Aru Valley Travel Guide: A Picturesque Escape In Kashmir!

Jammu and Kashmir, popularly known as the “Paradise on Earth” is among the favourite tourist destinations with splendid scenic beauty, snow-covered mountains, beautiful valleys, marvellous monuments, plentiful wildlife, and many more. Aru Valley in Kashmir near Pahalgam is one of the most beautiful places to be explored in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.

Aru Valley is a small village in the Anantnag district which serves as a base camp for trekkers to the Tarsar-Marsar lakes, the Katrinag Valley, and the Kolahoi Glacier. This valley is popular for its mesmerising scenic meadows that will soothe your eyes. This place has a very peaceful environment which will make you utterly happy.

What else are you waiting for? This location is ideal for hikers, adventurers, and nature enthusiasts, as it will relax your body, mind, and soul. So, don’t waste any more time and start making plans for your next vacation with your friends and family to this stunning location i.e., Aru Valley in Jammu and Kashmir!!!

Location

Aru is a village which is one of the famous tourist destinations in the Anantnag District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. It is around 12 km far away from Pahalgam, 11 km upstream from the River Lidder, and lies about 53 km from the city of Anantnag.

Aru Valley is surrounded by snow-capped Himalayan hills amidst the green grasslands beside the Aru River. It is a popular place which is recognized for its picturesque meadow and adventurous activities.

Climatic Conditions

Aru Valley experiences all types of climatic conditions including the summer, monsoon, and winter seasons. The valley experiences a temperature climate with the summer season starting from mid-March to the month of June, the winter season from the month of November to March experiencing heavy and moderate snowfall, and the short span of monsoon season between July and August.

So, the weather in the Aru Valley is generally pleasant throughout the year with the months from May to September best for sightseeing and November to March best for skiing. The minimum and maximum temperature in Aru Valley is as low as 2° Celsius to as high as 30° Celsius. 

Best Time To Visit Aru Valley

Experiences different types of weather throughout the year. So, the best time to visit Aru Valley for sightseeing is between the months of July to September.

During these months, the weather is so pleasant with greenery all around, clear skies, and warmer weather which makes it comfortable for the tourists to explore the place along with all the activities available.

On the other hand, if you are a person who loves winter and snow-covered mountains to enjoy skiing then, you should visit the Aru Valley from December to February. These months have a very high chance of experiencing snowfall. 

Things To Do In Aru Valley

Trekking Aru In Valley

Aru Valley has a number of treks for trekking and adventure lovers. The most famous trekking is the Green Top Trek which makes a person feel like they are in paradise as it has some of crazy scenic views along the snow-covered mountains, beautiful rivers, and picturesque landscapes.

Green Top Trek is at an altitude of 3500 metres. One will require at least 3 hours to climb to the top of this 7 kilometres long trek of Aru Valley. Trekking in the Aru Valley will cost as per the requirements of the equipment.

Pony Ride In Aru Valley

Another famous thing to do in Aru Valley is horseback riding or pony riding. There are several points in the valley from where the tourists can opt for pony riding to the nearest tourist places such as the River Point, Kastoorvan, Posh Pathri and others.

The average cost for a pony ride in Aru Valley is around Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1500 per person. It is best to have those bargaining skills for the best discount. 

How To Reach Aru Valley?

It is situated in the district named Anantnag of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), India. It is around 805 kilometres away through National Highway 44 from New Delhi. To reach Aru Valley, firstly one has to reach Pahalgam or Srinagar as there is no direct mode of transportation.

To reach these places, you can take a flight to Srinagar Airport or a train to the Udhampur Railway station. After visiting Srinagar and Pahalgam which are around 12 km and 103 km far away respectively.

Once you are at one of these places, you can opt for a shared taxi, bus, or private vehicle. The most recommended and easiest mode of transportation is to opt for a taxi which is quite affordable and time savvy. 

Food And Accommodation

Here you should try the famous authentic traditional Kashmiri cuisines such as Rogan Josh, Modur Pulao, Matschgand, Dum Aloo, Aab Gosht, Yoghurt Lamb Curry, Kashmiri Muji Gaad, Lyodur Tschaman, and many other delicious local food.

You can get these delicacies from your homestays or you can try famous restaurants including Trout Beat, Palestine Restaurant, Dana Pani, and some others.

This is a small village in Kashmir so it doesn’t have that many luxurious accommodation options. So, the nearest town in Aru Valley with plenty of luxurious accommodation choices is Pahalgam, around 11 km away.

But, if you want to experience the authentic traditional Kashmiri culture and the natural scenic beauty of Aru Valley then opt for a stay in the valley itself. Aru Valley has a few guest houses or homestays which are quite comfortable and affordable.

Some of the best staying options include Rohella Guest House, Aru Heights, JKTDC Tourist bungalow, Aru Eco Resort, Friends Guest House, etc.

Things To Remember While Visiting Aru Valley

• Carry comfortable clothes and footwear while visiting the Aru Valley as one has to walk a lot at this place.
• Bargain for the prices of activities as they try to charge high from the tourists.
• Outside taxis are not allowed to enter the region of Aru Valley. So, if you want to explore this place in a taxi then you need to book it from Pahalgam.

Read More:

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