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A green forested valley with a stream winding through meadows below snow-capped peaks and white clouds near Pahalgam
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Photo: KennyOMG · CC BY-SA 3.0
Day planFirst visitnaturerelaxed

One day in Pahalgam — the temple, the river and the road to Chandanwari

A one-day Pahalgam plan: the Mamleshwar Temple, a walk along the Lidder and the road up to Chandanwari, where the Amarnath path begins, with times.
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A relaxed day in the valley. It begins at the Mamleshwar Temple, walks the Lidder valley and ends with the drive up to Chandanwari. For the meadow village of Aru, see the Aru day.

Photos: KennyOMG (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Divya Gupta (divya.co) (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Akigupta131 (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Visitors who want the valley at an easy pace, between late spring and early autumn, outside the Amarnath pilgrimage weeks if they prefer quiet.

Day by day

Day 1

A shrine, the river and the end of the road

3 stops · 28 min on the road

Start in town, then drive up the valley to Chandanwari in the afternoon.

  1. 09:00
    Mamaleshwar Temple
    temple · 4 min from Pahalgam · about 30 min there
    The small stone Shiva shrine on the Lidder, about 4 minutes from the centre.
  2. ↓ 2 min by road · 1 km
    10:30
    Lidder Valley
    viewpoint · 2 min from Pahalgam · about 1 h there
    A walk along the river and the meadows beside the town.
  3. ↓ 26 min by road · 16 km
    13:00
    Chandanwari
    town · 25 min from Pahalgam · about 45 min there
    The road-end where the Amarnath pilgrim path begins, about 25 minutes from the centre; it passes Betaab Valley on the way.

Getting there

Pahalgam is about 88 km and 86 minutes from Srinagar by road. See how to reach Pahalgam for the arrival table.

Where to stay

Stay in Pahalgam. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.

Know before you go

  • Check current local conditions and your government's travel advice before you travel; the plan leaves out Baisaran.
  • Access to Chandanwari can be restricted around the Amarnath yatra; ask locally the day before.
  • We have no verified opening hours or pony and guide rates; agree prices first.

Places on this route

The Lidder Valley at Pahalgam — river, meadows and pine forest
The Lidder Valley at Pahalgam — river, meadows and pine forest
viewpoint · 2 min from Pahalgam
Mamleshwar Temple, Pahalgam — the old stone shrine on the Lidder
Mamleshwar Temple, Pahalgam — the old stone shrine on the Lidder
temple · 4 min from Pahalgam
Chandanwari — the road-end and start of the Amarnath pilgrim path
Chandanwari — the road-end and start of the Amarnath pilgrim path
town · 25 min from Pahalgam

Going together

No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.

Start a groupHow groups work

Other ways to do it

All Pahalgam itineraries →
A day up the Lidder to Aru — meadows and the trek base
A day up the Lidder to Aru — meadows and the trek base
Day plan · nature · nature
A relaxed day trip from Pahalgam up the Lidder valley to Aru: a riverside walk, then the meadows and mountains at the base of the Kolahoi Glacier treks.
Best May–Jun · Sep
See the plan →

More places nearby

All of Pahalgam →
Aru Valley — meadows and the trek base above Pahalgam
Aru Valley — meadows and the trek base above Pahalgam
town · 9.7 km away
Chashme Shahi — the royal spring garden above Dal Lake
Chashme Shahi — the royal spring garden above Dal Lake
monument · 40 km away
Pari Mahal — the terraced garden of fairies above Dal Lake
Pari Mahal — the terraced garden of fairies above Dal Lake
monument · 41 km away
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Asia's largest tulip garden
Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden — Asia's largest tulip garden
park · 41 km away
Nishat Bagh — the terraced Mughal garden of joy on Dal Lake
Nishat Bagh — the terraced Mughal garden of joy on Dal Lake
monument · 42 km away
Shalimar Bagh — the Mughal garden on Dal Lake's north shore
Shalimar Bagh — the Mughal garden on Dal Lake's north shore
monument · 43 km away
Dal Lake — shikara boats, houseboats and floating gardens in Srinagar
Dal Lake — shikara boats, houseboats and floating gardens in Srinagar
lake · 44 km away
Shankaracharya Temple — the hilltop Shiva temple above Srinagar
Shankaracharya Temple — the hilltop Shiva temple above Srinagar
temple · 44 km away

Nearby destinations

All destinations →
A rocky mountain stream running through a green valley beneath snow-covered peaks at Sonamarg
Sonamarg
30 km away · 1 itineraries · 2 places
Two shikara boats on calm Dal Lake with snow-covered mountains rising behind the far shore
Srinagar
47 km away · 3 itineraries · 12 places
Visitors walking across the snowy Kongdoori bowl beneath a ridge on a bright winter day
Gulmarg
87 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
Dalhousie hill station across its five hills
Dalhousie
177 km away · 2 itineraries · 5 places
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Questions people ask

What can you do in Pahalgam in one day?

Visit the old Mamleshwar Temple, walk the Lidder valley beside the town, and drive up the road to Chandanwari, about 25 minutes from the centre on our routing, passing Betaab Valley. The first two stops are within 4 minutes of the centre, so the day is slow, with the drive in the afternoon.

Can you drive to Chandanwari at any time?

Not necessarily. It is the base for the Amarnath pilgrimage in July and August, and access can be restricted then and in bad weather or snow. We have no verified rules for visitors, so ask in Pahalgam the day before and follow instructions at checkpoints.

Is this a good plan with children?

Yes, in settled weather: it has short walks beside the river and a scenic drive, with no trekking. Keep warm layers and rain cover, since the weather changes quickly at about 2,200 m. We have no verified pony or activity rates, so agree any ride's price before it starts.