Enchanting Kashmir (Including Vaishno Devi) Itinerary

Hi All,
My 7 days itenrary to Kashmir Trip is as follows:

Please let me know if you want to add any points/tips or tricks. It will be very helpfull for me.

Thanks in advance.

Day 1: Reach Jammu @ 12 PM and arrive Katra (52 Km) around 3 PM and Reach Ardh Kumari before 11 PM.

Day 2: Reach Bhavan before 2 AM and try to reach at hotel before 9 AM . Take breakfast cum Lunch and full day leisure in hotel room and wake up before 7 PM. Have a walk in local Katra Market.

Day 3: Wake up early in the morning (7 AM) and leave for Sri Nagar (262 km). Reach there before 4 PM so that we can book Houseboat easily. Enjoy the majestic Shikara ride on the picturesque Dal Lake to see the Char Chinar, floating vegetable market etc. Spend overnight at the houseboat.

Day 4: Leave for Gulmarg (8830 feet | 56 kms/ approx. 2 hrs)
On the way, visit the Drung; a beautiful sightseeing point near to Tangmarg. Spend the day sightseeing at the picturesque locales with delightful ski slopes and the highest 18 hole golf course of the world. Take the exhilarating cable car ride to Khilanmarg or Apharwat/Kangpori Snow Point. You can see LOC (line of control) from Apharwat .And back to Srinagar.

Day 5: Leave for PahalGaam (6990 feet | 96kms/ approx. 3hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy an excursion to Pahalgam. Drive through saffron fields. Drive through the pine forests and along the Lidder River. In the afternoon proceed to Chandanwari which is famous for its snow glaciers. Chandanwari is also base for Holy Amarnath Yatra. In the evening return to Srinagar. We can also stay in Pahalgam.

Day 6: Srinagar Local Sightseeing:
In Srinagar, it is just amazing taking an early morning long walk on the bank of Dal Lake, from Dal Gate to Nehru Park.
Excursion to the Mughal gardens built by Emperors (Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh & Shalimar Bagh) and Visit the Shankaracharya Hill Temple Enjoy shopping at Kashmiri craft & art stores. Stay overnight at the hotel in Srinagar.

Day 7: Return home with happy memories.
Leave for Jammu (294 Km) in early morning and catch train from Jammu rly station.

Can any one comment on my Itinerary Or answer following ques?

Do I need to prebook the hotels and Houseboats in srinagar?
During pahalgam Visit, Shall I stay in pahalgam or return back to Srinagar?
What are the tariffs for Housboats?
Tax (Indica) charges for Gulmarg and Pahalgam?

Hi All,

I am back from my trip. itenrary executed as we decided.
Soon, I will be sharing my trip experience of Jammu-Kashmir and "tips and tricks".

Thanks.

Waiting for your next post.....

Hi ankit1534!

I am planning a trip to Kashmir during Sept. 2012. Obviously, I am currently scanning through all the travel report/travelogues, especially those from recent travelers, in order to get help and guidance for my tour planning. Naturally, therefore, I am eagerly looking forward for your report and more importantly, your "tips and tricks"! Come on quickly, Anikt! Please also include cost part of the trip in your report. Thanks.

Day 1: Reached Jammu @ 12 PM and arrived Katra (52 Km) around 3 PM and Reached Ardh Kumari @10 PM.

Day 2: We reached Bhavan @ 1 AM and had darshan @3 AM. Returned to hotel @ 11 AM from Bhairav. Take breakfast cum Lunch and full day leisure in hotel room and woke up before 7 PM. Had a walk in local Katra Market.

Day 3: Woke up early in the morning and leave for Sri Nagar (262 km). Reached there at 10 PM.

Day 4: Srinagar Local Sightseeing:
Enjoyed the majestic Shikara ride on the picturesque Dal Lake to see the floating vegetable market etc.
Did excursion to the Mughal gardens built by Emperors (Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh & Shalimar Bagh) and Visit the Shankaracharya Hill Temple Enjoy shopping at Kashmiri craft & art stores. Stay overnight at the hotel in Srinagar.

Day 5: Leave for Gulmarg (8830 feet | 56 kms/ approx. 2 hrs)
Left for Gulmarg @ 8 AM. Spend the day sightseeing at the picturesque locales with delightful ski slopes and Gondola ride. Took the exhilarating cable car ride to Khilanmarg or Apharwat/Kangpori Snow Point. You can see LOC (line of control) from Apharwat .And back to Srinagar.

Day 6: Leave for PahalGaam (6990 feet | 96kms/ approx. 3hrs)
After breakfast at the hotel, Left for Pahalgam. Drive through saffron fields and Apple Gardens. Drove through the pine forests and along the Lidder River. In the afternoon proceeded to Aru Valley, Chandanwari and Betaab valley.Chandanwari is also base for Holy Amarnath Yatra. Had a pony ride to Baisaran Valley (Mini Switzerland).Night Stay in Pahalgam.

Day 7: Return home with happy memories.
Left for Jammu (294 Km) in early morning and caught train from Jammu rly station.

Hi asishdas,
I am composing all my experience and will soon post here. Yeah, I will also come up with the costs and other Do's and Don'ts.
If you have any particular question, pls post here.

-Ankit

Thanks for the log!

Just one query:
What was the mode of journey on Day 3?

We hired a Indigo from Katra a day before. It was a complete package for all tours and excurions and he dropped us @ Jammu rly stn.

I would request to everyone visiting Kashmir Valley that do not over pay any where. It just helps in inflating tourism cost nothing else.
Lots of bargain will really help you and you can save lots of money. Everyone will try to loot you.

Shikara: At the Max 600 8 point sight seeing. Or Take for one hour (Govt rate: 300)
Pony in Gulmarg : 50 rs from taxi stand to Gondola Station. They May ask you 300-400.
Boots at Snow point: 50 rs per boot pair.
Pony ride @ pahalgam (To Kashmir Valley, Dabian Valley and Baisaran Valley): Govt rates: 750 per pony. Peak season rate: 600-700, off season: 250.
Tray bargaining here, you can settle around 400.

We had engaged shikara for three hours in the month of October, 2011 and had paid Rs 300/- for the ride. Our strategy was to engage shikara at early morning (at 10 AM) when there is less numbers of tourists on the road!

Also, please do not splash your message on every thread, in stead you should start a new thread with all your do's & don'ts.

Prakaant,
Apologies, if it hurts.
I will writing my exp on my post. I was just awaring everyone.

No, it is not a matter of hurting. Just was suggesting to post your message at one place in stead of posting it on various posts.

http://www.indiamike.com/india/jammu...3/#post1437096

1. Have gone through your Do's and don't in Jammu-Kahsmir. It is very practical and will prove to be quite helpful for future travelers like me. This particular chapter is on transportation/cabs.
2. Similar chapter on Hotel, Shikara, house boat, ponnywallahs etc. will also be quite helpful.
3. But the most important and eagerly awaiting thing is your travelogue, which you promised quite some time back with cost part. When this is coming?