Doodhpathri Budgam is an emerging tourist destination in Kashmir. Doodhpathri is a vast meadow surrounded by snowcapped mountains and meadows of Deodar and pine. It is situated on the bank of Shaliganga river. In Year 2023 doodhpathri witness huge rush of tourist. Doodhpathri is located in Khansahib tehsil of district Budgam at an altitude of 8,968 ft (2,730 metres) from sea level. In the past, nomads (Bakerwals) used it for grazing their cattle and there are still some mud houses known as “Kotha” in the area. Doodhpathri is a two hour drive from Srinagar.
Doodhpathri to Srinagar distance is about 45km. It takes around 2 hours to reach Doodhpathri from Srinagar. As, (1) the road is very winding with quick gain and loss of altitude. (2) the road passes through 4-5 small towns. Pertaining to both these reasons, it’s not possible to drive at a very fast pace. But, as you leave the towns and populated areas behind, and start reaching towards Doodhpathri, the last one hour drive is right out of fairy tales. Wherein you pass through picturesque valleys, witness massive waterfalls and beautiful meadows spread across the horizon.
On your way to Doodhpathri, don’t forget to stop at Sotchal Pathri which is a picturesque location for photographs and you also take a break there. The Ashtar glacier is the sources of Shaliganga river which flows in doodhpathri . Now you can also do paragliding in Sonamarg. The Jammu and Kashmir Government plans to make Doodhpathri a winter tourist spot and popular skiing destination in the country. A Bollywood album titled “Kitabo” was recently filmed there.
Doodhpathri is absolutely safe for tourists. You can visit with your family or friends. You can book one of the most affordable car rentals in Srinagar here.
When is the best time to visit Doodhpathri
Spring or Summer is the best time to visit doodhpathri Budgam. In winter the cab drops you at the entry point of doodhpathri and from there pony wala’s will take you to some view points, which is not worth it as the whole meadow is covered with snow. So the months from April to August is the best time to visit doodhpathri when the valley is on its peak of its beauty.
How to Reach Doodhpathri from Srinagar
The Srinagar to doodhpathri distance is around 45 kilometers and will take around 1:30 hours to reach doodhpathri. From district headquarters Budgam, it is around 36 kilometers. The distance from nearest airport (Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport Srinagar) to doodhpathri is 40 kms and the nearest Railway station is Budgam railway station at a distance of 35 kms. You can also rent a bike in Srinagar to reach Doodhpathri. The road to Doodhpathri is narrow and uphill drive , due to which it takes 2 hours to reach Doodhpathri.
Srinagar- Budgam road :- Srinagar -> Budgam -> Khansahib -> Doodhpathri. Total distance is 45 kms.
Srinagar Gulmarg road :- Srinagar -> Magam -> Beerwah -> Arizal . Total distance is 50 kms.
The Budgam to Doodhpathri distance is 36 kms. From Srinagar Airport, Doodhpathri is around 44 kilometers. You can also hire Srinagar Airport cab directly to reach Doodhpathri.
How to reach Doodhpathri waterfall point
Doodhpathri Waterfall Point, also known as the Doodhpathri River View Point, is a popular tourist destination located near Doodhpathri in Kashmir. It is the main attraction in Doodhpathri. But it is important to note that it is not actually waterfall. The Shaliganga River, which flows through the rocks creating a whitewater effect, which is how the spot earned its name (“Doodh” means milk and “pathri” means stream in Hindi). The Doodhpathri River View Point is a great place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding meadows and snow capped mountains.
The Doodhpathri River View Point is located about 2 kilometers from the main Doodhpathri meadow. You can reach it by car, taxi, or pony riding. But sometimes the locals do not allow cars to reach there, because they want to hire pony ride from them.
Doodhpathri Weather
The doodhpathri temperature remains pleasant during summers. In winter the meadows of doodhpathri remains covered under thick blanket of snow. The months from April to September is the best time to visit doodhpathri. From November to February you can enjoy snowfall in doodhpathri. It is absolutely safe to visit doodhpathri , you can visit doodhpathri at any time of the year.
Where to Stay in Doodhpathri/ Hotels in Doodhpathri Kashmir
In doodhpathri, there are no hotels, but you can stay in resorts or cottages run by the Tourism Department of Kashmir. You can also book these resorts online through JKTDC portal at Rs. 2000 per night. There are other small igloo shaped cottages where you can stay for night at a price of Rs. 2500. In doodhpathri there is no full fledged market but tea and snacks are available at the shops run by the local people. Camping is also allowed in Doodhpathri.
Things to do in Doodhpathri Kashmir
- Doodhpathri Sightseeing
- Camping | As per equipments
- Snowbiking
- Pony riding
- Paragliding
- Trekking
Doodhpathri in Summer
During summer the meadows of Doodhpathri which which are blanketed in snow during winter, come alive with a vibrant green carpet. The weather in Doodhpathri during summer is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C. While Doodhpathri does not have year-round road connectivity, summer makes it more accessible. So the best months to visit Doodhpathri are May, June, July, August and September. Tourists can enjoy a variety of activities in Doodhpathri during summer, such as trekking, horse riding, and fishing.
Here are some things to keep in mind when planning a trip to Doodhpathri in summer:
- The summer months from June to August are the peak tourist season in Doodhpathri.
- The accommodation options in Doodhpathri are limited, so it is advisable to book your stay in advance.
- There are not many shops or restaurants in Doodhpathri, so it is a good idea to carry your own food when travelling to Doodhpathri.
- Doodhpathri is located at a high altitude, so the weather can change anytime, so be sure to pack warm clothes, even in summer.
Doodhpathri in Winter
Doodhpathri Kashmir receives a good amount of snow during winter. And it usually remains inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall. The weather during winter is extremely cold and snowy. The average temperature in Doodhpathri ranges between 0°C and -12°C. The month of December and January are the coldest months , when the temperature can drop below -15°C, completely freezing the entire valley.
Tourist places near Doodhpathri
These are the tourist places near doodhpathri:-
- Yusmarg:- Yusmarg to doodhpathri distance is 53 Kms.
- Charari Sharief :- Doodhpathri to Charari sharief distance is 47 Kms.
- Tosamaidan:- Doodhpathri to Tosamaidan distance is 43 Kms.
- Nilnag :- 32 Kms from doodhpathri.
- Mujhpathri :- 3 Kms from Doodhpathri.
- Palmaidan :- In kashmiri Pal means “Stone” and Maidan means “meadow”. It is just 5 Kms from Doodhpathri.
- Diskhal :- 10 Kms trek from Shaliganga river.
