KASHMIR is a fabled land where many holiday ideas are realized , a gift of its spectacular landscape and distinctive seasons. In winter when snow carpets the valley, you can go for skiing and sledge-riding along the slops of Gulmarg or stay back in Srinagar and simply enjoy the bare snow covered landscapes from the windows of a heated room.
In spring & summer ( April - August), the honey dewed orchards, flower carpeted meadows, rippling lakes and blue skies beckon everyone to sample the many delights of the valley.
Srinagar : The Lake City
Srinagar (1530 m) is the hub and heart of Kahsmir. The Dal & Nagin Lakes enhance its picturesque setting. An ancient city steeped in legend and history dating back to the BC era, Srinagar today is a resort for tourists to experience the magical beauty of the valley that has attracted visitors from all over the world since times immemorial.
Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is Srinagar's most distinctive landmark. It is divided by causeways into 4 parts, the Nagin Lake being of them .The best way of exploring the lake and the sites on its shores is by shikara boat. Srinagar's main attraction is the charm of staying in a houseboat. The experience of living on the lakes in a cedar paneled elegant bedroom , with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel , is unique and endearing.
Mughal Gardens
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flower beds. Overlooking the panorama of Dal Lake and Zabarwan in the backdrop, Shalimar ( 15km) , the farthest of the three gardens , was built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jehan. Nishat Bagh ( 11km) was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan. Chashmashahi ( Royal Spring), the spring of refreshing sweet water cherished by Mughals, is surrounded by a Mughal Garden laid out by Ali Mardan Khan. On a nearby spur of the mountains is the ancient monument of Pari Mahal, planned out by Dara Shikoh as a palace for star gazing , surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Shopping in Srinagar
Srinagar is a shoppers paradise for Kahsmir Handicrafts which are prized everywhere for their exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmiri carpets , in both wool and silk , are a lifetime investment with selections ranging from the simple to the most intricate patterns handed down the generations. Other handicrafts include papier mache items, carved walnut wood furniture and accessories, stone jewelry boxes , woolen shawls, crewel embroidery and many more. The main shopping areas for handicrafts are the Boulevard, Dalgate, Poloview, The Bund, Residency Road and Lal Chowk.
Pahalgam
( 2130 m , 90 km from Srinagar)
Pahalgam is situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag and the Lidder streams. Once a humble shepherds' village, it is now Kahsmir's premier summer resort, cool even during the height of summer. The resort is surrounded by many places of interest , the best being the upland meadow of Baisaran , Betab Valley , Aru, Chandanwari and Sheshnag.
Sonamag
( 2730 m , 84km from Srinagar)
Sonamarg lies at the head of the Sindh Valley. The drive through this valley presents a spectacular facet of the Kashmir countryside. Sonamarg is surrounded by colorful mountains and thick pine forests. There are many attractive walks, the best being a trek or pony ride to the Thajiwas glacier.
Gulmarg
(2650 m, 56 km from Srinagar)
Gulmarg is one of India's premier hill resort. Gulmarg today is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also turns into India's premier ski resort in winter. The Gondola cable Car offers rides to the upland meadow of Kongdori and beyond to the top of Apharwat range at a height of 14000 ft for viewing the Himalayan peaks in summer and for downhill skiing in winter.
Golfing
Kashmir is a golfer's delight and has long golfing season stretching from April to November. The golf course at Gulmarg (2650 m) is the world highest green golf course . The Gulmarg Golf Club was set up by the British in 1904. The Kashmir Golf Club has an 18 hole course with common fairways. The latest addition to Kashmir's golfing infrastructure is the ultramodern Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar designated by the famous golf course designed by the famous golf course designer Robert Trent Jr One of the most picturesque courses in Asia, this course is the venue of many prestigious golfing events.
Ladakh
Bound by the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalayas in the south, Ladakh is a mountain desert located at altitudes ranging from 9000ft to 25000 ft. Despite the rugged terrain and difficult climatic conditions, the people of Ladakh exhibit a living heritage of their colorful traditions, customs and lifestyle.
Ladakh is famous for the festivals held in the major Buddhist monasteries annually; the Hemis Festival held in June is the most famous.
Sightseeing
Besides Leh Town (3505m ) there are many forts, palaces and monasteries connected with the former kingdom's history. These include the royal palace of Shey (15km) , Bazgo (37 km) , Stok Palace ( 17 km) , Thicksey Gompa ( 17km) , Stakna ( 25 km) , Hemis ( 40 km ), Takhtok (50 km) , Matho ( 26 km) , Spituk ( 7 km), Phyang (17 km) . Likir (53 km) , Alchi ( 69 km), Rizong ( 73 km), and Lamayuru (125 km)
Besides these monasteries, in the North of Leh is the spectacular magical valley of Nubra. The road to Nubra. The road of Nubra runs across Khardung -la ( 5578 m ), the highest motorable road in the world)
Ladakh is equally famous for its beautiful lakes. Panging lake (4267 m , 159 km from Leh), is about 130 km long and 5-6 km wide that extends across the border between India and China. Tso- moriri (4572 m, 220 km from Leh) is famous as the breeding ground of the rare bar headed geese and home to a number of other rare bird species.
