Open meadows and a milky, fast river, 90 minutes from Srinagar.
Doodhpathri, in Budgam district south-west of Srinagar, is a run of open meadows edged with pine and fir. The Shaliganga breaks white over the stones here, which is where the name, the valley of milk, comes from.
There are few hotels and little building, and that keeps it calm even in June. Shepherds bring their flocks up from the lower villages through the summer, and an easy walk takes you further up the valley to quieter grassland. It works as a day trip, but a night there lets you see it before and after the day visitors.
There are only a few tea stalls on the meadow. Carry water, snacks and a warm layer, because the weather turns quickly up there.
Each one has a full day-by-day plan, and every one can be changed.
Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Daksum, Sinthan Top and Srinagar
A week in the meadows most visitors skip. Two quiet valleys in Budgam, the forest at Daksum and the high road over Sinthan Top, ending on a Srinagar houseboat.
2,400 m
Pine forest, the Doodh Ganga and an easy walk to Nilnag lake.
Explore
2,200 m
Eighth-century stone temples and the high lakes under Mount Haramukh.
Explore
1,585 m
Houseboats, old city lanes and the lakeside gardens. Every trip starts here.
Explore
2,650 m
A meadow under Apharwat. The Gondola, ski slopes and high lakes in summer.
Explore
