Indulgent houseboats, historic gardens, distinctive Kashmiri wooden mosques and a mild summer climate combine to make Srinagar one of India’s top domestic tourist attractions. Srinagar’s three main areas converge around Dalgate, where the southwestern nose of Dal Lake passes through a lock gate. Northwest lies the fascinatingly chaotic Old City. The busy commercial centre is southwest around Lal Chowk. The city’s greatest draw-card is mesmerisingly placid Dal Lake, which stretches a southwestern channel-spur towards the city centre, paralleled by the hotel-lined Boulevard. A bright array of houseboats here forms a particularly colourful scene. The famous Mughal gardens are strung out over several kilometers around the lake.
Surrounded by soaring sharpened peaks and Sound of Music scenery, Sonamarg is a strip-town marring an otherwise gorgeous alpine valley. Sitting astride the Kargil–Srinagar road, it makes a possible trekking base or a meal-stop before/after crossing the nerve-jangling 3529m Zoji La pass. It's also a staging point for yatra-hike pilgrims en route to Amarnath’s holy ice lingam via Baltal Camp, a summer-only mayhem of tents around 15km east.
An easy way to savour the spectacular scenery is walking up the parallel valley to the fingertips of Thajiwas Glacier. Walking takes around an hour starting along the track between the Hotel Glacier Heights and the Army camp through a zone of newly developing buildings then curling left around the forest ridge. A more obvious (and far busier) route starts from around Km83 where you could alternatively engage small horses or take a taxi roughly half-way.
Pine-fringed Gulmarg is the nearest India gets to a ski resort. It’s not so much a town as a twisting 4km-long loop of road ringing the undulating ‘Meadow of Flowers’ for which it’s named. The meadow is given some visual focus by the demure 1890s Anglican Church of St Mary’s sitting on a lonely hillock, accessed off the dead-end road linking historic Gulmarg Golf Club to the 1965 neo-colonial style Hotel Highlands Park. However, the main reason to come to Gulmarg is to venture up through the backing stands of mature pines towards the bald ridge of Mt Afarwat. This can be done on foot or with ponies, but is easiest using the two-stage gondola cable car that whisks you to 3747m for outstanding clear-day views, reputedly encompassing Nanga Parbat (the world’s ninth-highest mountain across in Pakistan). Booking online can save long queues in peak season (May and June), but service is cancelled in bad weather and getting a refund can prove annoying. The gondola’s base-station is around 1km west of the bus stand.
Surrounded by high peaks, the Lidder and Seshnag rivers tumble down picturesque, deep-cut mountain valleys covered with giant conifers. The surrounding mountains contain many beauty spots and over 20 lakes to which countless guides and horsemen are more than keen to take you for a ride. The most popular hike of all is the multi-day yatra (pilgrimage) to Armanath. The main accommodation centre is the sprawling low-rise resort town of Pahalgam with over 230 hotels and guesthouses, several manicured parks, temples for different religions and a super mountain-ringed golf course. Rafting a 2.5km stretch of the Lidder is possible from a point 12km west of Pahalgam; once a group of six or more people has assembled.
For a short, easy unguided walk, heading up the very pretty Lidder Valley towards Aru gets you fairly rapidly away from the worst of the pilgrim crowds. Given around three hours, horsemen will be more than happy to take you on a standard roadless circuit to a lake, viewpoint and upland meadow. Guesthouses are likely to encourage you to go for longer treks that take you well into the glorious alpine scenery. While the landscapes are undoubtedly lovely, prices tend to be far higher than for equivalent hikes in Ladakh, so if your time is limited, think carefully as to which area suits you better.
Day 01: Srinagar
Our services will start with your arrival at Srinagar airport, you will be met by our representative and transfer you to Deluxe Houseboat / Hotel. In the evening enjoy the Shikara ride on The Dal Lake to enjoy the beauty that God has graced this city with which is often compared to Venice. You will get a view of some very interesting Places around the Lake. Dinner & Overnight at Srinagar.
