Tour Report
Tour Report
Tour Report
Submitted to
Submitted to : Submitted by :
Finally, I’d want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way,
including my teachers, parents, and classmates , whose support has
made this effort possible.
Jammu & Kashmir , is the northern most state of India and is also known as the crown
of India . Intensifying the beauty of the Himalayas in the northernmost part of India,
Kashmir valley is an apt place to witness nature in its raw form . Surrounded by the
snow-capped mountains, the implausible beauty of Kashmir leaves an everlasting
impression on one’s mind.
Known as Heaven on the Earth, Jammu & Kashmir is where Mother Nature has
bestowed all her love. Enclosed by the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges; and
festooned with verdant meadows, lush valleys, dense forests, splendid temples, this
new union territory of India is a holiday destination to instantly fall in love with.
Being an ideal tourist destination for family tours, honeymoon tours and the perfect
place for adventure enthusiasts, Jammu & Kashmir offers abundance tour options for
travelers of all kinds.
The picturesque Jammu & Kashmir is even home to the popular Hindu shrines like
Mata Vaishno Devi and Baba Amarnath Cave, this place is always on the radar of
pilgrimage tourists from all over the world.
The majestic valleys of Kashmir offer adventure opportunities like trekking and skiing.
The serene destination is also famous for experiential travels in the form of either a
stay at a houseboat or Shikara ride on Dal and Nigeen Lake. Nothing can beat the
beauty of Jammu & Kashmir, and to believe it, one has to see it!
Climate
The Kashmir Valley, or more poetically the Vale of Kashmir, is a large valley in
the Himalayan mountains and an administrative division of Jammu and
Kashmir, India.
Mostly getting its fame by being home to the popular shrine of Mata Vaishno
Devi, the Jammu region in the newest Union Territory of India, is ideal to plan a
holiday. The offbeat mountainous places that are ideal for trekking and biking
adventure; and rich culture to understand about the region better.
Mata Vaishno Devi, Raghunath Temple, Peer Kho Cave, Dera Baba Banda . Nature
lovers can fall in love with Jammu’s beautiful lakes like Mansar Lake and the
ethereal beauty of Patnitop and Doda. Wildlife enthusiasts can get their share of
thrill at Kishtwar National Park.
Transportation
By Air
Kashmir has two other airports as well – Jammu Airport, a domestic airport
that serves Jammu and is 8kms away from the city with bus, taxi and car rental
options to reach the city and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, another
domestic airport that serves the city of Leh.
By Road
By Car : You can take a taxi or a rental car to Kashmir, typically to Srinagar. The
roads are well-connected to both Jammu and Srinagar. You can choose from
taxis or jeeps to travel to Kashmir. It is often recommended to book a taxi for
multiple days as it turns out to be more economical in the long run. Do note that
traveling from Srinagar to Jammu takes nearly ten hours.
By Rail
Traveling to Kashmir by train means you have to take a train to Jammu Tawi
Railway Station in Jammu which is the only railway station in Kashmir.
Although Srinagar too has a railway station at Nowgam which is around 10 kms
away from the city, it covers just a few cities such as Baramulla, Anantnag,
Qazigund and Banihal. It is not yet linked to the Indian Railway network. To
reach Kashmir from other cities, Jammu Tawi is better as it is well-connected to
numerous Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Kanpur, Udaipur, and
Pune. Some of the trains to reach here are Delhi Anand Vihar-Katra Special
Express, Lucknow-Katra Special Express, Pune-Jammu Tawi Jhelum Express and
several others.
FLIGHT TO SRINAGAR :
You can travel from New Delhi to Srinagar by booking a flight. The total flight
time between New Delhi & Srinagar is around 1 h 25 m. The price of the flight
ticket is approximately Rs.3147
Then you can travel from Chandigarh to Srinagar by booking a flight. The total
flight time between Chandigarh & Srinagar is around 1 h 5 m. The price of the
flight ticket is approximately Rs.2478.
Tourist Places to Visit
Yusmarg
Yusmarg is a hill station in the western part of the valley of Kashmir. The
Ahmadiyya Muslim community believes it to be the place where Jesus once
lived. The landscape here is more beautiful than anything you will ever see.
There are plenty of options for sightseeing and trying out activities like trekking
and horse riding.
Gulmarg has everything going for it: snow dressed mountains, greenery, lakes,
pine & fir forests and different types of flowers. It is snug in a valley in the Pir
Panjal Range. Its name means, the meadows of flowers, and you will come
across a lot of meadows decorated with daisies. Most of all though, Gulmarg is
the best skiing destination in Asia, has the highest green golf course in the world
as well as the highest cable car project.
Spend a few hours at the Pahalgam Golf Club and lighten up your mood
amidst the beautiful weather and mother nature.
Set a camp in the hills of Aru Valley and enjoy several activities like fishing,
trekking, and horse-riding.
