Discover Aru Valley: Your Complete Guide to Kashmir’s Paradise

Unlike other places in Kashmir, Aru Valley in Kashmir is mainly known for its untouched serenity. The beauty of Aru Valley is not just limited to its serene beauty but also its rich biodiversity. This paradise of Kashmir paints its meadows with vibrant flora and fauna during spring and summer. Colorful wildflowers, butterflies, birds, and animals will soothe your soul with a sense of tranquility

Aru Valley: Pahalgam’s Hidden Gem 100

Aru Valley in Pahalgam is a place of lush green meadows, crystal clear streams of water, snow-capped peaks, and scenic trekking trails. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Aru Valley in Pahalgam is a place where you can calm your mind and connect with the blessings of nature. Aru Valley sightseeing should be a must in your things to do in Pahalgam if you are a true nature enthusiast or adventure seeker.

How to Reach Aru Valley?

The distance from Srinagar to Pahalgam is approximately 96 km which in a shared taxi will take around 2 to 3 hours and cost around ₹100. Again from Pahalgam to Aru valley, it is 12 km more which will take around 30 mins and a shared vehicle will cost you around ₹40.  

Hope this answers your confusion about how to reach Aru Valley once you reach Aru village you can get a stay and are all set for Aru Valley sightseeing. 

Best Time to Visit Aru Valley

During this time the valley experiences mild temperature with clear skies and crisp air. The picturesque setting of lush greenery and blooming wildflowers makes summer the ideal time to visit Aru Valley in Pahalgam. 

During the winter season, Aru Valley gets enchantingly covered with snow making it challenging for travelers to explore properly. Due to its characteristic cold temperature and snowfall in Kashmir roads may get closed making it difficult to reach here.

Places to explore in Aru Valley

• Aru River

Aru Valley in Kashmir has a lot to offer to nature lovers such as the Aru River, which is a tributary of the Lidder River and is perfect for tranquil walks.

• Aru Forest:- 

Aru forest is one of the best places to see in Aru valley as the land here is covered with huge cedar and pine trees giving you the literal meaning of the term natural beauty. 

• Aru temples:- 

Aru Valley is unique in its culture and heritage along with its panoramic landscapes. It has a small cave of Shiva temple signifying the spiritual connection of its natives.

Places near Aru Valley to visit

Betaab valley

Distance from Aru Valley The approximate distance is 18 km via the national highway 

Address:- Laripoha, Pahalgam

Chandanwari

Distance from Aru Valley:- Approximately 12 km via national highway

Address:-  Chandanwari, Jammu and Kashmir

Baisaran valley

Distance from Aru Valley:- Approximately 18 km via Baisaran road

Address:- Baisaran, Anantnag District, Jammu and Kashmir

Sheshnag

Distance from Aru Valley:- The approximate distance is 21.5 km.

Address:- Anantnag District, Jammu and Kashmir

Overa Aru Wildlife Sanctuary

Distance from Aru Valley:-The approximate distance is 14 km. 

Address:-Forest Block, Jammu and Kashmir

These are some of the most common Aru Valley nearby places.

Things to do in Aru Valley

Explore the landscape of this paradise

From the rustling of leaves, chirping of birds, and an occasional sighting of wild animals you can explore the landscapes of this region which makes most of the Aru Valley tourist places. 

Interact with Locals

One of the coolest things you can do while visiting new places is interact with its locals. Learn local greetings, learn their cultural norms and practices, be part of community gatherings if possible, and many more. 

Birdwatching

If you are a bird lover then this place can be a haven for you. Some of the bird species that you can witness here are Himalayan Mogal, Crescent Serpent Eagle, Koklass Pheasants, etc. Birdwatching is also one of the coolest things to do in Kashmir for knowledge enthusiasts.

Horseback Riding

Take the complete feeling of Kashmir’s countryside with horseback riding in Aru Valley which may cost you around ₹400 per person

Trekking

Aru Valley is the base camp for various trekking trials and offers excellent options for short treks and long treks. Some popular trekking routes include the Aru-Tarsar Marsar Trek, Aru-Lidderwat Trek, and Aru-Kolahoi Glacier Trek. It is the unfiltered beauty of its trials that makes Kashmir a heaven on earth. 

Photography

Places to see in Aru Valley are blessed with verdant beauty and give photographers mesmerizing pictures of its scenic vistas. It is also a hub for nature photographers because of its rich biodiversity.

Camping

Aru Valley in Kashmir offers a lot of picturesque camping places for you to enjoy. But some of the factors that should be kept in mind before going camping. Such as weather conditions, choosing a safe and level camping site, etc

Entrance Fee of Aru valley 

There’s no such entrance fee for Aru Valley but sometimes you might have to pay  ₹25 to ₹50 per person.