Kashmir - Best place to visit all time

Unravel the beauty of Kashmir, a destination that transforms with each season. Join us as we explore the charm of this Indian paradise. #Srinagar#Sonamrg#Gulmarg#Pahalgam#Doodhpathru#TravelIndiawithme #TravelKashmir #SeasonalDelights #DiscoverKashmir

Discover the captivating beauty of Kashmir, where every season tells a story. From spring's blooms to winter's snowflakes, plan your trip now and rejuvenate amidst nature's majesty.

Seeking a winter wonderland experience, we planned our Kashmir trip in early January to indulge my kid's snow-filled dreams, avoiding the Christmas rush. While 4-5 days are sufficient to cover Kashmir's main highlights, we opted for a relaxed 7-night, 8-day trip to explore the region's iconic attractions and hidden gems at our own pace. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the valley's serene beauty, capture its essence, and create lifelong memories without feeling rushed.

Srinagar: A Perfect Start - Day 1

We arrived in Srinagar around 12 PM, we got to know our SIM cards weren't functioning despite the prepaid-to-postpaid conversion online.

Essential tip: Convert your SIM to postpaid at an offline store otherwise you can purchase a SIM at Srinagar Airport for swift activation (within 15 minutes).

After lunch enroute to our hotel, we took an extended rest. Due to time constraints, we only managed to experience the Shikara ride on Dal Lake.

Essential tip: Wear warm, woolen clothing to protect against the chilly lake breeze.

There are some places which can visit in Srinagar like: Mughal Gardens (Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chasma Shahi), Pari Mahal, Botanical Garden, Char Chinari, Shankara Charya Temple, Hari Parbat Fort, Hazrat Bal shrine, Jamia Masjid, City Market etc.

Essential tip: Be mindful of attraction timings in Srinagar, with many sites like Shankaracharya Temple shutting doors by 4:30-5:00 PM.

Sonmarg : A Riverine Escape - Day 2

Our journey to Sonmarg began with a scenic drive along the Sindh River. We stopped to absorb the river's serenity. It took us 2 - 3 hours to reach Sonamrg

We dove directly into Sonmarg's sightseeing delights. Our Thajina's Glacier for 2.3 km began with pony rides (don't forget to haggle, consider a helper for families). A sledge ride took us further up as Pony ride dropped us at one point, culminating in unforgettable photo opportunities.

Essential tip: do bargain if you can and take helper along with you if travelling with kids and Check Zero Point's winter accessibility. Wear boots or rent options are also there at very reasonable price. Very less options for lunch in Sonmarg, only Maggie you will get.

Our decision to stay overnight proved wise so we could enjoy more, sans the hassle of a same day return to Srinagar.

Gulmarg - Day 3 and 4

After breakfast, we checked out of our Sonmarg hotel and began our enchanting journey to Gulmarg for 3 - 4 hrs. To truly experience Gulmarg's beauty, we suggest a minimum 2-night stay, allowing you to soak in its tranquility.

The Sonmarg-Gulmarg journey offers a stunning stopover: Drung Waterfall, which freezes into crystalline beauty in winter. Our visit coincided with maintenance but plan your stop. ATV rides available from Tumberg to go to waterfall.

Essential tip: Only snow cabs allowed from Tumberg to Gulmarg during snowfall.

En route to our hotel, we stopped at Tumberg's market to rent boots and secure a taxi and guide for an immersive evening experience.

Post-check-in and a brief respite, we explored Gulmarg's hidden gems:

- Strawberry Valley's lush beauty

- Rani Temple's historic charm

- St. Mary Church's tranquil atmosphere

- A picturesque, frozen lake

Impressed by our guide's exceptional service and helpful nature, we extended our booking for the next day. He would facilitate our Gandola ride experience and other Phase 1 activities, expertly navigating the queues.

Following breakfast, we began our thrilling Gandola ride experience, renowned as the world's highest cable car. In Phase 1, we hired sledges to traverse the pristine, powdery snow, uncovering stunning vistas that would have been difficult to access independently.

Following our playful snow romp, we returned to the Gandola station for an exhilarating skiing adventure. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, we received a crash course in skiing and tackled a short slope. With laughter and a few falls, we cherished every moment.

Phase 1

Enjoy other activities like snowboarding, ice-hockey, ice-skating, snow scooters, snow tubes, snow sledges etc. These activities will be done in Phase 1 in Gulmarg. There will be coach to give you small training to do these activities.