Day 2: Srinagar – Sonmarg – Srinagar
Morning leave for Sonmarg (Meadow of Gold). The distance of about 83 Kms, will be covered in about 3 hrs. Sonmarg lies in Sindh Valley streamed with flowers and surrounded by mountains. Sonmarg is also the base for some interesting treks to the high altitude Himalayan Lakes. In the evening drive back from Sonmarg. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
Day 03: Srinagar
After breakfast visit Srinagar, a half day tour of world famous Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh (The garden of pleasure) and Shalimar Bagh (Adobe of love), Shankaracharya Temple, Pari Mahal , Hazratbal Shrine. Overnight Stay in hotel.
Day 04: Srinagar – Gulmarg {56 KMS – 2 Hrs}
This morning you will be transferred to Gulmarg, Meadow of Flowers. Situated at an altitude of 2730 meters, full day at leisure to take the leisurely walks on the lush green meadows of flowers with a backdrop of the snow capped mountains. Enjoy pony ride or Gondola ride (rope way) to Khillanmarg at your own cost. Dinner & overnight in the Gulmarg.
Day 05: Gulmarg – Pahalgam {140 KMS – 4 ½ Hrs.}
After Breakfast, drive to Pahalgam via Pampore, Avantipura and the village of Bijbehara, which is famous as the bread-basket of Kashmir. Switch from the NH1A at Khanabal and drive through the second largest city of Anantnag. From here the road turns scenic as we drive parallel on the Lidder River flowing from the opposite direction. In Pahalgam, check-in at the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Pahalgam.
Day 06: Pahalgam
After Breakfast, Visit to Chandanwadi, Aru Vally, and also, Betab Valley, the snow point (14 Kms) at your own cost or enjoy pony ride at your own cost, Return to Pahalgam, rest of the day at leisure to explore the countryside and enjoy leisurely walks through the pine forest along the River Lidder. Dinner & overnight at the hotel. {Chandanwari sightseeing will be not included}
Day 07: Depart Srinagar
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar airport for your onward flight back home.
Inclusions
Accommodation in deluxe room on twin sharing
03 Night stay at Srinagar
01 Night stay at Gulmarg
02 Night stay at Pahalgam
Transfer and sightseeing as per the above tour Itinerary by non-a/c car
Welcome drink on arrival
Accommodation on Breakfast
Transport by Indica, Indigo, Tavera, Xylo & Innova
All toll taxes, drivers’ allowances, Fuel charges, interstate permit if necessary, all taxes
All currently applicable Hotel taxes
Exclusions
All kind of personal expenses such as tips, laundry, telephone bills and beverages, Camera Fees
Cable Car Tickets, Any meals unless and otherwise specifically mentioned
Any claim due to road blocks, curfew, accident etc
Any other services' not specified in the Colum "Inclusions"
Anything which is not mentioned “cost includes
Hotels used
Srinagar: Hotel Golden Finger
Gulmarg: Hotel Yemberzal
Pahalgam: Hotel Highland Resort
Package Cost: INR.15500/- Per Person
Package valid from 1st Oct to 31st March 2016
Terms & Conditions:
Note:
In Case of exceptional circumstances where we are not in position to provide Hotels mentioned, shall offer similar Hotels
All tourists are advised to take comprehensive Insurance of their own
The timings given in itinerary and program may change without notice, keeping in mind local development
Visit to all Museums in program are subject to their remaining open on day of visit as per rules of competent authority
All Cost quoted are in Indian National Rupee
All expenses which are not included in the cost of package shall be paid directly by tourist at the time of checkout
The festival dates in India are based on Hindu system of astrology which is subject to the movement of moon in relation to earth. Therefore, there may be change in dates of festival by one day. We may alter the program by one or another to visit the festivals
All wildlife national parks remain closed from July till September due to monsoon
Supplements will be charged extra during festivals or fairs
Standard check-in time is 1400 hrs & check-out time is 1200 noon
Any hike in Govt. Taxes, Fuel etc., will attract a surcharge, to be paid prior to the departure date
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