VISIT TO THE HEAVEN ON EARTH-J&K.

Jammu and Kashmir, often referred as "Heaven on Earth" is approximately 1500 to 1600 kilometers away from Ahmedabad. Getting there is simple😄 — take your pick between a flight or train journey, depending on whether you're in the mood for quick thrills or scenic routes.

We opted for the flight option, a smooth 2.5-hour hop from Ahmedabad to Srinagar airport. Arriving around 1 PM, we were greeted by a tempo traveler arranged by our tour operator, who had everything meticulously planned from our meals to accommodations and local transport.

Our itinerary was a well-balanced mix: 2 days in picturesque Pahalgam, 2 days exploring the charms of Srinagar, and single-day excursions to the stunning landscapes of Sonmarg and Gulmarg. Also, a night spent luxuriating on a houseboat amidst the serene waters of Dal Lake. All in all, our 8-day, 7-night adventure in Jammu and Kashmir was a perfect blend of natural beauty, cultural exploration, and unforgettable experiences.

Before planning the trip, here are some IMP points to keep in mind:

Bargaining is necessary everywhere you go.
Weather conditions are unpredictable; be prepared for sudden changes.
Views vary depending on the weather; and we visited in March-April, so we saw it during that season.
Temperatures can drop below 0°C; pack adequate snow jackets and woolens.
ID cards for all passengers are mandatory.
Travel times in mountainous regions are longer; plan your itinerary accordingly.

DAY - 1(26th March) PAHALGAM

Pahalgam, also known as "Land of Shepherds", was our first destination after landing at Srinagar airport.

Places to visit :-

1) Avantiswami Temple, Avantipur -

Located 32 kms from Srinagar International Airport enroute to Pahalgam. We arrived at 3 PM and spent about half an hour exploring this archaeological site, which is now in ruins but offers a majestic view of ancient architecture.

Afterwards, we resumed our journey and reached our hotel, Hotel Highlands in Pahalgam, by 6:30 PM. The journey was breathtaking, offering stunning views of apple orchards, saffron fields, and cherry trees, although the trees had not yet turned green after the long winter. Along the way, we passed shops selling saffron, local dry fruits, and cricket bats. These shops resembled supermarkets, providing a variety of products to explore, touch, and purchase. Some of the fields were glowing yellow with mustard flowers, adding a vibrant splash of color to the landscape. On the way, we passed through Lethapora village in Pampore town in Pulwama district where a very tragic incident of Pulwama attack had occurred. Pampore town is also very famous because of its Saffron fields and pretty landscape. It is also known as "India's Saffron Capital". We made a pitstop to enjoy some local fresh apple juice(cold stored apples😄) along the way.

On the next day, we embarked on our sightseeing adventures in Pahalgam.

DAY - 2(27th March) PAHALGAM

The next morning, we enjoyed a refreshing morning walk and were greeted by a magnificent view from our hotel. The snow-covered mountains glistened under the morning sun, adding to the charm of the scene.

In Pahalgam, the main attractions are Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, and Chandanwari. Since our tempo traveler wasn't allowed in these areas, we arranged for another car. It conveniently picked us up from our hotel and returned us there after our exploration. Different cars have varying charges for the trip. We didn't bargain but you can try😄.

2) Aru Valley -

Located 13 kilometers from Pahalgam, we set out for Aru Valley at 10 AM and arrived around 10:30 AM. The valley offers stunning views and is perfect for capturing beautiful pictures at its selfie points and bridges. It typically takes about half an hour to an hour to explore.

3) Chandanwari -

Also 13 kilometers from Aru Valley, Chandanwari was a snowy wonderland when we visited. It took us approximately 1 hour to explore this picturesque spot. There were numerous sledges available to take visitors to higher points. We spent about an hour exploring this beautiful snowy landscape and enjoying activities like playing in the snow. After a delightful time, we began our journey back to our hotel.

4) Betaab Valley -

On the way to Chandanwari, we caught a glimpse of Betaab Valley from a higher vantage point. It is situated in a lower mountainous region. It wasn't lush green during our March-April visit but typically enhances its beauty during other seasons giving a majestic view.

After exploring these valleys, our car dropped us back at the hotel. Later, we ventured to Baisaran.

5) Baisaran -

Baisaran is also known as "Mini Switzerland". It offers panoramic views of grasslands surrounded by snow-covered mountains. Accessible only by khachar (mule or horse), the journey can be challenging on uneven roads, especially during rainy weather. It requires careful balance while riding on khachar. Despite the weather, reaching the top in about 45 minutes was worth it for the breathtaking views. At Baisaran, besides enjoying the serene surroundings, there are also some thrilling activities like zip-lining and jumping that add to the adventure. Despite the rain starting on our journey back to the hotel, we had a peaceful and delightful time at this truly amazing place.

