Jammu & Kashmir tourism offers a wide range of activities to the tourists, ranging from sightseeing its natural beauty, pilgrimage & heritage tourist spots, to adventure activities like trekking and mountain biking.
Jammu & Kashmir, located in the Pir Panjal ranges of the Indian Himalayas, has the perfect kind of topography that lets tourists enjoy a variety of activities. Every destination in Jammu & Kashmir has a lot of activities in their tourism bucket list where tourists make their holidays memorable for lifetime.
There are also ample opportunities for leisure for family travellers like heritage sightseeing and other exciting activities that provide both fun & relaxation like boating, photography, visiting the hill stations, museums & exploring the beautiful gardens. Some of the top adventure things to do in Jammu & Kashmir to try out are skiing, mountaineering, river rafting, skiing, paragliding, trekking & mountain biking.
List of Best Things to Do in Jammu & Kashmir
Shikara Ride : Capturing the beauty of Srinagar in lens on the slow movements of Dal and Nagin Lakes through Shikara rides is one of the most relaxing aspects of holidays in Jammu and Kashmir. The views of colourful houseboats and shikaras on the banks of lakes add hues to the surrounding charm and tranquility.
Trekking : There are many things to do and enjoy in Jammu & Kashmir but nothing can be more challenging and exciting than trekking. Kashmir Great Lakes, Vishansar Naranag Trek, Naranag Gangabal Trek, Pahalgam Tarsar Marsar Trek are some of the most popular trekking trails in Jammu & Kashmir
Golfing : If you want to enjoy your leisure time without exerting yourself too much, then golfing is one activity that you must try your hands at. There are four world-class golf courses in Kashmir with each ons of them having beautiful landscapes. Offering fantastic views of snow-capped peaks, the golf course of Gulmarg is estimated to be the most elevated golf course in the world.
Skiing : One of the main attractions in Jammu and Kashmir for adventure seekers is skiing. With snow-covered peaks and slopes of Himalaya Mountain Range in the background, the state is blessed with world-famous destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Thajiwas glacier in Sonamarg which are also great places for skiing. Jammu Kashmir government maintains a number of accommodations for skiers at Patnitop, Sanasar and Kud in Gulmarg.
Mountain Biking : If the idea of exploring beautiful valleys, crystal clear lakes and snow-covered mountains on a bicycle gives an adrenaline rush then J & K is your destination. Whether it is the gentle slopes of Kashmir Valley or the rugged terrain of Ladakh, mountain biking is a fantastic activity that travelers love to do during their holidays in Jammu and Kashmir.
Paragliding : Among the various adventure activities in J&K, paragliding is one of the most popular ones. The view of the striking green meadows and the majestic valleys while gliding over them is a totally different experience. And gliding is the best way to witness this. Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Baderwah, Sanasar and Harwan (Srinagar) are the top places where tourists can enjoy this aero sport.
Mountaineering : Situated mainly in the Himalayan Mountain Range, Jammu and Kashmir is a state of varied heights. From Kashmir Valley to Zanskar Range, there are several mountains, low and high, easy and challenging, that offer mountaineers wonderful opportunities of mountaineering. Harmukh, Tattakutti, Sunset and Kolahoi in Kashmir Valley are some of the well-known peaks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Angling and Fishing : With a network of rivers, lakes and streams, Jammu and Kashmir is a paradise for angling and fishing. It is common to see people engaged in this interesting activity in the entire state. Fishing at Dal Lake is a popular activity; however, Pahalgam along with Lidder River is considered as the best spot to enjoy angling. The water bodies of the area are rich in both brown and rainbow trout. But you have to take permits from Jammu Kashmir government before going for the activity.
Bird Watching : If you think sightseeing in Jammu and Kashmir is limited to man-made marvels then think again as there are many natural habitats the state that are heaven for bird watchers. There are about 24 wetlands dotted all across the state where bird watchers can enjoy this activity l. Home to around 500 species of bird, bird watching in J&K is an all-season activity.
Camping : If you want to enjoy the natural allure of Jammu and Kashmir in its full bloom then camping is a must-do activity for you. There is no shortage of beautiful camp sites in the state where one can come close to nature. Pahalgam, Aru Valley, Yusmarg, Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley, Gulmarg and Sonamarg are wonderful places to enjoy camping during summers because of their pleasing weather conditions. If you want to turn this leisure activity into an adventure activity then winter is recommended. Also, go for high-altitude treks as they are more conducive to camping activities.
Snowboarding : When we talk about the best places to enjoy winter sports in India, Jammu and Kashmir invariably makes its way to the top. Apart from skiing and heli-skiing, snowboarding is another favourite activity to do in the state during winters. And undoubtedly Gulmarg emerges as the best place as it has the world’s best sloping hills.
Horse Riding : Blessed with several breathtaking tourist places, Jammu and Kashmir is the destination that needs exploration by every inch. And for doing this, horse riding is a preferred choice as one can enjoy it at any time of the year. The views of rolling hills and lush meadows from the back of a horse will make the trip more memorable. Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam are major places to enjoy horse riding in Jammu and Kashmir.
Enjoy a Gondola Ride in Gulmarg in 2 phases, from Gulmarg resort to Kongdori Station & from Kongdori Station to Kongdoori Mountain, the shoulder of Apharwat Peak.