A trip to Heaven on Earth.

Dr Funkenstein

Great stuff, somnath.

I'm wishing I'd got off Dal Lake and into the hills a bit when I was in Kashmir now. As it was my first time and I wanted to see what the security situation was like, I decided to stick to the lake for this trip.

Next time I think I'll try and branch out a bit.

I agree, though, watching everyday life on the lake is fascinating. I could sit on my houseboat's veranda forever and I'd never get bored.

For anyone that's interested, here's a few photos I took on Dal Lake. It's a truly beautiful place.

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Out There Somewhere : My Travel Blog.

jyotirmoy

Dear Somnath,
I am sorry to hear that you could not eat at Mughal Durbar but must have eaten Kashmiri food else where may be in Pahalgam?
I will try to make it up for you if you ever come to Delhi. A few displaced Waza families have taken up residence in a colony here. They cook great Kashmiri food & its a take away place only. We often engage them for our parties. Lots of who is who in Delhi avail their services. No no I am not among these who is who's. Me & a few of my friends had been their earliest customers that is all so we get a fair & partial treatment
So just let me know.
Regards.

somnath

Yes, the day we spent at Gulmarg was really cold and the weather is different than eastern Himalaya. In winter, reconstruction in earthquake affected Kashmir will be a threat to the authorities. But the good news is 5 points will be opened through LOC. Two of them will be ready from Indian side from 4th Nov.
On the other hand, lots of adventure sports specialists and local people are eagerly waiting for the snowfall. So that Gulmarg can attract more and more people for its skiing and other winter sports.
Ha Ha ha…… hope it will help you to keep away from sleeping pills tonight.
Thank you, Dr. Dal Lake is amazing but please don’t miss the opportunity next time. Thank you for your help, I am thankful to you for those important info provided by you before my Kashmir visit.

Hi Jyoti, it was a great problem to maintain the same wavelength with 40 people and just couldn’t do it at Pahelgam also. But THANK YOU SO MUCH for the offer. I’ll love to visit the place for the Kashmiri food there.

As soon as the Pagelgam pix are ready I’ll post it.

- Somnath

somnath

Paradise at 13,000 feet

A series of heavy snowfalls in Kashmir over the past few weeks has attracted hundreds of domestic and foreign ski tourists to Gulmarg, which boasts the worlds highest gandola chairlift touching a height of 13,600 ft.

http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/feb/02sd1.htm

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* My Travel Pix...

cutegaldiya

somnath, we will visit kashmir on october...our travelling dates are also same but we will be not going to amritsar...will go direct jammu...ne way...i want to ask about the weather in all places u have travelled...and i also don't know we will get ice or not...

please give me the cheap but good and troublefree hotel names in srinagar and pahelgaon...and also mention the cost.

Aishah

I've merged your posts cutegaldiya - also check out Hotels Forum on the red bar at the top of the page for these locations.

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cutegaldiya

thanks aishah...i have got hotel info...
do u know about the weather in kashmir during middle of october...and i also don't know we will get ice or not...

somnath

Hi Diya,
Welcome to IndiaMike. And thanks to Aishah.
In addition, I would like to request you to visit this link:
http://www.kashmironline.net/hotels.asp

If I get another chance to visit Srinagar I’ll prefer to stay in a hotel which is located on Boulevard and near Dal Gate.

I am not sure about the exact tariff right now but once (when I went there) dbl bed room was 350 – 400 in the following hotels:
Srinagar:
Green Hill or New Shalimar
But it is my personal experience that not to prefer the hotels which are located at the other side of the canal / lake. Else you are dependent on local shikaras / boats of the hotel everytime.


Pahelgam:
Shepherd’s. away from the bus stand but a nice place beside Jheelam.

One of my friends is a fan of Hotel Maharaja Palace, Chandanwari Rd. ; Pahelgam for its location. The contact no is – (01936) 23211. (Rs.600 approx)

Weather in October is just great. Though I’ve experienced the first snowfall of the season at Gulmarg – it’s a spectacular sight. And let me tell you the feeling was different than Darjeeling or Eastern Himalaya. Do not mis the Gondola (ropeway) ride up to Khilanmarg. BTW, you can understand why this is the great time from here:
http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s.../5/ppuser/4434


If you need any other info plz do not hesitate.

- Cheers.

cutegaldiya

thank u somnath 4 the informations...and before here u it was difficult to me to take decission...i should go on october or not...but now i can go... and i'll really go for the ride...gandola...

your pictures are superb and at the same time i am suprised how u took the snap 'The first Checkpost to Vaishno Devi'
http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...16/ppuser/4434
i think camera is not allowed there...

can u tell me is camera allowed in gondola?can i take photo there?

somnath

Ohhh...... Sure you must go. There is no point to cancel such a beautiful trip. See, I think Kashmir is something different the landscape is completely different than other parts (so far I’ve seen). If someone likes landscape and colors of nature s/he must go to Kashmir. Yeah, one thing is important with Kashmir….. the political condition. You never know when some terrorist activity will disturb the valley. Please watch the situation at the time of journey.

Camera is (was…. I am not very sure about recent development but I think I’ll be able to give you actual feedback at end of June – my father is going for Kashmir trip) allowed and last two pix were taken from Gondola only:
http://www.ringo.com/photos/album/ph...bumId=35327003

Camera is not allowed inside the Vaishno Devi temple. But it is allowed on the way. You need to show your camera at the check post – that’s all.

Looks like you love to take photographs…… plz share some of your travel pix in IndiaMike.

cutegaldiya

OK i'll wait for your feed back...and wish a happy journey 4 your fother...

definately i'll share my travel pix in indiamike...

somnath

Cheers, Diya.

Friends,
Asia’s largest Tulip garden – another attraction of Srinagar, Kashmir. I can remember a thread regarding this but I found some photographs from rediff. Here is the slide show from rediff.:

http://specials.rediff.com/news/2008/apr/08sld1.htm

It would be great if any IMer can share his/her photographs.