Srinagar
Srinagar finds a place on this list because it is one of the most famous tourist
destinations in Jammu and Kashmir as well as the top honeymoon destination.
The presence of many Mughal Gardens, religious & historical sites as well as Dal
& Nageen Lakes has led Srinagar to being called the “Land of Gardens and
Lakes.” Among the other things that will surprise you, one is the floating
vegetable market on Dal Lake. The largest Tulip gardens in Asia are also in
Srinagar.
Local attractions - Nishat and Shalimar bagh , shankaracharya temple , dal lake
and the world famous Tulip Garden
Vaishno Devi
Those who are spiritually inclined should not miss out on visiting Vaishno Devi, a
major Hindu pilgrimage destination in India. The temple stands on the Trikuta
Hills in Jammu. The Mother Goddess, who is the main deity, is believed to fulfill
the wishes of her devotees.
To reach the temple, you will have to take a trek of nearly 14 kilometers which
starts from the Ban Ganga bridge. Other options are battery operated cars,
ponies, palkies and helicopter rides to Mata Vaishno Devi Temple.
Patnitop
Enter Nathatop while trekking from Patnitop and enjoy the beautiful views of
snow-capped mountains.
Stopover by the 600-years-old Naag Mandir and seek blessings.
Set up your camp near Mantalai Lake and enjoy the best views of mother nature.
Adventure Sports
GOLF
Gulmarg also has the world's uppermost green golf courses, as well as a
clubhouse, which is a historical place in its own right. Kashmir Valley provides
verdant golf courses at Srinagar and Gulmarg, where one can play golf all done
the summer, stretching from April to November
RIVER RAFTING
A series of rafting chances is obtainable on the Indus and its major tributaries.
The main stretch for professionally guided runs in white water is on the Indus
between Spituk and Saspol. Beyond Saspol, the river becomes complicated and
running it needs technically expected participants and careful organization.
Upward of Spituk, the Indus has the easiest stretch up to Karu, perfect for
essential training and for day-return scenic floating for amateurs.
and Zanskar, which have become really famous.
WATER SKIING
Water sports are the fun expression of Kashmir. The Dal and Nagin lakes in
Srinagar and the Manasbal Lake, 32-km distance from Srinagar are the famous
places for water-skiing. The biggest distance of the Dal, the Boddal, has
individually owned bathing boats which hire out motor launches, water-skies
and trained guides. There are extra bathing boats at the Nagin Lake and also a
government run Institute of Water Sports. The Nagin lake too has trained guides
and is more famous because of its clean water.
TREKKING
Trekking possibilities involve short, daylong walks up and down mountain
slopes to visit lonely villages or across a ridge to enjoy the sheer lovely of the
lunar mountainscape. Trekking forms a complete part of the adventure sports
flourishing in the hilly tracts of Jammu and Kashmir.
SKIING
Rogan Josh
An aromatic lamb curry, Rogan Josh is one of the iconic dishes of Kashmir that is
a must try especially for all mutton lovers out there. The rich aroma and luscious
taste of melting in mouth meat is derived from the finest recipes of the Mughals.
Goshtaba
Goshtaba is yet another traditional mutton recipe of Kashmir that is a must in all
royal parties. Spicy meatballs cooked in yogurt gravy have a luscious taste and
rich aroma that can leave you drooling.
Dum Aloo
Kashmiri Dum Aloo is the answer for all your potato cravings. Dunked in the
goodness of rich yogurt gravy, baby potatoes burst with some amazing flavors
that stay on the tongue till eternity.
Kashmiri Rajma
Naat Yakhni
Another iconic dish of Kashmir, Naat Yakhni is made with mutton in yogurt gravy
that is absolutely a delight for mutton lovers.. Typically served with rice, this
signature recipe of Kashmir has a juicy gravy that is extremely light on the
stomach.
Kashmiri Saag
One of the most unique inventions of Kashmiri culinary culture, this popular
side dish of Kashmir is simple to cook and healthy to eat. Typically a Kashmiri
Pandit dish, Kashmiri Saag is made with spinach, cooked in mustard oil and
spiked with cloves and a few spices to add a zing. Don’t forget to try it.
Itinerary
The group will arrive at a rendezvous point in Srinagar early in the afternoon
where a brief introduction by the trip captain will be provided.Upon our arrival,
we'll check into our designated Houseboat. Afterward, we'll go for a local
sightseeing tour in the afternoon.We'd visit the most prominent Mughal Gardens
, We'll visit Nishat Bagh which is nestled on the eastern bank of the Dal Lake and
Shalimar Bagh .In the evening, we’ll go for a Shikara ride in the pristine Dal Lake
.
In the evening, we'll have dinner followed by an overnight stay in our houseboat
in Srinagar.
