Have to drop Gulmarg or Sonamarg or Pahalgam, which one?

Hi Guys,
I am planning a trip to Leh through Srinagar and will reaching Srinagar by 2.00pm and will be in Srinagar next day before leaving for Leh on the third morning. Reading from the forum posts, I guess I can do 2 of the three places Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam. I am not sure which one to drop? This is my first trip to Srinagar and need a little time for local sightseeing like Dal lake and Mughal gardens too

Please advice?

Thanks in advance,

regards,
Ram

Tough call.

Sonmarg.

Ram, I too was left with the same choice, albeit, after visiting Pahalgam. I was left with Gulmarg and Sonamarg after a day kept for sightseeing in Srinagar was wasted due to rains. I decided to drop Sonamarg. But, I can't comment much because I dont know how much I lost by dropping it !

Thanks for the info guys. In which case can I do the following:

Day 1) Head to Gulmarg from Srinagar airport at 2.00pm do some local sighseeing in Gulmarg return back to Srinagar and stay on a houseboat.
Day 2) Start to Pahalgam early in the morning, do some local sightseeing in Pahalgam till 12 noon and then return back to Srinagar. Do some local sightseeing in Srinagar and head to Sonamarg in the evening around 4.00pm (reach Sonamarg by 6.00pm?) and stay in Sonamarg for the night.
Day 3)Head for Leh early morning so that I can reach Lamayaru by evening?


Thank you,

regards,
Ram

Ram, it is not up to you to decide the time you'll start from Sonamarg for the onward journey. There is a strict control on the one-way traffic movement! Do check what time the 'convoys' from Sonamarg are being allowed these days.
Sonamarg to Zoji La is a single lane road. Further it is closed one day of the week! Which day of the week this season? I believe it is Sundays. No civilian traffic either way!

Thanks Anup. Well..then that changes the whole equation I guess have to get a lot of inputs from locals a few days before the trip before deciding the itinerary add to that the weather conditions too... Your info was a total surprise to me. Thanks a lot once again.

regards,
Ram

Please. except Mughal Gardens, Srinagar is pretty much complete junk (its a cramped tense city, nothing more) in my opinion - sonamarg OTOH is pure green verdant heaven.

Think again

Yes, I was going to suggest reduce Srinagar too, but the OP wanted to spend some time there.

Thanks a lot guys for the info about Srinagar. I was hoping to hear something like that, so that I can convince my wife to spend less time here and head for Leh Probably a little shopping at Srinagar might be a good enough bribe
Then it will be Gulmarg on the first day,
Srinagar - Pahalgam and return to Srinagar on Second and head to
Sonamarg in the evening.

BTW, I'm planning my trip in September last week, if that makes any difference in choosing between Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam?

regards,
Ram

September is good. It is not very cold also. Only thing you have to be in your raincoat all the time, because these places climate is very unpredictable. One minute there is sun shine, then suddenly it becomes dark and cold. When we visited two weeks back there was rain with slight snow fall in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. When I asked my Godawallah about the climate he said - "Bombay ka Fashion aur Kashmir ka climate" kuch bhi bhol nahin sakta - badalta hi rahta hain". We enjoyed all three places - but we liked Pahalgam the most - due to its excellent climate and calm atmosphere and the view of Lidder valley and Lidder river. Wish you a happy journey. If you want any help pls pm me.

Ha Ha, good one!

Ram, everything that has been said about Srinagar being just a grotty city is valid only for the months of May, June and July!
Once the tourists and pilgrims go back home, Srinagar is not half bad a city!
A stay on a houseboat is a must, I would say. The experience cannot be replicated anywhere else in the country. A shikara ride on the Dal and the Nagin lakes is a romantic experience, apart from giving a unique insight into the lifestyle of the local people.

I second Maninair here.. I felt like pitching a tent and staying in Baisaran.. Wonderful place..

I have taken some video, when I upload I will give you the link.

Mani