Things to Do in Pahalgam: 20 Activities and What's Open in 2026

The best things to do in Pahalgam in 2026 are rafting on the Lidder River (April to mid-August), a picnic in Betaab Valley, a meadow walk and pony ride in Aru, a round at Pahalgam Golf Course, trout fishing with a day permit (April to September), the Mamleshwar Temple walk and an evening in the main market. All of these run normally in their season. Baisaran, Chandanwari and Tulian Lake are closed until at least 31 December 2026, and every trekking route in Kashmir, including Kolahoi, stays shut until further orders (Director of Tourism Kashmir, July 2026).

Pahalgam sits at about 2,200 m where the East and West Lidder meet, 90 km from Srinagar, and most of what to do in Pahalgam happens on or beside that river: rafting below town, fishing for trout on marked beats, walking the riverbank between the market and Laripora. The two valley roads lead to Betaab (7 to 8 km) and Aru (about 12 km), where the days are slower and the ponies do the climbing. Visitors are back in large numbers. Official figures reported by Kashmir Life counted 9,93,596 tourists in Pahalgam between April 2025 and April 2026.

This guide covers 20 activities in Pahalgam with the cost, time needed, season and October 2026 status for each, plus a month-by-month planner and 1, 2 and 3 day plans. If you want descriptions of the valleys and sights themselves, our guide to places to visit in Pahalgam covers all 15 of them.

What's open for activities in Pahalgam right now?

Most Pahalgam activities are open, but the three that rival guides still promote first (the Baisaran pony ride, the Chandanwari snow point and the high treks) are not. Two official sources set this. The Anantnag district order "Details of closed Tourist Destinations as on 07-07-2026" runs until 31 December 2026. The Director of Tourism Kashmir said on 15 July 2026 that all trekking routes would stay closed until further orders.

Orders can change at short notice. Ask your hotel or the taxi stand the evening before, and check the Chandanwari and Tulian Lake pages, which we update when the district list changes.

TravelTriangle trip data for Pahalgam

Things to do in Pahalgam at a glance

Distances are from the Pahalgam bus stand. Costs are per person unless the row says per vehicle.

Adventure activities in Pahalgam

Rafting is the one adventure activity in Pahalgam that runs normally in 2026. Camping and snow sports depend on the season, and the treks that made Pahalgam's name are shut for now.

1. Rafting on the Lidder River

The Lidder runs about 73 km from the Kolahoi Glacier, through Pahalgam, to the Jhelum at Mirgund near Khanabal. It is fast and cold in the valley above town and slows as it drops towards Anantnag. Rafting on it is the one paid adventure in Pahalgam that runs normally in 2026.

Operators run two stretches on the Yanner side, below town. The short run is about 2 km and suits first-timers and older children. The long run is about 5 km and takes in Grade II and III rapids. Approved rates have been quoted at about Rs 350 and Rs 700 per person, though recent travellers report paying more for the short run, so agree the price at the counter before you suit up. Expert guides are on every raft, and life jackets and helmets are included. The season follows the snowmelt from about 1 April to 15 August. June is when the river runs fastest. By October the water is too low to raft.

Book only at the official rafting point. For timings and what to carry, see our guide to river rafting in Pahalgam and the Lidder rafting timings page, or read more about rafting at Lidder River.

2. Camping in Aru

A night in a tent by the river is still possible, but in 2026 the realistic place to do it is Aru, between May and September, with a registered operator who handles the permission. Do not pitch a tent on your own anywhere in the valley this year. Sheshnag, often listed as a camping spot, is a halt on the Amarnath Yatra route and is open only to registered yatris in July and August.

3. Snow play and sledging in winter

From December to February, Pahalgam turns into a snow town. Betaab Valley stays open in winter, with the meadow under snow and the Lidder frozen at the edges, and the slopes around town are where families sledge. Wooden sledges are hired on the spot, along with gumboots and coats, so you do not need to pack snow gear. Chandanwari, the classic snow point with its snow bridge into early summer, is closed until at least 31 December 2026, so plan on Betaab and town for the coming season. The Aru road can close for a day or two after heavy snowfall. Our guide to Pahalgam in winter has the full plan.

4. Beginner skiing

Pahalgam has no ski lift. After a good snowfall in January and February, local instructors offer skis and a short lesson on the gentle slopes near the golf course, which is enough for a first try and a few photos. If you want proper runs, the gondola and ski school are in Gulmarg, about four hours away.

Kolahoi Glacier trek (closed in 2026)

Kolahoi Glacier feeds the Lidder, and locals call it the Goddess of Light. The trek to its base was the best-known hike from Pahalgam before the 2026 closure. The usual route runs from Aru to Lidderwat and up to the glacier base over 3 to 4 days between July and September. In 2026 it is closed, because J&K Tourism has kept all trekking routes shut until further orders. Check the Kolahoi Glacier trek page before you plan.

