Re: Kashmir Details

rajnad · Jul 14th, 2009, 14:36

Dear All,

I will be going to Kashmir in August 2nd week for 8 Days to Kashmir. We will going to Pahalgham , Gulmarg & Srinager.

I would like to know if it is easy to get rooms without any reservation during this period. Also advise if anyone knows a taxi guy who can be with us during this period and show us all over kashmir, including Zojilla Pass.

Also advise if meena group of house boats is a good choice to stay.

regards

Ms Princess W · Jul 14th, 2009, 20:01

I'm not familiar with meena group but you should be able to get rooms without reservation. Are you definitely wanting a houseboat, and if so, Dal Lake or Nagin?

Some houseboats will provide your taxi guy to take you where you would like to go. I know of some who do this.

rajnad · Jul 14th, 2009, 20:37

Thanks for the same. We want to stay at the house boat. I have heard that chicago group of houseboats is very amiable.

We basically want to see every nook & corner of Gulmarg , pahalgham , Sonmarg & Srinagar ( Also if there are some more beautiful places which are not that popular)

I would appreciate any help in this regard

Thanks

sunnykashmir · Jul 14th, 2009, 23:41

hi
i have a strong feeling princess is pushing a particular property

arunganpath · Jul 15th, 2009, 17:26

I was there in the first week of April in Srinagar and will vouch for the various posts by sunny in Indiamike. There are thousands of houseboats and even smaller houseboats are decorated and maintained so well.

As regards meena houseboats, their prices are very high. Chicago houseboat from whatever research I did in the net is planting stories on himself and is not so great.

You can see my blog - http://destinytravel.blogspot.com/ in case you need something further. The contact details are also given in the blog.

Going there and fix will only take some time out for you - otherwise, I'm sure you would get houseboats cheaper if you meet personally negotiate than booking through net.

Ms Princess W · Jul 15th, 2009, 18:29

Totally agree that it's better to book personally with the houseboat owner than online, i.e. travel agent.

I heard good things about Chicago houseboat, here and other places, so I don't know.

Kingstonian · Jul 16th, 2009, 17:46

Hey guys,

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Please remember the little red and white triangle at the bottom left of each post,
which you can click on, and leave a message for the moderators.

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Note - some posts have been deleted as off topic

oneheart · Nov 5th, 2009, 12:15

Hi guy, I'm from singapore, I visited Kashmir in dec 2007, my original intention is to visit Ladakh but due to road closure, I had to choose another alternative which is Kashmir.. It proved to be such a worthwhile trip! I had a hard time searching for a houseboat to stay in.. I came across news articles of this old couple being robbed of all their belongings when they stayed in a houseboat and another british lady who stayed in a houseboat, she got kidnapped in there for 2 months and gang raped. I was traveling with another girl friend and both of us are in our early 20s so safety comes first..

After much research online, I found Ajaz from Chicago houseboat.. He's such an amazing guy who goes all out for you. Uncle mohammad who works with him cooks amazing kasmiri food.. For the best experience in Kashmir, you have to stay with these guys.. I've not tried any other houseboats so i cant really speak for them.. The hospitality of Ajaz and the rest of his workers made an incredible and unforgettable experience for me and my friend. I'm going to visit india again next march/april and I'm going back to kashmir to see its beauty in Spring.. All these while, i've been in touch with Ajaz on MSN, I'm really looking forward to bring my 2 other girl friends along to visit him!

arunganpath · Nov 5th, 2009, 12:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneheart

I'm really looking forward to bring my 2 other girl friends along to visit him!

How would you manage both at the same time

bsprasad · Nov 5th, 2009, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunganpath

How would you manage both at the same time

I am curious to know, but Arunganpath is more curious...

bsprasad · Nov 5th, 2009, 12:52

Mr Oneheart,

Do let us know when did you take this houseboat trip and also how much you were charged for the same.

It will be really helpful for fellow indiamike.com members.

imsikhlikedat · Nov 6th, 2009, 10:23

Hi, could you share your itinerary while your were in Kashmir?
Im planning to travel there beginning of Dec 09. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Quote:

Originally Posted by oneheart

Hi guy, I'm from singapore, I visited Kashmir in dec 2007, my original intention is to visit Ladakh but due to road closure, I had to choose another alternative which is Kashmir.. It proved to be such a worthwhile trip! I had a hard time searching for a houseboat to stay in.. I came across news articles of this old couple being robbed of all their belongings when they stayed in a houseboat and another british lady who stayed in a houseboat, she got kidnapped in there for 2 months and gang raped. I was traveling with another girl friend and both of us are in our early 20s so safety comes first..

