Kashmir Valley (Trip Account)

Balvar

Dear All,

I would like to post my trip Account for Kasmir Valley (21st April to 28 April).


Day 1:: Started at around 9:00 pm from Chandigarh to Jammu on a AC Bus. The fare of the bus is 250 Per Person. Then reached Jammu at 4:30 am. The Bus dropped us right in front of the Jammu Bus stand. From there we hired a Cab from Jammu to Srinagar for 400 Per head. & then reached Srinagar around 10:30 a.m in the morning. Only stopped for Breakfast in between at Khund. After that checked in a hotel which was near Dal Gate. (Hotel Malik Place) the rent for the room was 1200 per room. Then went to latest Tulip Garden & from there Visited botanical Gardens, Nishant Garden & Shalimar / Mughal Gargden.
Also paid a short visit to Ranimahal & Cheshmahai. The entry for Tulip garden is 50 per head & for the rest of the gardens is a nominal 10 Rs entry.

Day 2:: Got up around 7:00 am luckily found a Punajbi Dhaba near thre hotel. Frim there we went to the TRC ( Travel Reservation Centre) & booked ourselves a bus for Gulmarg. The fare of the bus was around 160 per head including return. We left Srinagar at 9:00 a,m and reached Gulmarg around 11:00 am. But our bad luck gondola was not running as the poles was struck with lighting. Then enjoyed the snow cover around Gulamarg. But I personally advice that one should refrain from hiring Ponies. Also from Srinagar one has option to catch a bus from Badmalu (in srinagar itself) Opp J&K Bank Main Branch. To Tangmarg (40 Rs per head) from Tangmarg to Gulmarg local Taxi is available for 20 Rs. Also Gulmarg is about 54 Kms from Srinagar. Also today we had moved to a Boat house from the Hotel. Rent of the Boat house was 800/ Per night (New Mandalay)

Day 3:: On the day three of our Trip we had planned a visit to the Wular Lake (India’s Largest Freshwater Lake). First we took an auto to Badmalu Bus stand. A Direct Bus was available from Badmalu to Bandipur (fare 26 Rs per head) . then From Bandipur we had took another bus for Baba Shukru Din Dargah (fare Rs10). The Dargah is a about 40 Mins steep Walk from the main Road. & I must say the view from Dargah of the Wular Lake was awesome & simply Breathtaking. . Reached srinagar around 4:00 pm from Wular, Went to hazrat Bal Dargah via Shikra enroute comes Char Chinari.. Then we went to our Friends Place in Kangan (its about 30 Kms From Srinagar).

Day 4:: We had hired a Cab from Kangan for Zoji La & Sonamarg . the Fare we could bargain was 600Rs for the cab Return From Zoji La Pass. As expected the Zojila had just opened for Vehicular Traffic so it was well snow Lade. Also we experienced fresh Snowfall near Pass. Stayed there for a while clicked some Pics & Come back to Sonmarg. From Sonmarg we decided to Hike upto the Base of Thajwaz Glacier. I must say the walk so really awesome & almost in Foot Deep of Snow. Also this time on the Toursim Corporation had constructed Small wooden Bridges which really added to the serene. Also on the way back from Sonmarg we visted the Trout Fish Farm near Kangan. Morevoer Rafting had just started but didn’t try it out this time as it was quite cold

Day 5:: From Kangan we went to Gulmarg Back again as the Gondala was not operational during our earlier visit. Gondala is easily on e the highest Cable car of the world.. moreover gondola has been divided into two sectors 250 Rs is the ticket for the first sector & 500 Rs is the ticket for the other Sector. The Ski Slopes of Gulmarg were still Under Considerable snow cover.

Day 6:: Checked out from the house boat & then walked up to Shankarcharya Temple. The walk for the Top of the ShankarAcharya was for about 2.5 Kms. But the view form the top of the temple was forth the effort. The came back & bid Adieu to Srinagar. We we booked ourselves a seat in the Taxi for Jammu. Left Srinagar around 11:30 am & reached Jammu at 8:00 pm.

Frankly I am not at all good at describing the Trip Details. Would post the Link with Pics of the Trip in day or two. Any Sort of Queries & feedback is most welcome

patialahill

Nice Information. Eagarly waiting for pics

PatialaHill

xyka

You're doing fine. The pictures will do the rest.

shahronakm

Thanks for the trip report. Waiting for pics.

Ronak.