DAY - 3(28th March) SRINAGAR

Next morning, we began our day around 9 AM, preparing to return to Srinagar.
On the way to Srinagar we visited Mattan(Sri Martanda) temple and Achabal Garden.

6) Mattan(Sri Martanda) Temple -

Martand temple is located 33 kms from Hotel highlands. We reached there at 9:40 AM. This expansive temple complex features several kunds (water tanks) and flowing water from Sheshnag. The tanks are home to many fishes, adding to the serene atmosphere of the place. Dedicated to Surya (Sun God), the temple holds cultural and religious importance in the region. There is another Martand Sun Temple nearby that now lies in ruins, but we didn't visit it.

7) Achabal Garden -

Approximately 11 kms from Martanda Temple, we reached Achabal Garden by 10:30 AM. It is a Mughal terraced garden, characterized by its central flowing water feature. As there weren't many people around, Achabal Garden appeared exceptionally peaceful during our visit. We spent about 30 to 45 minutes exploring its serene beauty.

Upon entering Srinagar, we proceeded directly to our planned sightseeing destinations.

8) Tulip Garden -

We reached Tulip Garden at around 2:00 PM. We have to park our vehicles in the parking area and then either take rickshaws or do a bit of walking to reach the garden which is approx. 1 km from the parking.

This iconic garden opens only for about a month from late March to early April.

Spread over an impressive 74 acres, the Tulip Garden is the largest of its kind in Asia. It is built in a terraced fashion on sloping ground near Dal Lake consisting of seven terraces. Established in 2007 to promote floriculture, the garden boasts around 1.7 million tulip bulbs imported from Amsterdam, showcasing a stunning array of colors. Besides tulips, there are many different varieties of flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils etc. The tulip garden is home to around 73 varieties of tulips. It is a popular attraction, drawing numerous tourists to witness the blooming tulips during its short opening period. Also the famous song "Dekha Ek Khwab" from the movie Silsila was filmed here. We spent about 1.5 hours marveling at the beauty of the garden.

9) Pari Mahal -

Located approximately 5 kms from the Tulip Garden, Pari Mahal, or "The Palace of Fairies" is a seven-terraced Mughal garden perched atop the Zabarwan mountain range. It offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Srinagar and Dal Lake, making it a must-visit tourist spot. Private vehicles are not permitted at Pari Mahal, so visitors must either walk or take a rickshaw to reach the site. We spent about 1 hour exploring and capturing photographs from this picturesque location, where we could also admire the Tulip Garden from afar.

View of Dal Lake from Pari Mahal

10) Cheshma Shahi -

About 2 kms from Pari Mahal and 2.5 kms from the Tulip Garden, Cheshma Shahi is another charming Mughal garden. It is located on the way from Tulip Garden to Pari Mahal. Though not as large, it hosts a variety of flowers and provides ample opportunities for beautiful photographs. We took a rickshaw from the Tulip Garden to visit both Pari Mahal and Cheshma Shahi, spending approximately half an hour exploring this serene garden.

11) Shikara Ride -

After our sightseeing adventures, we headed to Dal Lake for a memorable Shikara ride. There are numerous ghats along the banks of Dal Lake where you can check the rates, negotiate, and select a shikara for your ride. Arriving around 5:45 PM, we negotiated rates with the boatmen. The shikaras are lined up near the ghats. Opting for a one-hour ride, we were taken around the lake, passing by houseboats and floating shops. It's a delightful experience where one can also shop and enjoy local delicacies. After completing a full round by 7 PM, we returned to our hotel, Hotel Golden Leaf.

DAY - 4(29th March) SRINAGAR

We started our day around 9:30 AM and headed towards Doodhpathri.

12) Doodhpathri -

Doodhpathri is approximately 40 kms from our hotel, and it took us about 2 hours to reach there. Along the way, we rented extra snow jackets and gum boots since the area was covered in snow. Also known as "The Valley of Milk", Doodhpathri gets its name from the milky appearance of the water flowing through its meadows. It remains very cold throughout the year. The lush green grasslands, dotted with silver-shining streams over large stones, add to its breathtaking beauty. Situated at an altitude of 2,730 meters (8,960 ft) above sea level, it offers stunning panoramic views.

We returned to our hotel around 5 PM after a memorable day exploring Doodhpathri. We had also planned to visit Shankaracharya Temple but unfortunately, we were not able to do so during our trip.

