#TravelDiaries – The Crown of India – Kashmir

Closing my eyes, I can imagine the beauty we have in our country. So many unique places which are so enthralling, makes me feel one lifetime will be less to explore every place.

Let me get hold of few words to describe the beautiful crown of our country – Kashmir. Its calm, serene, heavenly, mesmerizing and simply beautiful.

Somehow, I always wanted to go to see Kashmir and believe me you can’t get enough of it in one visit.

March to April is one of the best periods to go as you can tolerate the weather, enjoy the snow as well as the greenery. I went in May and the snow had started melting but it was awesome. We took a 6-day Kashmir Package wherein we visited the Dal Lake, Shankaracharya temple, local gardens – Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, Sonmarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Chandanwadi and not to forget the houseboat experience.

 

Unlike many other cities, you will find Kashmir still untouched and closer to nature.  Major income of people in Kashmir is tourism. If you love being with nature it’s a must go.

 

 

Staying in a houseboat is a must experience. The houseboats have a reflection of their culture – artwork, carpets, furniture, the whole ambience in short. The houseboats are not moving but stationed.

 

 

 

 

Next in line is a shikara ride at Dal Lake. Just enjoy the peaceful moments away from the hustle bustle of the metros. Feel the magical calmness. The floating farms, houses and bazaars. You would find a lot of sellers of handicrafts and other stuff during your shikara ride. Preserve these moments through your camera. Click pics those would be your best memories. Water sports Activities like water skiing is available which can be checked.

 

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You have some amazing gardens in Srinagar. We went to Shalimar and Nishat Bagh wherein I found the later the best. Its huge and you can just go, sit back and relax. We missed the Tulip garden, it had got spoiled due to the sudden rains.

 

 

 

 

Sonmarg and Gulmarg another two great tourist spots. At Sonmarg just enjoy the flowing of the river, the glaciers and the snow.

 

 

Gondola ride at Gulmarg is best attraction which stops at 10,000 feet and 14,000 feet above sea level. The experience at 14000 feet above sea level is something which you can understand by being there only. Snow clad mountains everywhere. You can see the LOC from there. Skiing and sledging can be done at both places.

 

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Our next destination was Pahalgam, on the way you have Kesar fields and Cricket bat making factories. Kesar blooms during the month of October. When we went there were randow flowers growing there.

 

Pahalgam is just lovely. There are a lot of spots where films have been shot. We did not go everywhere but the steep lanes, flowing water, mountains around overall made the stay a wonderful experience.

 

 

Chandanwadi a place close by is one of the first start points of the Amarnathji Yatra.

 

Weather can be quite unpredictable so carry your woollen stuff and umbrellas. Jackets, gloves and boots are available on rental basis at almost all the tourist spots for adults and children. There are city timings for Srinagar please follow the same. Would suggest going in groups always better with a travel agency.

It’s an experience to have at least once in a lifetime. We want to go abroad but there are so many places in India which are amazing. Go and explore Kashmir for yourself.