Srinagar: The city is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Dal lake, the most popular destination on every traveller’s bucket list, is mesmerised by a colourful palette that is formed by the shikaras (gondola-like boats) and houseboats.
Flotillas of colourful shikaras make their way through the calm lake transporting goods and people. It is a wonderful site to witness the daily life of the locals. You can get in a shikara yourself to reach your houseboat.
Srinagar’s signature houseboats are an epitome of luxury and adventure. The best of the boats are palatial, with chandeliers, carved walnut panels, carved ceilings and sitting rooms inspired from colonial era architecture. There are other boats which are less lavish, but equally exciting.
These houseboats swing with the waves at one place. They don’t move around, but act like unique guest houses. The best options are available on Dal and Nagin lake in Srinagar.If you want to get away from the city bustle then you can opt for Nagin lake, as it is away from the city and is quieter.
If you want to get a bird’s eye view of this green landscape with a splash of colours, then get on a hot air balloon ride. There are options for kayaking in the lake too.
There are multiple flights from Delhi to Srinagar. By road, it is an overnight journey. There is a train to Srinagar.
Great Lakes trek: This trek falls in the must-do-trek-in-India list. This is the closest you can get to reach divinity. During the trek you will witness wild horses grazing on the meadows and moving around the streams. You will pass through wide passes, emerald lakes and mist-covered mountains. There are snow patches which float on the lake in colder seasons.
This is a grand trek and is considered as a strenuous one due to steep sections and high altitude. The trek starts from walking amidst the pine trees, moves on to descending a valley, and also into the grassy plain.
The trails wind through Nichani, Vishnusar lake, Gadsar pass and Kishansar twin lakes. The trek is not for the faint-hearted as most of the day involves hard climbs.
The base camp of this trek is Shitkadi, which is a three hour drive from Srinagar.
Gulmarg: Skii in a high altitude cotton blanket during the winters. Gulmarg is a go-to place for winter sports. Though it looms with flowers and greenery in the summers, winter is when the destination truly comes alive. Apharwat peak is the ideal place for skiing.
The Kongdori Gulmarg gondola ride is the second largest cable car ride in the world. It takes you to an altitude of almost 12,300 feet. A chair lift offers the way to a higher altitude for experienced skiers. The ride offers majestic views of the Pir Panjal range and the Line Of Control (LOC).
The Alpather lake completely freezes during the winter. It is a frame-worthy sight to see the deep blue waters frozen in time. A trek to this lake through snow covers is definitely worth the effort.
If you are visiting Gulmarg during the summers, then get your hands on a golf stick as Gulmarg has the world’s second highest golf course. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is yet another attraction to enjoy in the summers to spot a diverse variety of birds.
Take a pony ride to Khilanmarg and enjoy the spectacular views, or camp on the banks of Ningle Nallah. Gulmarg is truly a world in itself.
Gulmarg is only a one-and-a-half hour drive from Srinagar.
Sonmarg: Sonmarg literally translates to the ‘golden meadow’, and so it is. The valley is surrounded by soaring peaks and ‘Bollywood movie set in Kashmir’ scenery. It has meadows, glaciers, mountains, valleys and forests.
Sonmarg has a lot to offer for adventure seekers from treks to camping. Thajiwas glacier is one of places worth seeing nearby. Easy hike to the sprawling glacier is an enriching one. There are several treks which start from Sonmarg. One of them is the trek to Lake Gangabal, whose base village is Narang.
Narang & Lake Gangabal: The area is home to semi-nomadic Gujar people and 8th century Shiva temple ruins. Narang village is tucked in a deep-cut river valley covered in conifer forests. It is the entrance to the epic ‘Great Lakes’ trek.
Camping around lake Gangabal is a revered activity, which can be reached after hiking for seven hours from Narang village. The lake sits on the foot of mount Harmukh and is fed by several rivers. The blue waters of the lake are encapsulated by rocky mountains and rugged terrain. From the lake, you can continue your trek to Sonmarg via the iconic Seven lakes trek.
Krishansar and Vishansar twin lakes are also a great place for spotting brown trout fish and enjoying the 360 degree view of beauty.
Baltal Valley,with its sprawling mountains and alpine trees, near Sonmarg is a popular place too. It is a camping site for pilgrims travelling to Amarnath cave. Listen to the gushing of the Nilagrad River enroute the camping site.
The K3: Kishtwar - Killar - Keylong cliff hanger road is not for the faint hearted. You require courage to cross this road that is carved into the side of a cliff. This is a terrifying and narrow road. It is a roller-coaster for riders, with the width barely enough for a vehicle to pass. The cliff passes along the Chenab, Chandra and Bhaga rivers.
The route is extremely scenic, except for a 5 km stretch between Tayari and Ishtiyari, where fear will take precedence over the scenic pleasure. It is considered the ‘world’s most dangerous road’. It is likely that your toes will be curled and eyes tightly shut in this section.
The scenic highlight is an amalgamation of huge rocks and trees in a canyon.
To travel from Kishtwar to Keylong, it takes two days, with a night stop at Killar. The route is passable only from June to October.
JammuNot only is Jammu the winter capital of the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir but is also famously known as the city of Temples. The Maha Kali temple (better known as Bahu or Bawey Wali Mata), located in the Bahu fort, is considered second to Mata Vaishno Devi in Katra, in terms of mystical power, and was built shortly after the coronation of Maharaja Gulab Singh, in 1822.