After much research online, I found Ajaz from Chicago houseboat.. He's such an amazing guy who goes all out for you. Uncle mohammad who works with him cooks amazing kasmiri food.. For the best experience in Kashmir, you have to stay with these guys.. I've not tried any other houseboats so i cant really speak for them.. The hospitality of Ajaz and the rest of his workers made an incredible and unforgettable experience for me and my friend. I'm going to visit india again next march/april and I'm going back to kashmir to see its beauty in Spring.. All these while, i've been in touch with Ajaz on MSN, I'm really looking forward to bring my 2 other girl friends along to visit him!

ashwinnaagar · Nov 6th, 2009, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by imsikhlikedat

Hi, could you share your itinerary while your were in Kashmir?
Im planning to travel there beginning of Dec 09. Any suggestions?

Thanks

My trip account
you could go through this for itinerary, you may not be able to go to sonamarg though.

oneheart · Nov 19th, 2009, 16:12

haha that is funny.. I'm a girl too, that's why i can bring 2 other girl friends along.. I think its really safe for girls to go kashmir even though all my guy friends were so shocked to hear that i went kashmir..

I did some research and told Ajaz that i want to go Sonamarg, Pahalgam and stay in Gulmarg for 2-3 days. I stayed in Kashmir for 7 days in total.. I dont really remember how much i paid but i jus remember that he gave us a really good deal.. you guys can check out some of the threads i posted in the past when i came back from kashmir..

trip report - Kashmir: Trip report

Well, i guess everyone who has good experiences will definitely share theirs with others.. sejjoe wrote abt it too..

"Hi there,
Just wanted to put my two cents in and give two thumbs up to Chicago houseboat! After eight months of traveling through India, my husband and I were looking for a nice romantic destination to pamper ourselves for our first wedding anniversary. And we chose Srinagar. We are terrible planners and didn't have a reservation at any houseboat. When we got there, we were pulled one way and another to stay at everyone's houseboat. But luckily, the stars aligned and a friendly shikara driver brought us to Chicago houseboat. Ajaz is extremely warm and welcoming, and he didn't pressure us at all! He worked out a great deal with us that we couldn't resist. Mohammed and other workers made excellent food to our taste and made us feel like we were at home! We were definitely pampered. We were only planning on staying for a week, but we ended up there for nearly three weeks! We did a trek through Pahalgam which was gorgeous as well! Ajaz arranged everything for us from ponies, to guides to private transportation to Phalgam. It was really one of the highlights of our entire trip through India that I will never forget. Ajaz still keeps in touch with us through postcards and emails. I highly recommend this place and can't wait until the day I get to go back there! If you want to see photos, feel free to visit our website at http://www.sjpc.org/~jgraber/srinagar.html.

sejjoe"

(to read more about this thread - Chicago Boathouse)

Jul 14th, 2009, 14:36	#1
rajnad Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai / Udupi Posts: 2	Re: Kashmir Details Dear All, I will be going to Kashmir in August 2nd week for 8 Days to Kashmir. We will going to Pahalgham , Gulmarg & Srinager. I would like to know if it is easy to get rooms without any reservation during this period. Also advise if anyone knows a taxi guy who can be with us during this period and show us all over kashmir, including Zojilla Pass. Also advise if meena group of house boats is a good choice to stay. regards

Jul 15th, 2009, 17:26	#5
arunganpath Junior most member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 749	@ Rajnad I was there in the first week of April in Srinagar and will vouch for the various posts by sunny in Indiamike. There are thousands of houseboats and even smaller houseboats are decorated and maintained so well. As regards meena houseboats, their prices are very high. Chicago houseboat from whatever research I did in the net is planting stories on himself and is not so great. You can see my blog - http://destinytravel.blogspot.com/ in case you need something further. The contact details are also given in the blog. Going there and fix will only take some time out for you - otherwise, I'm sure you would get houseboats cheaper if you meet personally negotiate than booking through net.

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Jul 14th, 2009, 20:01	#2
Ms Princess W Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Srinagar, Kashmir, India Posts: 296	I'm not familiar with meena group but you should be able to get rooms without reservation. Are you definitely wanting a houseboat, and if so, Dal Lake or Nagin? Some houseboats will provide your taxi guy to take you where you would like to go. I know of some who do this.

