Jammu & Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu & Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is said to be paradise on the earth and this is true to a large extent. The climate and weather is unexpected at times but it is indeed an extreme experience. There are many lifetime experiences that one can feel in this piece of land. There are quite a few tourist locations in this state. The few places listed below are the main attractions and traveled frequently by the tourists. Some of these places are visited by foreigners for the extreme winter sports.

1. Srinagar (Green and Clean Place)

2. Katra (Vaishnodevi)

3. Pahalgam (Snow Place)

4. Gulmarg (Snow Place)

5. Sonmarg

Srinagar 

Srinagar by itself has many tourists spots like Dal Lake, three Parks that include Tulip Garden, and Avantipura. It offers a mesmerizing stay in House boat right into Dal Lake. A incredible ride on a boat, it is traditionally called Shikara. 
Dal Lake is very gigantic water body. It encapsulates a market area, shopping lanes and house boats for overnight stays etc. 
Nishat and Tulip gardens are must visit. They have a beautiful nature around it. They are surrounded by huge mountains and hills. It is a feast to eyes watching the clouds brushing the mountains. 
Avantipura a historical place with a huge history around it. This is one of the few hindu temples found in Kashmir that was excavated from the ground. It is basically in the form of ruins. Also a must visit place. 
The pictures posted below depicts each of these places. 

The Srinagar is very green and quite peaceful place, it has no pollution and absolutely no traffic chaos. It is a great place for authentic Kashmiri textiles and ornaments. Kashmir is known for its dry fruits and sweets made up of these fruits as main ingredients. Kashmir is also very well known for Kesar and Apples. 

Avantipura - Srinagar

Avantipura - Srinagar

Avantipura - Srinagar

Avantipura - Srinagar

Tulip Gardens - Srinagar

Nishat Garden - Srinagar

Nishat Garden - Srinagar

Nishat Garden - Dal lake view - Srinagar

Tulip Garden Entrance, Srinagar

Tulip Garden, Srinagar

Dal Lake, Panoramic View, Srinagar

House Boat, Srinagar- Dal Lake

Dal Lake, Srinagar

Katra (Vaishnodevi):

Katra is 45kms from Jammu, Jammu to Katra is one of the most thrilling road drives one can experience. There are many landslides possible on the way and roads could get blocked in bad weathers. One of the highlights on this highway is a Punjab Haveli restaurant and it is advised to hop over and have some quick snacks and coffee on this unpredictable road way and travel. 

Punjab Haveli, Katra Highway

Katra

Katra as a place boasts nothing special except a holy temple. This place hosts one of the most holy places on the earth called Vaishnodevi temple at a distance of 18 kms. It is on a hill and has the most adventurous route to reach the temple. It is so a remarkable place that not only offers serene and divine life to the devotees but also livelihood to numerous people there.

The temple can be reached by almost a day long of trekking (upward and downward). It takes 6 hours to climb up and another 5 to 6 hours to climb down. The pathway goes around the cluster of hills and finally leads to the temple. The queue to the temple is quite reasonable and once you are in the queue for the darshan, one might finish the darshan in not more than an hour. 
There are multiple routes laid to the temple some are old and some very new. many are by walk and one is a 1000 steps route mixed with walk way. None of the routes are motorable. 
There are 3 modes of commutation to reach the temple excluding walk way.
1. Helicopter Ride
2. Palaki/Pittoo
3. Horse Ride 
Helicopter ride is preferred to save time and is simply like a shuttle service, it costs around Rs 2000+ for two way ride. Palaki costs Rs 5000 for two way, palaki is a like a sedan seat which is carried by four men all the way till temple with few breaks. This is option is preferred by the old and children. Some also pefer Pittoo, pittoo is a nothing but a man carrying a person on his shoulders.
The young and middle aged people prefer walking or Horse ride. The horse ride will cost Rs 400 one way. 

