offbeat places in kashmir
Kashmir the paradise on earth is famous for its breathtaking landscapes, pristine lakes, and snow-capped mountains. While popular tourist destinations in Kashmir like Srinagar , Pahalgam , Sonamarg and Gulmarg have their own charm, there is a whole world of unexplored wonders awaiting for you. In this offbeat itinerary, we embark on a journey to discover the lesser-known, untouched places of Kashmir. So get ready to explore these unexplored places in Kashmir.
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Unexplored places in Kashmir
There are many unexplored places in Kashmir which are waiting to be discovered. These hidden gems are perfect for those who are looking to escape the crowd and immerse themselves in the Kashmir’s natural beauty. I am sure these hidden heavens in Kashmir will not disappoint you, ensuring an unforgettable experience Here is the list of unique places to visit in Kashmir.
Gurez Valley
Gurez is a high-altitude Himalayan valley situated at approximately 2400m. The valley, located around 86 kilometers from Bandipora. The Gurez valley distance from Srinagar is 123 kilometers and is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and presents a breathtaking picture due to the presence of the Kishanganga River running through the valley make it one of the best unexplored places to visit in Kashmir.
Gurez valley in winter is completely blocked off from the rest of the world because of heavy snowfall. Razdan Pass will be heavily snowed in by this time. The Summer (May-August) season is the best time to explore Gurez Valley. The weather is ideal for taking in the beauty of picturesque surroundings and taking stunning photographs.
Places to visit in Gurez Valley: Khandiyal Top, Habba Khatoon Peak, Tulail and Habba Khatoon Waterfall.
At an award ceremony hosted by “Outlook Traveler Magzine,” the Gurez Valley received the gold award for best offbeat tourist attraction in India.
To celebrate the best off-beat tourist destination, a festival was organized by the department of tourism in collaboration with District Administration Bandipora to promote tourism in the Gurez valley.
Also check : How To Book Gondola tickets in Kashmir
Hotels in Gurez valley
Bangus valley
Bangus valley Hotels
Karnah valley
Karnah valley, one of Kashmir’s untouched places, provides spectacular and marvellous areas to witness nature’s surreal beauty. The pleasant environment, natural beauty, breathtaking landscape, and stunning vistas will amaze you in Karnah. Those who wish to be surrounded by nature’s splendour should come to the Karnah region and visit the main tourist sites, such as Tangdar, Teetwal, Sadhna Top. It is about 75 Kilometers away from Srinagar. You can hire a cab from Travel my Kashmir Travel Agency from Srinagar.
The majority of Karnah is centered on two major streams, Batamoji and Kazinag. The Batamoji originates from the Sadhna Pass, while the Kajinag originates in the same mountain range and runs through Leepa valley on the other side of the Line to Control before entering Karnah. Both streams join the Kishanganga near Teetwal.
Karnah is also known for its best bike routes. So if you are a bike lover , then karnah is the place for you. From Srinagar you can rent a bike easily from bike rental Srinagar. Karnah valley remains cut-off from the rest of the world during winter due to heavy snowfall.
Best time to visit:
Summer season is the best time to visit karnah as the weather in karnah is pleasant to enjoy the beauty of karnah.
Also check our Gulmarg Helicopter ride service
Daksum
Daksum is another unexplored places in Kashmir and lies around 85 kilometres from Srinagar on the Anantnag-Semthan-Kishtwar road (NH-1B), on the hiking route to Kishtwar. From Daksum, one can go for trekking to Sinthan pass and Sinthan Top. People travelling to Sinthan top frequently stop at Daksum and Dandipora.
It is well-known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Daksum is famous for picnic destination in this region and is rightly termed as a walker’s paradise due to its outstanding hiking opportunities. This tranquil location is located at an elevation of 2438 metres above sea level, 40 kilometres from the main city of Anantnag. This gorgeous location may be visited just after Achabal Mughal Gardens. It is located among the well-known fresh water springs of Kokernag.
You can also check Great lakes trek of Kashmir, if you are interested in Trekking.
Daksum Hotels (Hotels in Daksum)
For stay in Daksum, you can find some tourism department resort like jktdc daksum resort and rest house, however they are not properly managed by the government.
