Please advise re woman travelling alone in Kashmir

Hello, I have travelled a lot alone as a western woman in India, and adore all of it. I have always been careful re going to Kashmir, but I REALLY REALLY want to see it; please help with my decision by answering some of my questions below:-
1. Is it safe for a lone female to travel alone in Kashmir?
2. When is the best time to visit?
3. Is it safe to stay alone on a houseboat?
4. Is travelling around this area easy to do on public transport?
I believe that June July is the best time to visit and I am considering taking 10 days or so and trying to live out one of my dreams. I would welcome any advice re my above questions, any additional information and any recommendations re places to visit. Many many thanks to all of you...

1. Overall, yes- or, not greatly more unsafe for a single female.
2. Around now is ok, but I prefer Sept/Oct.
3. Yes, though it is much better if at least one other family is around. So that 'yes' of mine here is a hesitant one.
4 Not really, but I have not really tried this; my opinion is partly hearsay and partly instinct.

Hey Captain Mahajan, I kinda like your answer - thankyou. One question if you don't mind, Why is Sept / Oct a better time to visit in your opinion? Thanks again for your time...

Umm, this is not my photograph, but this is one reason why

http://www.flickr.com/photos/12064036@N04/4413047519/


Other reasons,
-The valley is beautiful till october- at least the beginning. Then it starts to become cold, snowy (sometimes) etc.
-Even fewer people in places like Sonmarg and Pahalgam compared to summer when schools are closed. I prefer that.

ok, I understand. Many thanks.

Hi penny,
I lived in golders green for years, just left in 2005.
I lived in Srinagar off and on for 25 years and left in. 2002. Now to all your questions, yes it is safe I did but I was very careful all of the time, that you have to be anywhere a lady travels alone. I think Kashmir is very safe and the people quite friendly. Happy traveling and do enjoy yourself. Do not forget to go to gulmarg at least on a day trip to take the gondola. That is about 38klms distant.

Hello Penny,

May I recommend you visit the blog page of Global Volunteer Diane Emerson...
Link:
http://diane-emerson.blogspot.com/20...e-january.html

Hello Gypsie Lotus; thank you for your comments above which are also very useful. I hear Kashmir is 'heavenly' and I think that if I do visit Kashmir it will feel like a dream. Thank you once again.

Thank you Ashok777, this is very interesting reading and I will be passing the link on to others. Many thanks again.

Penny..
"Dharmsala/Mcleod Ganj" or a Little Lhasa as it called is also a wonderful option you could add to your travel. Guest Houses to Hotels are affordable & the food choices heavenly.
Planning a trip myself with my wife in September - Enjoy the place & meet up with a friend Jodie Underhill who runs Mountaincleaners.org
Do check it out...They are on facebook as well.
Ashok

It sounds cool, I will check it out. Many thanks

Hey Penny
You ARE Well Come To Kashmir It's Safe To Travel To Kashmir Alone.I see Many Western People Around Kashmir This Year And People Are Coming To See Beauty Of Nature.
It's Safe To Travel.
Dont Miss To Fill Your Dream
If You Need Any More Information Write Me
Mxxxxx

why should the OP write you and nullify the advantages of an open forum in exchange for a single stranger's advice?

Hello WinterinKashmir, What a lovely comment you made, thank you very much. I don't usually miss fullfilling my dreams - so lets see what happens. Many thanks for your tips.

Hello again, Sorry but what is the OP you refer to?