Paradise on Earth- Kashmir

Meet and assist by our representative at Srinagar airport.   Transfer and check in at the hotel. Srinagar – The city is famous for its gardens, lakes and houseboats. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts and dried fruits. The city is located on both the sides of the Jhelum River, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. Later in the day proceed for half day city tour, visit – The Mughal Gardens: Linked through a channel to the northeast of Dal Lake. It is also known as Shalimar Gardens, Farah Baksh, and Faiz Baksh. The other famous shoreline garden in the vicinity is Nishat Bagh, ‘The Garden of Delight’. The Bagh was built by Mughal Emperor Jahangir in 1619. The Bagh is considered the high point of Mughal horticulture. It is now a public park and also referred to as the “Crown of Srinagar”. Chashmi-e Shahi (The Royal Spring): Is one of the Mughal gardens built in 1632 AD around a spring by Ali Mardan Khan, a governor of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as per the orders of the emperor, as a gift for his eldest son Prince Dara Shikoh.

Continue with the sightseeing, visit- Nishat Bagh: Is a terraced Mughal Garden built on the eastern side of the Dal Lake, it is the second largest Mughal Garden in the Kashmir Valley. Nishat Bagh, is also located on the bank of the Dal Lake. ‘Nishat Bagh’ is Urdu, and means the “Garden of Joy,” “Garden of Gladness”, “The Garden of Pleasure” and “Garden of Delight. Dal Lake – It is an urban lake, the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir, and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals. It is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir valley and is variously known as the “Lake of Flowers”, “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting Evening Enjoy a one-hour Shikara Ride at the Dal Lake. Return at the hotel. Overnight at Srinagar.

After breakfast, leave for a full day excursion of Sonmarg (Meadow of Gold) – Sonmarg is the last stop of Kashmir district, from here starts the territory of Ladakh. Situated at an altitude of 2743 metre above sea level, it is absolutely true to its name, which means ‘Meadow of Gold’. The moment you enter Sonmarg, the first thing that you will notice will be the snow-covered mountain that forms the backdrop of the town. Covered with alpine trees from all sides, Sonmarg has few of the loveliest flower collections in Jammu and Kashmir.  Visit the Thajiwas Glacier: Located at an altitude of 9186 feet at a short distance from Sonmarg in Jammu & Kashmir, is enormous and blessed with magnificent beauty. Overlooked by the Thajiwas mountain and surrounded by meadows, conifer trees and frozen lakes, it is one of the most beautiful sights you will ever come across.

Tourists visit Thajiwas Glacier for enjoying its breath-taking sights, building snowmen & enjoying a sledding ride. You can also take a short hike to the several waterfalls surrounding the Thajiwas Glacier. After visit, transfer back to Srinagar. Rest of the evening at leisure.  Overnight at Srinagar.

Note: Due to the restrictions by the taxi union in Kashmir, sightseeing in Sonmarg is only permitted by the Union Taxi at an additional cost. Our vehicle from Srinagar will only drop at the common point / zero from where the union taxi will be hired or a pony on direct payment basis for excursion in Sonmarg.

After breakfast, proceed for a full day excursion to Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers) – Known as Gulmarag in Kashmiri, is a town, hill station, popular tourist destination, popular skiing destination and a notified area committee in the Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It is located at a distance of 31 km from Baramulla and 49 km from Srinagar. Enjoy the Gondola Ride (optional at an extra cost) – Is the second longest and second highest cable car in the world. Higher lines include the Dagu Glacier Gondola.  The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 8694 ft to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley.

The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 13058 ft on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak. After sightseeing, transfer back to Srinagar. Rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at Srinagar.

Note: Due to the restrictions by the taxi union in Kashmir, sightseeing in Gulmarg is only permitted by the Union Taxi at an additional cost. Our vehicle from Srinagar will only drop at the common point from where the union taxi will be hired or pony on direct payment basis for excursion in Gulmarg.

After breakfast, check out from Srinagar hotel and proceed to Pahalgam – The valley of shepherds, is a hill station in the north Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. Mountain trails run northeast to Amarnath Cave Temple, a Hindu shrine and site of the annual Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals including brown bears and musk deer. Northeast, the Lidder River runs through scenic Betaab Valley. Southeast, Tulian Lake is flanked by mountain peaks and often frozen.

En-route, visit – Saffron fields of Pampore: Known as Pampar or Panpar, is a historical town situated on the eastern side of the Jhelum River on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. It was known as Padmanpur in antiquity. It is famous worldwide for its saffron and known as the Saffron town of Kashmir. Pampore is one of the few places in the world where saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, grows. Pampore, a beautiful town is famous for its saffron fields. This stunning city in Kashmir promotes itself as the “Saffron Capital of India”.  Awantipura Ruins: Awantipora, Avantipur and Woontpor is a town, just opposite of Pulwama city, on the banks of the river Jhelum in the Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (now called the NH 44), south of Srinagar and north of Anantnag. It has a 1100 years old temple of Lord Vishnu built by the King Awantivarman and enjoy the beautiful countryside.

Drive through the Pine Forests and the Lidder Stream – The Lidder or Liddar is a 73 km river situated in the Kashmir Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It originates from the Kolahoi Glacier and feeds the Jhelum River in Mirgund Khanabal, at an altitude of 1,615 metres

Late evening check- in at the hotel.  Overnight at Pahalgam.

Check out from hotel after breakfast and visit nearby places like – Chandanwari: is also the Gateway of the Holy Amarnath Yatra, an annual holy pilgrimage for Hindus. Chandanwari valley is the end point of the road journey and from there pilgrims have to trek 32 kilometres to reach the Amarnath cave. Chandanwari valley is one of the best places to relax and rest in nature. Aru Valley: Is noted for its scenic meadows. It is popular among the tourists for its peaceful environment and scenic beauty. The village is a base camp for trekkers to the Kolahoi Glacier, the Tarsar-Marsar lakes and the Katrinag valley. Betaab Valley: Originally called as Hajan Valley or Hagan Valley, is situated at a distance of 15 km from Pahalgam in the Anantnag district in India’s union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. The valley got its name from the Sunny Deol-Amrita Singh hit debut film Betaab.

Note: Due to the restrictions by the taxi union in Kashmir, visit to Chandanwari, Aru Valley and Betaab valley will only be in a cab by the Union Taxi at an additional cost.

After sightseeing, transfer back to Srinagar. Check in at the hotel. Rest of the evening free at leisure. Overnight at Srinagar.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to Srinagar airport to board the flight for onward journey. End of Tour!