Kashmir 8 nights 9 days trip
The whole trip in the Nutshell (09 Apr to 16 Apr)
This day was the last day of our 9 Days Trip of Kashmir (Valley) with Srinagar as the base, It was a packed trip with various places lined up every day with no spare day. Was it hectic, not really because the programme had clear rest built every night.
On day one - 09 Apr 16 Immediately after landing at Srinagar and lunch we visited the Tulip Garden. Few of the Tulips were wilting away but most were intact and what a beautiful sight it was. Three odd hours we spent there were absolutely memorable.
10 Apr 16, the second day was for trip to Sonamarg. First thing that caught our eyes were Mustered fields, bright yellow with smattering of green. Sonamarg and the snow took our breath away (most of us had seen do much snow for the first time). Trekking and sledging on snow was fun.
The 3rd day (11 Apr 16) took us to famous shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Charar E Sharif. A dargah of the saint revered by all in Kashmir. After visiting this shrine we visited Yusmarg, a beautiful place with long stretching meadows of lush green with tall forest on the sides.
Charar E Sharif
Yusmarg
It was local sights of Srinagar that occupied our 4th day ie 12Apr. The day started with visit to Majestic Shankarachrya Temple. Then it was trip to famous Mughal Gardens namely Pari Mahal, Chashm E Shahi, Shalimar and Nishant Gardens. All of them were a visual treat and the soul still wanted more.
The fantastic and beautiful Snow slopes awaited us at Gulmarg on 13 Apr, fifth day of our trip. Not only Gandola ride to both levels were special and enjoyable, both levels have their own charm with level 2 being pristine white snow till eyes could see while level one had the fun of snow scooters and skiing.
It was sixth day that was meant to take us to old Srinagar but the Bandh willed differently. Despite that we still strolled on the banks of Jehlum river and visited Lal Chowk. We also had Wazwan and then it was Houseboat at Dal lake. The day culminated in a Shikara ride in the lake.
Dal Lake
We had to leave at 0600 on day 7 for Pahalgam due uncertainties of Bandh.Reaching there early we could do both Baisaran, Kashmir Valley, etc and also Aru Valley, Betab Valley and Chandan Wadi.
Day 8 was spent exploring bit of Pahalgam market and sampling western dishes at Log Inn. Balance day was utilised for return journey to Srinagar followed by stroll on Boulevard road and bit of window and real shopping on Dal Gate and Boulevard road.
That brings me to our last day at Srinagar. It was only meant to pack, checkout and catch return flights. Started our day peacefully (there was no deadline or hurry to reach a new destination). Had leisurely breakfast which turned out to be heavy.Thanked Mr Firdous Ahmed for being such a polished host who never let us feel any thing but being at home. His staff of two Boys and our drivers, Mukhtiar and Ashraf.
It really felt so much at home that it was heavy to say bye (and mind you not goodbye as we are convinced that we shall return on many visits) but we had a flight to catch. After a group photo outside blooming dale with the full staff it was time to tell them bye and Khuda Hafiz.
Conclusion of the trip - Kashmir entirely doable in 9 days. The cost is not as high as one thinks, in our case it was approximately 35000 all inclusive (airfare too) per person. Despite the political climate, tourists are revered and are never harmed (only one recorded attack on a tourist bus in last over 30 yrs). One can visit Kashmir (and then there are Ladakh and Jammu) in every season, it has different mood for each season.
That brought the curtains down on our lovely and memorable 8 nights nine day Kashmir Trip. There was duel feeling, on one hand the containment of finishing a successful trip, meeting very good people, etc and on the other hand there was a thirst for more. Yeh Dil Mange More.
Signing off from travel section of my blog till our next trip.
The whole trip in the Nutshell (09 Apr to 16 Apr)
This day was the last day of our 9 Days Trip of Kashmir (Valley) with Srinagar as the base, It was a packed trip with various places lined up every day with no spare day. Was it hectic, not really because the programme had clear rest built every night.
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| Flying into Srinagar |
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| First Glimpses |
On day one - 09 Apr 16 Immediately after landing at Srinagar and lunch we visited the Tulip Garden. Few of the Tulips were wilting away but most were intact and what a beautiful sight it was. Three odd hours we spent there were absolutely memorable.
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| Beautiful Tulips |
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| Rows of them |
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| Some More |
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| Some more Flowers |
10 Apr 16, the second day was for trip to Sonamarg. First thing that caught our eyes were Mustered fields, bright yellow with smattering of green. Sonamarg and the snow took our breath away (most of us had seen do much snow for the first time). Trekking and sledging on snow was fun.
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| Way to Somnamarg |
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| Sonamarg |
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| One More View |
The 3rd day (11 Apr 16) took us to famous shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin Wali at Charar E Sharif. A dargah of the saint revered by all in Kashmir. After visiting this shrine we visited Yusmarg, a beautiful place with long stretching meadows of lush green with tall forest on the sides.
