Kashmir - The Dream Destination
| SUMMARY | ||
| Duration of Trip | : | 04 Nights / 05 Days |
| Main Activities | : | Green Rice Fields, Rivers, Gardens In Bloom And Lakes Rimmed By Houseboats, Gulmarg Valley, Pilgrim Place. |
| Key Places | : | Srinagar – Pahalgam – Gulmarg – Sonamarg – Srinagar |
| Airport assistance and transfer to hotel. | ||
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Srinagar
You will be met by our local representative at the airport and you would be transferred to your hotel or houseboat where you will proceed for check-in.
Srinagar (Lake City) – It is at once a collection of images: It tells the story of love of the Mughal Emperors for this paradise like vale with deep green rice fields, rivers, gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats, where lush wild gardens of lotus and water-lily grow amidst bustling lanes.
Afternoon enjoy a relaxing Shikara ride on the lake – Its one of the most soothing & relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. Overnight stay at the hotel or houseboat.
Day 02: Pahalgam Excursion (By Surface: 98 Kms – 3 Hrs)
In the morning your journey starts towards Pahalgam, en-route visit Saffron fields of Pampora, see the beautiful countryside, lots of rice fields and Awantipura ruins on the way.
Awantipura Ruins (1100 years Old Temple) - Built in 09th century AD by King Avantivarman and dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Situated 29 kms from Srinagar, the temple ruins at Awantipura represent some of the finest examples of architecture of this region.
Later continue your drive to Pahalgam through the pine forest, the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder & Sheshnag Lake which are famous for their scenic beauty.
Pahalgam (Valley of Shepherds) – It is a resort set in a pristine village lying next to the Lidder River. Once a humble shepherd’s village with breathtaking views. Now it is Kashmir’s premier resort, cool even during the heights of summer. It is situated at an altitude of 2,130 m above sea level and has a golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. Surrounded with fragrant pine forests, the idyllic resort includes a golf course and spots for angling. The bubbling Lidder harbors a sizeable population of rainbow trout and mahaseer to ensure you don’t come away disappointed. The nearby forested slopes are home to the Himalayan brown bear.
After having your lunch at local restaurant, proceed to have bridle walks and feed your cameras with the picture of magnificent view of mountains.
OPTIONAL - One can enjoy Horse ride
at Pahalgam.
Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because
the resort is set between fairly steep hills, it is
worth hiring a pony rather than walking. The most beautiful
of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran,
surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan
an idyllic spot for a picnic.
Afternoon drive back from Pahalgam to Srinagar, overnight stay at the hotel or houseboat.
Day 03: Srinagar City (By Surface: 25 Kms – 3 Hrs)
Morning visit important sights of Srinagar City - Shankaracharya Temple & Mughal Gardens.
Shankaracharya Temple (Hindu Shrine) – Situated on the highest hill of Srinagar, it is nearly
one thousand feet above the city. The temple commands
a magnificent panoramic view of the Srinagar city. It
is devoted to lord Shiva. The site dates back to 2500
BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this site
when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive
sanatan dharma.
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) – The largest Mughal garden situated on the banks of world
famous Dal-Lake in the backdrop of Zabarwan hills encircles
the Dal Lake. Empress Noor Jahan's brother Asif Khan
laid the Garden in 1633 AD. Nishat has seven terraces
with a beautiful central water course flowing right
in the middle. These terraces rise dramatically off
the mountains from the eastern part of the lake.
Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) – It was planted by Mughal emperor Jehangir for Empress Noor Jahan in 1619 AD and later extended in 1727 A.D. by Shah Jahan. Shaded by magnificent Chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone pavilions and flowing water with paint box bright flower beds. The Garden blooms with innumerable varieties of flowers in spring and autumn.
Afternoon will be at leisure, free for independent activities.
OPTIONAL - One can also visit Hazratbal Mosque & Kheer Bhawani Temple.
Hazratbal Mosque (Muslim Shrine) – The most important Muslim shrine of Kashmir, that
commands the reverence of the people beyond measure,
made of white marble with a dome and a minaret.
The shrine of Hazratbal is the repository of the
Prophet Mohammed shelters a relic single thread
of the Prophet Mohammed which Sayed Abdullah had
brought here from Medina which is exhibited to
the public on certain days of the year.
Kheer Bhawani Temple (Hindu Pilgrim Place) – A shrine dedicated to Ragnya Devi (goddess), believed
to be another form of Durga Mata. Most important
pilgrim place in Kashmir and the only exception
being Amarnath cave, built in 1912 by Maharaja
Pratap Singh, the temple was later renovated by
Maharaja Hari Singh.
Overnight stay at the hotel or houseboat
Day 04: Gulmarg Excursion (By Surface: 55 Kms – 1.5 Hrs)
Morning proceed for a picturesque drive to Gulmarg.
Gulmarg (Meadow of Gold) – It was discovered
as a tourist destination by the British in the 19th century.
Prior to that, Mughal emperors vacationed in the Gulmarg
valley which is about 03 kms long and up-to 01 km wide.
It is exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin
of the Pir Panjal range at an altitude of 2,730 meters
above sea level and one of the most famous tourist destinations
of Kashmir. It also has one of the world’s highest
green golf courses with 18 holes, as well as a clubhouse,
which is a historical building in its own right.
OPTIONAL - One can enjoy Gondola ride
or Horse ride at Gulmarg.
For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s
newly constructed gondola lift from high above Gulmarg,
through pine-clad slopes is exhilarating. From Gulmarg
a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kangdori &
seven springs, a couple of hours by pony longer on foot.
Afternoon drive back from Gulmarg to Srinagar, overnight stay at the hotel or houseboat.
TOUR END