Tarsar and Marsar, Tulian Lake (closed in 2026)

The Tarsar and Marsar lakes trek starts from Aru, and the Tulian Lake trek climbs from Baisaran. Neither is open in 2026. Tulian is also on the Anantnag closed list. Until the routes reopen, the Aru village walk is the best way to get a feel for the terrain.

Valley and meadow experiences

These are the half-day outings most people come to Pahalgam for. Betaab and Aru both need a Pahalgam union taxi from town.

5. Picnic in Betaab Valley

Betaab Valley is named after the 1983 film Betaab, which was shot here, and the footbridges over the river and the meadow ringed by pines still look like a film set. It is the easiest valley outing in Pahalgam, with flat paths, toilets (Rs 10) and food stalls. Entry is Rs 100 per adult, cash only, and the gate is open about 7 am to 7 pm daily. Carry a picnic, spread out on the grass by the stream and give it two to three hours. Arrive before 10 am in May and June, when the car park fills by late morning. Fee details are on the Betaab Valley entry fee page, and the valley itself is covered on our Betaab Valley page.

6. Aru Valley meadow and village walk

Aru Valley, about 12 km up the West Lidder road, is an open village meadow rather than a park. You can walk from the taxi drop past wooden houses and herders' huts to the meadow above the village in about an hour, with the stream on your left and the trail towards Lidderwat continuing into the forest. Late afternoon light is best here. It is quieter than Betaab, and most travellers who do both say Aru is the one they remember. Our Aru and Betaab Valley guide compares the two.

7. Pony rides on the open routes

Riding a pony across the meadows is still one of the classic activities in Pahalgam, but the classic route has changed. The ride most guides promote, up through the pines to Baisaran (the meadow called Mini Switzerland), is not running while Baisaran is on the district's closed list until at least 31 December 2026. Ponies now work the open routes in Aru. Rates are fixed by route through the pony union. Agree the route and the waiting time before you get on, ask to see the handler's registration card, and pay at the end. Children and older travellers should keep rides to an hour on the flatter meadow loops.

8. A riverside walk on the Lidder

The Lidder riverbank between the main market and Laripora is the best free thing to do in Pahalgam. Go early, when the river is loud and the town is still quiet, and walk downstream for an hour. In winter the edges freeze into shelves of ice.

9. Lidder Amusement Park

Lidder Amusement Park, on the riverbank in town, is where local families bring their children. There are small rides, bumper cars and paddle boats, and a few eateries nearby. Tickets are sold at the gate. Pair it with the riverside walk for an easy afternoon.

10. Birding on the Aru road

The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary covers the forested slopes between Pahalgam and Aru and is home to Himalayan black bear, musk deer and a long list of Himalayan birds. In 2026 its interior trails fall under the trekking closure, so watch from the Aru road instead. Ask your driver to stop at the pull-offs in the first hour after sunrise between May and October, and bring binoculars.

Leisure activities in Pahalgam

11. Golf at Pahalgam Golf Course

Pahalgam Golf Course is an 18-hole course on the edge of town at about 2,200 m, with the Lidder on one side and pine slopes on the other, which makes it one of the highest courses in India. Non-members can play. The club charges by the hour and hires out clubs and caddies at the clubhouse, so you do not need to bring a set. The season runs from late spring to the end of October. Even if you don't golf, the walk along the course edge is worth an hour for the views back up the valley.

12. Trout fishing on the Lidder

The Lidder is one of Kashmir's classic brown trout rivers. Angling needs a J&K Fisheries Department licence. Each licence is valid for one day, for one rod with artificial flies only, and the bag limit is six fish. The 2026 season opened on 2 April, with online booking from 1 April, and beats are allotted first come, first served. Indian anglers can book only for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, while foreign anglers can book any day of the week. The department lists the day fee at Rs 1,000 for Indian anglers and Rs 2,000 for foreign anglers. Most anglers wade the shallows, and on a first visit a local guide who knows the beats is worth the fee. Book the beat before you leave home, and bring your own fly kit if you have one.

13. Kashmiri dress photo by the river

Photographers on the Lidder banks and at Betaab rent out pheran and jewellery for a portrait against the river. It takes half an hour. Agree the price per printed or digital photo before you dress up.

Culture, food and shopping

14. Mamleshwar Temple

Mamleshwar (Mamal) Temple is a small stone Shiva temple in Mamal village, about 1 km from the bus stand across the Lidder. It is usually dated to the 12th century, and a spring-fed tank sits in front of the shrine. Entry is free and it is open all year. Walk over at dawn, before the tour groups.