Watlab
Situated on the Sopore-Bandipora route, Watlab is roughly 56 kilometers away from Srinagar. Many people refer to this as “real Kashmir,” as it allows you to see the magnificent area in its purest form, surrounded by lovely apple orchards.
From Watlab, you can have a Mesmerizing views of Wular Lake, Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Apart from its stunning natural beauty, Watlab in Kashmir is famous for its Muslim shrine dedicated to the revered Muslim saint, Baba Shukurddin. The shrine was built in memory of the Muslim saint Baba Shukurddin.
It is also a popular destination for bird watchers, with unusual species like as Rock Dove, Himalayan Monal, Himalayan golden Eagles, Barn Shallow. The region is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Bird viewing, fishing, and Shikara rides are some of the exciting activities which you can do at Watlab.
Lolab valley
Lolab valley or ‘Wadi-e-Lolab’ is known for its fruit orchards, mesmerizing lake, springs and rice fields. It is surrounded with lush green mountains and peaks .Lolab can be easily reached by road. Tourists from Srinagar can easily reach Lolab by a local bus or hire a taxi.
Lolab valley is 120 kilometres from Srinagar in the Kupwara district. Lolab is formed by the combination of three valleys: Potnai, Brunai, and Kalaroos. It is bounded to the south by the Kashmir Valley and to the north by the Neelum Valley, and it is separated from Bandipora to the east by the Nagmarg meadows.
The valley has several natural landmarks and tourist spots, such as the caves of Kalaroos , Diver, Warnow and Chandigam. Sogam, Kalaroos, Kigam, Lalpor, Tekipora, Chandigam, Kandi, and Muqam are the main towns in the Lolab Valley.
Best Time to Visit Lolab valley?
Summer is the best season to visit Lolab Valley .
How to Reach Lolab valley?
From Srinagar you can take a bus or a cab to reach Kupwara then to Lolab. But the better option is to consult a tour operator or hire a cab from Srinagar.
Lolab valley hotels
Where to Stay in Lolab valley?
The best option to stay in Lolab is the accommodation provided by Jammu and Kashmir Government in Chandigham.
Sinthan top
It is one of the few offbeat locations in Kashmir that is easily accessible via the recently opened Anantnag-Kokernag-Sinthan-Kishtwar route. This location will captivate and engross your mind entirely, as it is covered with lush pine trees, lakes and mountains. It is a guaranteed hit among those who get to visit this mesmerizing spot because of its offbeat location. The road accessibility with good maintenance make it easily accessible, thus becomes a must-visit location for its breathtaking panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains. From Srinagar, Sinthan top is about 132 km.
Best Time to go: In spring and summer seasons (April to June) as the weather is pleasant and even you can visit in winter to enjoy the snow.
Warwan valley
The Warwan Valley is another Kashmir unexplored places and is located 150 kilometers away from Srinagar, which is the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a paradise for trekkers, located about 91kms from District Anantnag. Some of the trekking routes are Sukhnai- Chittergul- Aishmuqam, Sukhnai- Kanital- Panikhar, and Sukhnai- Kanital- Panikhar .This attractive tourist spot is unaffected by the adverse impacts of contemporary life and has pure and fresh air. The beautiful Warwan River, flowing from the massive Kanital Glacier, brings travelers a delightful and peaceful experience.
The beautiful Warwan valley is now attracting guests with a first-of-its-kind eco-resort established up by a local in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district. Visitors may rest at the resort or trek to several high altitude terrains and lakes including the warwan valley trek.
Mund Daji
Mund Daji is located 32 km from main town Baramulla, Mund Daji, located to the west of Pazalpora village., a place founded by Sofi saint Khwaja Yousuf Shah around 400 years ago. Located at an elevation of approximately 8000 feet above sea level, and and is surrounded by the majestic, snow-covered Qazinag peaks. Mund Dajii is supposed to be a combination of Gulmarg and Pahalgam since it features both lush green meadows and the magnificent Hamal stream with crystal clear waters.
The J&K government is considering to develop it as a toursit destination.
