Sheshnag Lake (27 km: 3,658m)
The waters of this greenish blue lake are covered with ice till
June.
Panchtarni (40 km)
It is the confluence of five streams and gives Panchtarni its name.
A good camping site.
Amarnath Cave
Pahalgam is the base for the religious trek to the abode of Lord
Shiva. A narrow spiralling path from Panchtarni leads to the
Amarnath Cave. The massive ice shivlingam is visited by thousands of
pilgrims between July and September.
Aru (11 km: 2,408m)
This charming meadow can be reached by walking along a mountain
path. The river Lidder disappears at Gur Khumb and reappears after
27 mts.
Lidderwat (22km: 3,408m)
A beautiful camping site set among dense forests. Starting point of
the trek to the Sindh Valley.
Kolohi (1,467 m)
Base for a three-day return trek to the Kolohi Glacier.
Tarsar Lake (34 km: 3,962m)
It can be reached from Lidderwat. There are delightful camping sites
and flower meadows at Sikiwas, 24 kms from here. To reach the nearby
Mansar lake one has to cross a 243 mts high bridge.
Accommodation
Luxurious and well-run hotels with central heating are available.
JKTDC has a Dak Bungalow and a number of huts which are available on
hire. The Tourism Department runs a dormitory complex for budget
group tourists. The Tourist Reception Centre is at the main road.
PWD Rest houses at Chandanwari, Aru and Lidderwat offer comfortable
accommodation, which needs to be booked well in advance from
Srinagar.
How to Get There
The nearest Airport is in Badgam Distt. The nearest rail head is at
Jammu.
Bus service is available from Srinagar and Anantnag. Taxis can be
hired from Srinagar at pre-fixed rates.
The J&K Road Transport
Corporation runs daily sight seeing tours from Srinagar. Assistance
is available at Tourist Reception Centre, Srinagar.
Compiled by Puneet Sachdeva