__________________
My Picture Gallery

Balvar

http://picasaweb.google.com/balvarpooni/KashmirReport
dear all,
plz find the link i have tried to collate the selected pic of trip

Travelindia

Hi Balvar,

Thanks for the wonderful trip account.We are planning a trip to shrinagar in july and your account really gave us a lot of insight to plan the trip.
Would be good if you can send across the contact details of the hotels you stayed in Shrinagar.
Also how was the houseboat you stayed in?

how much does a cab booking cost for a day in Shrinagar.
We would like to goto Gulmarg,Son Marg,Pahalgoan and amarnath using shrinagar as the base.
Would you suggest that we book a cab or use the local transport to visit these places?

Last but not the least until when is the tulip garden open? Would it be open until July?

vandy

Balvar, Nice Pics & Info,Thanks for Sharing.

Pic of Shalimar Gardens & Gulmarg brings back wonderfull Memories.

vandy

Balvar

how much does a cab booking cost for a day in Shrinagar.
See the Cab forLocal hire approx depends upon Place of which u want to hire the same
We would like to goto Gulmarg,Son Marg,Pahalgoan and amarnath using shrinagar as the base.
Would you suggest that we book a cab or use the local transport to visit these places?
See if u hire a cab it would probaly cost u more, but can reduce the cost if u r Gire a shared cab, but i would say if u can afoord the Luxxury Plz go in for a pesonal cab.
But i personallty Preferred Buses ot Public Transport as its a cheap & reliable Option.

Regarding the Tulip Garden ,it only opens for about month. By july i think it would be closed

saharanpuri

.I am reaching srinagar on 12 th afternoon n will leave on 19th afternoon..
cud u advise me on the itineary for these days?

how long shud one stay in pahalgam ,gulmarg n houseboat?

is 2 days for pahalgam ok n what abt gulmarg shud v stay overnight or return back in 1 day only from srinagar?

shud v stay in housboat in nagin lake or dal lake?

eagerly looking forward to visit paradise on earth n your reply which will help me alot.

how is the island resort in pahalgam for staying purpose?

Balvar

Dear Saharanpuri,

First of all welcome to India Mike

ques:how long shud one stay in pahalgam ,gulmarg n houseboat?
ans: This is Totally a ur call, i Advise that you stay in the houseboat for the days you are in Srinagar

is 2 days for pahalgam ok n what abt gulmarg shud v stay overnight or return back in 1 day only from srinagar?
@ days are Certainly Good enough for Pahalgam, as the places around Pahalgam to see are Aru (arroo), Lidder Valley, Verinag (source of Jhelum River). for Gulmarg i think a day trip would be good enough,

shud v stay in housboat in nagin lake or dal lake?
I Personally Admire Nagin Lake more than its Commercial Sister Dal Lake. but i think Staying Dal has got its own charm, otherwise not much of a difference

how is the island resort in pahalgam for staying purpose?
No Ideas reagding the Islnad resort, i had stayed at the JKTDC Huts

Also i wud recommned that u Plan a visit to Wular & Sonmarg

rest Enjoy ur Trip & have a Gala time

ashwinnaagar

hi
how are these jktdc huts ? woul u recommend them above other hotels?

Balvar

Hi Aswhinnnagar,

Yeah i wud surely recommend them above the Hotels but make sure u have prior reservation in case ur going there in peak season

saharanpuri

daer balavar,

many thanks for your response.

I got the reference of the island resorts from Mr Raina the JKTDC official in delhi .Its in Lariapara in pahalgam How far is it from the main town?Whic are the good eating joints in Pahalgam n what is the average price per meal in a good restaurant?How are the JK tourism buses from srinagar to pahalgam?how long does it take? as we will be staying in pahalgam for 2 nights shud v take this option instaed of drop only taxi? what r tthe timings of jktdcs buses from pahalgam to srinagar?

I also plan to stay in Chicago houseboat in Dal lake>How is tis option?

Shud ve stay in Gulmarg for anight? is the gondola the major charm there or something else as well?

Balvar

There are N Numbers of Houseboats in Srinagar (dal Lake). & Almost all have the same charm & hospitality. the Only Point while Choosinga houseboat should be that it has clear view of the Dal, Rather than facin aother house boat.
Well in summers the Major Charm of Gulmatg is Pretty Much Gondola, & the Picnic Lunch in the Green Meadows of Gulamrg.

Regarding Pahalgam i think JKTDC Buses is good option, & it Wud around about 3/4 Housrs from Srinagar.

Travelindia

Hi Balavar ...thanks for your inputs....how much would it cost to hire a cab in shrinagar? i want an approximate rate so that we can plan booking a personal cab if its within our budget

also we plan to goto amarnath via baltal....can we go on our own or do we need to register? are you aware of any tours to take us to amarnath for a day from shrinagar
?

Regards