Kashmir is heaven on earth. Kashmir is beyond the usual tourist places. The selection of tourist places of Kashmir is of no need because the views are everywhere. It is beyond my ability to describe the natural beauty of Kashmir.
I would like to go once again to Kashmir to spend a beautiful evening in Shikara amidst Dal lake. The best honeymoon destination in India, the best foreign tourist destination in India is undoubtedly Kashmir.
7 Day Tour Plan of Kashmir:
I would like to give you the most efficient and quickest tour plan of Kashmir from New Delhi. There can be several Kashmir tours combined of various interests. Here is a safe tour plan if you are traveling with your family with maximum coverage.
- Day 1: From New Delhi airport catch a flight for Srinagar. Otherwise, you can go to Kashmir by rail also. You can go to Jammu by Rajdhani express and then reach Srinagar by car. The best will be to go by flight, it will save both time and money. You will reach only in 1 and half an hour to your destination. Book a hotel near Dal lake. My suggestion would be to stay in a houseboat, it will be a lifetime experience.
- Day 2: Start your day early in the morning soon after breakfast with Kashmiri kawa tea. Do the local sightseeing of Srinagar. Cover the Shalimar bag, Nishat bag, Chasmasahi Bag, Hajratbal before lunch. After lunch, you can go to Dal Lake. Enjoy a shikara ride.
- Day3: Book a cab from a Known travel agent for a day tour to Gulmarg. Stay in Srinagar overnight.
- Day 4: Visit Sonmarg from Srinagar. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Day 5:After breakfast, start your journey towards Pahalgam. Overnight stay at Pahalgam. Do local sightseeing in Pahelgaon.
- Day 6: Explore the nearest places in Pahalgam like Aru valley, Beetab Valley, etc. From here you can go to Katra for Baishnodevi Jatra or you can move straight to Jammu for return. For the Baishnodevi Jatra, you need one more day in your hand. Luckily we did that.
- Day 7: Catch your flight from Jammu while in Jammu. Otherwise, catch the return flight from Srinagar to reach Delhi.
5 Famous Tourist Places of Kashmir
1. Srinagar
The first place where you will land in Kashmir is Srinagar. You will be soon amazed by the unparallel beauty of the city. Your Kashmir tour is based in this city.
The Mughal gardens offer a picturesque view that will never be forgotten in a lifetime. You can easily spend a whole day in any of the gardens. The best one is hard to mention. But in my opinion, it is Shalimar Bag. Explore Shalimar Bag, Nishat Bagh, and Chasmasahi which are equally popular with tourists.
Shankaracharya Mandir is another attraction for Hindu pilgrims. The spectacular 360-degree view of the city rather than the Dal lake is fabulous.
2. Dal Lake
If Kashmir is paradise the Dal lake is the beauty spot of it.Though you will cover the Dal lake from Srinagar only, more attention is to be given here than any other tourist places of Kashmir.
The lake offers equally breathtaking views both in summer and winter. The frozen Dal lake in January is like a dream come true. The Char chinar island, Neheru Park, floating market, Shikara ride are the major tourist attractions of Dal lake Kashmir. The highest floating post office is also another lovely treat to your eyes.
Staying in houseboat is another experience. A deluxe houseboat has carpet wrapped hall room,bed room, toilet with all facilities like bathtub, etc. You will get meals and drinks according to your choice.
3.Gulmarg
Gulmarg means the valley of flowers. The large variety of flowers will mesmerize you. The distance of Srinagar to Gulmarg is just 46 km. The natural beauty along the way towards Gulmarg is also unforgettable.
There are famous tourist places in Gulmarg like Shiv mandir picturized in the Hindi song "JayJay Shiv Shankar", Golf course, Gandola ride. The gondola ride will take you to the country of snow. The views of Nanga Parvat, Gourishankar, Trishul peaks are visible from Gondola along with Dal lake, Jhilam. The place is also famous for the skeing. If you want to play with snow come in winter(November last to March).
4.Pahalgam
The most beautiful village in Kashmir valley is Pahalgam. Pahalgam is situated beside the Lider river at a distance of 96 km from Srinagar. It is the first village in the path of Amarnath Jatra. The scenic beauty of Pahalgam is ineffable.
Visit the Aru Valley, Chandanwari, and Beetab valley while in Pahalgam. The Beetab valley is famous for the shooting of the film Beetab. The film Rockstar was filmed in Aru valley. The snow-wrapped white glaciers and mountains are as close to your feet.
Few hotels are there in Pahalgam. Book before you go there. The place is severely cold and reaches negative degrees at night. So do not forget to carry jackets and hand gloves with you.
5.Sonmarg
Where else would you find meadows of gold, sun-kissed peaks, frozen lakes, the Gushing Indus river, and towering glaciers?The word in the local language means the meadow of Gold. The gushing Indus river welcomes you at Sonmarg. It flows along the yellowish meadow covered with grass. In winter the green grass turns golden. Probably this is the reason the name Sonmarg came from.
The distance is 80 km from Srinagar. The pine and fir trees covered the golden meadow like a margin.
Due to heavy snowfall, the place is closed for tourists during the winters. It is the base for the Hindu pilgrimage of Amarnath.
When To Visit Kashmir
Kashmir can be explored both in summer and in winter. Summer (April-June)is the time favorable for tulip and other flowers. Spring is very beautiful in Kashmir. You can again go to Kashmir from October to March. Check (from Jan to march) wheather the roads are closed in winter before going. Carry heavy winter clothes with you. Shoes designed for snow, jackets, caps, gloves should be carried.
Hope you will pardon me if I fail to cover any point. But believe me, if a tourist has not explored Kashmir, he will never be able to imagine. The ineffable Kashmir is calling you for a memorable lifetime trip.
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