In spring & summer ( April - August), the honey dewed orchards, flower carpeted meadows, rippling lakes and blue skies beckon everyone to sample the many delights of the valley.
Srinagar : The Lake City
Srinagar (1530 m) is the hub and heart of Kahsmir. The Dal & Nagin Lakes enhance its picturesque setting. An ancient city steeped in legend and history dating back to the BC era, Srinagar today is a resort for tourists to experience the magical beauty of the valley that has attracted visitors from all over the world since times immemorial.
Dal Lake
The Dal Lake is Srinagar's most distinctive landmark. It is divided by causeways into 4 parts, the Nagin Lake being of them .The best way of exploring the lake and the sites on its shores is by shikara boat. Srinagar's main attraction is the charm of staying in a houseboat. The experience of living on the lakes in a cedar paneled elegant bedroom , with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel , is unique and endearing.
Mughal Gardens
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flower beds. Overlooking the panorama of Dal Lake and Zabarwan in the backdrop, Shalimar ( 15km) , the farthest of the three gardens , was built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jehan. Nishat Bagh ( 11km) was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan. Chashmashahi ( Royal Spring), the spring of refreshing sweet water cherished by Mughals, is surrounded by a Mughal Garden laid out by Ali Mardan Khan. On a nearby spur of the mountains is the ancient monument of Pari Mahal, planned out by Dara Shikoh as a palace for star gazing , surrounded by a beautiful garden.
Shopping in Srinagar
Srinagar is a shoppers paradise for Kahsmir Handicrafts which are prized everywhere for their exquisite craftsmanship. Kashmiri carpets , in both wool and silk , are a lifetime investment with selections ranging from the simple to the most intricate patterns handed down the generations. Other handicrafts include papier mache items, carved walnut wood furniture and accessories, stone jewelry boxes , woolen shawls, crewel embroidery and many more. The main shopping areas for handicrafts are the Boulevard, Dalgate, Poloview, The Bund, Residency Road and Lal Chowk.
Pahalgam
( 2130 m , 90 km from Srinagar)
Pahalgam is situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag and the Lidder streams. Once a humble shepherds' village, it is now Kahsmir's premier summer resort, cool even during the height of summer. The resort is surrounded by many places of interest , the best being the upland meadow of Baisaran , Betab Valley , Aru, Chandanwari and Sheshnag.
Sonamag
( 2730 m , 84km from Srinagar)
Sonamarg lies at the head of the Sindh Valley. The drive through this valley presents a spectacular facet of the Kashmir countryside. Sonamarg is surrounded by colorful mountains and thick pine forests. There are many attractive walks, the best being a trek or pony ride to the Thajiwas glacier.
Gulmarg
(2650 m, 56 km from Srinagar)
Gulmarg is one of India's premier hill resort. Gulmarg today is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also turns into India's premier ski resort in winter. The Gondola cable Car offers rides to the upland meadow of Kongdori and beyond to the top of Apharwat range at a height of 14000 ft for viewing the Himalayan peaks in summer and for downhill skiing in winter.
Golfing
Kashmir is a golfer's delight and has long golfing season stretching from April to November. The golf course at Gulmarg (2650 m) is the world highest green golf course . The Gulmarg Golf Club was set up by the British in 1904. The Kashmir Golf Club has an 18 hole course with common fairways. The latest addition to Kashmir's golfing infrastructure is the ultramodern Royal Springs Golf Course in Srinagar designated by the famous golf course designed by the famous golf course designer Robert Trent Jr One of the most picturesque courses in Asia, this course is the venue of many prestigious golfing events.
Ladakh
Bound by the Karakoram in the north and the Great Himalayas in the south, Ladakh is a mountain desert located at altitudes ranging from 9000ft to 25000 ft. Despite the rugged terrain and difficult climatic conditions, the people of Ladakh exhibit a living heritage of their colorful traditions, customs and lifestyle.
Ladakh is famous for the festivals held in the major Buddhist monasteries annually; the Hemis Festival held in June is the most famous.
Sightseeing
Besides Leh Town (3505m ) there are many forts, palaces and monasteries connected with the former kingdom's history. These include the royal palace of Shey (15km) , Bazgo (37 km) , Stok Palace ( 17 km) , Thicksey Gompa ( 17km) , Stakna ( 25 km) , Hemis ( 40 km ), Takhtok (50 km) , Matho ( 26 km) , Spituk ( 7 km), Phyang (17 km) . Likir (53 km) , Alchi ( 69 km), Rizong ( 73 km), and Lamayuru (125 km)
Besides these monasteries, in the North of Leh is the spectacular magical valley of Nubra. The road to Nubra. The road of Nubra runs across Khardung -la ( 5578 m ), the highest motorable road in the world)
Ladakh is equally famous for its beautiful lakes. Panging lake (4267 m , 159 km from Leh), is about 130 km long and 5-6 km wide that extends across the border between India and China. Tso- moriri (4572 m, 220 km from Leh) is famous as the breeding ground of the rare bar headed geese and home to a number of other rare bird species.
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