Kashmir : The Preferred Tourist Destination for of all ages throughout the year.

Kashmir is situated at the extreme north of of India. Kashmir is known all over the world as “ The Paradise On Earth”.

You will find the people themselves have a natural charm, always friendly and helpful. You enter a new civilization of gentleness beauty and peace, with all the modern amenities of accommodation and transport and much more that you will discover for yourself.

Climate and clothing:

Kashmir has four seasons: Spring,  Summer, Autumn and Winter.

Spring:

April – May, Average temp Day 5°C night –3°C
Clothing: Need light woolens with overcoat.

This time of the year brings rains and the snow retreats from the “Vale of Kashmir” in to the mountains, Greenery sprouts, blossoms follow and the trees wear lovely colours of pinks , white and yellows. Rainbows spread across the blue skies. Meadows are spangled with daisies , flower beds with pansies, primroses, hyacinths and daffodils grow all over. Almond, cherry and apple blossoms are greatly enjoyed. Spring festivals are celebrated. Cherries and straw-berries are in abundances.


Summer:

June- September, Average temp Day 30°C and night 20°C
Clothing: Light woolen and tropical clothing, swimming gear.

The summer in Kashmir is not very hot, but warm enough. Go into the mountains and summer resorts. The snow line goes up to 4080 mts and this is the time for trekking and mountaineering expeditions and water skiing. The lakes in the valley are full of water lilies and lotus. At high altitude lakes and mountains streams offer trout fishing. Golf can be enjoyed in the valley or at Gulmarg. Plenty of Apples and Pears.

Autumn:

October – November , average temp Day 20°C and night 15°C
Clothing: Light woolen with overcoat, Raincoat and umbrellas are useful to have around.

Autumn brings with all its mellow colours, the tress change from green to yellow and rusty red. The pleatue of Pampore 15 kms from Srinagar turn a blue as the Saffron blooms for miles and miles . The gardens are full of flowers. The tree loose their leaves by the middle of November and the frost comes and the night are cold. A photographers delight, you could spend days shooting some of the loveliest sights on earth, it is not the sign of dying year, the promise of another glorious year.

Winter:

December to March Day temp –5°C and night –10°C , dressed in a white coat of snow, it looks lovely, sit by a fire place and relax or go skiing at Gulmarg.

Clothing: heavy woolens.
 

Rivers in Kashmir :

Major Rivers of Jammu and Kashmir are: Tawi, Chenab, Indus, Sind, Lidder and the Jhelum

Srinagar : [ Tour this Place ]

The Jammu and Kashmir’s Summer capital more than 2000 years old in the heart of Kashmir valley spreads out on both side of river Jehlum. Srinagar has been called the “Venice of the Orient”

Old City - Srinagar

Elevation: 5214 ft - 1700 mt.

Population: one million, majority of Muslims.


The quaint charm of Houseboats of Dal Lake, Nageen Lake and Naseem Lake in Srinagar to stay is a MUST .The Houseboats are having two Bed rooms, three bed rooms and four bed rooms with attached bath, with dining and Sitting room also with Sun-deck. Each houseboat is having the attendant who can also serve the food. Explore lapping journeys on a Shikara (Gandola) in the lakes, past floating gardens.

Houseboats in Srinagar:

Houseboat were introduced accidentally in Kashmir. Most of British Civil and Military officers serving in the plains used to come to Kashmir with their families for holidays. They wanted to built houses for themselves but the Maharaja (King) of Kashmir of that time was suspicious of their designs and did not allow them to buy land, so they built the first Houseboat- named Victory designed by Mr. M T Kenhard in 1888. Later other copied this design and now there are about 500 Houseboats in Srinagar for commercial purpose .

Places of interest:

Pahalgam

95 km. east of Srinagar, 2400 mt. above sea level popular holiday resort. It is called “Shepherds village” at the head of the Lidder valley. Best place for trout fishing. Apart from angling, Pahalgam is also known as the starting point for trekking. Pilgrims route to Amarnath Cave.

