Betab valley has earned its name from the popular Bollywood film ‘Betab’ which was the debut film for the actress Amrita Singh and actor Sunny Deol. Betab valley is located fifteen km from Pahalgam in the Anantnag district of the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Betab valley falls on the way to the popular cave temple Amarnath between Chandanwari and Pahalgam. The picturesque location of Betab valley contains numerous lakes, green grazing lands, snow covered mountains and thick vegetation.

The research carried out by the geological department indicates that Betab Valley located in Pahalgam was developed during the post geosynclinal developmental stage of the Himalayas. Betab Valley is ideally placed between the two prominent Himalayan Ranges – the Zaskar and Pir Panjal. The study conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) explains the existence of early man of the Neolithic Age in the region of Pahalgam, Bomai and Burzahom. Betab Valley which forms the part of the Kashmir area was ruled by the Mughal Kings in the fifteenth century. The Mughals did not directly rule the area; they appointed Mirza Muhammad Haidar Dughlat who was the General of Turko-Mughal Military. Being a linguist and an historical writer, he wrote his famous book ‘Tarik-i-Rashidi’ which contains references of the area under his regime.

Betab valley remains an ideal destination for the tourists owing to the snow capped mountains, lush meadows, splashing streams, colorful and green trees. It is the paradise on earth for the tourists visiting the area.

Tourism in Betab Valley

Betab Valley is one of the most prominent tourist attractions for tourists visiting Pahalgam. It is also ideally located for tourists planning a trekking to the nearby mountain ranges. The clear and cool water of the streams flowing in the valley provides a delight to the tourists. The snow clad mountains and picturesque landscape makes the trip to Betab valley a memorable one for the tourists. The locals of the region use this water for drinking. Tulian Lake and Baisaran Lake are one of the prominent locations in the nearby areas.

How to Reach

By Flight

Srinagar airport which is located at a distance of 95 km from Pahalgam is the nearest airport. Srinagar is well connected with cities like Delhi, Jammu and Chandigarh by air. Several low fare airlines and the national carrier have regular flights to Srinagar. Once in Srinagar, you can take pre paid taxi to reach Pahalgam. The taxi charges are approximately Rs 1,000.

By Rail

The nearest railway link is Jammu which is located at a distance of 255 km from Pahalgam. Tourists can also hire a taxi or bus from Jammu to directly reach Pahalgam. The taxi charges are approximately Rs 3,000.

ByRoad

Pahalgam is well connected from Srinagar (95 km) and Jammu (255 km) by road. JKSRTC buses from both Jammu and Srinagar are available in plenty at very nominal fares. Apart from this, numerous tour operators provide attractive tour packages to visit Pahalgam.

Best Time to Visit Betab Valley

Pahalgam experiences a pleasing climate during the summer months while winters are extremely cool with abundant snow falls. Hence the best season for visiting pahalgam is any time between Mar to Nov.

• Winters (October to February): The winter months are very cool with temperature going below the zero degree. The complete area is covered with snow. The entire landscape provides some exotic viewpoints.
• Summers (March to June): The summer months are pleasant with temperature varying between 11°C and 25°C. The place experiences occasional showers and snow can be experienced at high mountains. The time is considered ideal for visiting the cave temple of Amarnath.
• Monsoons (July to September): This area experiences very little rainfall and humidity remains very high during the period.

Pahalgam experiences pleasant weather during the summer season and the resorts are jam packed with tourists. The season is best for adventurous activities and Amarnath pilgrimage. Winters are very harsh with temperature going below zero degree. Winter months are not suitable for sightseeing, however considered ideal for winter sports and honeymoon.

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