Jul 14th, 2009, 20:37	#3
rajnad Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai / Udupi Posts: 2	Thanks for the same. We want to stay at the house boat. I have heard that chicago group of houseboats is very amiable. We basically want to see every nook & corner of Gulmarg , pahalgham , Sonmarg & Srinagar ( Also if there are some more beautiful places which are not that popular) I would appreciate any help in this regard Thanks

Jul 14th, 2009, 23:41	#4
sunnykashmir Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: srinagar Posts: 193	hi i have a strong feeling princess is pushing a particular property

Jul 15th, 2009, 18:29	#6
Ms Princess W Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Srinagar, Kashmir, India Posts: 296	Totally agree that it's better to book personally with the houseboat owner than online, i.e. travel agent. I heard good things about Chicago houseboat, here and other places, so I don't know.

Jul 16th, 2009, 17:46	#7
Kingstonian Still lurking Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 1,118	Hey guys, If you think something posted on IndiaMike is advertising or breaking the rules in some other way, or even if you just have a genuine query about a post Please remember the little red and white triangle at the bottom left of each post, which you can click on, and leave a message for the moderators. Otherwise, any personal issues should be taken up via personal message. Note - some posts have been deleted as off topic

Nov 5th, 2009, 12:15	#8
oneheart Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 95	Hi guy, I'm from singapore, I visited Kashmir in dec 2007, my original intention is to visit Ladakh but due to road closure, I had to choose another alternative which is Kashmir.. It proved to be such a worthwhile trip! I had a hard time searching for a houseboat to stay in.. I came across news articles of this old couple being robbed of all their belongings when they stayed in a houseboat and another british lady who stayed in a houseboat, she got kidnapped in there for 2 months and gang raped. I was traveling with another girl friend and both of us are in our early 20s so safety comes first.. After much research online, I found Ajaz from Chicago houseboat.. He's such an amazing guy who goes all out for you. Uncle mohammad who works with him cooks amazing kasmiri food.. For the best experience in Kashmir, you have to stay with these guys.. I've not tried any other houseboats so i cant really speak for them.. The hospitality of Ajaz and the rest of his workers made an incredible and unforgettable experience for me and my friend. I'm going to visit india again next march/april and I'm going back to kashmir to see its beauty in Spring.. All these while, i've been in touch with Ajaz on MSN, I'm really looking forward to bring my 2 other girl friends along to visit him!

Nov 5th, 2009, 12:52	#11
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	Mr Oneheart, Do let us know when did you take this houseboat trip and also how much you were charged for the same. It will be really helpful for fellow indiamike.com members.

Nov 19th, 2009, 16:12	#14
oneheart Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Singapore Posts: 95	haha that is funny.. I'm a girl too, that's why i can bring 2 other girl friends along.. I think its really safe for girls to go kashmir even though all my guy friends were so shocked to hear that i went kashmir.. I did some research and told Ajaz that i want to go Sonamarg, Pahalgam and stay in Gulmarg for 2-3 days. I stayed in Kashmir for 7 days in total.. I dont really remember how much i paid but i jus remember that he gave us a really good deal.. you guys can check out some of the threads i posted in the past when i came back from kashmir.. trip report - Kashmir: Trip report Well, i guess everyone who has good experiences will definitely share theirs with others.. sejjoe wrote abt it too.. "Hi there, Just wanted to put my two cents in and give two thumbs up to Chicago houseboat! After eight months of traveling through India, my husband and I were looking for a nice romantic destination to pamper ourselves for our first wedding anniversary. And we chose Srinagar. We are terrible planners and didn't have a reservation at any houseboat. When we got there, we were pulled one way and another to stay at everyone's houseboat. But luckily, the stars aligned and a friendly shikara driver brought us to Chicago houseboat. Ajaz is extremely warm and welcoming, and he didn't pressure us at all! He worked out a great deal with us that we couldn't resist. Mohammed and other workers made excellent food to our taste and made us feel like we were at home! We were definitely pampered. We were only planning on staying for a week, but we ended up there for nearly three weeks! We did a trek through Pahalgam which was gorgeous as well! Ajaz arranged everything for us from ponies, to guides to private transportation to Phalgam. It was really one of the highlights of our entire trip through India that I will never forget. Ajaz still keeps in touch with us through postcards and emails. I highly recommend this place and can't wait until the day I get to go back there! If you want to see photos, feel free to visit our website at http://www.sjpc.org/~jgraber/srinagar.html. sejjoe" (to read more about this thread - Chicago Boathouse)