Shah Jahan, one of the famous Moghul emperors who ruled India for many centuries, liked to spend his summers here; in the lush green valley of Kashmir. His is the famous quote on Kashmir, “If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here.” Surrounded by deeply forested and snow-clad mountains of the Pirpanjal and Himalayan Range, ‘the valley’ is a lush green enclave where nature’s bounties seem to be in abundance.

These days, Kashmir is mostly known for its idyllic Dal Lake, where floating guesthouses called houseboats provide a very different kind of accommodation. But Kashmir has much more to offer. Lying on the southern slopes of the great Himalayan Range, it is dotted with rushing rivers, lakes, snow-capped mountains and dense forests beckoning to be discovered.

Kashmir can be visited almost all year round, at least for houseboat stays and jeep tours. Winters can get chilly,but you can enjoy skiing at the high meadows of Gulmarg. From March onward weather tends to be very pleasant. Apart from relaxing at a houseboat on Dal Lake or Wular lake, and floating around in shikaras, you can make car trips to the ‘hill stations’ of Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, to name a few. There you’ll find beautiful mountain scenery, which you can explore on foot if you like.

For trekking, summer is the best time, but late spring and early autumn are still okay for treks at medium altitudes. Some of the lower elevation treks can be done as early as May, the more serious ones from mid-June onwards.