Travel Kashmir like never before:

Kashmir Travel Bag Check: For a winter season, pack up your nice woolen clothes with gloves, woolen socks and mountain boots. Don’t worry if you don’t have mountain boots, as they are readily available on rent (@ Rs 100-150 per day) at all destinations. In cosmetics, don’t forget to add a sunscreen as although its winter, sun glazes are at its peak in mountains. And the reflections from the ice make it even more worst.

Kashmir Travel Mode Check: If you are from Delhi, a direct flight from Delhi to Srinagar is the quickest way to reach there. As far as trains are concerned, no direct trains from any part of India are available to Srinagar. Hence, you may book your ticket to Udhampur, from where you may easily get a local conveyance. Average one side ticket for a flight ranges from Rs 3000 to Rs 4000. You may easily get a train ticket for Rs 1000 for 3AC.

Kashmir Travel Wallet Check: Apart from tickets to reach, you may expect an expense of Rs 5000/- per day at a max!

Hotels: Budget hotels at a price as low as Rs 2000/- are available at all the locations. You may expect some hike in prices at Gulmarg, where an average hotel ranges from Rs 3000- 5000.

Food: Average food cost Rs 500/- per person at nearly all places. Gulmarg is a bit pricey, but still you can get a good meal in Rs 500/-.

Kashmir Travel Tuktuk Check: All over the Kashmir, you may find Cabs @ Rs 2000- 2500 per day. You may also rent bikes for Rs 1000-1500/-. For city tours cycles are also available at Gulmarg.

Kashmir Travel Master Plan:

Duration: 1 Week

Places to be covered: Srinagar/Sonamarg/Gulmarg/Pahalgam

Day 1:

Arrival at Srinagar. Local Sightseeing.

Estimated Time: 1 Day

Estimated Expense: Rs 5000/- (Including Rs 1000/- for food+Rs 2000/- for Car hire + Rs 2000/- other expenses like Shikara Ride for Rs 550/-, Gardens entries Rs 25/- to 50/- etc)

Transport: You may hire a private car or an Auto for riding around.

People say ‘ If there is heaven on earth, it is here’

Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K is the real gem. You may find all, the mountains, the lakes and the gardens… All colors of life smiling at one place! Yes, that’s Kashmir my dear!

Dal & Nigen Lake: So we will start our day with Shikhara ride at Dal Lake. For offbeat travelling you may explore Nigen lake as well. But if you are 1st timer, I will suggest you to go to Dal Lake. At Dal Lake you will find floating markets which is the main attraction of the ride. You may buy some memories at these places. This boat experience is not just a ride; it is the whole city in miniature…

Unlike Dal Lake, Nigen is a quieter one. And should be experienced only when you don’t like the usual touristy crowd. Feel the vibes of the mountains and the floating water with this heavenly ride.

After that have some morning munches and be ready for our next destination.

Nishat and Shalimar Baghs : Nishat and Shalimar gardens are real jewels of the city. Although the city has many famous gardens like tulip garden, badamwari garden,mughal garden,chasme shahi garden, achabal garden, garden of char chinar and many more, Nishat and Shalimar Bagh are the most beautiful among them. Located adjacent to Dal lake, these gardens are at their best during summer seasons when beautiful flowers of all colors blossom all around.

Exhausted? Come let’s have some lunch.

Pari Mahal : So after recharge, we are ready for our next destination, Pari Mahal or the Palace of fairies. Localities say the queens lived there and that’s why it is called ‘Pari mahal’. Located at Zabarwan mountain range, you will have awesome view of Srinagar from this Mahal. It was also used as an observatory in the past. After this beautiful palace and garden top, we may visit pious places like Hazratbal Masjid or Shankaracharya Temple. But yes, please sleep early today, because tomorrow we are heading to Sonamarg early morning!

Night @ Houseboat: Where to spend night? You may hire Houseboat Hotels at Dal Lake or Nigen Lake for a night where you can enjoy a night in water. These boats are beautifully crafted. Yummy food being served in the middle of the lake at your bed… isn’t it exciting J Do try it once!

Day 2:

Heading towards Sonamarg after looking at weather forecast. If snow is expected, will go to Sonamarg else drive to Pahalgam first and will come back to Sonamarg for snow as per weather forecast

Estimated Time: 1 Day

Estimated Expense: Rs 5000/- (Including Rs 1000/- for food+Rs 2000/- for Car hire + Rs 2000/- other expenses like Ice suit, shoes and porter ride for Rs 1500 to Rs 2000/-)

Transport: You may visit the place on a private car, shared taxi or bus

Sonamarg which literally meant meadows of gold is approx 2 hr 20 min journey from Srinagar.

You have to hire private cars for reaching there. The transition of the flora and fauna in this journey will leave you speechless. From the blossoms of flower and the chinar trees to pine trees, you will be able to see snow in this area. It is really advisable to see weather forecast before planning the day!

Snowfall is the real beauty of this place. You may hop around the snow cladded mountains on foots or on a porter. Among the mountains and the river, a journey to the snowy peaks is really mesmerizing. You may explore Baltal valley and Zoji La Pass if the weather is good.

