Doodhpathri, Srinagar - Timings, Entry Fee, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 43 km from Srinagar, Doodhpathri is a secluded hamlet located in the Budgam district of Jammu & Kashmir. Also called the Valley of Milk, it is one of the offbeat places to visit near Srinagar while holidaying in Kashmir.

Situated at an altitude of 2,730 m, Doodhpathri is a beautiful resort that lies in a bowl-shaped valley in the Pir Panjal Range of the mighty Himalayas. It is an alpine valley covered with lush green meadows, and an adjoining river meandering through pine trees of the surrounding forests. The natural meadows are covered with snow in winter and carpeted with colorful wildflowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots, and butter cups during spring and summer. It is a pristine, untouched beauty that attracts tourists who want to spend their vacation in solitude.

The literal meaning of Doodhpathri is 'valley of milk', and it got the name because the water flowing through the meadows here looks like milk from a distance. There is also a story that goes back in time. It is believed that when the famous saint of Kashmir Sheikh-ul-Alam once prayed here and pricked the ground with his stick to get water to perform ablution. Milk started oozing out instead of water from the ground. He asked for the milk that can only be used for drinking and not performing ablution. Hearing this milk at once changed its state to water and the meadow got its name Doodhpathri.

The valley has no permanent settlement and is inaccessible during winter due to heavy snowfall. However, shepherds from the plains of Budgam district bring cattle for grazing in summer and remain at Doodhpathri seasonally for about six months. The area is largely unexplored and receives very little tourism. However, efforts are being made by the authorities to develop it as a tourist destination. JKTDC has also built a resort here for tourists who wanted to stay overnight.

Doodhpathri can be reached from Srinagar only road. Visitors can either drive their own vehicle or rent a private taxi which will cost about Rs. 2500 for a round trip. For people traveling by public transport, buses and shared cabs can be boarded but they will not take you to Doodhpathri. There is not a full-fledged market or any hotel in the area, so the trip is always going to last for a day only and you need to pack your lunch. Tea and snacks are available in the shops run by local people.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Free