Kashmir, also known as the “Paradise on Earth,” is a beautiful valley. Kashmir has many tourist attractions due to its rich natural beauty. In the autumn, the valley turns yellow and red due to the presence of Chinar trees, and the sight is splendid. In the summer, the view is mesmerizing due to the snow-capped mountains and the crystal blue water flowing down the rivers. Plan your trip to “Paradise on Earth” and explore the 8 top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer.
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1. Chatpal
Chatpal village is located in the heart of the Kahsmir Valley and is just 90km from Srinagar city. The village is abundant with natural beauty and is bordered by mountains from all sides. Visitors get to experience a peaceful environment with natural resources and no electricity. This is the best of the top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer to visit.
Chatpal village is lush green with milky water streams and chill water; a leisure time in this pristine village. Here, you get an opportunity to learn about the locals while enjoying the scenic beauty. And if you decide to spend time in solitude, find a comfy place on the river bank and capture memorable photographs in the company of nature.
To reach Chatpal village, tourists can take a taxi from Srinagar airport. The J&K Tourism Department provides a tourist cottage, which is fully furnished for outside visitors.
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2. Gurez
Gurez, or Gurais Valley, which is 123 kilometers from Srinagar and 86 kilometers from Bandipora, is located in between the high Himalayas. The landscape has green meadows with grazing sheep in the summer.
Tourists visit this place as a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. Trekking through Gurez Valley is an ideal option for capturing mesmerizing photos of the mountains. You do not have to worry about calls disturbing you here, as the mobile signals don’t reach the valley. And hence, this valley is on my list of the top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer.
To reach the valley during the summer, travelers can hire a private taxi to reach Bandipora, which is the nearest town to Gurez. A shared minibus can also be taken.
From Bandipora to Gurez Valley, road travel is possible only in the summer. The route runs along the Kishanganga River and offers inspiring views of the mountains.
In the winter, a helicopter is the only option to reach Gurez, which can be hired from the TRC office in Rajbagh, Srinagar.
This valley is colder than other areas of Kashmir, so remember to pack warm jackets, gloves, and other accessories to protect yourself from the chilly wind at night.
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3. Daksum
Daksum is also a scenic and undiscovered jewel located 80km from Srinagar in Larnoo Tehsil, Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir. Daksum is famous for trout fish. This place is surrounded by dense forests famous for their flora and fauna.
To reach here, anyone can travel by air to Srinagar airport. A 66-kilometer distance to Anantnag from the airport can be covered by a tourist taxi. The Bringhi River is a tourist attraction in this valley due to the serene environment around the area.
Dessu village, near Daksum, is also a place where you can enjoy rural life because this village has old-style houses. There is also a spot worth visiting, Sinthan Top. The route on this top is quite zigzag and adventurous. The one-hour drive to reach the top is quite enjoyable.
From the top, you can enjoy the view of the surroundings and witness majestic views of sunset and sunrise. Visitors can also enjoy nature-friendly activities, such as trekking, camping, and fishing.
Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Development is the only agency in the valley that offers accommodation for tourists with essential services. If you want to explore rural life closely, ask locals to host you for some days, but be careful when doing this. Consider adding this to your list of top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer.
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4. Aru Valley
Aru Valley is also situated in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. This valley is 53 kilometers from Anantnag city and 11 kilometers from Pahalgam. This place is also loaded with green meadows and is the best place for trekking lovers.
Aru village is a base camp for the Kolahoi glacier and Tarsar Lake trekking. This place has divine beauty and serene views to enjoy, which gives a peaceful feel to the soul as the place is far from the hustle and bustle of city life. A must visit on the list of top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer.
This valley has an entry fee for visitors, and you must pay INR 25 for entrance. This valley is not only famous for its natural beauty, but you can also indulge in various activities. Fishing in the Aru River is an enjoyable and family-oriented activity.
Moreover, horseback riding, skiing, trekking, and photography are exciting things to do in the Aru Valley. JKTDC offers a tourist bungalow with basic facilities to stay in the valley. Remember to pack your umbrella because, due to its altitude, the valley often receives heavy rainfall. You can hire a cab from Jammu Railway Station to reach Aru Valley.
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5. Yusmarg
Another place to visit on my list of top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer is Yusmarg. It is a beautiful hill station in the west of Kashmir, located in Badgam district, and is famous for its long, lush green meadows. Yusmarg is 47 kilometers away from Srinagar. This valley is laid on the bank of the Doodhganga River and is highly scenic.
To reach here, a direct bus is not available to travel from Srinagar to Yusmarg. Cabs are available in different parts of the country, or you have to book your vehicle. Tourists are less likely to visit the valley, so private hotels are only available here. But you can stay for the night in cottages built by JKTDC.
