A resort area at 6,988 ft/2,130 m, the Kashmiri town of Pahalgam, India, along the Lidder River is the starting point for several treks.
One of the nicest (and easiest) is the four-day trek to and from Kolahoi Glacier. Stop the first night in Aru (about 7 mi/12 km—stay in a guesthouse or take a tent) and the next night in Liddervat (another 7-mi/12-km walk—it also has a very basic guesthouse). The next morning, walk to the glacier, returning to Liddervat to sleep. The following day, return to Pahalgam. If you prefer, you can ride a donkey or rent horses. A more ambitious trip could be made to Amarnath Cave, site of an annual religious pilgrimage undertaken by thousands of Hindus in July and August.
Trout fishing in the Lidder River is allowed if you purchase a license. Line up early to pay for a daily six-fish limit (and be forewarned that the trout run small). Pole rentals are available. http://jkfisheries.in/l_fee.htm.
If you're returning to Srinagar by taxi, ask the driver to stop for a few minutes at Avantipur to tour the ruined Hindu temples. Plaques at the site indicate that many of the carvings now rest in the British Museum.
Like many Kashmir towns, Pahalgam is periodically the site of violent terrorist attacks, and travelers should exercise caution when visiting. Pahalgam is 475 mi/765 km north of Delhi.
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