Phew ! What was supposed to be a trip to Rajasthan after much thinking and debating my wife and I decided to book a trip to Kashmir. Initially we were tad bit skeptical about our travel to Kashmir because of constant not so good news in news channels .
We booked flight tickets on Indigo airlines because they have direct flights from Bangalore to Srinagar. Total journey is around 3.15 hrs .
First 2 nights we decided to spend in gulmarg gondola.
We had booked our stay in Vintage Gulmarg on Booking.com and asked the hotel to arrange for our transfer from Srinagar airport to our hotel in Gulmarg. The total cost is 3500 inr.
Pre paid sim does not work in J&K so we had to borrow mobile outside the airport to contact the driver , but it was easy since all are very kind and friendly towards tourists.
We boarded the taxi and it was a 3 hour journey to Gulmarg but one of the most beautiful ride you will ever ride . We had to change 2 cars because it was peak winter and normal cars don’t go the last 15 km due to heavy snow . There are Special 4*4 cars with chains tied to the Tyre . There are lot of people who will try to be friendly with you and help you to plan the trip but they charge 700 inr per day ..
After we changed our car , On the way we took gum boots and special jackets for rent . With a charge of 600 inr per day .
The hotel room was very cozy and warm .outside temperature was around minus two degrees Centigrade and it was constantly snowing .
We decided to go for ATV ride which costs 1500 per person. It was a 8 km ride with one of the most scenic view .We were in winter wonderland.
On day two we decided to have a look at the gondola cable car ride. There was heavy snow storm that day but we still decided to go ahead with our plan. The place is a must visit .The Gondola cable car ride is one of the highest gondola ride in the world . The only way to reach till the gondola station is either by walk (approx 2kms ) or they take you using a sledge , it is bit expensive for a charge of 1k per person but you don’t have much choice because the road is filled with snow and it is very slippery too .they will carry to and fro till you are back to your hotel .
Only first phase of the gondola ride was open since it’s peak winter time . It was a 8min ride one way which costs 750 per person for to and fro. But it’s totally worth since the view is really awesome ,since it was snowing heavily we could not see much of a view . We can also ski from the end point of the gondola station . On reaching the first phase there is a small restaurant . We were cold and hungry upon reaching hence decided to have our all time favorite Maggie and masala chai.
We packed our bags and came back to Srinagar . On the way driver had stopped at some shopping place where you can buy dry fruits and shawls. We reached the hotel and decided to take a walk towards the dal lake but it was the back side of the lake and not very clean so we just walked around the place .Srinagar was bit tensed around this time because of Pulwama attack which happened just few days before our trip. So , for the next day we booked city tour with the taxi guy who took us back to Srinagar and decided to stay in our hotel for the rest of the day.
The taxi guy picked up at our hotel around 10am and first stop was dal lake where we took shikara ride which costs 500 per person with 3 stops during the ride . It takes almost one hour for the complete ride .The 3 stops were
1.floating market
2.mission kashmir movie spot
3.some park
This is one of the must do things when you are in Srinagar .its so beautiful but there are lot of ppl on the way who will try to sell you things which you don’t need .
Top places to visit are below
1. Shankaracharya temple -Built on top of a hill the view from this temple is amazing with 360 degree view of the city but the sad part is mobile phones and cameras are not allowed due to security concern.
2. Pari mahal -Another amazing fort with magnificent view of the city. They have a entrance fee of 25inr
3. Chashme shahi- You can fill your water bottles here in the natural springs . The water is so fresh .
4. Hari parbat
5. Tulip gardens- This place was closed in winter . It opens in April for 24 day. We heard that it is indeed beautiful to visit this place when the tulips are in full bloom.
6. Maszid dargah sharif- It is on the banks of dal lake . Very beautifully built mosque.
7. Shalimar bagh- They have a entrance fee of 25inr and a normal garden with not much flowers during winter. This place can be skipped if you dont have much time .
On the day of our departure there was curfew in Srinagar. Though the situation was tense our driver helped us get to the airport without much hassle . With a very heavy heart we departed from this beautiful paradise and wish to visit again . Thank you kashmir for giving us such wonderful memories.