Kashmir

Kashmir Tour

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi international airport, meet and greet with our office representative assistance and transfer to hotel, check-in. (Hotel check-in/ out time 1200hrs afternoon early check in subject to availability of rooms)

Later city tour of Delhi visit Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years, until 1857. Cycle rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk Bazar. Visit Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan to dominate his city. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. Humayun’s Tomb an early example of Mughal architecture build by wife of Humayun, the second Mughal king. Drive through Rajpath "Kingsway" a VVIP area of Delhi which includes President House and Parliament. India Gate the 42m high stone "Arch of Triumph", erected in the memory of Indian soldiers who died in the First World War. Qutab Minar the building complex dated back on the onset of Muslim rule in India and are fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a lotus-shaped outline has etched itself on the consciousness of the city's inhabitants, capturing their imagination, fuelling their curiosity, and revolutionizing the concept of worship. [Red Fort & Lotus Temple remain closed on Monday's]. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02: Delhi – Srinagar (by flight)

Arrival at Srinagar airport, meeting with office representative transfer to the hotel/ houseboat. Afternoon Shikara ride on the Dal lake, visiting floating vegetable gardens. Overnight at hotel/ Houseboat.

Day 03: Srinagar

Breakfast at hotel. Sightseeing of the Mughal gardens, visit Shalimar Bagh; Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar, 15 kms from the TRC, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal ladies. Nishat Bagh; Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, (11 km. from TRC), this 'garden of bliss' commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.

Chashma Shahi; At Chashmashai, is a tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive. The original garden was laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD. Pari Mahal; Once the royal observatory, Pari Mahal has a charmingly laid out garden and is a five-minute drive from Cheshmashahi. A Buddhist monastery at one time, it was converted into a school of astrology by Dara Shikoh, Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan's eldest son. Situated on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal, the ancient monument, with a well-laid spacious garden in front, is connected to Cheshmashahi by road. It is illuminated at night.

Late Afternoon visit Shankaracharya Temple: The sacred temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The site dates back to 250BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this  place when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive Sanatan Dharma. Built on a high octagonal plinth and approached by a flight of steps with side walls that once bore inscriptions, the main surviving shrine consists of a circular cell. It overlooks the Valley and can be approached by a motorable road. A modern ceiling covers the inner sanctum and an inscription in Persian traces its origin to the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. The original ceiling was dome- shaped and the brick roof, it appears, is not more than a century old. Overnight at hotel / Houseboat.

Day 04: Srinagar – Gulmarg (56kms/ 2hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Gulmarg (The Meadow of the Flowers). Gulmarg located at the altitude of 9,000 ft, also famous as Lovers paradise. Gulmarg's legendary beauty, prime location and proximity to Srinagar naturally make it one of the premier hill resorts in the country. Originally called 'Gaurimarg' by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there - roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature's colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer's rich emerald, or autumn's golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. At one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains, almost within touching distance.

A cable car ride on Gondola will take you to the Majestic height of 13,000 ft above sea level covering the magnificent views of Himalayan Mountains and Pirpanjal ranges. You can also enjoy a view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. Golf playing, Horse Riding, Hiking & Snow Skiing (during winter End Dec -Middle March) are other activities available here. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Gulmarg – Pahalgam (142kms/ 4-5hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Pahalgam the Valley of Shepherds 7,000 ft. above sea level. On the way visit the famous Saffron growing fields and Awantipur Ruins (1100 years old temple of lord Vishnu build by King Awantivarman), enjoy the beautiful countryside on the way. Drive through the pine forest. On arrival check-in at hotel.

Pahalgam; situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for a picnic. Pahalgam has within it no fewer than eight tiny villages, one of which is Mamal. There is a Shiva temple here, generally considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple, dating to the 5th century. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Pahalgam – Srinagar (96kms / 3hrs approx)

Breakfast at hotel, visit Chandanwari or Aru on ponies. Afternoon drive to Srinagar, check in at hotel / Houseboat. Free for personal activities. Overnight at hotel / houseboat.

Day 07: Srinagar

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi, from Delhi board connecting flight for your home country.