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.
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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.
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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 |
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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.
Day 05: Depart Srinagar
Morning you will be transferred to Srinagar airport
in time to board flight to back home.
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