Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir · Pahalgam travel guide
Valley

Aru Valley is a picturesque village and valley known for meadows, mountains, and trekking routes. It is a starting point for several high-altitude treks and offers peaceful natural scenery.
| Time to spend | About 2.5 h (1.5–4 h) |
|---|---|
| Best time of day | 9 AM–1 PM — sunny meadows and clear mountain views |
| Avoid | 3:30–6 PM — cold and clouds roll in over the valley |
| Best months | May–Oct |
| Months to avoid | Dec–Feb |
| Entry fee | Free entry |
| Setting | Outdoor |
| Effort | Some walking — Base for the Kolahoi glacier trek; ~12 km from Pahalgam |
| Good for | Families, Couples, Solo, Groups |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 on Google (4,318 reviews) |
Meadows are green May to September; heavy winter snow makes road access difficult.



Most visitors spend about 2.5 h; 1.5–4 h depending on pace.
9 AM–1 PM, for sunny meadows and clear mountain views. The best months are May–Oct.
Entry is free.