After early morning breakfast, we’ll check out of our houseboat and we'll head
towards Gulmarg which is one of the most popular hill stations of Kashmir
known for lush green grasslands and alpine slopes.Upon our arrival in Gulmarg,
we'll indulge in a Gondola ride that would lead us to Kongdoori Peak.
In the evening, we'll head back to Gulmarg where we'll check into our hotel.
Dinner followed by an overnight stay in Gulmarg.
Day 3 : Drive to Pahalgam (140 Kms, 2.5 Hrs Approx) | Leisure Day
After early morning breakfast, we'll head towards Pahalgam which is a beautiful
hill station in Kashmir known for its picturesque blooming meadows.Upon
reaching Pahalgam, we'll check into our hotel and then explore the local market
where travelers are advised to shop for souvenirs, indulge in the local food, and
more.
After early morning breakfast, we’ll check out of our hotel and head for a
sightseeing tour of Pahalgam. We'll visit Aru Valley which is known for its scenic
meadows. We’ll also visit the enchanting Betaab Valley which is nestled between
the Pir Panjal and Zanskar ranges of the Himalayas. Lastly, we’ll visit
Chandanwadi which is the starting point for the Amarnath Yatra.
In the evening, we'll head back to Srinagar where we'll check into our hotel.
Dinner followed by an overnight stay in Srinagar.
After early morning breakfast, we'll head to Sonmarg valley which is yet another
gem hidden in the embrace of Kashmir known for its green pastures that turn
golden under the summer sun. After spending some peaceful moments in the
valley, we'll head back to Srinagar.Dinner followed by an overnight stay in
Srinagar.
Note: If weather conditions do not permit to Sonmarg, we'll visit Doodhpathri
instead.
After early morning breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel.The group will go their
separate ways with fond memories according to their scheduled departures.Trip
Ends.
Inclusion
Exclusion
✘ Any other expense not mentioned in the inclusion column.
1. Carry a power bank, extra memory card and waterproof camera bag
Kashmir immensely suffers from a power crisis. There are very frequent power cuts,
especially in the hill stations like Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Make sure, you always
carry a power bank with you so that your mobile phone never runs out of charge..
Kashmir, as well all know, is a conflict zone, so there are a lot of security checks that
you’ll have to face. You need to make sure that you always carry a valid and original
identity proof along because you’d never want yourself to get stranded in a cue of
suspects. It’s always great to be extra safe during your holidays so that you never
miss any fun.
If you have a cell phone with a prepaid connection your SIM card is not going to
work in Kashmir as roaming is blocked due to security reasons. However, postpaid
connections will work fine. If you’re a foreigner, your hotel owner might provide you
with a local sim or you can easily purchase a local sim card from mobile telecom
operators.
As already mentioned, there’s a lot of electricity crisis in Kashmir, make sure you
carry a torch with you. You might face a power shutdown suddenly, so, you don’t
want to get yourself hurt in the dark. Also, as Kashmir has an unpredictable climate,
there are high chances that you might catch a cold and fall sick. So, carry important
medicines along with you.
Kashmir, the city of Sufi Saints, is enriched with many Sufi shrines. Not only are
these shrines known for their reverence but they are equally beautiful as any other
known gardens. You need to know that you should carry a headscarf with you and
wear them before you enter these shrines..
In Kashmir whatever the sellers quote, start bargaining from 1/2 of its price, and if
you are a foreign tourist start bargaining starting from 1/3 of the prices quoted.
In Kashmir, police catch hold of non-J&K number cars and give them challan for
small mistakes as well. It is better to carry the original RC and insurance paper with
you. Also, it is better that the person on whose name car is registered should be on
trip as well or should be in your first relationship else the police will make this an
issue.
Conclusion
We really enjoyed our 5D4N tour in Kashmir. The tour guide was very friendly,
helpful and knowledgeable. He went above and beyond by helping us get local
prices when we went shopping or do activities as you could easily be scammed
being a tourist. He made sure we are enjoying and also experiencing the best of
Kashmir in the 5 days we were there. We loved the snow capped mountains in
Pahalgam and Gulmarg. Kashmir is a very safe place and this private tour made
us feel even more safer. We were very well taken care of throughout the whole
tour. The gondola ride in Gulmarg is really worth it as the views from up there
are amazing. Betab valley in Pahalgam is also very beautiful. Please take the
pony ride to see mini Switzerland in Pahalgam. It will be a memorable
experience but please don’t pay more than 2000 rs per person. Also the apples
in Kashmir are the best apples you will ever taste. Overall a very well organized
and spectacular place to visit. Highly recommend this tour
References
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_Valley
https://www.holidify.com/places/srinagar/sightseeing-and-things-to-do.html
https://srinagar.nic.in/
https://www.holidify.com/pages/kashmiri-food-and-cuisine-1482.html
https://traveltriangle.com/blog/adventure-sports-in-kashmir/