- South Kashmir is easy to combine with a trip to Pahalgam.
- Achabal, Verinag and Kokernag are spring gardens from the Mughal era and before.
- The Martand Sun Temple ruins date back to the 8th century.
- Aharbal waterfall is a scenic day trip from Srinagar or Pahalgam.
Most visitors drive straight from Srinagar to Pahalgam and see nothing of the countryside in between. That's a shame, because South Kashmir is full of springs, Mughal gardens, ancient ruins and waterfalls.
Our team knows this stretch well. We spend a lot of time guiding guests through South Kashmir, and this guide is written from years of taking visitors to these springs, gardens and ruins.
Here's what to see, how long each place takes and how to fit them into your trip.
What is South Kashmir?
The southern half of the Kashmir valley, mainly the districts of Anantnag, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian.
It's a land of apple orchards, rice fields, saffron, springs and small towns, with the Pir Panjal mountains to the south and the Lidder valley leading up to Pahalgam. The national highway from Jammu enters the valley here, at Qazigund.
Why should you visit South Kashmir?
For quiet gardens, clear springs and history, without the crowds of the better-known places.
Even in peak season, Verinag or Achabal can feel peaceful on a weekday morning. The gardens are shaded by huge chinar trees, the spring water is cold and clear, and you'll mostly share the place with local families on a day out.
Achabal: the garden of springs
A terraced Mughal garden built around a powerful natural spring.
Water bursts out of the hillside and runs down through channels, cascades and fountains between rows of chinar trees. The garden dates from the Mughal era and is closely linked with Empress Nur Jahan.
Allow about an hour. It's at its best in spring and autumn, when the chinars are either fresh green or deep red.
Verinag: the source of the Jhelum
An octagonal spring pool, surrounded by stone arches, at the foot of a forested hill.
Verinag is traditionally considered the source of the Jhelum River, which flows through Srinagar. The Mughal emperor Jahangir loved the spring and built the octagonal stone tank and arcade in the 1620s. The water is a deep blue-green and full of fish.
Spend an hour walking around the arches and the small garden below.
Kokernag: springs and a botanical garden
A large spring garden with several springs and a well-kept botanical garden.
Kokernag is known for its springs, said to have healing properties, and for its trout farm. The gardens are wide and green, with walking paths, flowerbeds and shady lawns. It's an easy, relaxed stop for families.
Martand Sun Temple: 8th-century ruins
The impressive stone ruins of a Sun Temple built in the 8th century by King Lalitaditya.
Standing on a plateau above the valley near Mattan, the temple is one of the most important ancient monuments in Kashmir. Even in ruins, the scale of the stonework and the colonnaded courtyard is remarkable, with the snowy mountains behind.
It's a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India. Walk carefully, don't climb on the stones and follow the instructions of the site staff.
Aharbal waterfall
Where the Vishaw River crashes through a rocky gorge, often called the Niagara of Kashmir.
Aharbal is in Kulgam district, surrounded by pine forest. The waterfall is most powerful in late spring and early summer, when the snow melts. There are viewpoints and paths around the falls, and the surrounding meadows are perfect for a picnic.
Stay well back from the edge. The rocks are slippery and the current is very strong.
Daksum and Sinthan Top
A forest rest stop and a high mountain pass, for travellers with an extra day.
Daksum is a quiet, forested valley beyond Kokernag. The road continues up to Sinthan Top, a high pass that leads towards Kishtwar. Sinthan is open only in the warmer months and can have snow until early summer. Check the road before you go.
Pampore, Avantipora and Bijbihara
Three stops on the main road you can easily add on the way to Pahalgam.
Pampore
The saffron town. In late October and early November, the fields turn purple with saffron flowers, and the harvest is a beautiful sight. Shops along the road sell saffron, dry fruits and kahwa all year.
Avantipora
The ruins of two 9th-century temples built by King Avantivarman. They're right next to the highway and take half an hour to visit.
Bijbihara
An old town on the Jhelum, with huge old chinar trees along the riverbank. It's also home to our branch office. If you're passing through, do say hello.
How do you combine South Kashmir with Pahalgam?
Take the long way to Pahalgam through the springs.
- Leave Srinagar after breakfast and drive towards Anantnag
- Visit Achabal garden
- Continue to Verinag for the spring and arches
- Stop at the Martand Sun Temple near Mattan
- Drive up the Lidder valley to Pahalgam for the night
It's a full but relaxed day, and you arrive in Pahalgam having seen far more than the usual highway drive. Our Kashmir budget tour follows exactly this route.
Can you visit South Kashmir as a day trip from Srinagar?
Yes. Choose two or three places rather than trying to see everything.
A comfortable day trip from Srinagar could be Achabal, Kokernag and Verinag, or Aharbal waterfall with a stop in Pampore. For an autumn day trip, combine the saffron fields of Pampore with Aharbal, as in our Kashmir autumn tour.
When is the best time to visit South Kashmir?
April to June and September to early November.
- Spring: blossoms in the orchards and fresh green gardens
- Summer: the waterfalls and springs are at their fullest
- Autumn: golden and red chinars, apple harvest and saffron season
- Winter: quiet and cold; the gardens are bare but beautiful in snow
What else should you know?