Breng Valley
Breng Valley, often known as “The Golden Crown of Kashmir,” is named after the Bringi River (a tributary of the Jhelum), and is one of the most stunning and scenic offbeat sites in Kashmir. It represents the pinnacle of tourism, with snow-capped mountain peaks, fresh water springs and streams, vast meadows, never-ending pine forests, herbal jungles with medicinal flora, Rhododendrons, high altitude fresh water lakes, Mughal gardens, historic and religious sites, archaeological sites, and trekking routes to Ladakh, Kistwar, and Marwah-Wadwan.
The valley gets its name from the Brengi River, a notable Jhelum River tributary. Breng Valley is 82km away from Srinagar.
For reaching there one can take a cab from TRC or should contact a tour operator.
Unexplored places near srinagar
Here is the list of unexplored places in srinagar.
- Astanmarg : A beautiful and hidden place in Srinagar. It presents a beautiful aerial view of the srinagar city. t’s also a popular spot for paragliding.
- Dachigam National Park: A national park located just 22 kms from Srinagar City. The Dachigam national park is famous for Hangul “The Kashmiri stag”.
- Burzuhama: It is a historical site located in Srinagar near Shalimar garden. It is famous for its ancient artifacts from the Neolithic era.
- SPS Museum: The Shri Pratap Singh museum is located in Lal mandi in Srinagar. Earlier it was built as a summer palace for Maharaja’s and is now converted into a museum.
- Old Srinagar city: The old city of Srinagar, situated in the heart of the Srinagar city, is a historic area famous for its traditional architecture and religious sites. Check our old city Srinagar tour blog.
Unexplored places in Gulmarg
- Strawberry valley
- Rani temple
- Alpathar Lake
- Ningle Nallah
- Bota pathri
- Maharaja palace
- Khilan marg
Frequently asked questions
1.What are the best unexplored/offbeat places to visit in Kashmir?
Gurez Valley, Bangus Valley, Karnah Valley, Daksum, Watlab, Lolab Valley, Sinthan Top, Warwan Valley, Mund Daji and Breng Valley are among the top unexplored places in Kashmir, offering untouched landscapes away from crowded spots like Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
2. Which is the most unexplored/offbeat valley in Kashmir?
Bangus Valley and Gurez Valley are considered among the most unexplored, as they see far fewer tourists than mainstream destinations, despite offering scenery comparable to Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
3. What is the best time to visit these offbeat places in Kashmir?
Summer (May–August) is generally the best time, since most of these valleys including Gurez, Karnah and Lolab get cut off by heavy snowfall in winter. Sinthan Top can also be visited in winter for snow views and spring/summer (April–June) is ideal there.
4. Is it safe for solo or women travelers to visit these unexplored places?
Yes, Kashmir is safe for tourists, including solo women travelers and these offbeat locations can be visited without worry, especially when arranged through a local tour operator.
5. How far is Gurez Valley from Srinagar?
Gurez Valley is about 123 km from Srinagar and roughly 86 km from Bandipora.
6. Are there hotels available in Bangus Valley?
No, there are currently no hotels in Bangus Valley, but camping is popular there. Accommodation bookings for nearby areas can be arranged by calling the operator directly.
7. How do I reach Bangus Valley?
There are three routes: via Mawer (Handwara), via Rajwar (Handwara) and via Chowkibal (Kupwara).
8. What is Daksum famous for?
Daksum, about 85 km from Srinagar is known for its natural beauty, picnic spots and hiking trails and serves as a gateway for trekking to Sinthan Pass and Sinthan Top.
9. What can I see at Watlab?
Watlab offers views of Wular Lake (Asia’s largest freshwater lake), apple orchards, a shrine dedicated to Baba Shukurddin and birdwatching opportunities.
10. What is Lolab Valley known for?
Lolab Valley or “Wadi-e-Lolab,” is known for fruit orchards, lakes, springs, rice fields and the caves of Kalaroos, located about 120 km from Srinagar in Kupwara district.
11. How do I book a cab or hotel for these offbeat destinations?
You can call Travel My Kashmir at +91 979-646-6052 or book online through their Kashmir cab service and hotel booking pages.
12. Are there unexplored places near Srinagar itself?
Yes, Astanmarg (paragliding spot), Dachigam National Park, Burzuhama (Neolithic archaeological site), SPS Museum and Old Srinagar City are all offbeat spots close to Srinagar.