Best places to visit in Kashmir

 

Want to visit Kashmir for a short trip but want to see the maximum? Then just read this

You want to visit Kashmir but you don’t have enough leaves. No worry, if you have weekend offs, just take four days leave and it can be the most amazing trip.

Don’t believe me? Then just see this plan. 

We reached Srinagar on a Thursday morning.

Day 1: Book an early morning flight. Our hotel was just opposite Dal Lake. Visit local tourist sites such as Pari Mahal, Chasme Shahi, Mughal Garden, Botanical Garden and Hazratbal Sharif.

When you are in Srinagar, a shikara ride is a must. You can opt to stay on a houseboat one day. You can shop at the Floating Market on the lake or just enjoy window shopping and enjoy different snacks. Sunset at the lake is amazing.

If you want to visit the famous tulip garden, plan your trip in April.

Other places to visit in the Srinagar city are Nishat garden, Nigeen lake, Badamwari garden, Shalimar Bagh, etc.

If you are a shopping buff, do visit the wholesale and the Lal Chowk markets for Kashmiri handicraft and other unique items. A tour of the Old City is also a must for Wazwan cuisine.

You can also plan a day’s visit to Doodhpathri, some 40 km from Srinagar.

Day 2: On the second day, visit Sonmarg by taxi from Srinagar. At Sonmarg, you can enjoy horse riding on the green valley and a few local points. But if you are an adventurer, then do visit Zero Point, to enjoy snow, on the highway towards Leh. But for, that you have to book a local taxi from Sonmarg and have to do little bargaining too, as you can’t take the Srinagar taxi. You can view the famed Zojila Pass too.

If you have few days time from Sonmarg, you can go to Thajwas Glacier, Gangabal lake, Gadsar lake, Vishansar lake, Baltal valley, Satsar lake, Krishnasar lake, Nichinai Pass, Satsaran Pass, etc. 

Day 3: The third day, reach Pahalgam by taxi and book horses with guides and, of course, do some bargaining. You can enjoy the Kashmir valley, mini-Switzerland, waterfall point, etc. It will be almost a one-and-half hour horse ride. You can visit the Chandanwari snow point too.

If you stay in Pahalgam, some of the attractions are Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Tulian lake, Kashmir valley, Sheshnag lake, Harbagwan lake, Dabyan valley. If you love trekking, go for one definitely.              

Day 4: The fourth day, reach Gulmarg by taxi to enjoy the (Gondola) ropeway ride. There are two phases. From Phase II, one can have a skiing experience in the snow and have a glance of the LoC border. We opted for phase I as there was much more variety there. Our guide told us there was much less snow in Gulmarg compared to Zero Point near Kargil as it was summer. You can have a view of the Apharwat peak from phase I.

Gulmarg is a place where tourists can experience everything if they have short time in hand. Horse riding, sledge ride, snow bike ride, skiing experience, et all. But for the best snow experience, visit in winters.

At phase I, again book a horse ride after bargaining. You can enjoy a high-speed snow bike ride with guides. You can view the Kashmir valley, seven-point spring and Khilanmarg at phase I.

If you stay in Gulmarg, you can visit the Alpather lake and Ningle Nullah.

Hiking lovers can go for Outer Circle Walk.

For scenic drives, Drang is amazing.

You can give a visit to Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve too. 

After coming back to Srinagar, in the evening, you can take an auto or taxi and do visit the wholesale market.

Don’t forget to enjoy the delicious Kashmiri local Wazwan cuisine.

Day 5:

The next day, we had a return flight back to Delhi.

A special mention of the people; they are very warm, friendly and helpful.

Don’t forget to read my experience in this blog itself with the headline Kashmir and Kashmiris made a special place in my heart

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