaway for skiing and trekking enthusiasts. Moreover, tourists here can enjoy visiting places like Batote, natural freshwater springs and savour Kashmiri food at the famous dhabas of Patnitop.Highlights: Hill station, nature views, horse riding, trekking, photography etc.

Considered as one of the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Amarnath Cave is considered an important pilgrimage site by the Hindus. It is famous for the strenuous Amarnath yatra which begins in Chandanwari and usually held between June to August.The cave is believed to be the place where the secret of life and eternity was revealed by Lord Shiva to Goddess Parvati according to a legend. Inside the cave, one can see the Shiva Lingam along with two other ice formations depicting Goddess Parvati and Shiva’s son Ganesha. It also offers a serene escape as tourists here get enchanted with the luxurious views of nature. This is a 5000-year-old shrine and one of the unmissable places to see in Jammu and Kashmir for Hindus.Highlights: Religious importance, scenic beauty, trekking.

Surrounded by lush green valleys, Kupwara is one of the most beautiful places to see in Jammu and Kashmir. It boasts of having lush forests and luxuriant vegetation which makes it a delight for nature lovers. Adding to the surreal ambience of nature, Kupwara enchants the visitors with its verdant meadows and crystal-clear lakes.There are also breathtaking valleys which are home to the most rare and exotic wildlife in Kashmir. Some of the must visit places in Kupwara are Seemab Valley, Lolab, Bungus Valley, Sadhna Pass View Point etc.Highlights: Scenic beauty, photography, nature etc.

Situated in the foothills of Himalayas, Akhnoor is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Jammu and Kashmir on the banks of Chenab River. It is believed that it has the caves where Pandavas stayed during the time of their exile. It boasts of many historical places to visit and draws in tourists from all over the world.It is near to the famous Parashurama temple where Parashurama Jayanti is organized with great fervor in Kashmir. It is also famous for having a beautiful park which is a scenic respite for all nature lovers near the banks of Chenab. Another prominent attraction of this city is the famous Akhnoor Fort where you can indulge in sightseeing and photography.

Rather, the most sought after tourist destination is Pangong Tso in Ladakh region. It is the highest among the high altitude lakes in India which is filled with saline water but provides some awe-struck moments to the visitors with the unbelievable phenomenon of changing colours quite a number of times a day.The reflections of the towering Himalayan peaks in the water add more charm to the lake. Currently, Pangong Tso is the favourite location for tourists as the banks of the lake give soothing bed to relax and the nearby places are enhanced by the beauty of this particular lake. The quiet lake is 134 km in length and 5 km in width is situated at an altitude of 14270 meters. But the major share of the lake lies in the area of China. Now, its recognition is spread everywhere in the world because it is termed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.The highly saline water does not accommodate any water species not even micro-organisms. But the banks of the lake give space for several birds and animals very rarely seen in the other parts of India. It is an important breeding ground for many migratory birds as well.Height: The lake is located at an altitude of 4250 meters above sea level.Location: Pangong Tso is easily accessible as it can be reached after a five-hour drive from Leh and the travel would be on a rough and dramatic mountain road. You will cross the villages of Shey and Gya during the tour and go through Chang La as well.Best time to visit: The months from May to September are the ideal time to visit the lake as the other seasons may cause challenges due to the heavy snowfall.

Something divine makes Nubra Valley close to heart and it is not an exaggeration but a fact that experienced and shared by the countless tourists visited the paradisiacal location in Jammu and Kashmir. Without touching the spectacular roads of Nubra Valley, a Ladakh tour will not be complete. The tri-armed valley has Diskit Village as its capital. Ldumra, a magnificent name is the original name of the valley as the local scholars insist. Ldumra means Valley of Flowers. The large valley is formed after the merging of Shyok River with Nubra or Siachen River causing the separation of the Ladakh and the Karakoram Ranges. The valley is located 10000 feet that is 3048 meters above mean sea level and those who cross the Khardung La Pass can easily come to Nubra Valley from Leh.Except for the river beds, every other place in the valley shows scant vegetation and low precipitation levels. Most of the villages in the valley are occupied by Nubra skat speakers and in the villages, one can find lush greenery and farming which happen through the regular irrigation. Diskit is the place where native people are seen in abundance and Diskit Monastery is the centre of attraction as well. The Shyok River flowing on one side of Diskit has a captivating effect on the visitors. Nubra Valley unwinds a lot of surprising sights when you visit it and an unbelievable fact is that the valley was open to the public till Hunder until 2010. Beyond Hunder, it was the greener region in the lower altitude where the Turtuk village exists. Till 2010, the Government did not allow tourists to mesmerize themselves in the magnificent beauty of Turtuk where numerous apricot trees and other vegetation along with the tribal community were preserved as a virgin.Height: 3048 meters above the sea levelLocation: The paradisiacal Nubra Valley is located at a distance of 140 km from Leh and the main road access to the valley is through Khardung La pass where you have to show the photocopies of your travel permit to the soldiers camping.Best time to visit: The months from June to September is the perfect period to visit Nubra ValleyTo see the pure, rugged face of nature, One must visit Ladakh once in their lifetime.