Charar E Sharif
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| Charar E Sharif |
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| The Dargah |
Yusmarg
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| Beautiful Mosque |
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| Meadows and Forest |
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| One More View |
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| Yet Another |
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| Just Beautiful |
It was local sights of Srinagar that occupied our 4th day ie 12Apr. The day started with visit to Majestic Shankarachrya Temple. Then it was trip to famous Mughal Gardens namely Pari Mahal, Chashm E Shahi, Shalimar and Nishant Gardens. All of them were a visual treat and the soul still wanted more.
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| Dal from Shankarachrya Hill |
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| Chashm E Shahi |
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| Mighty Chinar outside Chashm E Shahi |
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| Pari Mahal |
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| One More View |
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| Golf Course and Dal from Pari Mahal |
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| Shalimar Bagh first Structure |
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| Majestic Water Channel |
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| ANother View |
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| Sunset over Dal Lake from Nishant |
The fantastic and beautiful Snow slopes awaited us at Gulmarg on 13 Apr, fifth day of our trip. Not only Gandola ride to both levels were special and enjoyable, both levels have their own charm with level 2 being pristine white snow till eyes could see while level one had the fun of snow scooters and skiing.
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| View from Gandola |
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| Gandola Towers |
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| Majestic |
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| Stage II |
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| Ice is Every where |
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| Bright Sky and Pristine Snow |
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| Snow man Borrowed Our Gloves n Cap |
It was sixth day that was meant to take us to old Srinagar but the Bandh willed differently. Despite that we still strolled on the banks of Jehlum river and visited Lal Chowk. We also had Wazwan and then it was Houseboat at Dal lake. The day culminated in a Shikara ride in the lake.
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| Lal Chowk |
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| See How empty it is |
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| Wazwan |
Dal Lake
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| Shikara in Dal Lake |
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| New Minivet and Golden Apple |
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| Seller on Shikara |
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| Drawing room of House Boat |
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| Passage to rooms |
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| View from The Sit Out of House Boat |
We had to leave at 0600 on day 7 for Pahalgam due uncertainties of Bandh.Reaching there early we could do both Baisaran, Kashmir Valley, etc and also Aru Valley, Betab Valley and Chandan Wadi.
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| Floating Post Office on dal Lake |
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| Apple Orchard in Apple Valley (On the way to Pahalgam) |
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Five Musketeers
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| Mini Switzerland |
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| One more View |
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| Our Photo Expert |
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| On Our Way to Aru Valley |
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| A Meandering River |
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| Aru Valley |
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| Another View |
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| Betab Velly |
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| Rapid Moving River at Betab |
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| Chandan Wadi |
Day 8 was spent exploring bit of Pahalgam market and sampling western dishes at Log Inn. Balance day was utilised for return journey to Srinagar followed by stroll on Boulevard road and bit of window and real shopping on Dal Gate and Boulevard road.
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| Dani Pani Veg Restaurant |
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| Cafe Log Inn of Pahalgam Hotel |
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| Messages of Visitors at Log Inn |
That brings me to our last day at Srinagar. It was only meant to pack, checkout and catch return flights. Started our day peacefully (there was no deadline or hurry to reach a new destination). Had leisurely breakfast which turned out to be heavy.Thanked Mr Firdous Ahmed for being such a polished host who never let us feel any thing but being at home. His staff of two Boys and our drivers, Mukhtiar and Ashraf.
 |
| Our Group With Mr Firdous and his staff |
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| Group with Mr Firdous in the centre |
It really felt so much at home that it was heavy to say bye (and mind you not goodbye as we are convinced that we shall return on many visits) but we had a flight to catch. After a group photo outside blooming dale with the full staff it was time to tell them bye and Khuda Hafiz.
Conclusion of the trip - Kashmir entirely doable in 9 days. The cost is not as high as one thinks, in our case it was approximately 35000 all inclusive (airfare too) per person. Despite the political climate, tourists are revered and are never harmed (only one recorded attack on a tourist bus in last over 30 yrs). One can visit Kashmir (and then there are Ladakh and Jammu) in every season, it has different mood for each season.
That brought the curtains down on our lovely and memorable 8 nights nine day Kashmir Trip. There was duel feeling, on one hand the containment of finishing a successful trip, meeting very good people, etc and on the other hand there was a thirst for more. Yeh Dil Mange More.
Signing off from travel section of my blog till our next trip.
Wa apratim pravas varnan.
ReplyDeleteधन्यवाद बंधु
DeleteKashmir has lot of nostalgia in my life. I first time visited in 1961, as my father used to work in Summer months (May to Dec) for Apple business, and it was regular till 1972, when he expired at young age of 50. After that I only visited in 2012, so that my wife could see. Kashmi`r in 1960s was a wonderful land, u could go anywhere deep in Srinagar Fateh Kadal, Habba Kadal, Zaina Kadal... what is is not there today is Tongas which were there, with Kabuli horses drawn and running at amazing speed in very crowded streets. Those tongas were best in India. My father worked in Kashmir from mid 40s till 70s, Omar was not born yet.
ReplyDeleteYou probably missed going to Kukernag and Duuxam
ReplyDelete