Budgam · Kashmir
Tosa Maidan
A huge high meadow below the Pir Panjal, formerly an army artillery range and long closed to visitors.
Tosa Maidan is an easy hill destination in Budgam, Kashmir, reaching 3,100 m. The best time to go is June to September. Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground from Srinagar and about ₹2,200 per person per day.
What to do in Tosa Maidan
The one thing not to miss
The meadow
A vast high pasture ringed by forest and peaks.
- 2Walk with a localThis was an army firing range until 2014. Keep to used paths and do not touch any metal object.
- 3The herders' campsGujjar and Bakarwal families bring flocks here in summer.
A sample plan: 3 days
Day 1
Srinagar to Tosa Maidan
About 2.5 hours on the road. Check in and take a short walk to get your bearings; go gently, you have gained height.
Day 2
The meadow · Walk with a local · The herders' camps
Details for each are under What to do, above.
Day 3
Tosa Maidan to Srinagar
Leave after breakfast; hill roads are slower than the map suggests.
A starting point built from the things to do above. Move days around to suit your pace.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- ❄︎Dec
Why go
Vast, unfenced grassland with almost nobody on it — a genuinely rare Kashmir experience.
Why not
Unexploded ordnance warnings persist in parts; go with someone who knows the safe areas.
Before you go
- Permits
- Army clearance may be needed — confirm before travelling.
- Guide
- Local guide strongly recommended.
- Safety
- Stay strictly on known paths; former firing range.
- Phone & internet
- None.
Altitude
Tosa Maidan reaches 3,100 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common.
- Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water.
- Avoid alcohol on the first night.
- If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Kashmir →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Main hospitals in Kashmir: SKIMS, Soura, Srinagar; SMHS Hospital, Srinagar.
All emergency contacts for Kashmir →What to pack for Tosa Maidan
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
8 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,100 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Compact umbrella Showers are frequent in the rainy months.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
1 item
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip Hill towns mean slopes, steps and wet stone.
For day outings
2 items
- Day pack, 20–30 litres For day outings: water, a layer, a camera.
- Water bottles, 2 litres in total Refill rather than buying plastic bottles.
Health and sun
4 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 The sun burns faster in the hills than in the plains.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- Motion-sickness bands or tablets The approach roads are long and winding.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsArmy clearance may be needed — confirm before travelling.
Phone and power
3 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone.
- A postpaid SIMPrepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Ladakh or Kashmir. Only postpaid connections, or a prepaid SIM bought locally, will have signal.
For what you're going for
4 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
- Sleeping bag If you camp on your own. Operators and campsites usually provide one — ask first.
- Car phone mount and charger Hands-free navigation on mountain roads.
Read before you go
1 item
- A guidebook for Kashmir Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- Possible, but high ground clearance is better.
By road
From
Srinagar
- Distance
- about 60 km
- Drive time
- about 2.5 hours
- Srinagar
- Magam
- Beerwah
- Tosa Maidan
The last stretch is rough; some people walk it.
Live directions from Srinagar
Buses and shared taxis. There is no regular public transport to the meadow; hire a taxi from Srinagar or Beerwah.
Pickups & drivers
From Srinagar. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Tosa Maidan yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Tosa Maidan: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Tosa Maidan?
The best months for Tosa Maidan are June to September. May and October are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in December to March.
How difficult is Tosa Maidan?
Tosa Maidan is rated easy. No trekking is needed, starting at 2,700 m and reaching 3,100 m.
How many days do you need for Tosa Maidan?
Plan 2 to 3 days on the ground, counted from Srinagar. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Tosa Maidan cost?
Expect about ₹2,200 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹6,600 for 3 days, before the cost of getting to Srinagar.
How do you reach Tosa Maidan?
By road: from Srinagar it is about 60 km, about 2.5 hours (Srinagar → Magam → Beerwah → Tosa Maidan). There is no regular public transport to the meadow; hire a taxi from Srinagar or Beerwah. The nearest gateway is Srinagar.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Tosa Maidan?
Permits: Army clearance may be needed — confirm before travelling. Guide: Local guide strongly recommended.
Is Tosa Maidan suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is possible with care; with seniors it is possible with care. It is quiet in season. Stay strictly on known paths; former firing range.
What should you pack for Tosa Maidan?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, sun cap or hat, compact umbrella, rain jacket or poncho, comfortable walking shoes with grip. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Tosa Maidan?
None.
Will I get altitude sickness at Tosa Maidan?
Tosa Maidan reaches 3,100 m. Most people feel fine, but a mild headache or poor sleep on the first night is common. Take the first day slowly and drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol on the first night. If a headache comes with nausea, dizziness or unusual tiredness, do not go higher until it clears. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Tosa Maidan?
Tosa Maidan is not a good choice for families with small children and older travellers who find long walks or rough roads hard. Also keep in mind: Unexploded ordnance warnings persist in parts; go with someone who knows the safe areas.
Close to Tosa Maidan
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Gulmargabout 13 km
- Doodhpathriabout 13 km
- Alpather Lakeabout 17 km
- Yusmargabout 24 km
More in Srinagar & day trips
- Doodhpathri2,900 mcompare
- Srinagar & Dal Lake1,600 mcompare
- Yusmarg2,600 mcompare
- Alpather Lake4,100 mcompare
- Bangus Valley3,300 mcompare
- Chatpal2,200 mcompare