The excitement of a pleasant vacation combined with some fond memories of breath-taking expanses of lush vegetation sprinkled with yellow and white wildflowers, the intoxicating perfume of pine trees, and a beautiful, panoramic view of the majestic mountains.- That is what you get at Chatpal also considered as mini Pahalgam of Kashmir, the untouched unexplored town nestled in a quaint corner of South Kashmir.
About 90 kilometers from Srinagar, Chatpal seems to be especially cut off from the rest of the world, it’s virginal beauty a mesmerizing cinematic experience. The crystal clear gushing stream, the magnificent mountains, the apple and walnut orchards give the place a fairytale effect, which can be felt more than it can ever be put into words.
Chatpal : Mini Pahalgam, Kashmir
Arrival at Chatpal also considered as mini Pahalgam, Kashmir is a walk through the clouds which seem to disappear magically around sunset giving a glimpse of heaven on earth just like the rest of Kashmir; the only difference being that it still enjoys purity from a lack of commercialization and regular tourist intrusion. As you trek up the mountains, you can feel yourself go back in time to a simpler life – shepherds returning home with their flocks, kids in traditional attire and metal rings running down the slopes, local construction workers playing cricket without a care in the world.
In every season, the weather is pleasant and mountainous. Throughout the months of April to June, the weather is pleasant and moderate. This location is best visited between November and February if you want to see snow. You can rent the government bungalow at any time throughout your visit. There are few lodgings available, and the weather is frequently intolerable. Trekking through Chatpal’s woods is an option, as is simply spending the evening with the friendly locals. Because there is no electricity, one can enjoy the solitude while eating a candle-lit meal and snuggling up in warm blankets.
There are no major tourist attractions, yet it offers calm, tranquilly, and unspoiled natural and divine beauty. The picturesque location is ideal for an unforgettable vacation in the Himalayan foothills. Simply take a deep breath of clean mountain air and forget about your city problems.
The People Of Chatpal : Mini Pahalgam, Kashmir
Their compassion for strangers, their hospitality overwhelms you. Every word they utter, every smile they share, and every look they give exudes so much warmth and love.
You want to capture the unspoiled, untouched, incredible beauty in the people’s faces there, the magnificent beauty hidden from the world, the simplicity that makes you want to talk to everyone and learn about their lives, past, present, and future.
If you visit Chatpal, you will almost certainly be invited to tea by the local family. You’d never guess the symmetry presented within their irregular wooden buildings from the outside. Their kitchen, carpets, windows, and structure all appear to be part of a carefully planned pattern.
Rightly named as ‘Mini Pahalgam’, there’s always something wonderful about visiting a place like Chatpal, so pristine and isolated that you can’t help but feel grateful for the globe and the comparatively untouched places that still exist within it.
