From Jammu to the Kashmir Valley

Leaving the plains of Jammu, the road climbs into the Pir Panjal mountains and then descends towards Ramban, where it hugs cliffs above the Chenab River. Past Banihal, the drive enters the Kashmir Valley, a lush bowl cradled by the Himalayas, renowned for its scenic beauty and timeless villages. In the south are villages like Qazigund and Pahalgam, situated by the Lidder River, surrounded by pines and grazing pastures. Nearby are Awantipora and Batpora, nestling amid orchards and fields, offering quiet rural charm. On the banks of the Jhelum, Narayan Bagh is known for fertile land and its carpet weavers. Nishat Bagh and Shalimar, with their Mughal gardens, reflect grandeur beside Dal Lake. To the northeast, Sonamarg, known as the "Meadow of Gold," dazzles with its glaciers, alpine meadows, and rushing streams, along the road leading to the Zoji-La Pass into Ladakh.