15. The Amarnath Yatra from Pahalgam

Pahalgam is the traditional base for the Amarnath Yatra. Pilgrims drive to Chandanwari and walk about 32 km past Sheshnag Lake to the cave. In 2026 the Yatra ran from 3 July to 28 August. Every yatri needed Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board registration (Rs 150), a compulsory health certificate and an RFID card. During the Yatra, expect convoys and checkpoints on the Chandanwari road and full hotels in town.

16. Meet the Gujjar and Bakarwal herders

Every summer, Gujjar and Bakarwal families drive their sheep, goats and horses up to the high pastures around Aru, and their mud-and-timber huts dot the meadows from May to September. Many of the pony handlers in Aru come from these families. Ask before you photograph anyone. By late October most herds have started back down to the plains.

17. Eat Kashmiri food

Fried Lidder trout is the dish to order in Pahalgam, and riverside places in town and at Laripora serve it with rice and haak (collard greens). Look for wazwan dishes such as rogan josh, rista and gushtaba, and finish with a cup of kahwa, the saffron and almond green tea. Breakfast is noon chai, the pink salted tea, with girda bread from the local bakery. A full Kashmiri meal costs about Rs 300 to Rs 800 per person.

18. Shopping in the main market

The main market runs along the road above the river, with the taxi stand at one end. Buy walnut-wood boxes, papier-mâché, pashmina shawls and packets of kahwa or dried fruit. Bargaining is normal, and for pashmina ask whether the shawl carries the GI label. Many shops stay open through winter with shorter hours. Our guide to shopping in Pahalgam lists what to look for.

Worth a stop on the Srinagar to Pahalgam road

Avantipur and Martand are often listed as Pahalgam sights, but they sit 40 to 75 km away on the drive from Srinagar. Plan them as stops on your way in or out rather than separate trips.

19. Pampore saffron fields (late October to early November)

Right now is the best time to drive past Pampore, about 75 km from Pahalgam. The saffron crocus flowers purple for two or three weeks from late October, and you can watch families picking at dawn in the fields beside the highway. Buy saffron from a registered shop in Pampore rather than a roadside stall.

20. Martand Sun Temple and Avantipur ruins

The 8th-century Martand Sun Temple ruins near Mattan (about 40 km) and the 9th-century Avantipur temple ruins on the highway (about 60 km) are both ASI-protected sites. Give each an hour. Near Sangam and Bijbehara, the workshops that make Kashmir willow cricket bats line the road, and most will let you watch the clefts being shaped.

Things to do in Pahalgam by month

The month you travel decides which activities you can do. Rafting needs snowmelt, fishing has a fixed season, and snow play needs winter. For weather and crowds, see the best time to visit Pahalgam.

How many days do you need? 1, 2 and 3 day Pahalgam plans

Two days covers every activity that is open in 2026. One day is enough for the valleys and the town if you start early.

Want this planned with hotels and a union-rate cab? Our Pahalgam tour packages build these days into a Kashmir trip, and the Pahalgam guide has longer itineraries.

Getting around for activities: union taxis, ponies and walking

The riverside, Mamleshwar, the golf course, the amusement park and the market are all within about 1 km of the bus stand, so you can walk to them. Betaab, Aru and the rafting point need a Pahalgam union taxi.

Your Srinagar cab cannot take you up the valley roads. A J&K High Court order of 3 June 2024 bars taxis from running routes their permit does not cover inside the Pahalgam Development Authority area, and in practice those routes are worked by the two Pahalgam taxi stands. Each stand posts a fixed rate card. Operator quotes for the Aru and Betaab circuit in 2026 are about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,800 for an Eeco and Rs 3,200 to Rs 4,000 for an Innova, per vehicle, and an SUV return to Betaab alone is about Rs 1,600. The card at the stand is the final word. Book the next morning's circuit the evening before. For getting to Pahalgam in the first place, see how to reach Pahalgam.

Things to do in Pahalgam for families, couples and older travellers

Families do best with Betaab, the Lidder Amusement Park, the riverside walk and short pony rides in Aru, all with food and toilets close by. Older children can try the short rafting run with a life jacket, though the operator decides on the day. Pahalgam family packages are built around short drives.

Couples tend to prefer Aru in the late afternoon, the Mamleshwar walk at dawn and a riverside stay at Laripora. Pahalgam honeymoon packages usually pair two nights here with Gulmarg and a Srinagar houseboat.

Older travellers should stay with Betaab, the golf course edge, Mamleshwar and the town. Pahalgam's 2,200 m altitude is gentle, but long pony climbs and the Yatra trek are not.