Kalaroos Caves Kashmir — The Underground River Most Tourists Never Find

Deep in the Lolab Valley in Kupwara district, a river disappears underground into a network of limestone caves that were largely unknown outside the local community until relatively recently. This is Kalaroos — one of the most unusual natural attractions in all of Kashmir, and one of the least visited.

The caves are part of the Kalaroos natural complex, which includes the stream, a small waterfall above the cave entrance, and surrounding forest. The limestone formations inside the cave are still developing — stalactites and stalagmites in various stages of growth. The river that runs through the cave system is cold and clear, and the sound of it echoing through the rock is the first thing you hear as you approach the entrance.

Where Kalaroos Is

The caves are located in the Lolab Valley, which sits in Kupwara district in northern Kashmir, approximately 100 kilometres from Srinagar. The drive takes about two and a half to three hours, passing through Sopore and entering the valley from the north.

The Lolab Valley itself is a destination — wide, agricultural, with apple orchards and walnut groves that change character through the seasons. Kalaroos is in the upper part of the valley, beyond the main settlements.

What to Expect at the Caves

The cave entrance is a low opening in the limestone hillside, reached by a short walk through forest from the road. The primary cave is accessible without specialist equipment — a torch is sufficient for the main sections.

Inside, the river runs through a series of chambers. The walls show limestone formations built up over thousands of years. The water is extremely cold. The cave has a natural echo quality that makes the sound of the river extraordinary.

Beyond the first accessible section, the cave system continues deeper but requires proper caving equipment and is not open to casual visitors.

The surrounding area — the forest, the waterfall above the entrance, the meadow where the river emerges — is as beautiful as the cave itself.

Why It Matters

Kalaroos is significant not just as a natural formation but as an example of Kashmir's natural diversity that goes almost entirely unrecognised in the mainstream travel narrative. Most visitors to Kashmir see Dal Lake, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The Kalaroos cave system represents a completely different kind of landscape — geological, underground, ancient — that very few people know exists.

Our guide Mushtaq, who has connections in the Lolab Valley, first took us here in 2019. We have been bringing small numbers of guests ever since.

How to Visit

Kalaroos is best visited as part of a full day in the Lolab Valley. We combine it with a visit to Drugmullah village, where a family guesthouse serves breakfast and the host can arrange a local guide for the cave. The drive from Srinagar, time at Kalaroos, a proper lunch at Drugmullah, and the return journey makes for a long and deeply satisfying day.

This is not a trip that can be done casually or without local knowledge. Our team handles all logistics and introductions.

Contact us at +91 88991 33899 or support@trivilio.com to include Kalaroos in your Kashmir itinerary.