A Kashmir Sojourn

The glorious Kashmir Valley has been enticing tourists from across the globe since years. This idyllic destination certainly has it all, from magical snowy landscapes, to pristine lakes and magnificent glaciers. The sheer beauty of this place will make tourists crave for more. The Kashmir sojourn often begins with the summer capital-Srinagar, famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. The highlight of this place has quintessentially been the Dal Lake. A good idea would be to stay in one of the numerous houseboats for a night or two. Even a brief Shikara ride, either on the Dal Lake or the quieter Nigeen Lake, would be an exhilarating experience. Once in Srinagar, it is sinful not to explore the surrounding areas of Kashmir Valley. Here one can embark on a journey by visiting Sonamarg, merely two and a half hours of a breathtaking drive and famous for the Thajiwas Glacier, which is a trekker’s paradise indeed. Apart from Sonamarg, Pahalgam is yet another wondrous getaway from Srinagar. Fondly called as the ‘Valley of Shepherds’, it is nestled amidst breathtaking snow-capped hills and lush greenery, and is just a couple of hours away from Srinagar. A visit to the Betaab Valley here is enough to take you to a different era all together. Here tourists can indulge in an array of activities ranging from rafting on Lidder River, to fishing and even golfing. There is enough to do in this picturesque valley to leave you mesmerised. Kashmir has seen a boost in tourism owing to the improved infrastructure of our very own Himalayan ski-resort, Gulmarg. Nothing compares to hitting the undulating, powder-soft slopes of this place, where visitors can ski at a fraction of the price they would have to pay anywhere else in the world. Gulmarg can also boast about the ‘Gulmarg Gondola’ which is longest and the highest cable car project in Asia, offering a bird’s eye view of Kashmir and passing over wonderful pine forests below. This place is not just for adventure enthusiasts, but even for the luxury traveller wanting some tranquillity and relaxation, they can indulge in the luxurious accommodations such as The Khyber Himalayan Resort. Kashmir undoubtedly will provide an unparallel experience to a discerning traveller. Though this place is flocked with tourists year round but it still feels untouched and unexploited, and that’s the magic of this place. One visit will just not be enough and will make you yearn for more.