Road Towards Vaishnodevi, Katra

Taxi Stand in Katra for Vaishnodevi, Katra

Main Entrance Vaishnodevi hill (Security Check)

Some take Horse Ride, on the way to Vaishnodevi

Horse Ride to Vaishnodevi

Palki to Vaishnodevi

Vaishnodevi Temple

Vaishnodevi Temple

Vaishnodevi Temple @8pm

Pahalgam

Pahalgam is around 290+ kms from Katra and 60+ from Srinagar. Pahalgam is a wonderful place with astounding nature all around the places. The joy one gets independent of the age is ineffable. This place is bestowed with snow fall all around in the winter seasons. The snow feels as white and as soft as cotton. The temperatures are extreme here, one must enable themselves to completely equipped with the snow gear (boots, over jacket, umbrella and gloves), the snow gear is available for rent right at the place. This side of the kashmir is most sought by the young as a romantic locations. There are three locations in Pahalgam which are main attractions, 
1. Betaab Valley
2. Aru Valley
3. Chandanwari 
All the these places can be visited with lot of ease as they are with in 10 to 15 kms range and the mode of commutation are two types, a beautiful horse ride or by hiring a local vehicle. 

On the way to Pahalgam

Betaab Valley, Pahalgam

Betaab Valley, Pahalgam

Chandanwari, Pahalgam

Gulmarg:

The facade of true Kashmir. This is comparable to Alps and Switzerland in a way. It has series of hills with snow and a beautiful peaks, these hills are submerged in snow with a depth of 6 to 8 ft at times. There are cable cars to reach the peaks of these mountains. There are multiple options to have fun in Gulmarg, namely below 3 are main, 
1. Sledging
2. Cable Car ride
3. Skiing
the expenses in this place will surmount the expectations. Approximately 3k to 5K per person would be expend here.However, it is worth the money. 
Surprisingly, there are some coffee and snacks available for to refresh after a hectic snow sports. 

Gondola, Gulmarg

Snow fall, Gulmarg

Restaurants, Gulmarg

Skiing, Gulmarg

Walk in the Snow, Gulmarg

Skiing, Gulmarg

A view from Cable Car, Gulmarg

Another view from Cable Car, Gulmarg

Alpine Ridge Hotel, Gulmarg

A Taxi that got stuck, Gulmarg

Live Snow Fall in the region, Gulmarg

A peak reached by Cable Car, Gulmarg

A taxi stuck in snow, Gulmarg

Stay:

This trip can be planned for 6 nights and 7 days. The itinerary goes like this, 

Day 1: 
- Bangalore to Delhi (flight)
- Delhi to Jammu (flight)
- Jammu to Katra (taxi)
Stay in Katra for the night, recommended hotel is, Sree Hari Niwas. 

Day 2: 
- Katra to Vaishnodevi entrance (auto - 3 wheeler)
- Vaishnodevi, (Palki, Horse ride, Helicopter)

Day 3: 
- Katra to Pahalgam (taxi)
Stay in Pahalgam for the night, recommended hotel, Fifth Season. 

Day 4:
- Pahalgam to Betaab Valley+Chandanwari+Aru Valley (taxi)
Pahalgam to Srinagar (taxi)
Stay in Srinagar for the night, recommended hotel is, Royal Batoo. 

Day 5:
Srinagar to Gulmarg (Taxi)
Gondola, Snow sports, rides etc..
Stay in Gulmarg for night, recommended hotel is Alpine Ridge. 

Day 6:
Gulmarg to Srinagar (Taxi)
Sringar to all local places such as Tulip Gardens, Shikara, Dal Lake, Avantipura (taxi)
Stay in Srinagar for the night, recommended to stay in House Boat in Dal Lake.

Day 7:
Srinagar to Delhi (Flight)
Delhi to Bangalore (Flight)


Best Time to Visit:

Nov-December for Winter/Snow experience
April to July for the pleasant Summer experience.