Many of you might have visited Kashmir valley but very few know about this hidden gem of Kashmir. Located around 60 km from Srinagar city Yousmarg offers a big bouquet of natural splendors.
How to reach:
There are two routes to reach Yousmarg, one is via NH-01 which is a bit longer route (60 km) and the second one, is via Charar-E-Sharif (50km approx).
I would recommend the second one as it will give a beautiful landscape view.
The famous tomb of sheikh Noor-ud-din-noorani at Charaar-E-Sharif is located on the way.
A radio relay station from where as they say, Indira Gandhi communicated with Squadron Leader Rakesh Sharma when he was in space.
The lush green farms with trees laden with apples, pears and almonds. I would suggest you to take some KAHWA with you and sip it in one of these farms on the way.
The aroma of the trees makes it more lively.
Where to stay:
The best stay at Yousmarg is offered by Jammu&Kashmir Tourism department . The luxurious wooden carved beautiful huts are available in 2BHK (4Adults+2Kids), 3BHK(6Adults+3Kids) options. They provide extra bedding options at a very nominal cost.
I stayed in one such 2BHK hut during my visit and it was more than what you can ask for.
There is a well managed cafeteria in the premises where one can have good food.
What to do:
It would not be exaggeration if I call Yousmarg as Switzerland of India. The beautiful grasslands with a clean water and pine trees makes it a complete scenery that I use to see in Swiss landscape pictures only.
The Doodh Ganga Trek:
One can trek to a beautiful river which locals call Doodh Ganga or you can take a pony ride to near by forest. Taking bath in chilling water of Doodh Ganga will take away all your fatigue.
One can do camping on the grasslands of Yusmarg.
Whats Special About Yousmarg:
The Kashmir is full of natural spectacles but the places like Gulmarg, Tangmarg and Sonamarg has been commercialized and is crowded now. While Yousmarg is still in its nascent state. No rush only beauty and peace is here.
“Agar Firdaus Baroo-Zami-Ast, Hami Asto Hami Asto Hami Ast…”
My yousmarg trip bytes which got featured on Doordarshan
and on J&K Tourism offical Youtube Handle.
For more such out of the box travel destinations and amazing photographs visit my personal blog www.lonelymusafir.com