The sparkling streams, the happy murmuring of myriad brooks, the limpidity of its sheety lakes and the sublime beauty of the mountain tarns, the splendour of snow covered sunny flower laden highlands and the meadows and the variegated beauties of flora and fauna were variously described by the travelers and others. At an altitude of 2414m (7918ft.) 110km from Srinagar and 12km from Pahalgam, Aru i
s the most popular hill resort in the Valley, where one can romance with nature endlessly. Skirted by the Lidder River, this fantastic valley and the sprawling meadow is the place to experience the natural beauty. Spring extends from March to early May. This is the time of year when million colorful blossoms engulf Aru. Spring brings in a sparkling freshness and a respite from chilly winters. One cannot help but enjoy the transition and feel rejuvenated and blessed. With budding greenery and blooming blossoms along with the shrinking snowline, the valley turns into nothing less than a delight for the eyes and the soul. Summer in the valley extends from May until the end of August. In summer, the melting snow of the mountains fills the brooks and rivers with gushing waters. Only a touch of white at the tip of the peaks tells the tale of wintery past. Visitors during this season feel a respite from the sweltering heat elsewhere. The activities that can be undertake during this season include trout fishing, trekking in the Himalayas, water sports,bird watching etc. Summer is the best time to visit the famous tourist destination Aru, as the greenery is at its zenith this season. Adventure fanatics can try varied sports – zorb ball rolling, paragliding etc. Autumn, September heralds autumn season which is perhaps Kashmir’s loveliest season, when green turns to gold and then to russet and red. Aru’s landscape is set ablaze with hundreds of trees turning crimson amidst the winter haze. Red fire like glowing Birch and Maple leaves start falling. Autumn in Aru is a feast for one’s body, mind and soul. The smoky autumn is the period where the natives start gearing up for the winters ahead. With green turning into gold and falling leaves showering you wherever you go, one sure feels amidst a plot of a movie. As the days turn shorter and there is a crispy feel to the air, the colourful hues that the valley has to offer leaves one mesmerized. WINTER stretches from December to March which showcases Aru in yet another shade. Watching the bare snow-clad landscapes from besides the warmth of a fire is a joy worth experiencing. Winter sports including skiing, heli-skiing, snow boarding etc. attract numerous adventure lovers from around the globe. Aru itself presents some of the Kashmir’s best ski slopes. As the valley is engulfed with snow, Aru sure looks like a picture straight out of a fairytale, offering greater opportunities for skiing and other winter sports. Snow trekking is one of the best experience one can indulge in. Sliding down a snowy slope on a traditional sledge is something one cannot simply afford to miss. Ski equipment is readily available for hire to make your visit a memorable one. Though winters remain cold, but the warmth and hospitality of Kashmiri people is sure to set a place in your hearts. The road to the Kashmir’s Aru Valley is relatively easy one, but its rewards bountiful. Soldier past the well-trodden tourist trails at Pahalgam to an alpine Eden, the memory of which, when called upon in a vacant or pensive mood, will fill your heart with pleasure, much like Wordsworth’s famed encounter with a field of Daffodils. It’s the kind of idyll usually reserved for tourist brochures and picture postcards –pine-lined hillocks and grassy slopes with horses galloping about and sheep grazing against the backdrop of the roaring Lidder. Along the river’s calmer pools anglers patiently cast lines and wait for the trout to bite. WITH LILTING STREAMS AND LUSH MEADOWS, ARU’S BUCOLIC LANDSCAPE IS A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES.
