Nothing to say about Kashmir. Just name "Kashmir" is enough to identify the paradise on earth. The most beautiful place on earth. Me and my wife planned to visit most beautiful place. As it was going to be our first trip after marriage. So we decided to visit Kashmir as nothing is as beautiful as Kashmir.We decided to go on March 23rd 2015.
Day 1:
So as per plan we reached Srinagar. When you enter Kashmir Valley the first major attraction you will found "Dal Lake" in Srinagar and Mountain besides it with snow on top. Such an enchanting view you will never forget.
We can't stop our self to take a Shikara ride there. Our driver stopped at Ghat no 6. We took Shikara ride package of 1300 INR which includes 7 spots i.e Floating market, Nehru park,Furniture Market, 3 spot where Bollywood film shoot happened. It was such a beautiful experience in Dal Lake as if we are in lap of nature. We did shopping in floating market. The quality and price there was much better than other markets. Here is the photo of floating market.
After that we checked in to hotel and took rest for the day.
About Hotel: We booked hotel, in Nishant,Walisons Resorts which is a very nice hotel and its restaurant is small but nice.
Hote Charge: 2733 INR for 3 nights
Day 2:
We went for Srinagar city tour which includes Nishat Bag, Shalimar Bag, Sankracharya Temple, Botanical Garden, Hazratbal Nishat Bag and Shalimar Bag were alike. Entry fee for all the gardens is 10 INR. The view of Hazratbal was nice. It is besides the Dal Lake.
Sankracharya temple is on top of the hill.The view from there was just awesome.You can see Srinagar city from there.
Most of the spots are around the Dal Lake. Half day is enough to visit all spots. After finishing our Sight seeing trip we took lunch in Market near to the Dal Lake. You will find most of the restaurant near the Dal Lake only and are average. You can't expect hygiene place except few. Price are reasonable.
After Lunch we walk along the lake side. It was pleasant feeling by walking besides the Dal Lake. Snow capped mountain, cool breeze, Dal Lake view all to gather was just like we were in some dreamland. You can also see lots of people walking and enjoying the best of nature.
Day 3:
We took breakfast at hotel and start our journey to Sonmarg. It is about 80km from Srinagar around 2hr journey. But you will not feel bore in that 2 hr. The roadside view was just awesome. Mountains full of Snow. Complete white surrounding. Nearby villages were look like igloos. If you are planning to Kashmir never miss Sonmarg
. Temperature was -1 degree centigrade.We reached there and hire horse ride as outside cab was not allowed after that. Horse rider charge 3000 INR for 2 for all sightseeing. It was worth it as the place was just awesome. Horse rider gave us rain cum winter jacket and snow boot as the temperature was very chilly . We experience snow fall there. I can't explain how much we excited there by seeing snow fall. There was a waterfall where "RAM TERI GANGA MAILI" film was shoot. We took slage car which took 600 INR for 2 to reach to waterfall. But salge car is not necessary there. You can walk to that place. Only 200m away from horse parking.The snow was so fresh that you can play with that. We couldn't play as the temperature was so chilly that we couldn't able to walk properly. But still I can't forget that wonderful experience of snow fall and white land around me.
You will not find any restaurant there so no food and water available. You have to your own from Srinagar. We returned back to Srinagar and took rest in hotel.
Day 4:
We checked out from hotel and started our journey to Gulmarg. We were ready for India's highest cable car ride i.e. in Gulmarg. The town under the snow. It was around 50km from Srinagar. When we reach there every where was nothing but thick layer of snow. Around 10ft height of snow everywhere. Constructions, Poles, roads were look like as if we are in some other country. Everything was beautifully designed.
We checked in to hotel and took some rest. The view from our window was just awesome. We can't wait to watch the nature from closest. As the full town was full of snow, it was difficult to walk on the snow. We took Slage car and a guide to cover all the spot. It took 2200 INR and Snow boot and jacket for 500 INR. There was golf course, Gulmarg lake, but because of snow every thing was covered by snow. So all the places was look a like. So there was no need of guide. We went for cable car ride. There was 2 phases. As there was full of snow, our guide told no need to go to 2nd phase as view will be same. So it took 1200 INR for 2 up to 1st phase. We went inside the cable car. Take the cable car which glass is clear and no scratch to view the best.Cable car started. The view from cable car was just unavoidable. Here is the view from cable car.
We reached on 1st phase. There was full of snow.Everywhere nothing just a white landmass.
We played snow game there, move here and there.
After 1hr we came back and took lunch. There were not so good restaurant. You can found few restaurant near the Gulmarg taxi stand. Price are little bit more as compared to the quality of food. You can't expect nice food there. Just to fill your hungry belly.
Day 5:
We roam freely on the road of Gulmarg. there was not much crowed. We clicked lots of photographs there.
Day 6
. Around 3PM we left the place to Pahalgam. It is around 130km from Gulmarg, around 3 hr journey and the journey was full of excitement and eye soothing. Pahalgam road was so beautiful that you will never want it to finish. Full of Yellow fields every where. It was look like as if we are in heaven. Many times we stopped car and took photo of the place.
We reached Pahalgam and checked to hotel and took rest for the day.
Hotel Information: You will find very few hotel and restaurant here that too quite high price . We booked hotel Welcome. 6200 INR for 2 nights.
Day 7:
As outside Pahalgam taxi is not allowed inside . We hired local taxi to visit the place. We took for Aru Valley and Betab Valley. It took 1100 INR. It was full hilly area travel to reach Aru valley. Lots of turns. When we reach Aru Valley we are just amazed to see such a beautiful place. It was like we are watching a scenery wall paper. As if all my childhood scenery comes alive.
Around 1 hr we took photograph, lost in the nature.After that we move to Betab Valley. That place was named after the movie Betab. The place is as beautiful as Aru. You can see the photos of Betab Valley
It took around 3hr to visit these two places. After that we returned to hotel and rest of the day we spent leisurely.
Day 8:
We went chandanwari i.e. mini switzerland. The road was not good and muddy. So taxi cant go there, you have to take horse ride to reach there. it is around 2km from pahalgam taxi stand. It took 1200 INR for 2. If you have no time than you can miss it. There are lots of place like that.
Around after 2hr We came back and took lunch. 2nd half we spent leisurly. We roam around local market and nearby places. Believe me local places are much beautiful than chandanwari. Here are some photo.
Hotel Information: Here also very less option for hotel and restaurant. Most of the restaurant and hotel you will find near Pahalgam Taxi stand. SO better to take hotel near to the taxi stand. Price are reasonable.
We booked hotel Heena , 4890 INR for 3 nights.
Day 9:
Last day in Kashmir Valley. We returned back with lots of sweet memories and happiness.
For 9 days our taxi driver charged 15000 INR which was worth it. He safely drop us at Srinagar airport.
Note: Every where you have to take Snow boot on rental. Rental price is around 100 INR for each pair. Its better to purchase snow boot in Srinagar market rather than taking on rent everywhere . By taking rent it will be more costlier than purchasing it.
