The moment the plane enters the boundaries of Kashmir, the snow clad mountains makes you feel that you have come to the abode of the Gods. Srinagar, the Capital has one of the scenic landing anywhere on earth. Be ready for a strict security check but then the military is doing its job to make Kashmir what it was before terrorism which brought everything to a halt. It is relatively much peaceful now and tourism is slowly coming back to its olden days. Peak season of tourism starts from April to September when the climate is relatively warmer. However, if you are travelling during the month of April, warm clothing is essential. Although when you are new to a place there is always more to see but if you are travelling within a time period, there are a few landmark sites which most tourists prefer. It needs almost a week if you are going to Ladakh and Leh but within Kashmir there are sites which one should not miss and you need about three days to cover them.
Day 1
SRINAGAR
The tour usually starts from the Tulip gardens which reminds of Holland and the evergreen song of Silsila. The flowers are arranged in rows of red, yellow and white tulips which make them picturesque. The mountains behind adds to the beauty beyond words. However no plucking of flowers are allowed and you would be fined if u did. So just be ready with your camera to take them back as memories.
Nishat garden " The Garden of Gladness" was built by Mirza Abul Hassan, father in law of the Mughal emperor Shahjahan . The garden is about 400 years old and under renovation now.
Shalimar garden (Hall of love), a Mughal garden linked to Dal lake is credited to the emperor Jahangir, who built it for his wife Nur Jahan. The garden has the perfect features of Mughal architecture and has been the location for many hindi movies in the past.
Dal Lake the most preferred destination of tourists in Kashmir, is a natural lake in the vicinity of Himalayan ranges on one side. The lake is famous for its Houseboats and Shikaras which take you through the scenic views of mountains. Dal lake is frozen during the winter season so it is not possible to travel across the lake in December and January. The Shikaras charge you about Rs400/- per boat for a 1.5 hours journey. Houseboats charge about Rs3000/- per night which may differ according to the facilities provided.
Hazrat bal mosque is an important Islamic religious center and been controversial for many years. Although it has been in news for terrorist activities in the past, it attracts a lot of tourist for the reason that it is believed that the hair kept in the mosque is of Prophet Mohammad.
Day 2
GULMARG
Gulmarg is the Switzerland of India. The snow clad mountains, the ski resorts and Gondola rides are the main attractions in Gulmarg. Those who are allergic to cold need to protect themselves and follow the guidelines while travelling in extreme cold conditions. The Gondola ride takes you over the valley and the view of the snow covered mountains is the memorabilia that you take from Gulmarg. Do carry your winter clothing, gloves and woolens although you can hire some from the spot itself. Eating chocolates is advised to avoid breathing from your mouth which causes lung infections.
Day 3 PAHALGAM
Pahalgam is about 90 Kms from Srinagar and takes about 2.5 hrs drive to reach. The place is snow covered in the winters but during the season its rocky and mountainous. Horse ride take you through the edge of mountains and reaches a point where a snow covered valley is reached which is called Mini Switzerland. Since the area is slippery its a journey only for those who have a quest for adventure. The horses may wander to places unknown and usually return back or get traced by the owners. So just hold on to them and enjoy or rather wait for surprises. The end point is worth a waiting. The horsemen would be chasing you around and bargains are usual but beware you are not supplied with a weak horse. Apart from the horse ride, Pahalgam has not got much except for the river flowing nearby.
Avantiswamin temple is on the highway from Srinagar to Anantnag. This temple is under the protection of Archeological survey of India . The temple was built by Avantivarman, a king who lived from AD 855 to AD 883. These are ruins of a massive temple which were destroyed by earthquakes and floods. The delicate art work on the walls of the temple are interesting for travelers who have a taste for antiques.
Day 4 Kashmir for Shoppers
Kashmir is known for its handicrafts and hand made clothing all over the world. The most important of them is the Carpets which have exclusive designs and most weavers are descendants of Iranian carpet weavers. The carpets are hand woven and the delicacy of the work can be estimated by the fact that previously only kids were made to do the work as their hands are more delicate than adults. Since the Government does not allow child labor now the weavers engaged are few and most carpets are expensive.
Pashmina shawls, woolens and sweaters are warm and relatively cheap in Kashmir.
During the season when apple farming is at its full bloom, visiting apple farms is a major attraction for tourists. The apples can be plucked from the farm and cost much less than other places in India. Dry fruits like walnuts, apricots, almonds and dates are relatively cheaper and fresh in Kashmir.
Although there is much more to see in Kashmir for adventure tourists, the above places are for the most common visitors who would like to have a relaxed view of the State.
