Kashmir trip : A repeat attempt on a budget

Any suggestions on which houseboat to go for? I was thinking of finalising a houseboat on the Nigeen Lake. any help ? I would like to know if this lake will be near to taxi stand for my next day trip to Leh.

Sorry, no idea really. In fact I'm not interested in HB and hence haven't gathered any info on this front.

Hello everybody!
As you all see this thread remained inactive for quite some time. Meanwhile, I received a few enquiries pertaining to my preparation for my proposed visit to Kashmir. I could not reply these quarries as I myself was unsure of future scenario. There was one more reason for my inaction though. Before I dwell this aspect, let me recap what jobs I have already accomplished in regard to my proposed trip.
1. I have finalized my itinerary. The program goes like this:

DEP 18.09.12 23.55 HOW 12331 HIMGIRI EXP
19.09.12 TRAIN JOURNEY CONTINUES
ARR 20.09.12 12.25 JAMMU NIGHT HALT AT JAMMU
DEP 21.09.12 06.00 JAMMU BY ROAD
ARR 21.09.12 ?? SRINAGAR NIGHT HALT AT SHRINAGAR
22.09.12 08.00 SRINAGAR LOCAL SIGHT SEEING & N/H
23.09.12 08.00 SRINAGAR SONEMARG SIGHT SEEING
24.09.12 08.00 SRINAGAR GULMARG SIGHT SEEING
DEP 25.09.12 08.00 SRINAGAR BY ROAD
ARR 25.09.12 11.00 PAHALGAM SIGHT SEEING & NIGHT HALT
26.09.12 PAHALGAM SIGHT SEEING & NIGHT HALT
DEP 27.09.12 08.00 PAHALGAM BY ROAD
ARR 27.09.12 ?? JAMMU
DEP 27.09.12 22.45 JAMMU TRAIN JOURNEY
28.09.12 TRAIN JOURNEY CONTINUES
ARR 29.09.12 11.15 HOW 12332 HIMGIRI EXP

2. First things first, having finalized my program, I promptly booked my rail ticket, both for onward as well as for return journey. I had chosen Himgiri Express for both the journeys. I had managed to get confirmed AC-3 tickets for all our team members including 2 lower births for myself and my wife (2 senior citizens in the team).
Here I owe an explanation/clarification. Many of our IM friends suggested that Himigiri Exp has earned notoriety for huge delays in reaching its destination and that I should skip this route and instead take Kolkata – Delhi (by superfast trains like Rajdhani or Duronto) and then again by another superfast train from Delhi to Jammu. They are right in their assertion; but I have my own logic in choosing Himgiri. If I would have chosen via Delhi route, the journey time would have been slightly less and possibility of likely late running might have been eliminated, but I would have wasted lot of time waiting at Delhi as the connecting train for Jammu would have started after a gap of solid 4-5 hours. Thus, either way the effective journey time would have been more or less same under both these options. Secondly, ticket cost is more for Kolkata – Delhi – Jammu route. Thirdly and most importantly, by Himgiri I am reaching in the afternoon of 20th and therefore I will not be able start my onward journey to Srinagar on the same day and I will have to take a night break either at Jammu or at Patni Top. Thus, if Himgir delays its arrival, even for a few hours, it will not make any difference and I will have ample time to have a peaceful sleep in the night and then start by early morning for Srinagar. Let’s see how my assumption works out in reality.
3. Sequentially, my next job would have been finding out a possible place of stay either at Jammu or Patni Top. But those who have followed my various Posts/Quarries in IM, they will surely agree that there was hardly any positive feedback on this issue despite my having started a new thread in Jammu Forum. But, then I am not very much perturbed for not having successful in selecting a place for our night stay, as we will be reaching Jammu during daytime and I am confident that I will not have much of a problem in getting a suitable budget accommodation for us.

4. The next job is finalizing mode of travel from Jammu to Srinagar. From whatever feedback I have got, there are broadly three types of option, one by exclusive cab, other by shared cab and thirdly, by bus. There are various sub options under these categories. As my trip is planned as a budget trip, exclusive cab was never an option for me. For some reason, I am always in favour of availing State-run buses. I phoned up (Prakaant – please note) JK State Road Transport Corporation, Jammu (Tourist Services Jammu : 0191- 2576562) and to my surprise somebody lifted the phone and answered all my quarries with utmost courtesy! What I gathered from him is that the first higher class bus leaves around 7 AM from Tourist Reception Centre, Jammu. It is micro bus having total capacity of 14 seats in 2 + 1 seating arrangements. The fare is appox. 400/- or so (I forgot the exact amount) and it normally takes 8 to 10 hours to reach Srinagar. It is supposed to be a Non Stop Bus. I was advised (to be on safer side) to book tickets at least a day in advance, which I propose to do as I will be reaching Jammu a day earlier.

5. Then comes the most crucial job of finding a place of stay at Srinagar. My first dilemma was whether to go for House Boat or Hotel or Hotel-HB combination. Again, for some reason, both I and my family did not like the idea of staying in HB, presumably due cleanliness issue and lack of freedom to come out in the open on the road. Well, for the sake of novelty, one can spend at least a night in HB. However, after lot of deliberations amongst ourselves, we decided to go for Hotel only.

