Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, who has just wrapped up his India leg of the Dil Luminati Tour, has moved on to finding ‘sukoon’ in life. Before you get worried, no, the universally loved singer is still very much a musician, albiet a musician who is enjoying his time in the very stunning region of Kashmir, enjoying his Kahwa, Dal boat rides, and experiencing the nuances of the Kashmiri culture.
Diljit Dosanjh’s India tour was quite a hit with the fans. Not only did the tickets for the first set of his Dil Luminati tour sell out quite quickly, the singer eventually had to extend the show in two more cities. After the exhilarating and yet exhausting tour that he has had, it is obvious that the singer needed some time to recharge. And what better a place to do that than the heaven on earth!
Like the singer, if you have been planning to experience Kashmir tourism and experiences, this is a great time. The valley is of course a great summer destination, but for people who want to experience snow, the winters are the perfect time to head to Kashmir. Whether it is experiencing the snowfall at the fancy resorts in Gulmarg, or budget stays in Srinagar that let you experience the best of Kashmiri culture, things to do in Kashmir are plenty.
Here are the top 5 things to do in Kashmir
1. Shikara ride at Dal Lake
This is a no-brainer! And before you dismiss it as just another boat ride on a stunning lake, Dal lake’s cultural significance should make you re-think. The lake, one of the biggest waterbodies in the region is a lifeline, and if experiencing the Kashmiri culture is anywhere on your list, a Shikara ride at Dal Lake is an absolute must. You can opt for a simple Shikara ride, where you experience different nearby stalls, have Kahwa while floating, munch on local snacks while enjoying the view, and hear the best of local stories from the boatsman. Or, if you have the time and resources too, do consider staying in a houseboat there.
2. Experience local cuisine
Kashmiri cuisine is one of the least explored ones in the country, but if you are a foodie looking for the top 5 things to do in Kashmir, this should be the highest on your list. Not just Kahwa, enjoy the noon chai, a wide variety of local breads, Yakhni curries, Rogan Josh, Kashmiri rajma, Sheermal, and so much more. And no, the local cuisine is not all meat dishes. It is certainly heavier on the non-vegetarian fare but by no means is it limited to that. For vegetarians too, there are many dum curries like Dum Olav, and even things like Kashmiri baingan.
3. Go trout fishing
To people not into fish, this can very well sound funny, we know. Go to the most stunning place in the country and fish? But here’s the thing. Trout is a fish, much loved by foodies for its taste, and by nutritionists for its high Omega 3 value, is found in abundance in the Himalayas, especially the Indus and Lidder Rivers. The quality of trout in Kashmir is pretty high, and when caught fresh, is just the cherry on top! The region, thanks to its abundant supply of high-quality fish in alpine rivers and lakes, has also been dubbed the angler’s paradise often. There are in fact fly-fishing tours in Kashmir that you can sign up for, and thank us later!
4. Kashmir heritage walks
From the famous Mughal Gardens to the revered Kheer Bhavani temple, Kashmir has a rich heritage, and what better way to experience the Kashmiri culture than a slow-paced walk!
And while you can also plan to visit these monuments separately, an old Srinagar heritage walk mostly covers them all, and given that it’s guided, makes it even more interesting for history buffs.
Do check Kashmir tourism official channels for better deals and authentic guides for a heritage walk that you’ll remember for the longest time!
5. Adventure sports
Kashmir tourism has a great potential for adventure sports, and it is easy to see why! The valley is a great place for not only winter adventure sports like snowboarding and skiing, but also mountain biking on its pristine trails, river rafting in the Lidder river, countless treks, and so much more! If you like a slower pace, you can in fact go golfing in one of the highest golf courses in the world. In winters, you can also go snowmobiling, or even climb frozen waterfalls. The possibilities are endless!
Apart from these, you can also explore Tulip gardens depending on the season you’re visiting in, and if offbeat destinations is what you want, do explore Gurez Valley.