Phase 2

Our Kashmir journey wouldn't have been complete without conquering Afarwat Peak (Phase 2, 12,300 ft). The awe-inspiring views of Pakistan and Ladakh's mountain ranges left us spellbound.

We returned back to ground, we had time still so instead of going to hotel, we thought to explore Khyber Resort (heard so much about it in Instagram as one of the best resort in Gulmarg) so we went Khyber in evening and had a cup of coffee with amazing view from there, relishing a wonderful evening and savoring a delectable dinner in hotel.

Be mindful, for both phases, tickets are separate and 1 month before, ticket window opens.

You can book the tickets on below link:

https://www.jammukashmircablecar.com

Essential tip:

• If you are going for both phases, then take a break first at phase 1 (Kongdoori - 8500 ft) to enjoy snow and other activity as there is less Oxygen in Phase 2 (Affarwat - 12300 ft) and might feel little dizziness and had to come back to hotel if fell sick.

• Carry some chocolate in Phase 2 if dizziness feels to have instant energy.

• Take boots on rent from city only. Dont go with normal boots anywhere in Kashmir as normal shoes will be wet and feet will be freezed.

• Will recommended to book guide at this place if you are travelling with kids.

• Have a Maggie on mountain which will be very costly but worth to have it.

• At Affartwat, there will be world's highest Pizzaria shop as well.

Pahalgam - Day 5

In Gulmarg, we had a very peaceful morning and had tea with beautiful view from hotel.

Post breakfast, we checkout from hotel in Gulmarg and started our journey for Pahalgam.

With a relaxed schedule, our journey to Pahalgam became an exciting exploration:

- Saffron Fields: witnessing the prized spice's cultivation

- Bat Manufacturing Units: uncovering craftsmanship

- Apple Valley: surrounded by lush orchards

- Pashmina Shawl and carpet shops: selecting beautiful souvenirs

We picked up stunning shawls for the family, preserving memories.

To ensure authenticity, we bought saffron from Pampora village, the hub of saffron cultivation in Kashmir.

We also visited the venerable Martand Sun Temple in Anantnag, an impressive relic of Kashmir's Hindu past.

The serene River Liddar wound its way through Pahalgam, framing breathtaking views of snow-encrusted stones

We reached hotel in evening and spent chilly night.

Next day post breakfast, we started to explore Village Aru Valley, small Valley Betab Valley which are beautiful.

Essential tip: Pony ride will be there in Aru valley but its quite manageable walking from parking to reach there so we skipped Pony ride here. Later visited Chandanwanwari Village also to see nature’s bounty.

In Chandanwari, we explored Sheeshnag river which was half frozen. To access the river from road, there is little trekking but worth to go and clicks some nice photos.

There was one more place to visit Baisaran which was away from Pahalgam hence we skipped it.

Srinagar - Day 6 and 7

Post sightseeing in Pahalgam, we started for Srinagar again where we had 2 more nights to stay. so 1 night we stayed in hotel and 2nd night we stayed at Houseboat.

Post reaching Srinagar, we stayed in same hotel in Srinagar and took rest.

Next day we checked out from hotel and went for offbeat place called Doodhpathri, we had a choice either explore more Srinagar as first day we were not able to cover all places or cover Doodhpathri. We choosed Doodhpathri as during winter, garden will be without flowers.

Essential tip: There was a barrier gate which you will reach Doodhpathri where private vehicles are not allowed and have to take again pony ride but if you insist guards with some tip they will allow you to go inside.

There was a Sheeshnag river .. half frozen, we lied down on river and clicked some nice pictures there.

On the way to Srinagar, there were many stalls for Makka ki roti and Kashmir famous haakh saag, we stopped there to taste the local food of Srinagar, i would say everyone should try local cuisine.

We reached Srinagar in evening and took a one-night stay in Houseboat which is unique and unavoidable experience. Here you will see a small house with 2-3 rooms, Dinning area and drawing room in a boat.

Food was like home in Houseboat, and we felt like home in Srinagar. Had a nice evening looking at sunset.

Next day morning, post breakfast we checkout out and left for Airport.

Essential tip: Start little early for Airport as due to security reason, there will be two-time check-in for full luggage which takes time.

Finaly, we reached airport on time and flied back to same routine. We already started missing Kashmir. It was such a memorable trip.

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