Dal Lake houseboats, Srinagar
Staying on a houseboat on Dal Lake is the quintessential Kashmir experience. These ornate cedar-wood boats, moored at the lake's edge and accessible by shikara, range from simple guesthouses to elaborately furnished floating hotels. Waking up on the water with the Zabarwan hills in the background, watching the morning vegetable market pass by in small wooden boats — it is genuinely unlike anywhere else in India.
The Mughal Gardens
The Mughal emperors built their summer retreats in the Kashmir Valley, and the gardens they left behind — Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashma Shahi — are among the finest formal gardens in Asia. In April and May they are a riot of tulips and irises. Visiting early morning, before the tour buses arrive, is strongly recommended.
Gulmarg skiing
At 2,690 m in the Baramulla district, Gulmarg is India's premier ski resort. The Gondola cable car climbs to 3,980 m, giving access to long, wide runs. The setting is extraordinary — open meadows ringed by 5,000 m peaks. Equipment hire is available at the resort. Best from December to March.
Monasteries of Ladakh
The Buddhist monasteries clinging to cliff-faces and hilltops around Leh are Ladakh's defining sight. Hemis (the largest, with an important festival in June/July), Thiksey (magnificent location above the Indus Valley), Alchi (notable for its medieval murals, different in style from anything else in the region), and Diskit in the Nubra Valley are the standouts. Many are still functioning and welcome visitors respectfully.
Trekking in the Himalaya
Jammu and Kashmir offers some of the best Himalayan trekking in India. The Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh (6–8 days, crossing passes above 5,000 m) is a classic. The Great Lakes Trek in Kashmir (7–8 days through high alpine meadows and lakes) is one of the most beautiful routes in the subcontinent. The Amarnath pilgrimage from Pahalgam is a tough 3-day walk to a sacred cave shrine at 3,880 m.
Whitewater rafting, Ladakh
The Indus, Zanskar, and Shyok rivers offer serious whitewater from June to September. Grade III and IV rapids are standard on the Indus near Leh; the Zanskar Gorge section is among the most dramatic rafting routes in Asia. Local operators in Leh book half-day to multi-day expeditions.