Kashmir
“If there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”- Jehangir (The Mughal Emperor). It is also mentioned that when Jahangir was asked on his death bed about his cherished desire he is credited to have said: “Kashmir, the rest is worthless.”
You might have heard of Kashmir being the heaven on Earth. Folks, rest assured you have heard it right! No technology can ever do justice to the sight that the bare eyes (or spectacled 😉) behold. The beauty of the landscape and the hospitality of the people, is second to none. The lush hills that surround Srinagar change colours with every season, the Mughal gardens with colourful seasonal flowers and waterfalls, the exquisite Dal Lake that mesmerize your sense of sight, the green or snow-covered meadows amid the tranquility of Gulmarg, the snow-capped peaks around Thajiwas glacier in Sonmarg and the beautiful town of Pahalgam situated on the banks of the winding Lidder, together, form for an extraordinary experience to be had at least once in your lifetime. It is a place to be experienced in every season for with different seasons comes a different view and experience unique in its own special way.
There are several places to visit in Kashmir but the most common itinerary includes Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam. Marg means meadow in Kashmiri. If someone includes these 04 places in their itinerary, they would have covered major attractions of the exquisite Kashmir. You may also include Jammu and Patnitop in your itinerary. Come, let us help you in chalking out a plan if you plan to visit Kashmir.
Weather
The weather of Kashmir is pleasant throughout the year. Due to its location in the north it is bound by the Himalayas. The summers are very pleasant making it an ideal summer vacation destination for the rest of India. Following is an analysis of the different seasons and the best time to visit. Read more about the weather
How To Reach
There are many ways to reach Kashmir. You may choose either of the three available ways. You may arrive at Srinagar by road, rail or air. Discover more ways here
Accommodations
Kashmir is for everyone. For this reason, you have plenty of stay options. Accommodation ranges from cheap to luxury. Given your budget and requirements, you may choose your stay. You may also decide if you wish to book a stay in the busy areas or more recluse places. Click here to know the best places to stay
Transportation
Once you land in Srinagar, you might want to make arrangements for sightseeing. Transportation in Kashmir may be tricky! Since, tourism dominates the livelihood, there is a stronghold of taxi union operators. Meanwhile, taxi is the best option to explore. Click here to know how to book taxi
Places of Interest
This place is undoubtedly the Heaven on Earth. There are so many places of tourist interest that you will have to spend one day per place to actually take in everything. Apart from the popular places, there is so much of unexplored. Check out all the places to visit here
Food
The food is as vibrant and delightful as the its landscapes. You can have a variety of food here. Although it may seem that Kashmir is a non vegetarian’s paradise, but, it is not just for the non vegetarians. As a matter of fact, some of the authentic Kashmiri dishes are vegetarian. From street food to fine dining, the options are there to spoil you. Let us explore all the food options here
Itinerary & Budget
A 7 day trip to Kashmir is sufficient to enjoy it completely. You can extend it or reduce it depending on your choices. Since, this is a tourist hub, the longer you stay the more expensive it gets. Here is a sample 7 day itinerary along with the expected budget to cover major tourist spots of Kashmir.
Suggestions
It is easier to plan a trip to a place if you know some basic things beforehand. Kashmir may be visited in any season. It actually depends on individual preferences. We had a mixed experience in the place. As a result, we felt like providing some important suggestions for you if you are planning to visit. Check them out here