Tour to Kashmir (India)

 

1. Nagin Lake
2. Dal Lake
3. Shankaracharya Hill
4. Shikara Boat ride
5. Indira Gandhi Tulip Garden
6. Nishat Garden
7. Shalimar Bagh
8. Mughal Gardens
9. Pari Mahal
10. Manasbal lake
11. Chame shahi Gardens
12. Chandanwari
13. Betaab valley
14. Aru Valley

Our trip to Jammu and Kashmir was the most fulfilled and memorable journey.  It was arranged by Kesari Tours, and number of participants were 25 people.

Popularly known as the "Paradise on the Earth" the state is world famous for its scenic splendour, snow-capped mountains, plentiful wildlife, exquisite monuments, hospitable people and local handicraft.

Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh and all three have  immense potential for tourism from both domestic as well as international tourists. There are number of locations which are untapped and can be developed as major tourist destinations, having all the  natural as well as the cultural resources for attracting tourists. Some of the important natural resources  are excellent climate, beautiful lakes, locations for adventure sports, wild life, trout fish, natural and  manmade parks like Shalimar and Nishat of the Mughal period, flora and fauna, alpine forests, natural  waterfalls and streams etc. As for the cultural resources, the state has some of the most important  religious shrines of Hindus, historical monuments, plethora of local festivals, distinct cuisine,  craftsmanship skills for intricate and fine woodwork, woolens, carpets, textiles,  inlay  work, paper mache  etc.,  

Gulmarg is recognized as one of the top 10 Sky destinations of  the World. Host to many of Bollywood shootings of yesteryears, this place is attracting numerous tourists once again.  

It is mostly between October to December that areas like Sonamarg and Gulmarg start to receive heavy snowfall.  So you should have the following items or even you can hire :

1. Thermal wears 
2. Heavy windproof and warm Jacket.
3. Woolen Cap to cover your head and neck and possibly face as well / Monkey Cap.
4. Heavy Woolen Clothing.
5. Umbrella and Jackets
6. Woolen Socks.
7. Warm & Waterproof Gloves.
8. Shoes with good grip.
9. Sunglasses
10. Hand Gloves.

Due to popularity of cable ride in Gulmarg, advance booking of Gondola tickets is highly recommended. This ensures you have a reserved seat when boarding and avoids the disappointment of waiting in long lines or being turned down on the day of your visit.

Gondola cable car ride takes place in two Phases :

Phase I: from the Gulmarg resort to Kongdori Station (2600 m) in the bowl-shaped Kongdori Valley which takes 9 minutes to reach.

Phase II: from Kongdori Station to Kongdori Mountain (3747 m), the shoulder of Apharwat Peak which takes 12 minutes

After Phase-II, when you get down, you will get so many local people to persuade you and ask you to hire their services to reach at the top of Ice Area.  Old snow or ice is very slippery. be careful of accidental falling. 

Gulmarg is one of the most popular skiing destinations in Jammu and Kashmir. During winter, the whole region gets covered by a thick blanket of snow, making it an ideal spot for snow lovers and winter adventure activities. With the gondola ride, you can reach the perfect skiing slopes in the region and engage in thrilling winter adventures.  The Gulmarg Gondola remains operational throughout the year and is an ideal recreational activity at any given time, as long as the present weather conditions allow it. If you are not interested in skiing or don’t fancy the sheer cold, you can go for the Gulmarg Gondola prior to the onset of winter, like in late September or early October. During this time, the temperature remains pleasant, and you can get phenomenal panoramic views of the green meadows, towering trees and the snow-capped mountain peaks in the distance. 

Surrounded by awe-inspiring glaciers,  Sonamarg is a meadow of greenery and flowers wrapped in snow-capped mountains. Decked in a coat of white snow in most of the summers, and inaccessible in the winters, don’t be surprised when you find your self standing in an unexpected drizzle here. The Sindh river meanders through the valley and is fully stocked with snow trout- an excellent chance for fishing.

A picture perfect landscape, sprawling  valleys, beautiful snow capped sky high mountains, serene lakes and lovely people  describe Gulmarg at its best. It offers a perfect blend of adventure and serenity for its guests. The hill station is specially famous for its ski resorts and ski slopes as it witnesses heavy snowfall during winters. The adventure doesn't stop at skiing - Gulmarg boasts of the highest and longest cable car project in the Asian subcontinent.

Sonmarg is one of the best places to visit in Kashmir. Here's the list of the tourist places you can explore near Sonmarg.

1) Vishansar Lake :Situated in the vicinity of Sonmarg, Vishansar Lake runs a kilometre in length and holds a lot of importance for Kashmiri Pandits. The lake freezes during winter but in the summer, the lake is surrounded by green grass and the occasional flock of sheep grazing away to glory. The lake is also the source of Nelum River which flows upwards in the Northern direction. The lake attracts a lot of trekkers and is the best place for a night-stay next to pristine water.

2. Nilagrad River

Nilagrad River is the perfect spot for a picnic under the sun as it provides the scenic setting of a riverside. It is located around 6 km from Sonamarg is known for its red water that is believed to have medicinal properties. People flock to this river every Sunday for a holy bath. The river later merges with the Indus River as it flows down.

3) Zoji La Pass is located about 9 km from Sonmarg and is a very important link between Kashmir and Ladakh. It is known for its thick snow covered layers along the road. Historically, the pass was captured by Pakistan in a war and was later re-captured by the Indian forces for which this place becomes a must visit as it was is the highest land where tanks were used. It is an out of the world experience to be here at Zoji La!

4) Adventure-seekers behold! Thajiwas Glacier is the kind of heaven that adrenaline junkies feast one. The snow is beautiful and the place has options to go ice skiing or hire an ice scooter to enjoy the majestic snow cover and scenic beauty. Just remember to bargain while hiring the rides and you’ll have an experience of a lifetime!

5) The fun starts here from Baltal to Shutkari Bridge where a long rafting expedition is carried out to quench your adrenaline thirst. The rafting is great for experienced as well as novice rafters and is one of the best experiences you will ever have at Sonamarg.

6. Krishnasar Lake : Krishnasar Lake is located at about 3500 m above sea level and is one of the most beautiful lakes around. It is surrounded by lush greenery and big trees. The lake is known for trout fishes and fishing, as well as water sports. Pay a visit to the lake if you want a quiet moment alone with nature.