Witness Breathtaking Beauty – Kashmir in August

Kashmir is blessed with enthralling beauty and endless charm that never fails to impress its tourists. Are you wondering how? Well, because the tourist destination has so much to offer that it surely is one of the best tourist destinations to visit in India. And for a fact, not just Indians but Kashmir overlooks tourists from all around the world. And when it is about visiting Kashmir in August, you will get to witness beauty in its most natural way. Magnetic mountains, green meadows, glittering lakes, flower-carpeted valleys, wow, what more does one need?

Kashmir in August experiences little to no rainfall, which makes it easier for tourists to complete their sightseeing tours. Also, be a part of exciting adventure activities. In August, the fresh air and lush greenery are the highlights of the valley.

Suggested Read: Kashmir weather in August

Still, wondering what you can do in Kashmir in the month of August? Mind you, the list is a big one. But rest assured, we have prepared a complete travel guide for you. It consists of all the necessary information regarding how to reach, what to do, what to visit, etc in Kashmir in August. No matter which place or activity you choose for your Kashmir vacation, every corner of this paradise is blessed with unparalleled views of scenic beauty. Without further ado, let’s pack and leave then?

How to Reach Kashmir in August

( Landscape in the mountains. Panoramic view from the top of Sonmarg, Kashmir valley in the Himalayan region. Serene meadows, alpine trees, wildflowers on the trails of the Great Laks of Kashmir Trek )

By Rail – When planning to visit Kashmir by train, you have to board a train to Jammu. Kashmir does not have an independent railway head and the closest is the Jammu Tawi Railway Station located at a distance of approximately 300kms from Srinagar. Several regular trains to Jammu are operated from major cities of India so getting a train is easy.

By Air – The fastest and most convenient way of travelling to the paradise on earth is by air. Srinagar’s Sheikh Ul-Alam International Airport is located approximately 15kms from the city centre and well connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Leh, Bangalore, Pune, Kolkata and other cities of India. You can get direct and connecting flights depending on your start location.

By Road – Travelling to Kashmir by public or private transport is convenient. The National Highway (NH) 1 & NH44 connects Kashmir to major cities of India. You can either self-drive, hire private car or board a bus operated by JKSRTC, which also connects Jammu to other nearby cities like Srinagar, Patnitop, and Amritsar.

Most Popular Festivals in Kashmir in August

Festivals are impeccable days to forget all the grudges and communal tensions and celebrate the occasion together in peace. And Amarnath Yatra is one such event in which people from all over the world take part. The belief is so strong that it takes away from all the tensions and stress. Below is more about the Yatra.

Amarnath Yatra – Annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath Cave

Amarnath cave is considered to be one of the holiest sites for Hindu believers. With each passing year, the popularity of this holy cave has been increasing ten folds. And with time it has become the most awaited Jammu and Kashmir festival. The site is located about 140 km from the capital of Srinagar. The cave houses a stalagmite formation that is believed to be a representation of Lord Shiva. The Amarnath Yatra is the annual pilgrimage to the cave and is a 43km trek from Nunwan to Chandanwari villages in the Pahalgam region of Anantnag. After a night at Sheshnag lake and Panchtarni camps, the yatris reach the glacial cave temple.

Highlights of the festival: 43kms trek, Lord Shiva, popularity has been increasing year after year, the holiest site for Hindus.

Amarnath Yatra Tentative Dates: 27th June to 11th August

Popular Activities in Kashmir in August

Kashmir has a plethora of things to do that will grab your attention. Be it a visit to the renowned Mughal Gardens, a breathtaking Shikara ride or even some thrilling adventure activities. Kashmir will never fail to impress you. So, if you are planning a trip to Kashmir in August, here is a list of some of the best activities you can enjoy in paradise on earth.

