10 places to discover
Alpather Lake is a high-altitude alpine lake located at the foot of the Apharwat Peak near Gulmarg in Baramulla district, Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at about 4,390 metres above sea level, the triangular lake remains frozen until mid-June and is surrounded by snow-covered meadows and mountains. Known for its pristine setting and trekking route from Gulmarg, it is a popular seasonal attraction accessible by foot or pony.
Baisaran Meadow is an alpine meadow located about 5 kilometres from Pahalgam town in Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir, at an elevation of around 2,740 metres. Enclosed by dense pine forests and snow-capped Himalayan peaks, it is widely referred to as Mini Switzerland. Accessible only on foot or by pony, the meadow features expansive grasslands and panoramic views, making it a popular day excursion for sightseeing, photography and nature walks near Pahalgam.
Baltal Valley is a high-altitude Himalayan valley located about 15 km northeast of Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, at an elevation of around 2,743 metres. Situated on the banks of the Sindh River at the foot of Zoji La Pass, it is known for its expansive meadows, snow-capped peaks and pine forests. It serves as one of the main base camps for the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage.
Doodhpathri is a high-altitude alpine valley and hill station in Khansahib Tehsil of Budgam District, Jammu and Kashmir, about 42 km from Srinagar at an elevation of around 2,730 metres. Known as the Valley of Milk, it features expansive green meadows, pine and deodar forests, and the Shaliganga River flowing through the valley. Developed as an offbeat tourist destination, it is noted for pastoral landscapes, snow-covered winters and meadow trekking routes.
Janki Chatti is a small Himalayan hamlet in Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, situated at about 2,650 metres elevation. It is the last motorable point on the road to Yamunotri and serves as the base camp for the Yamunotri Dham pilgrimage, part of the Char Dham Yatra. Visitors stop here for accommodation, food and pony services before undertaking the 5-6 km trek to Yamunotri Temple at the source of the Yamuna River.
Khilanmarg is a small alpine valley and meadow located about 6 km from Gulmarg in Baramulla District, Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at an altitude of around 2,730 meters, it is known for its expansive meadows, seasonal wildflowers and panoramic views of the Himalayan range including Nanga Parbat. Accessible by trekking or pony ride from Gulmarg, it is a popular day excursion for sightseeing and snow activities.
Nilnag Lake is a small natural high-altitude lake located about 4 kilometres from Yusmarg meadow in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. Situated at approximately 2,180 metres amidst dense pine forests and low hills, the lake is known for its deep blue water, from which it derives its name Nil (blue) Nag (lake). A popular day excursion from Srinagar, it is reached by a scenic forest trek and offers tranquil natural scenery.
Sonamarg Meadow is a vast alpine meadow in Sonamarg town, Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, situated at about 2,740 metres in the Kashmir Valley. Known as the 'Meadow of Gold', it lies along the Sindh River surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan peaks, glaciers and pine forests. It is a base for treks to Thajiwas Glacier and for the Amarnath Yatra, noted for seasonal wildflowers, pony trails and panoramic mountain scenery.
Sumendu Lake, also known as Mirik Lake, is a man-made lake located in the hill town of Mirik in Darjeeling District, West Bengal. Situated at an altitude of about 1,494 metres, it is the central attraction of Mirik. The 1.25 km long lake is surrounded by pine forests, flower gardens and forested hills, with an 80-foot arch footbridge connecting its two sides.
Thajiwas Glacier is a small valley glacier located about 3 km from Sonamarg in Ganderbal district, Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of around 9,186 feet (2,800 m) in the Himalayas. Fed by snow from surrounding peaks, it remains snow-covered for most of the year. Notable for its easy accessibility via a short trek or pony ride from Sonamarg, it offers snow slopes, meltwater streams and panoramic mountain scenery, making it a popular day excursion from Srinagar.