How Safe is it to travel to Srinagar Pahalgam Gulmarg etc

We are a family of 4, a couple and two grown-up children. We are planning to visit Srinagar Pahalgam Sonamarg & Gulmarg in early July starting from 6th for 7/8 days.
Could somebody please give a true & fair opinion about safety of tourists in that part of Kashmir.
Have some one been there recently? How many tourists are visiting that place these days.
We are keen to visit Kashmir because this is our silver jublee anniversary and we visited Kashmir for our honeymoon 25 yrs ago.
Thanks
Rakesh & Sapna

It is fairly safe to visit Kashmir at present.
In July Pahalgam will be extremely busy with the Amarnath yatra. Srinagar hotels and houseboats will also see their peak season. Lakhs of Indian tourists will be going over there in July.
Avoid Pahalgam if you wish to be away from the crowds.
Security will be maximum aroud that time.
Keep yourself posted about the latest developments at this newspaper website:
http://dailyexcelsior.com

Hi Rakesh,
I think its fairly safe there now. I havent been there yet but planning to go with my family in early June...

Were there in October,lots of army around but otherwise no problem Srinagar,gulamrg ,Sommarag & Phalgam
Very few non Indian but quite a lot of Indians (not from Kashmir)
As said #1 accomdation during Amarnath Yatra could be diffcul.
If find time short think you can cut out Gulmmarg
Good luck

Many thanks to all of you. It sounds safe to visit Kashmir. Could you please guide us how to book a house-boat for 4 persons (2 twin bedrooms) in Srinagar. Is it better to book in advance via internet or take one after arrival. Also, could you suggest a hotel in Gulmarg with excellent location/view, comfortable 3/4 star or heritage hotel.

Thanks & Regards
Rakesh Tomar

think would be better to see before hand to mke sure what you are getting.
cannot recomend house boat as opted for housestay

how crowded is pahalgam in last week of june??

If you are going for a holiday in June / July / August, leave out Pahalgam from your plans due to heavy influx of organizers and pilgrims for the annual Sri Amarnath Yatra, for which Pahalgam is the base camp.
Go to Sonamarg, Gulmarg and lesser known destinations in Kashmir.
Hotels and houseboats will also be in great demand for the two months that the Yatra goes on. Many of the yatris take it easy in Srinagar on their way back.

so i will have to book in advance. rite?

Hi,

I also plan to go to Srinagar in July, though my Travelguide-Book "strongly" advises against it. Is it really safe?
I know there's no 100% guarantee, but I remember 10 years ago I was in Ladakh and didn't go to Kashmir because of the safety-problems.
Is it safer than 10 years ago?

Kashmir is safe as of now. Please stay in tune with current developments in the region.
Check out http://kashmirtimes.com for daily news updates.
Enjoy your trip. The valley is enchanting.

Safe - IŽd say less unsafe. This is the the good news , as presented in the Indian Parliament :

"Feb 27 (ANI): Union Minister of state for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal, replying to a question in Rajya Sabha today said there has been a decrease in terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir during the last two years.

The number of terrorist incidents in Jammu and Kashmir during the year 2007 was 1092 while the number stood at 1667 for the year 2006. "

Recent news from Srinagar include one single bombing , and clashes between police and civilians after the discovery of more than 900 unmarked graves.

I read in some newspaper last week that among all the domestic summer packages offered by the tour operators kashmir packages are the most popular. It even beats himachal!! So I guess at least lot of people thinks the place is safe enough ...

hi rakeshtomar...

I strongly recommend chicago houseboat. you can find the thread in the jammu and kashmir section and the hotel reviews. you can email the owner, he'll arrange transport (and practically everything) you need to go to gulmarg, sonamarg and pahalgam. Private jeep with heater is provided.

oh, i think it's safe to travel to all three places, just that the journey from srinagar is hours long so its best if you have comfy transport! And gulmarg is safe, just be careful with your personal belongings and check up on the prices of the skiing, sleigh etc as you might get cheated badly. i heard of a man who was threatened and had to pay 5 times the price... i stayed at sahara hotel in gulmarg. it's simple and basic.

Hi Ashwinnaagar!

If you are heading to Pahalgam, yes, you need to book in advance.

Last summer we went to Gulmarg, and this summer I heard that we have a hut booked in Pahalgam for 1 week in early July. Everybody is saying it's really crowded there that time, so I'm having doubts whether it's a good idea to go ... Anyway it will be a nice break for staying with the in-laws for 1œ mth! Don't get me wrong, I love them dearly, but sometimes I feel stuck there unless we go to see some other places, also.

Anybody been to Sonamarg or Yousmarg? Any huts or hotels available there?