Aru Valley
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Nearby attractions
Betaab Valley
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
The deodar-ringed meadow on the Lidder that Bollywood named — lawns, snow-peak frames and river islets on the Chandanwari road.
Pahalgam
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
The 'valley of shepherds' where the Lidder river tumbles ice-blue past pine forests, pony trails climb to Baisaran's meadow ('mini Switzerland'), and the Amarnath Yatra begins — Kashmir at its most cinematic and serene.
Lidder River Rafting, Pahalgam
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Grade II–III snowmelt runs down the Lidder's boulder gardens — short, cold, gloriously scenic white water between pine walls.
Tarsar Marsar Trek
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
Twin almond-shaped alpine lakes at 4,000 m joined by a ridge crossing — many trekkers' pick as India's prettiest moderate trek, out of Aru.
Baisaran Meadow (Mini Switzerland)
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
A pine-fenced bowl of turf above Pahalgam reached by pony trail — zorbing, picnics and Lidder-valley views that earned the Swiss nickname.
Kolahoi Glacier Trek
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
The 'goddess of light' — Kashmir's Matterhorn (5,425 m) and its shrinking glacier snout, reached by a two-day valley walk from Aru via Lidderwat.
Tulian Lake
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
A blue-ice tarn at 3,684 m between the Pir Panjal and Zanskar lines — the tough day-trek prize above Baisaran, often ringed by snow into July.
Chandanwari & Sheshnag Lake
Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir
The Amarnath Yatra's first snow-bridge camp and, a day's climb above, the seven-peaked emerald lake of the serpent king at 3,590 m.
Thajiwas Glacier
Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir
Sonamarg's resident glacier — a short pony trail to snowfields that survive high summer, sledge runs and silver waterfalls off the ice.
Baltal Valley (Amarnath Base)
Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir
The tent city under Zoji La where the short, steep Amarnath route begins — a glacier-fed campground of prayer flags, ponies and pre-dawn departures.
Sonamarg (Meadow of Gold)
Sonamarg, Jammu and Kashmir
The Sindh valley's golden meadow under a wall of glaciers — gateway to Thajiwas, Zoji La and Ladakh, ablaze with wildflowers in July.