Other important pilgrimage sites in Jammu include the Mahamaya Temple, built to honour Mahamaya, who sacrificed her life about 14 centuries ago to save her region from foreign invaders. The Ranbireshwar temple is one of the oldest temples in Jammu and the largest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in North India with the largest Shivlinga at 8 feet, made of a single black marble stone.The Raghunath Temple is a prominent temple within one of the biggest complexes in northern India. The temple comprises a complex of seven Hindu shrines with Lord Ram as the presiding deity.
Jammu’s sprawling Bahu Fort on the left bank of the Tawi River was constructed by Raja Bahucholan over 3000 years ago, making it one of the oldest monuments in the city. The Mubarak Mandi is a royal palace in Jammu that once served as the residence of the maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir from the Dogra dynasty and houses the Dogra Art Museum which has several miniature paintings and Emperor Shah Jahan's golden bow and arrow, among other interesting things. Another notable museum is the Amar Mahal Museum, constructed by King Raja Amar of Dogra in the 1890s as a palace. Made of red sandstone, the palace was turned into a museum with rich collections of paintings, books, inscriptions and sculptures. The Akhnoor Fort, about 22 km from Jammu is perched on a cliff, situated on a historical site by the banks of the river Chenab. This fort is said to be built on the ruins of a town from the Harappan Civilisation
KatraVaishno Devi, one of the most important places of worship in India, is perched atop a hill that can be accessed by foot or helicopter. Located in the Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir, Katra is mostly visited by devotees of Goddess Durga ( Vaishno Devi being a manifestation of Durga) and Lord Shiva. The pilgrimage route is only complete when Shiv Khori, 1.6 km away from Vaishno Devi is also visited. Katra has a large collection of water bodies which can be easily accessed. Katra is worth visiting, even if you are not on a pilgrimage, because attractions like the Banganga, the Chenab river, and a large number of peaks around offer great places for trekking and family outings.
Patnitop :One of the most scenic and underexplored hill stations of India, Patnitop, just a few hours drive from Jammu, features rolling meadows, evergreen forests and picturesque sights. Start your exploration of this hill station with a thrilling ride on India’s highest Gondola from the base at Sanget, eliminating a long hour and a half drive to just 10 minutes to reach the main square of the town Later, explore the 600 year old Naag mandir, go for treks and leisurely walks, enjoy cycling or mountain biking, and other recreational activities. Patnitop is a year-round destination. The summer months are pleasant and cool, and in winter, snowfall makes the hill station look like a page out of a fairy tale.
Patnitop :One of the most scenic and underexplored hill stations of India, Patnitop, just a few hours drive from Jammu, features rolling meadows, evergreen forests and picturesque sights. Start your exploration of this hill station with a thrilling ride on India’s highest Gondola from the base at Sanget, eliminating a long hour and a half drive to just 10 minutes to reach the main square of the town Later, explore the 600 year old Naag mandir, go for treks and leisurely walks, enjoy cycling or mountain biking, and other recreational activities. Patnitop is a year-round destination. The summer months are pleasant and cool, and in winter, snowfall makes the hill station look like a page out of a fairy tale.
Madhatop is a short drive or a 5 km trek from Patnitop, and a nature lover’s paradise. From fresh water springs, dense virgin woods, to scenic views of the mountains, paragliding, Madhatop has it all.
Nathatop :is just a 30 min drive from Patnitop, witness the panoramic 180 degree views of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas from here. Soak in the scent of the pine forests. Stop at a local tea shop for Chai and Kaladi, a local cheese. Hike to the topmost point for a mesmerising view of the Himalayas, enjoy paragliding and walk abouts in the open terrain. Accessible for the most part , however during heavy snow, the access is limited.
Sanasarnamed after two small lakes Sana and Sar, Sanasar is only 60 mins away from Patnitop. A perfect picnic destination thanks to its rolling meadows and undulating landscape. The drive towards Sanasar, is scenic and memorable allowing you to soak in the natural beauty and make pit stops for photographs amidst picturesque settings. Once you are in Sanasar, you can enjoy pony rides, adventure activities such as paragliding, trekking, a 9-hole golf course, shikara ride on the lake and visit the 400-year old Shank Pal temple. Best time to visit is April to October when the roads are clear and navigable.
Bhaderwah is often called ‘Mini Kashmir’, this scenic destination is situated at a distance of 80 km from Patnitop. From immense open grounds and feisty streams to captivating meadows and treetop houses, Bhaderwah is a resplendent retreat for all. Here you can do horse riding, rock climbing, and hiking through the summer months and skiing during the winter months.
Unforgettable thrills:
- Skiing in Gulmarg
- Riding the gondola in Gulmarg
- Pony ride to Khilanmarg, Gulmarg
- Houseboat and shikara in Srinagar
- Great Lakes trek
- Trek to Gangabal
- Seven lakes trek
- Camping in Baltal valley
- Drive on the K3 route
- Mountain Biking in Patnitop
- Gondola ride from Sanget to Patnitop
- Gondola ride from Sanget to Patnitop
- Leisure trails in and around Patnitop
- Skiing in Bhaderwah
- Paragliding in Nathatop
- Boating in Lake Sanasar
- Camping in Patnitop