Walking in the green meadow of Yusmarg or trekking down the Doodhganga River is a fabulous experience. The river’s name is due to its foamy water, which looks like milk. The river’s natural beauty and crystal-clear water have a refreshing effect on the soul.
This place is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and those who want to spend some time in the company of natural beauty. You can also enjoy fishing for trout in the river, and then cooking it on a flame under the open sky is a thrilling experience for adventure enthusiasts.
Nilang Lake is also an attraction in Yusmarg, a high-altitude lake surrounded by forest. This lake offers a picturesque pine forest view, and the trek is also steep uphill.
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6. Warwan Valley
The Warwan Valley is a tehsil in the Kishtwar district of Jammu division and an offbeat tourist destination. The valley is not overpopulated and is less visited, so it still needs to be affected by pollution. This valley is 150 kilometers from Srinagar and 68 kilometers from Kishtwar.
Two alpine lakes, formed by melting glaciers, are a unique attraction in Warwan Valley. This valley is the best place to visit and tops among offbeat places in Kashmir in summer because, during this season, you can experience trekking.
You can see flowers in the entire valley, which is also nestled in green meadows. In winter, the whole area is covered with snow, so the valley treks are risky, and you can only walk holding a stick.
For experience trekking in the valley, a medical certificate is required, filled out by an MBBS doctor, because with it, the forest department grants permission for trekking. Due to the high altitude of these offbeat places, keep your raincoat with you because often rainfall starts unexceptionally.
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7. Lolab Valley
Lolab Valley, also known as the “Land of Love and Beauty,” is a hidden glory of Kashmir. The shape of this valley is oval. It is 15 miles long and 3 miles wide. The valley is located in the Kupwara district of northwest Kashmir. Multiple ancient springs and meadows are located in this valley. It is also home to numerous historical caves.
Pine and fir-dense forests are other specificities of this valley. It is also known as “the fruit bowl of Jammu and Kashmir” because it has a vast variety of fruit trees in abundance.
Besides its beauty, this valley also has a history of battles. It has a rich culture and has followed the rules of rulers like the Mughals, British, Sikhs, Dogras, etc.
Along with that, the valley has a wide variety of languages and religions. Chandigarh, Sogam, Kalaroos, Kigam, Lalpor, and Tekipora are some of the most famous towns in this valley.
In short, if you are a nature lover, then Lolab Valley is the perfect destination for you to visit. Add this to your list of the top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer. It offers adventure, beauty, and historical insights, and it makes you feel fresh mentally and spiritually.
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8. Turtuk
Turtuk is a stunning place where you can enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains because they surround the whole village. It is the home of the Balti people, who are most similar to Tibetans. It also has multiple green valleys and beautiful rivers.
If you want to see the harmony between nature and human civilization, this village has a lot to offer you regarding this. The houses are built with stones, like traditional houses. Colorful prayer flags are common in the town. Ancient Buddhist monasteries are also a feature of this village. The villagers are friendly and loving.
The Turtuk is also famous for “golden apples,” fruit orchards in Ladakh. You can also visit Kalaroos caves, famous for having a secret way to China. It is also a gateway to the Siachin Glacier, so you can visit the Siachin base camp by seeing this village. Consider this place one of the top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer.
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What do Kashmiris wear in the summer?
Commonly, they wear cotton or khadi stuff in the summer. They wear trousers, shirts, T-shirts, jeans, etc. Kashmiri women mostly wear kasaba (headscarves).
Is Kashmir worth visiting in the summer?
Multiple mountains surround Kashmir, so the weather is delightful in the summer. Also, it has stunning beauty and a thrill to offer a tourist. It offers trekking, camping, and wild safari-like activities as well. So, it is worth visiting Kashmir in the summer.
What is a significant source of tourist attractions in Kashmir?
Kasmir is known as a paradise on earth because of its beauty, cultural richness, and brave history. It has multiple points of attraction for different tourists of different natures. Natural lovers can enjoy their natural beauty, adventure seekers can get adventures, and history lovers will get history information by visiting Kashmir. But some major attractions that are evergreen for all tourists are the Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, Amarnath Cave, Gulmarg Ski Resort, Sonamarg Valley, etc.
Also Read: 9 Best Adventure activities in Gulmarg
Final Analysis
I hope you get informative knowledge from our tour guide about the top offbeat places in Kashmir in summer. These places are not famous like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, but they are most beautiful and filled with natural sightseeing. These offbeat places are not crowded, and you can enjoy a picnic with your family in a peaceful environment.
Due to being far from city areas and having no internet access, you can ultimately live a life full of self-orientation, and no one can disturb you. So, plan your next trip to these unexplored places in Kashmir, enjoy the beauty of green meadows and the milky water of rivers, and capture memorable moments on your DSLR in the greenery of these places.
Please share your experience with us and explore more areas like these valleys in Kashmir. Stay tuned for more adventure guides from Salam Travellers.
