Things To Do
in Ajas

Narrow pathways, wooden homes, and apple orchards offer intimate portraits of rural Kashmiri life and great golden-hour light.

Marshes and rivers near Ajas are excellent for bird photography and reflective landscape shots, especially early morning or late afternoon.

Short hikes to surrounding ridges provide sweeping valley panoramas and Himalayan backdrops on clear days.

Candid street scenes, traditional foods, and portraits of vendors offer colorful cultural images — always ask permission before close portraits.

A slow-cooked lamb curry with warming spices; often available at local restaurants and family homes, especially on special occasions.

Must-Try!

Potatoes cooked in a tangy yogurt-based gravy — widely made in homes and good for vegetarians seeking a local flavor.

Kahwa is a fragrant green-tea brew with spices and almonds; noon chai is the pink, salty tea unique to Kashmir — drink either at tea stalls and household visits.

A rich minced mutton meatball dish from the Kashmiri wazwan tradition; may be found at larger gatherings or upscale restaurants in nearby towns.

Conservative clothing is expected — cover shoulders and knees, and women may prefer loose clothing and scarves to blend in respectfully.

Remove shoes before entering mosques and private homes; ask before photographing inside religious spaces or people praying.

Use polite greetings (Assalamu alaikum is common); show deference to elders and accept offered hospitality graciously.

Always ask permission before photographing people, especially women and during private moments.

Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory: 5–10% in restaurants if service is good, a small tip for drivers or porters, and a symbolic tip for guides or household helpers. Rounding up small bills is common in markets and for taxi drivers.

Cash (Indian rupees) is king in villages; ATMs and card facilities are available in larger towns only. Mobile payments (UPI, Paytm) are common in towns but may not work reliably in remote areas, so carry enough cash for daily expenses.

Blossoms, milder days, and fresh greenery make it one of the best times to visit; mornings can still be chilly, and occasional rain is possible.

Warm and pleasant compared with much of India; ideal for outdoor activities, though some rainy days can occur and mid-summer can be busier with local travel.

Clear skies, crisp air, and colorful foliage make autumn excellent for photography and trekking; temperatures fall quickly after sunset.

Cold with frequent snowfall at higher elevations; roads may be disrupted and many services reduced — travel only if prepared for winter conditions.

The main gateway to Kashmir, about an hour to a few hours' drive depending on road conditions; offers domestic flights and some regional connections. From the airport you can hire taxis or arrange transfers to Ajas.

A larger domestic airport further away (several hours by road); used as an alternate entry point but requires a long overland journey into northern Kashmir.