Kokernag Tourism Guide: Things to Do & Best Places to Visit
No one wants to face pushing and shoving by the crowd, so you can take your time to appreciate heavenly beauty. Finding an offbeat destination on a Kashmir trip is not that difficult if you really give your time to it.
Kokernag is one such outskirt destination that is believed to hold the blend of miraculous lakes and tranquilizing beauty. The entire valley is renowned for offering a mesmerizing escape, which ultimately mends emotions. Sounds like a perfect escape spot, but how do we get there, and why exactly Kokernag?
Let’s briefly unravel every single fragment of the region, and it deserves the spot to be in Kashmir’s tourism.
Let’s get ready to know about the most amazing spots that you can visit in Srinagar and the different things that you can try.
What’s So Special About Kokernag in Srinagar?
Kokernag is an untouched destination, which means whenever you visit the place, you’ll be all by yourself. This will give you peace and freedom to explore and immerse yourself in the surroundings. Personally, Drung Waterfall and Kokernag Waterfall are the two spots that bring unparalleled joy.
Earlier we talked about the miraculous healing lake that is Papashudan Nad, which is a freshwater spring situated nearby the waterfall. It is believed that whoever takes a dip gets cured from various ailments. Locals believe that this spring and waterfall were discovered by an ancient sage, but the credibility behind this is still questionable.
Similarly, let’s uncover various places to visit in Kokernag.
Best Spots and Nearby Locations at Kokernag
The tourist crowd at Kokernag is quite less, but whoever has visited this place described it as a heavenly garden. Some of the attractions include
Botanical Garden
The most popular spot is the Kokernag Botanical Garden, where you’ll find many foreigners wandering around. The quiet environment, birds chirping around and soothing voice of the river make the experience enthralling. During spring you would get an opportunity to witness hundreds of exotic flowers.
Kokernag Spring
Adjoining this beautiful park, we have Kokernag Spring that adds a star to the place. People from far lands especially come to the spring to take a dip, as it is believed it can cure ailments. Apart from this, Kokernag Spring serves as a perfect picturesque spot and a soothing camping site.
Daksum
Daksun is a nearby landmark that nestles some of the lush green meadows. Yet another quiet spot that is a perfect getaway for nature lovers and adventure seekers. You can do fishing and take part in activities, but that depends upon the season.
Verinag Spring
The ancient architecture built by Mughals, surrounding the Verinag Spring, adds an aura of timeless elegance to this serene destination. Commissioned by Emperor Jahangir in the early 17th century, the octagonal stone basin and arched colonnades are a true reflection of Mughal-era craftsmanship, blending seamlessly with the natural beauty of the spring.
Sinthan Top
If you are not bound by time, visiting Sinthan Top becomes a must. Elevated at 12,000 feet, just around 40–45 km from Kokernag, the drive itself is a thrilling experience, with winding roads, alpine forests, and misty air that gets colder as you ascend.
Feel like making a visit there now? Here’s how to reach there.
How to Visit Kokernag Spring, Srinagar?
In order to reach Kokernag, you need to avail yourself of a private taxi from Srinagar, which is almost a 2 km drive. From the Srinagar International Airport, the destination is approximately 80 km away. You also have an economical option, which is taking a shared taxi from Jammu Tawi to Srinagar and taking another shared cab to Anantnag, making it just a 40-minute drive away from the spot.
It is situated more than 2000 meters from sea level, and if you are someone who loves to trek, you can take the Aarshan Valley trek from Kokernag base camp that offers mesmerizing lush meadows. So when should we go there?
Best Time to Visit Kokernag
Like other commercial places of Srinagar, there are no such seasonal restrictions. You can visit the place anytime you want and let the scenic beauty unfold your senses.
However, the most enthralling time would be during spring (April to October) when the weather is pleasant, the flowers are in full bloom, and the surrounding gardens are at their vibrant best.
This period is perfect for exploring the Kokernag Botanical Garden and Rose Garden and enjoying leisurely walks along the spring’s crystal-clear streams. If you want to witness a magical white fairy tale land, winters offer the snow-draped escape. However, during winters the activities and options get limited.
How to Maximize Thrill at Kokernag and Essential Tips?
Apart from the spring itself, Kokernag is surrounded by other scenic gems like Daksum that bestow perfect picnic spots. Sinthan Top, which is a mountaintop that gives a perfect panoramic view of the entire Alps of Kashmir.
Moreover, Kokernag itself offers a perfect relaxing spot where you can indulge in fishing and camping. And the best part is you can stay overnight by booking any of the nearby hotels, like Knight View Hotel, Kanwal Cottage, and Shabir Hotel.
Some of the necessary tips during your visit at Kokernag are
- Do carry a raincoat, especially with how the weather gets unpredictable.
- Spend your time walking around, as you would get to witness the things that are rare in cities.
- Once you are done with Kokernag, do try to visit Strawberry Valley in Srinagar while heading back to the airport.
- Don’t forget to try lip-smacking authentic Kashmiri cuisine during your stay at Kokernag.
FAQs
Q1. Which river originates from Kokernag?
Ans. Bringhi River originates from the Kokernag Waterfall that later conflates with the Jhelum River.
Q2. Which is the largest spring water in Kashmir?
Ans. Verinag Spring is the largest underground spring water in Kashmir that forms the Jhelum River.
Q3. What does the name Kokernag mean?
Ans. “Koker” means hen, and “nag” means snake or spring, which literally combines to form hen’s spring.
Q4. Why is Kokernag waterfall famous?
Ans. There are many stories behind the Papashudan lake and waterfall; the most obvious reason is the scenic beauty and snow-capped mountains at the backdrop.
