Kashmir: Beyond The Heaven

A trip to paradise would be an apt alternate name for this trip. Kashmir, the northernmost part of the country is bestowed with abundant natural beauty, pristine lakes where you can indulge in “Shikara Ride”, enjoy a hot cup of famous local drink “Kahwa”, shop your heart out in local markets and much more.

The best thing about Kashmir is that you can plan your visit for almost any month of the year. If you want to experience Kashmir in summer, you can plan your visit from April to August. If you want to see snow-covered valleys and ethereal mountains all around you, the best time to visit would be from November to February.

Kashmir has a lot to offer for anyone and everyone, whether be it a romantic couple getaway, a family trip, or an adventure-packed escapade. Some of the activities that can be done here are trekking, mountaineering, rock climbing, camping, skiing, and paragliding.

We start off our journey from the summer capital of Kashmir, Srinagar. You can either choose to rest at your hotel or do some sightseeing and shopping at the local markets. You can shop for pashminas, carved wooden boxes, Kashmiri carpets, and the world-famous Kashmiri Saffron. Take in every bit of authentic Kashmiri cuisine when you stop by their famous eateries in the market. Kashmiri food is considered as the pinnacle of culinary excellence with their famous spices and rich colour. Some of the famous Kashmiri foods include Rogan Josh, Butter Tea, Modur Pulao, Yakhni, Aab Gosht amongst other dishes.

You can also do some local sightseeing around Srinagar which includes Mughal Gardens, Cheshma Shahi, Nishat and Shalimar.

The next day, you’ll be off for a visit to Gulmarg which is one of the most famous hill stations in India. It is located in the Pir-Panjal Range of the Western Himalayas. Gulmarg actually means “Meadow of Flowers” and it lives up to its name. While in Gulmarg, you can take a ride in a “Gondola” which is the local name of the cable car ride. It offers you a panoramic view of the hills and valleys from a vantage point. You’ll also be able to see Apple Orchards, Cherry Orchards, and Strawberry fields in full bloom. After this, you can tee-off at one of the world’s highest golf courses, the Gulmarg Golf Course.

At Pahalgam which is also known as “Valley of Shepherds,” you can visit Aru Valley and Betaab Valley. Pahalgam has its own charm which makes many Bollywood directors flock up here, the result being many movies were filmed here. Pahalgam has many lakes namely Sheshnag Lake, Tarsar and Marsar Lake which has one of the most famous treks in India. Enjoy a serene evening here before heading back for your night stay.

This trip might be short, but the memories of Kashmir will surely outlast it and will make you yearn for more.