Gulmarg:

56 km from Srinagar, one and a half hour journey, 2690 mt above sea level. It is called “Meadow of flowers”.
In summer it is best for trekking, golfing and pony rides and for Skiing, Skating and Ice Hockey in Winter.
Gulmarg has the world’s highest green golf course in the world. There are cable cars that ferry the tourists up to the height of 3095 mt. (Gondola)

Yusmarg:

50 km southeast of Srinagar, one and half hour journey through pine and fir forests. On the way to Yusmarg is the shrine of famous Kashmiri Sufi saint  Sheikh Noor-ud-din, popularly known as Nunda Rishi. One can go up to Nilnag Lake either by foot or on a pony back.

Sonmarg:

87 km. from Srinagar, 3 hours journey, 2800 mt above sea level. It is called "Golden Meadow” at the head of the river Sind with beautiful mountains and glaciers. Base for the treks to Harmukh range via Nichnai, Vishensar Lake, Gangabal and to Nara Nag . Also the Pilgrim route to Amarnath Cave , which can be done in one day from here. Famous for Trout fishing.

Mughal Gardens:

Nishat Garden

The Garden of bliss laid down by Asif Khan father of Empress Noorjahan in 1633AD on the bank of Dal Lake with Zabarvan Massif at the back. Nishat commands magnificent view of the Lake and the Snow capped Pir Panchal Range to the west of the valley.

Shalimar Garden:

The garden is laid down in four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal runs through the garden lined with polished stones and supplies with water from Harwan.

Chasma – Shahi : East of Srinagar, commands a superb view of the Dal Lake it has the advantage of having a natural spring of Pure, Cool and Sparking water known as Chasma- Shahi (Royal Spring).

Lakes in Kashmir

Dal Lake:

In Srinagar’s Aquatic Plaza around the lake. Villages and Orchids and the Famous gardens built by the Moghul Emperors famous for Shikara ride. Most of the House Boats around in Dal Lake. From the Lake one can see the Historic Shankara Charya Hill in the east and the west Hari Parbat.

Nagin Lake

Popular for water sports like water skiing, swimming, diving and sailing.

Manasbal Lake

This Lake is famous for Lotus flowers during summer and Paradise for Bird Watchers,. Between the river and foot of the Mountains spurs lower end of the Sind valley famous for Picnic spot.

Wular Lake

The Largest fresh water Lake in India 26 Km long and 8 Km wide. Surrounded by the mountains. The river Jehlum passes right through the Lake the deepest part is near the Hill called Baba Shakur-ud-Din on the north west side.

Jammu [ Tour this Place ]

The gateway of Kashmir, the winter capital elevation 300mts lies at the foot of Himalayan region of Kashmir.

Population: 5,00,000

This city has a long been a center of Indian pilgrimage Dogra culture, temple city. Majority of Hindus with small Muslim communities around Banihal and Kishtwar south of the Kashmir valley, around Poonch and the border.

Places of interest:

Surinsar Lake:  42 Km. A picturesque picnic spot.

Mansar Lake: 80 Km a beautiful Lake surrounded by hills accommodation in Huts and Tourist bungalow.

Katra:  On the pilgrimage route to the famous shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi which is in Katra 50 kms from Jammu. The path has been paved and facilities of drinking water, snack bars, medical aid. There are also Helicopter services from Jammu to Katra and also from Katra to Shrine.

Aknhoor: 30 km. a picnic spot on the river Chenab.

Patnitop: Hill station, charming plateau at 1950m, surrounded with dense woods and Lush greenery of pines. Patnitop is an any time place the best time for visit during May to June , and autumn September to October. From December to March surrounded by Snow one can do skiing / sledging. Carry woolen at all times as showers can suddenly cause a chilled. 5 hours drive from Jammu 110 km and to Srinagar 180 km . there are good accommodation hotels / Tourist bungalow and youth hostel.