Even if you can’t see snowfall, you may still have fun as white river rafting at shutkari bridge is waiting for you. Whatever is the season; there is a place to visit here for your adrenaline rush.

Hungry??? Let’s head back. We will have our lunch in the mid way!

So let’s prepare for our next destination, which is really close to my heart.

Day 3:

After Sonamarg will go to Gulmarg. Ideal time for touring is two days but if you love skiing like me, you will definitely leave your heart here forever.

Estimated Time: 2 Day

Estimated Expense: Rs 10000/- (Including Rs 1000/- for food; Rs 2000/- for Car hire; Rs 7000/- other expenses like Ice shoes for Rs 100/-, Skiing at Rs 1500/-, Sledging at Rs 300-350/-, ATB Ride at Rs 2500/-, Guide at Rs 800/- , Gondola Ride at Rs 750/- etc)

Transport: For exploring Gulmarg at the fullest you have to be on foot. However, jeeps are available if you need one.

On day 1, after reaching Gulmarg we will head towards baby slope where we will find sledges and skis waiting for us. Choose the adventure for yourself as we are going to spend our half time here. Ski learning is not that hard and one may balance the ski in an hour max. So if you are at Gulmarg, do once try skiing.

Sledges may be accessed for uphill journey if you are exhausted with skiing down and have no energy to again go on the top.

You may also sit on sledges if you are not comfortable with the skis.

Exhausted after so much adventure. Let’s have some food. Because after lunch we are going on an ATB Ride. You may have a guided ride where you can drive yourself or the rider guide may show you all the places at Gulmarg like inner city circle, outer city circle, golf course, strawberry valley, ningle nallah etc.

After exploring this misty city on the ride lets have our dinner early as this city sleeps quiet early and tomorrow we are going on the Gondola.

Day 4:

Gulmarg local sightseeing

Estimated Time: As in Day 3

Estimated Expense: As in Day 3

Transport: As in Day 3

The Gondola Rides : Today, we are going to the Gondola Phase I and if the weather is good we may head toward Gondola Phase II from where we can trek for 3 Km towards Alpather lake. Skiing at Gondola is the dream for the entire skier. So welcome to the land of skiing, where everybody is either busy in skiing or skateboarding. From this height 4000 m, the view of the city is amazing! Feels like you are in the heaven itself. After playing for half a day here at Gondolas, let’s have some lunch at Gondola Phase I. We will head back afterwards and will see the Maharani Temple and Church at the city.

Lets again wind up early as we are now going to our last destination of the trip Pahalgam tomorrow.

Day 5:

Leaving Gulamrg and heading towards Pahalgam.

Estimated Time: 2 Day

Estimated Expense: Rs 10000/- (Including Rs 1000/- for food; Rs 2000/- for Car hire; Rs 7000/- other expenses like entry at Aru Valley Rs 25/-; entry fee at Betab Valley Rs 100/-; Porter rides for Rs 500- 100o at various places etc)

Transport: You may visit the place on a private car or shared taxi.

The city surround by mesmerizing valleys… The mountains, the smiling sun, the gushing water, greenery and you… Unbelievable? Just imagine what you are missing! Pahalgam is much more beautiful than these words.

Aru Valley: Let’s start our day with Aru Valley. At the distance of half an hour from the city, not only the valley but the journey to the place itself is mesmerizing. Why because we are travelling along with lidder river. If you can, you should explore this journey on a bike where you can feel the nature at the fullest.

You may take a pony ride in the valley or walk on foots to explore the natural beauty of the valley.

Let’s have some lunch, as after this we are going to a place where sunny deol shot one of his famous movies.

Betab Valley: After the shooting of movie betaab, this valley was named Betab Valley. Located in the route of Amarnath Yatra, this valley is 20 min away from the city. With lush greenery all around, this valley offers an awesome view of the surreal hills around.

Chandanwari: Base camp of Amarnath Dham Yatra, chandanwari is not only remembered for its beauty but for the holiness spread in the environment. Located in the city adjacent to lidder river it is a must visit on the city list.

As Chandanwari is in the city area, you may explore the local market here and can have some delicious local cuisines. Wazwan, a multi course Kashmiri cuisine, preparation of which is considered as an art and point of pride in Kashmiri culture is the most popular dish in Kashmir! Feels yummy? Have a try!

Day 6 :

Pahalgam local Sightseeing.

Estimated Time: As in Day 5

Estimated Expense: As in Day 5

Transport: Today you may have a road till baisaran but after that you have to be on foot or porter. No other mode available. So plan cautiously before coming.

Baisaran Village and Tulian Lake Trek: At the end of our trip to Kashmir, we are going to a place which is called ‘Mini Switzerland’. The Baisaran village and tulian lake, known for their virgin beauty and surreal views, these places are not only ideal for photography but also for the eternity you feel here.

As proper roads are not available here, you have to trek here. Porters are also available for comfort but the views you see after coming here, I can bet you will never regret. We will have our lunch (carried along) at the lakeside. And after spending some time, will again have our dinner in the city.

After so many memories of the valleys, we will be going back tomorrow.

Day 7:

Arrival at Srinagar for return

I know returning is never easy. And charming Kashmir will never allow you to return!

So don’t be sad! Himalayas will call you again! Very Soon! Till then BYE!!!