Things No One Will Tell You About Kashmir Travel

Kashmir – you’ve heard all about it, right? It’s called “Heaven on Earth,” and it has amazing mountains, valleys, and lakes. It’s one of those destinations everyone dreams of. But what people don’t often talk about are the little surprises, the good and the not-so-good stuff you might bump into while travelling there. It’s not always like the brochures, trust me. So, here’s the real deal about Kashmir travel that no one really tells you.

Know about the Things No One Will Tell You About Kashmir Travel

1. The Scenery is Mind-Blowing… Almost Too Much

You think you’ve seen it all on Instagram, right? But once you actually get there, it’s next level. The landscapes are just insane – Dal Lake with the shikaras, Gulmarg’s green fields or ski slopes, and Pahalgam’s pine forests. Seriously, it can leave you speechless.

Must-See Spots in Kashmir:

• Dal Lake: You can’t miss it, especially with the houseboats. It’s like stepping into a postcard.
• Gulmarg: Snowy heaven in winter, and a meadow full of wildflowers in summer.
• Pahalgam: A calm, forested escape.
• Sonamarg: Snowy peaks, glaciers – the stuff adventure movies are made of.

Place	Why It’s Famous	Best Time to Visit
Dal Lake	Houseboats, shikara rides, and floating markets	March to October
Gulmarg	Skiing in winter, trekking, and meadows in summer	December to February (for snow), March to June (for trekking)
Pahalgam	Lush pine forests, Lidder River, Amarnath Yatra base	April to June
Sonamarg	Snowy peaks, trekking, and Thajiwas Glacier	May to September
Srinagar	Mughal gardens, lakes, historic mosques	March to October
Betaab Valley	Scenic landscapes, Bollywood film locations	April to June
Yusmarg	Quiet, less touristy, lush meadows and rivers	April to July
Aru Valley	Untouched nature, camping, and trekking	May to September
Dachigam National Park	Wildlife, home to the rare Hangul deer	April to October
Wular Lake	One of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia, birdwatching	April to July

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2. Mobile Networks Can Be Useless

This is something people don’t mention enough – your phone might just stop being a phone. The mobile network is spotty in many areas, and sometimes, especially when tensions are high, the government shuts down the internet. So don’t expect to be on Instagram all the time.

What to Expect:

• Internet Shutdowns: It happens often, and when it does, you’re off the grid.
• SIM Cards: Prepaid SIM cards from outside Kashmir won’t work. You’ll need a local postpaid one if you need to stay connected.
• Offline Prep: Download your maps, music, and whatever else you need beforehand.

3. Weather is a Rollercoaster

Kashmir’s weather – it’s unpredictable, to say the least. One minute, it’s sunny and gorgeous, the next minute, you’re dealing with rain or even snow, depending on where you are. Especially in the higher altitudes like Gulmarg and Sonamarg, snowstorms can come out of nowhere, or heavy rains can mess up your plans in monsoon season.

What to Know:

• Summer (April–June): Pretty comfortable, but nights can be chilly.
• Monsoon (July–September): Rains, landslides, and blocked roads – it can get messy.
• Winter (October–March): Cold, snowy, and magical but also unpredictable.

Pro Tip: Even in summer, pack a warm jacket – nights can get seriously cold, especially in the mountains.

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4. Tipping – Yep, You’re Going to Need to Do That

People in Kashmir are incredibly welcoming, no doubt about that. But what no one tells you is that tipping is kind of expected, even though no one will ask outright. Whether you’re taking a shikara ride or staying on a houseboat, it’s good form to leave a tip.

How Much to Tip:

• Shikara Ride: Tip around ₹100-₹200.
• Houseboat Staff: After your stay, leave ₹300-₹500 for the staff.
• Guides and Drivers: They usually expect ₹300-₹500 per day.

5. Food is Amazing But Not Spicy

Kashmiri food? Oh man, it’s delicious. But if you’re expecting fiery hot curries like other parts of India, think again. Kashmiri dishes are rich and full of flavor, but the heat is much more subtle. It’s all about aromatic spices – cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, and saffron.

Dishes You Can’t-Miss:

• Rogan Josh: Lamb cooked in a rich, red sauce.
• Yakhni: A yoghurt-based lamb curry, super flavorful but not spicy.
• Kahwa: Kashmir’s famous tea, with saffron and almonds floating on top.
• Dum Aloo: Potatoes cooked in a rich yoghurt gravy, full of flavour.

Dish	Why You’ll Love It	Where to Try
Rogan Josh	Rich, tender lamb, with deep flavors	Rich, tender lamb, with deep flavours
Yakhni	Subtle, creamy, and aromatic	Local wazwan meals
Dum Aloo	Comfort food with Kashmiri spices	Street stalls, small eateries
Kahwa	Warming tea with saffron, almonds	Cafes, teahouses
Modur Pulao	Sweet rice with nuts and saffron	Local homes, special occasions
Goshtaba	Spicy meatball curry, flavorful and creamy	Wazwan feast
Sheer Chai	Salted pink tea, unique to Kashmir	Street vendors, traditional homes
Tabak Maaz	Fried lamb ribs, crispy and flavorful	Wazwan feasts, local eateries
Nadru Yakhni	Lotus stem cooked in a yogurt-based curry	Local restaurants, wazwan meals
Noon Chai	Salty pink tea, traditionally served hot	Cafes, local homes

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6. The Roads Will Keep You On Edge

This might sound cool at first – driving through the mountains. But in reality, the roads can be nerve-wracking. Narrow, winding, and often damaged by rain or snow, they require nerves of steel, especially in higher areas like Gulmarg or Sonamarg.

What to Expect:

• Road Quality: Be ready for some rough patches – the roads aren’t always smooth.
• Local Drivers: Get a local driver. They know these roads like the back of their hands.
• Motion Sickness: If you get car sick, bring meds. The twists and turns are intense.

7. Cash is Still King

You might be used to paying by card or using apps like Google Pay, but in Kashmir, especially in the smaller towns and villages, cash is still the way to go. ATMs are available in Srinagar, but elsewhere, don’t expect to find one easily.

Money Tips:

• Carry Enough Cash: Srinagar has ATMs, but smaller places like Pahalgam or Sonamarg – good luck.
• Smaller Denominations: Have lots of ₹100 and ₹500 notes handy for daily expenses.
• Cards Accepted?: Sure, in bigger hotels and stores, but not so much in the markets or for local transport.

8. Shopping is Irresistible, But Beware of Prices

If you’re into shopping, Kashmir is a paradise – pashmina shawls, Kashmiri carpets, saffron, walnut wood carvings, and paper-mâché. But beware, tourists, are often charged way more than locals and fake products are common, especially with pashmina.

Shopping Tips:

• Bargain Like a Pro: Don’t take the first price. Vendors expect you to haggle, so go for it.
• Know What’s Real: For Pashmina, check for quality. Real pashmina is light and expensive.
• Popular Souvenirs: Saffron, Kashmiri tea, carpets, and handcrafted items are good buys.

9. You’ll Leave Wanting to Come Back

No joke – Kashmir does something to you. Once you’ve been, it’s hard to get it out of your system. The landscapes, the people, the unique vibe of the place – it stays with you. Almost everyone who visits leaves thinking about when they’ll be able to come back.

Kashmir is truly a one-of-a-kind destination. It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also full of surprises, and not all of them are on the tourist map. By knowing a few of these lesser-known facts, you’ll be better prepared, and trust me, that makes all the difference. Just go with the flow, and let Kashmir work its magic on you.