Mughal gardens in kashmir — ( Chashme Shahi is one of the Mughal gardens built in 1632 AD, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar )

Visit the Tulip and Mughal Gardens – One of the best things to do in Kashmir in August is a visit to the amazingly beautiful Tulip and Mughal Gardens. At the Tulip Garden, you will be able to see a variety of coloured tulips. These are grown from the seeds bought from Spain. These tulips bloom to the fullest during the season of August and will hence a visit to the garden is a must. And guess what makes the garden even more beautiful, the Dal Lake, it works as the perfect backdrop. Next up is the Shalimar Bagh Mughal Garden. This garden was made by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved queen. Here you can revel in the beauty of pretty flowers along with pavilions and Chinar trees. Wait, there is more too – terraced lawns and sparkling fountains make the garden even more beautiful.

Shikara Ride – After a visit to the garden head to Dal Lake for a Shikara ride. To make the most of your Kashmir trip, one has to take a Shikara ride. It is one of the most relaxing aspects of a vacation in Kashmir. You are sure to get an incredible experience while taking the ride. It will take you away from the daily routine of your life and put you at peace, surrounded by the enormous Himalayan mountains. Apart from leisure and tourism, the Shikara ride is used by the locals for fishing as well, you can maybe try your hand at it too.

Suggested Read: Dal Lake in August

Adventure Activities – A myth about Kashmir is that it is only a nature lover’s vacation spot. But we have that wrong. It is also a place where adventure enthusiasts can get an experience for a lifetime. If you are someone who loves some adventure then you must try the Jeep Safari at Dachigam National Park, Gondola Cable car ride in Gulmarg, river rafting on Lidder & Sindh river, trekking to Gangabal Lake and Krishansar and Vishansar twin lakes, trek Kashmir Great Lakes, Nilnag Lake, Sang-e-Safed, Lidder Mad, Haigan, Doodhpathri and Tosa Maidan, etc.

Places to Visit in Kashmir in August

There are various attractions in Kashmir to visit in August. Be it the lovely towns or valleys. Below is the list of the top 3 places to visit in Kashmir in August that will help you fall in love with the paradise on earth and let you take back home a bundle of memories to cherish forever.

( A village in gurez valley with a picturesque landscape )

Yusmarg – A fun fact about this place – they say that Jesus walked on the lush meadows of Yusmarg and since then it has its name Yus-Jesus and Marg-Meadows. There are a number of tourist places in Yusmarg – a 600 years old Charar-e-Sharief (Muslim pilgrimage), the alpine Nilnag Lake, the scenic valley of Sang-e-Safed, Lidder Mad and Haigan.

Gurez Valley – The most underrated place in Kashmir has to be Gurez. It is a high Himalayan village that is enclosed by snow-capped mountains and houses a small number of exotic wildlife like snow leopards and brown bears. The trek here is a bit challenging but also an experience in itself. However, you can also enjoy fishing and witness the potato and maize fields here.

Warwan Valley – August is about offbeat and underrated places to visit in Kashmir. The valley is a breathtaking location where you can find peace and rejuvenate yourself from the hustle and bustle of city life. The pristine water makes its way from the splendid waterfalls, beautiful Cedar trees and forests making the valley even more blissful. What’s more? Sit near the milky-white River Warwan and experience bliss and tranquillity.

Basic Guidelines for August

When planning a Kashmir holiday for August, there are several things you must keep in mind. These are basic travel tips that most tourists forget to add to their planning stage. Like you make bookings in advance you must also make sure you plan in advance for the things you will carry along or will require at a new location you don’t know much about. We are here to guide you with the same. So, just check out our list below.

• Carry your windcheaters
• Carry identity proof
• Carry anti-slip shoes
• Carry emergency snacks
• Carry medicines and safety-aid kit
• Rain-proof your luggage

This brings us to the end of your travel guide. Hope you found the information useful and are all set to take a Kashmir holiday during the month of August. The beauty of Kashmiris is truly breathtaking and we are sure you will fall in love with the valley when you visit it.