Most unexplored destinations in the Kashmir Valley

The mercury is rising everyday. Here are a few offbeat places in Kashmir you can escape to.

Kashmir. For years this part of the country has been referred to as ‘Heaven on Earth.’ And the moment we hear the name, we are quick to picturise Srinagar’s Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Shankaracharya Temple and some of the other common destinations within the state of Jammu and Kashmir. But the real beauty of this valley lies in its unexplored and offbeat destinations. Hidden deep within the depths of the alpine mountains, these places look more like destinations outside India.

Renowned Bollywood actress Shabana Azmi recently tweeted a beautiful picture of a beautiful village in Kashmir, where she is shooting for her upcoming movie, titled Idgah. Just take a look at it:

Now, we understand how you must be craving to escape to such a destination. Especially with the heat taking a toll on us. We have compiled a list some of the most unexplored destinations in Kashmir. Read on, and plan your own trip to one of these place:

Chatpal
If quietude is what you are looking for, Chatpal is the place to be. Surrounded by nothing but towering lush green alpine mountains, the clear blue skies and bright sunshine brightens up the freshness of this place in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. The untouched natural beauty, coupled with the constant sound of a an ever-flowing stream making its way through the rocks, the bird calls and the rustling leaves of beautiful pine trees make this place a perfect place to simply sit back in silence and soak in the charms of Kashmir’s mountains.

Reach: In order to reach Chatpal, one needs to travel through the Anantnag-Chitergul road. Shared jeeps are available from Achabal to Chitergul. From Chitergul, one needs to hire a special jeep to reach Chatpal.

Stay: The Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) has a fully furnished tourist bungalow here.

Daksum
Located at an altitude of about 8,000 feet, Daksum is a picturesque hamlet in the middle Bhringi River Valley, right ahead of the Mughal Gardens of Achabal. Being at the base of a snow-laden mountain pass called Sinthan Pass, Daksum is surrounded by a lush coniferous forest and a flowing stream created by the melting of the glacier. Wooden huts lined up along the stream add to the charm of the place. It’s a place for those who like to spend time in solitude and in conversation with nature. April to September is the best time to visit Daksum.

Reach: Daksum can be reached by cabs hired from Srinagar, which is 99 km away.

Stay: A JKTDC bungalow is the only stay option in this place.

Warwan Valley
Named after the beautiful Warwan River, this place is a gem for nature lovers. Perched within the depths of a breathtaking landscape, this is located in Kishtwar district at an altitude of 7,000 feet between the main Kashmir Valley and Ladakh. So you can imagine how beautiful this place can be. Whichever direction you look at, this place has ample of breathtaking vistas–while on one hand there are lofty snow-clad peaks, on the other there are the pastoral greens with the occasional flock of sheep grazing on it. Back in the 1980s, this place used to be popular among foreign tourists. The moonlit nights are beautiful with the soothing sound of flowing streams and a sky full of stars–it is one of the best places to see catch glimpses of the milky way. The best time to visit Warwan is between May and October.

Reach: Warwan Valley is located in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir and is a three-hour drive from Anantnag. Although the Vailoo-Inshan Road is there, one needs a 4×4 vehicle to reach this place.

Stay: The Inshan Village offers comfortable accommodation options, including a Forest Rest House and local homestays run by warm locals.

Gurez
Located about 123 km from Srinagar at an altitude of close to 8,000 feet, Gurez served as the gateway to the ancient Silk Route. The place is known for the beautiful Neelum River that flows through the valley. Adventure lovers can go rafting on the clear blue waters of this river. Abundant with scenic surroundings, Gurez serves as a vantage point for viewing some of the most amazing peaks of the Kashmir Valley, including the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon Peak, named after the famous Kashmiri poetess. Gurez also provides shelter to an exotic wildlife population, including snow leopards and brown bears.

Reach: Gurez is 86 km from Bandipore, and 123 km from Srinagar.

Stay: A number of tented accommodation options and local homestays are available in Gurez. Besides, small hotels are there in Dawar and other nearby villages.

Bhaderwah
Although Bhaderwah is one of the lesser-known places of Kashmir, it is popular among adventure junkies. Like other mountain villages, this place is also home to picture-perfect landscapes and stunning views; but at the same time, there are plenty of adventure activities on offer, including paragliding, skiing, mountaineering, rafting, rock climbing or even angling.

Reach: Udhampur (120 km) is the major railhead from Bhaderwah. The place is about 200 km from Jammu and can be easily reached by road.

Stay: There are plenty of both private and government accommodation options in Bhaderwah.