6. I am a stanch supporter of on-the-spot booking of hotels. From my past experience, I have seen tourist will always gain if they avoid Travel Agents and don’t go for advance booking of hotels. On-the-spot booking has several advantages: You can bargain and can get best competitive price, you can see for yourself the hotel, room, amenities etc. before booking. But in the present case, I have a problem. If everything goes all right, we shall be able to reach Srinagar by 5 PM or so and it will be day time then, since Kashmir is located northern most point in the country. But, then, various reports suggest that the route, especially near Banihal Tunnel, is prone to huge traffic jam and it may take hours to clear up. If that be case with us, we may even reach quite late in the night. In such a situation, it will be quite a difficult task for me to hunt hotels of my choice. What to do then?

7. I am in two minds, my logic says go for on-the-spot booking, but heart says, don’t take undue risk, book a place in advance at least for one night. At this juncture, I came across a Travelogue (Mesmerising Kashmir Trip - Sept’11) written by shubhendu1975 in India Mike. Few things struck my fancy: Firstly, it is nicely written TR in down-to-earth manner, secondly it contained very practical and useful information for the budget travellers, and thirdly, the timing of the trip is exactly the same like me. I PMed Subhendu and got his phone number. I talked to him and during the discussion he strongly recommended a Hotel called Hotel Sahara, where he stayed with his family and in-laws. He further informed that he paid @ 600/- per double bedded room and had his food at a nearby Bengali Restaurant. I found this piece of information is very important as this feedback comes from an actual traveller. Now that Amarnathji Yatra is over and Srinagar Hotel industry is entering to a lean phase, I thought this is the right time to contact the said Hotel. Subhendu provided the name of the owner and his phone number. I phone up the number and got in touch with Mr. A Hameed, the owner, who happens to be a retired J&K Tourism Official. After a couple sweet talk from both the sides, he agreed to offer me a 4 bedded room @ 1000/- per night. I thought instead of taking two double bedded room, it is economical to take one 4 bedded room. Mr. Hameed asked me to pay a token advance at his SBI Bank A/c and he provided his Bank A/c No. also. I had just deposited Rs.1000/- as token advance in his account. This is the update on Srinagar accommodation front. But, let me make it clear that I have not done anything for Jammu and Pahelgam accommodation. I will be reaching both the places during day time and I would hunt hotels of my choice on reaching there. Meanwhile, if I get recommendations from the recent travellers, it would be a great help.

With the above submission, I conclude this part of my preparations. Awaiting for more meaningful & recent feedback from IMers, especially from mehargags, who is supposed to conclude his trip by 4th of August. Till then, it is goodbye from me. Thanks.

Ashis Sir,
Millions of thanks!
You have elaborated your plan Wonderfully!

So, Asishda! Travelogue in the making!!
Good decision!
Thank you Sir! Message has been noted and would be implemented during the next trip to the Valley!
Again, good decision! I also follow the same philosophy!!
All the tourists (who come by road from Jammu) reach at around the same time! You should face much problem on that note! You would get rooms there. If it does not suit, you may change to some other accommodation next morning!
... why in two minds, when already have booked the accommodation

Anyhow, have a wonderful trip and share your experiences here! Looking forward towards a great TR!

@Vermasanjay41: Khir bhawani temple does not situated on srinagar to Pahalgam route. It is on the Srinagar to Wular lake road.

@asishdas: Kindly share the contact number of Hotel Sahara .
Thanks

@ashishdas : We would be visiting Kashmir during same time. Check our itinerary at the following link
"Kashmir holidays itinerary - Please comment"

We both would be there in Pahalgam on 25th Sep. Hopefully we can meet and share our experience as we have planned Sonmarg and Gulmarg after Pahalgam and you would have just returned from there.

Please see your IM mail box. I have sent PM to you.

Dear Asishda,

Your itinerary is almost same as our previous Kashmir tour including your train selection too (Himgiri Exp), Except one night stay at Patnitap instead Pahalgam. The road between Srinagar and Jammu can get blocked any time during December month because of land slides. To avoid heavy traffic jam we kept one extra day in hand to reach Jammu.

At GSS road( five km from rail station)In Jammu town you will find a lots of budget hotels. We stayed Hotel Moti Mahal at GSS Rd. in the main town which is very close to Ragunath Tample. We were 2 adults with 2 children shared a double bedded room with one extra bed(Rs.900+100 for extra bed).Moti Mahal is a nice budget hotel for family stay. Room service and stuff were very supportive. The room was newly renovated

Thanks

paban


Hotel Moti Mahal,Jammu

Thanks Paban for sharing.

Hi,
For stay in Jammu can try below option:

https://www.maavaishnodevi.org/booking-information.aspx

Hi abhibham!

Did you stay at this place which you had mentioned? If yes, can you please tell me how is noc-AC and dormitory accommodation? Do they have any 4 bedded room? Thanks for help.

@asishdas,
Sir,
No mail received in IM inbox.Please resend.
Thanks

Hi asishdas,

I am going in for my Ladakh trip next month and I am starting from Srinagar. I am also looking for a night's stay (8th September 2012) in Srinagar, and in a budget hotel too.

I would be grateful if you can kindly send me the contact details of the Hotel Sahara? 4 beds in 1000/- looks like a steal.

Any idea about the hotel's location? I shall be going to the Hotel from the Airport so would like to know the distance of the same from Airport and Dal Lake

Also, any idea on the Bengali Restaurant nearby please anyway - like name etc?

Regards
Saugata

Hello Sir we stayed in Vaishnavi Dham in jammu(Vaishno devi shrine board property). My experience says it is within budget and comfortable stay. You can see the prices of doormetry, rooms price in their site also. One can book either online or by reaching their directly.

I am visiting kashmir in Mid august, will definately share my experiences which might help you.
Thanks