- Most gardens have a small entry fee; keep some change handy
- Gardens are busy with local families on Sundays and holidays
- Dress modestly, especially near shrines and in villages
- Try the local trout at Kokernag, and fresh apples in autumn
- Carry water and snacks for Aharbal and Daksum, where shops are few
What does a full South Kashmir day trip look like?
Here's a relaxed day plan from Srinagar that covers the highlights without rushing.
- 8:00 AM: leave Srinagar after breakfast, with a short stop in Pampore for kahwa
- 9:00 AM: visit the Avantipora temple ruins beside the highway
- 10:30 AM: Achabal garden, with time to walk the terraces
- 12:00 PM: Kokernag springs and botanical garden; lunch nearby, try the trout
- 2:00 PM: Verinag spring and the octagonal arcade
- 3:30 PM: Martand Sun Temple ruins near Mattan
- 5:00 PM: drive back to Srinagar, or continue up the Lidder valley to Pahalgam
It's a long day if you return to Srinagar, which is why we prefer to finish it in Pahalgam.
What are South Kashmir's orchards like?
Apple orchards, walnut groves and rice fields fill much of the countryside.
South Kashmir grows a large share of the valley's apples. In spring, the orchards are white and pink with blossom. In September and October, roadside stalls sell fresh apples straight from the trees, and the harvest is in full swing. The drive through the orchards around Anantnag and Shopian is one of the prettiest in the valley at this time of year.
Where should you eat in South Kashmir?
At simple local restaurants near the gardens, or with a packed picnic.
Kokernag is known for trout, often fried with local spices. Small restaurants near Achabal and Verinag serve rice, rajma, vegetables and Kashmiri dishes like rogan josh. Many local families bring picnics to the gardens, and doing the same is a lovely way to spend lunch under the chinars.
What about Kousarnag and the higher lakes?
For experienced trekkers only, in high summer.
Above Aharbal, a multi-day trek leads up to Kousarnag, a high-altitude lake in the Pir Panjal range. It's a serious trek that needs a guide, camping equipment and good fitness, and it's only possible in the summer months. If high-altitude lakes interest you, read our Kashmir Great Lakes trek guide for the better-known route north of Srinagar.
South Kashmir: quick FAQs
How far is Verinag from Srinagar?
Roughly 80 km, usually about 2 to 2.5 hours by road depending on traffic.
Can you visit South Kashmir in winter?
Yes. The gardens are quiet and bare, but beautiful in snow. Waterfalls and higher roads like Sinthan Top may be inaccessible.
Is South Kashmir good for families?
Very. The gardens are safe, open and full of space for children, and the drives are shorter than to many hill stations.
Is South Kashmir included in your packages?
Our budget tour and autumn tour include it, and we can add a South Kashmir day to almost any trip on request.
What else is there around Anantnag and Mattan?
More springs, shrines and old towns for those with extra time.
Anantnag, whose name is often linked to its many springs, has several sacred springs in and around the town. Mattan, near the Martand Sun Temple, is known for its spring and the large, protected fish in its pools, fed by pilgrims and visitors. The area around Mattan and Anantnag is also a good place to see everyday life in South Kashmir, away from the tourist circuit.
What mistakes should you avoid in South Kashmir?
A few small things make the day much better.
- Trying to see every garden in one day; choose three or four places
- Arriving at the popular gardens on Sunday afternoons, when they're busiest
- Going without cash; small shops and entry counters often don't take cards
- Getting too close to the edge at Aharbal waterfall
- Forgetting a warm layer: spring water keeps the gardens cool even in summer
- Not checking road conditions before heading to Sinthan Top
Why we love South Kashmir
Because it's home.
Our team spends a lot of time among these orchards and springs. When guests ask us for something different from the usual itinerary, South Kashmir is the first place we suggest. It's where you see the valley's everyday life, meet local families picnicking in the gardens and discover places that most guidebooks barely mention.
Ready to explore South Kashmir?
South Kashmir is the easiest way to make a classic Kashmir trip feel more personal. Add a day of springs and gardens to your Pahalgam plan, and you'll see the valley the way the people who live here know it.
Read our Pahalgam travel guide, or ask us to add a South Kashmir day to any of our Kashmir tour packages.
Which season suits South Kashmir best?
South Kashmir is lovely for much of the year, but spring and autumn are the standouts. In spring the orchards and gardens blossom and the springs run full, while autumn turns the chinars gold and brings clear, comfortable days ideal for the drive between sites.
Summer is green and pleasant but busier, and the Aharbal waterfall is at its most powerful after the snowmelt. Winter is quiet and atmospheric, though some higher spots feel bleak and cold. Whenever you go, start early to fit the spread-out sites into a comfortable day, and check road conditions in winter. For a season-by-season view, see our best time to visit Kashmir guide.
Should you hire a guide in South Kashmir?
A good driver-guide helps a lot, as signage is limited and distances between sights are long.
Our drivers know the South Kashmir routes and the best stops for lunch, tea and photographs, which makes a long day of springs and gardens much easier.
Is South Kashmir good for families?
Very good: the gardens, springs and trout farms are gentle, shaded and fun for children.
Achabal, Kokernag and Verinag have large, safe gardens with flowing water, perfect for picnics. Children enjoy feeding the trout at Kokernag, and the drive through apple orchards is lovely in autumn. Distances are manageable when combined with a Pahalgam stay.
Have a question about planning your trip? Message us on WhatsApp or contact our Kashmir team for a free itinerary.