DAY - 5(30th March) SONMARG

We started our day around 9:30 AM and embarked on our journey to Sonmarg, famously known as the "Meadow of Gold".

Sonmarg had experienced an avalanche just two days prior to our visit, causing the main road to be blocked. We had our stay in Sonmarg so we waited for 2 to 3 hours on the road until an alternate route through a new tunnel, which was still under construction, was opened for us to continue our journey. This tunnel reduces the travel time as it is made from the mountains. We arrived in Sonmarg at 3:15 PM and checked into Hotel Sonmarg Palace. The entire area was blanketed in snow, with snowy landscapes visible from our hotel and the surrounding mountains.

Our original plan to visit Zero Point, Zojila Pass and Thajiwas Glacier but was thwarted due to heavy snow, so we explored the mountains opposite our hotel instead. Electric vehicles (EVs) took us to the mountaintop. There were also some sledges which take us to Thajiwas Glacier. We even indulged in some trekking, reveling in the breathtaking views of the snow-covered mountains all around us. There was also a view point were parts of the movie "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" were filmed. Our luck continued with snowfall later in the day, adding to the magical experience.

View from Mountain Top

After a memorable day in the snow, we returned to our hotel, where heavy snowfall continued through the night, enhancing the beauty of Sonmarg even more.

Morning view from our hotel after snowfall

DAY - 6(31st March) GULMARG

Gulmarg is also known as "Meadow of Flowers". Due to road closures from an avalanche, we spent some time enjoying the snow in Sonmarg before departing around 11:30 AM. Gulmarg is located 125 kms away from Sonmarg, and we reached our accommodation at JKTDC Huts by 3:30 PM.

Upon arrival in Gulmarg, we learned that large buses and vehicles like tempo travelers were not allowed beyond a certain point. Therefore, we transferred to another car and also rented snow jackets and gum boots for our visit. The main attractions in Gulmarg include the Golf Course and the famous Gondola Ride. Unfortunately, we couldn't experience the Gondola Ride as all tickets were sold out online well in advance😞. This left us with limited options for activities on this day.

You need to book the Gondola in advance as the booking site for the Gondola ride in Gulmarg opens one month before your intended visit date. Only online booking is available. It is crucial to log on and secure your tickets promptly as they are often fully booked shortly after the site opens. Tickets are in high demand and sell out quickly, so it is advisable to book as soon as reservations open.

En route to Gulmarg, we made a stop to see Drung Waterfall.

12) Drung Waterfall -

Located 16 kms from Gulmarg, we visited Drung Waterfall in April when the water flow was minimal, leaving mostly dry rocks. It is possible that the waterfall is more impressive during peak winter months, so visiting during that time might provide a better experience. Our visit during April didn't meet our expectations due to the lack of water.

Overall, our day in Gulmarg was quieter than expected due to the ticketing issue for the Gondola Ride and the underwhelming experience at Drung Waterfall.

DAY - 7(1st April) SRINAGAR - HOUSE BOAT

Today, we started by visiting the Golf Course ground located opposite our hotel. Covered in pristine snow, it provided a perfect setting for skiing and some enjoyable playtime. After spending some quality time there, did skiing and began our journey back to Srinagar around 12:30 PM.

Golf Course

We arrived in Srinagar at 3:30 PM and proceeded to visit Nishat Garden.

13) Nishat Garden -

Nishat Garden is a beautiful terraced Mughal Garden situated near Dal Lake, about 3 kms away from Tulip Garden. Positioned on the banks of Dal Lake, it features 12 terraces symbolizing the 12 Zodiac signs. A central canal runs through the garden, cascading water from the top to the first terrace at road level, creating a shimmering effect over the stone ramps. It is the second-largest garden in the Kashmir Valley and typically takes about 30 minutes to 1 hour to explore thoroughly.

After exploring Nishat Garden, we proceeded to Dal Lake where we boarded a Shikara boat to reach our houseboat. Arriving at our houseboat around 5:30 PM, we spent our final night in Kashmir enjoying the unique experience of staying on the tranquil waters of Dal Lake.

Our House boat

DAY - 8(2nd April) SRINAGAR TO AHMEDABAD

Today marked our last day in Kashmir. We began by departing from our houseboat, reaching the shore via Shikara boat, and then proceeded to the airport.

Given that there was no direct flight available, we had a layover in Mumbai before finally arriving in Ahmedabad at 10:00 PM.

Thus concluded our memorable journey through the picturesque landscapes and cultural richness of Kashmir, leaving us with cherished memories to carry back home.

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