udhampur - katra - pahalgam - gulmarg - Please help me with the itinerary

Dear All,

I have been following Indiamike for some 3-4 years, but this is the first time I am writing a thread. Please do help me with my plans:

1. I will arrive to Udhampur on 16th March 8 am by uttar sampark kranti. I really want to experience the jammu - udhampur railway track which is why i am coming to udhampur. After that go to Katra. Book in hotel, freshen up, lunch then start chadhai to vaishnodevi. Hoping to reach bhawan by midnight - darshan and stay there overnight

2. Am hoping to come back by next day noon (17th). Me , my wife and son - 5 and half years will be doing this trip.

3. After that basically I do not know how to plan for the next trip - I want to visit Pahalgam and Gulmarg and Srinagar if possible. I will be going back to Delhi by train departing jammu on 23rd night.

4. Will it be very cold in This time?

5. Should I book hotels online in Srinagar, pahalgam and Gulmarg or I will get them on arrival. Any suggestions on the hotels?

6. For transport, is it better to book one Sumo / Tavera / Taxi for the entire trip starting vaishnodevi onwards? If so how much would be the charges and any suggestions on drivers. Or is it better to negotiate taxis from individual locations like Katra to Pahalgam , Pahalgam to Srinagar etc.

7. Will this trip be too tiresome for my son?

i hope I havent asked too many questions. Its just that I cannot come up on a viable plan. Also the vaishnodevi trip has to be the starting point, I cannot start in Srinagar.

Thanks a Lot

1 If u want to go for Mata Darshan...then no need to go Udhampur...From Jammu u can take bus or taxi for katra. Chadai will take atleast 5 hours for one side.

2 On 18 you can proceed for Srinagar from Jammu by Shared Taxi, private taxi or Govt..Buses.

3 Yes it will be very cold..do carry heavy woolen cloths.

4 March will be off season...No need to book in advance..u will get better deals on the sport booking.

5 Entire trip by taxi will be little expensive...but at the same time very comfortable. Its all depend on your budget. You can take for some online travel quote from sri-nagar based travel agent.

6 Would request you do some research on similar type of posts...so you will get better idea.

You could be getting vehicle from Udampur to Katra. Gaurav has mentioned above approximate time. The distance between Katra - Bhawan is 14 kms.
You may hire a cab to cover Katra - Patnitop - Pahelgam - Srinagar - Sonmarg - Gulmarg - Jammu circuit or at least up to Srinagar. And then you may hire a cab to do Srinagar - Sonmarg - Gulmarg - Jammu
Rather your son would enjoy the trip.

Dear Gaurav,

Thank you very much for your reply.

I am planning to do Katra - Patnitop - Pahalgam - Srinagar in one trip by private taxi
Then Srinagar - Sonmarg - Gulmarg - Jammu by another cab. This suggestion by Prakaant seems good.

Any Idea what would be the cab charges like (private cab)and where to book one ? Also if possible do give me suggestions of hotels for the route.

Thanks a lot, I cant wait to make this trip. I have been to vaishnodevi thrice before, but never went to kashmir. This will be the first time!!!

Dear Prakaant,

Thanks for your suggested route with a hired cab. i am planning to do Katra - Patnitop - Pahalgam - Srinagar in one trip by private taxi
Then Srinagar - Sonmarg - Gulmarg - Jammu by another cab.

Any Idea what would be the cab charges like (private cab)and where to book one ? Also if possible do give me suggestions of hotels for the route.

Thanks a lot, I cant wait to make this trip. I have been to vaishnodevi thrice before, but never went to kashmir. This will be the first time!!!

1. I will arrive to Udhampur on 16th March 8 am by uttar sampark kranti. I really want to experience the jammu - udhampur railway track which is why i am coming to udhampur. After that go to Katra. Book in hotel, freshen up, lunch then start chadhai to vaishnodevi. Hoping to reach bhawan by midnight - darshan and stay there overnight

Here no need to change
2. Am hoping to come back by next day noon (17th). Me , my wife and son - 5 and half years will be doing this trip.
On 17the after noon you will come back from the darshan and take a sharing cab from katra to srinagar,
Usually the sharing cab are not available from katra but there is srtc bus services

3. After that basically I do not know how to plan for the next trip - I want to visit Pahalgam and Gulmarg and Srinagar if possible. I will be going back to Delhi by train departing jammu on 23rd night.
On 17 march evening you will arrive at srinagar at TRC and night stay at houseboats
on 18 Visit Gulmarg - on the way visit Apple orchard and tangmarg- gulmarg
and back to srinagar
0n 19th visit sonamarg and back in the evening time
On 20the visit local sight seen mughal garden old city and shikara ride
on 21 Visit phalagam and on the way visit saffron field- avativarman temple and mattan temple
On 22 depart to Jammu
on 23rd make local tour of Jammu and take train to your destination

4. Will it be very cold in This time?

yes it cold in time in kashmir but the beginning of spring season

5. Should I book hotels online in Srinagar, pahalgam and Gulmarg or I will get them on arrival. Any suggestions on the hotels?

its better to stay at srinagar and 1 night stay at phalagam on the last day
6. For transport, is it better to book one Sumo / Tavera / Taxi for the entire trip starting vaishnodevi onwards? If so how much would be the charges and any suggestions on drivers. Or is it better to negotiate taxis from individual locations like Katra to Pahalgam , Pahalgam to Srinagar etc.

Take the cab on Disposal Basis 2100 to 2400 per day on disposal basis
include all tax and night halt

7. Will this trip be too tiresome for my son?
No

i hope I havent asked too many questions. Its just that I cannot come up on a viable plan. Also the vaishnodevi trip has to be the starting point, I cannot start in Srinagar.

Dear Kashmir1 Thank you for your help. I am almost decided on the itenary and route suggested by you.

Thanks!!!

You are most welcome in the open, if you have any other question post it

Dear kashmir1,

Can you suggest a good hotel in Srinagar. Blooming dale has gr8 reviews on Tripadvisor.

Regards

Dear Kashmir1,

I have been quoted 54,900 for a stay for 6 nights - 2 rooms, pickup and drop from katra and to Jammu, FOOD (breakfast and dinner,occassional tea/coffee snacks,mineral water on demand),Transport(car/Ch.Tavear) to all sightseeing places and gardens (Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg)Taxes ,toll,entry fees to all sightseeing places and gardens as mentioned,ONE shikara ride . Is this reasonable? The room rates are approx 1650 including taxes per room per night

Thanks

its expensive i think
hotel katra 3 star
2200 x 2 night x 2 room =8800
sringar houseboats dlx or A grade
2000 x 4 night x 2 room = 16000
include breakfast and dinner
Rs 2400 x 7 days = 17200
extra 2000 for entrance fee, shikara ride etc
24800

Dear Kashmir1

Can you provide some taxi agents from jammu or udhampur for the entire trip to jammu-udhampur-srinagar-gulmarg-pahalgam-sonmarg etc
for a 5 day plan on daily basis.we are 6 people with ladies.Any other option will be appreciated too.

thanks

Dear Kashmir1,

The package(54,900) includes pickup from katra and drop to srinagar by pvt taxi for 2 persons. Pickup from srinagar airport and drop to hotel for two persons, 2 rooms for 6 nights at Srinagar, breakfast and dinner for 4 adults and 1 child for the duration of the stay, all transport to pahalgam, gulmarg, sonmarg, srinagar etc, toll and entry fees for all and return drop by pvt taxi to Jammu for two persons and srinagar airport for 2 persons. This package is from katra onwards, does not include katra hotel.

Please advice