Kashmir in Spring

Kashmir in spring season is truly paradisiacal and to be able to witness the blooming spring fields adorning the valley is an experience that every person on the planet needs to live at least once in their life.

Nature lovers especially love the spring season in Kashmir because the month of April welcomes the iconic tulip garden festival in Srinagar. The opening of the tulip garden signifies the arrival of spring with rows of blossoming tulips stretching to a beautiful expanse, adding more charm to the ethereal beauty of Kashmir.

The tulip festival of Kashmir is held at Asia’s largest tulip garden and attracts people from all across the world as it is truly a breathtaking sight to behold especially with the pristine Dal Lake and majestic mountains in the backdrop. It is because of the beauty and popularity of the vibrant tulips that we’ve especially curated this itinerary of a trip to Kashmir in the spring season so that travelers get to experience the heavenly beauty the valley is bestowed within the month of April.

This special Kashmir backpacking itinerary starts with the trip commencing from the capital of Srinagar which is a pristine waterworld, lined with the waters of the Jhelum river and embracing the serene Dal Lake in its abode.

Apart from residing in the Kashmiri houseboat in Srinagar, this itinerary for the Kashmir trip consists of a visit to the holy Hazratbal Dargah. Nestled on the banks of the Dal Lake and considered to be the holiest shrine for Muslims in Kashmir. The Dargah Sharif also contains a relic, Moi-e-Muqqadas, which is believed to be the hair of the Islamic prophet Muhammad which adds to its religious significance.

Another experience that travelers get to tick off their bucket list in Srinagar is a Shikara ride in the serene Dal Lake where the turquoise waters underneath the boat and the crystal skies overhead blend together to provide peace like no other.

Next up on this exclusive Kashmir spring trip is the beautiful town of Pahalgam. Nestled on the banks of the Lidder river adorned with majestic views of the Himalayas in the backdrop, Pahalgam is known for its scenic meadows and lush green canopies that you unravel with every step that you take.

Pahalgam has many jewels adorning its crown, adding more charm to its natural beauty with its presence and Aru Valley is one of them. Nestled amidst Eden-like Greenlands with the sparkling Aru river flowing by, the village provides both beauty and serenity in abundance, leaving travelers with a sense of being overwhelmed and fulfilled at the same time.

On the other hand, Betaab Valley which gained pop cultural prominence after being featured in the Bollywood movie “Betaab” is stunning in its own way and offers panoramic views of the Himalayas.

The jade green tapestry adorning the land and crystal blue skies above make a contrast that is postcard-worthy and it’s only when you spend a few moments of peace in the valley, listening to the sound of water gushing and songbirds calling to each other do you realize just how enchanting Betaab Valley is.

Lastly, Pahalgam is also abode to the glacial Chandanwadi which has extreme spiritual significance as it is the base of the sacred Amarnath Yatra. Apart from being the starting point of the pilgrimage, Chandanwadi itself is a beautiful destination with snow-covered peaks and picturesque landscapes that seem too mystical to ever exist.

The best part about visiting Kashmir in Spring is that you get to witness the valley transitioning from one season to another which means you’d get to see blooming spring fields and patches of snow at the same time, giving you the best of both worlds which is why the next destination in our Kashmir itinerary is Gulmarg, the pearl in the oyster that is Kashmir.

Gulmarg is known for its alpine slopes that become perfect for skiing and snowboarding activities when covered in snow. But with the commencement of spring, Gulmarg which literally translates to meadows of flowers, gets covered with blooming flowers that make it seem as if the seven colors of the rainbow have been sprinkled over the otherwise green canvas of the town.

Indulging in a Gondola ride in Gulmarg where travelers get to be on the world’s second highest cable, enjoying aerial views of the springfield is an experience that needs to be ticked off of one's bucket list when visiting Kashmir in the spring season. The meadows of Gulmarg also provide travelers the opportunity to indulge in other activities making it a thrilling experience.

Finally, a sightseeing tour of Srinagar where travelers get to experience spring in every nook and corner of the town is perhaps the best way to end the trip on a high note and we do exactly that as we visit the Tulip Gardens and traverse rows upon rows of bright colored tulips that stretch for acres of land.

Afterward, we’ll also visit two of the most prominent Mughal Gardens which are Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. While Nishat Bagh is a terraced garden with views of Dal Lake and majestic mountains in the backdrop, the Shalimar Bagh is another shoreline garden that Shah Jahan built to impress his wife Nur Jahan.

The Mughal gardens that add more charm to the eternally beautiful valley of Kashmir become ten times more enchanting in the spring season making the month of April the best time to visit Kashmir while serving as the ideal end note for this Kashmir trip.