Mesmerizing Kashmir Escape – Srinagar Package For 5 nights

You will be greeted at Srinagar Airport by a representative of Holiday Travel Zone, who will take care of your transportation to a traditional houseboat stay. The places you will be visiting on the first day of your tour will include a visit to Shankaracharya Temple, a Shiva temple on a hilltop offering a panoramic view of Srinagar City and its beautiful lakes. Next in line will be a visit to beautiful Pari Mahal, Botanical Gardens, and Mughal Gardens, namely Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. All these gardens have their own historical importance and beauty. To name a few, Cheshma Shahi, which literally means a royal spring, was designed around a natural spring of water by Ali Mardan Khan, a governor of Shah Jahan, and finally constructed in 1632. It is located in the Zabarwan range near Raj Bhawan and overlooking Dal Lake. It is a masterpiece of Mughal landscaping style. Next in line will be a beautiful Mughal Garden, namely Nishat Bagh, which literally means Abode of Pleasure, constructed by Asif Khan, brother-in-law of Emperor Jahangir, in 1632. Next in line will be Shalimar Bagh, which literally means Abode of Love, gently lying on the banks of Dal Lake with a picturesque backdrop of beautiful Zabarwan Mountains. Later in the day, you will be enjoying a 50-minute Shikara ride on Dal Lake, where you will be able to enjoy a glimpse of unique floating vegetable gardens and aquatic life in a serene environment. You can conclude your evening with leisure activities, which will offer you the chance to visit a handicraft shop with beautifully crafted items like Kashmiri shawls, jackets, bed covers, paper mâché items, carpets, and many other handicrafts. A leisurely walk on the beautiful Dal Lake will also offer the chance to visit the markets nearby before checking into your houseboat for the night. Additional Note: Shuttle services for the ease and convenience of reaching the important tourist spots like Botanical Gardens, Cheshma Shahi, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, and many more, are being facilitated by the Motor Vehicles Department and JK Traffic Police with the guidance of the J&K Government. The charges for the vehicles will be Rs. 100 per person. Road safety management is being given priority for the visitors of J&K tourism.

After breakfast, we will drive to the majestic mountain resort of Sonamarg. The route towards Sonamarg will take us on a very picturesque drive through the countryside. We will drive past the rice fields and will also come across a number of water streams. We will also drive past the Kangan town, which caters to all the needs of the locals of this area. We will drive towards Mammar, which is famous for its trout farms and will stop over for a cup of tea before heading towards Sonamarg. We will again stop our vehicle and alight at the tourist spot of Gagangir. The spot is built in the middle of the River Sindh and is actually an island. One or the other part of the glaciers will always be snow-covered. We will take a 3-hour walk or horse ride to the Thajwass glacier (By Own Cost). After our return from the excursion, we will visit the small town for some snacks (By Own) or will just pay a visit and will also see the locals moving about in their daily routine. We will return to Srinagar in the evening and will transfer to the Hotel for our overnight stay.

After a delicious breakfast, proceed on a full-day tour to one of these breathtaking places - Manasbal Lake, Yusmarg, or Doodhpathri. Of these three places, Doodhpathri, popularly known as the 'Valley of Milk,' is a hidden gem in the state of Jammu and Kashmir that has yet to be explored by tourists. Situated in the Budgam district of Jammu and Kashmir, Doodhpathri is a captivating valley located at a height of 8,957 feet above sea level and lies 42 kilometers away from Srinagar city and 22 kilometers from the district headquarters of Budgam in Jammu and Kashmir state. Doodhpathri welcomes you with open arms as you enter this enchanting valley of lush green meadows, rivers, pollution-free atmosphere, and a peaceful ambiance - a perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. The tour from Srinagar takes around one hour by cab. Alternatively, you can choose to visit another popular tourist destination - Yusmarg - a beautiful hill resort located 47 kilometers towards the south of Srinagar in the western part of the valley in Jammu and Kashmir state. If you wish to visit Manasbal Lake too, then you can do so as well. After a day spent in these natural surroundings, return to Srinagar and spend the night in the hotel, where you can enjoy your dinner.

You may have your breakfast and proceed towards Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers," situated at an altitude of 2,730 meters above sea level. The drive will take you over a 53 km stretch of a very scenic road and will take about 1 hour to cover this distance. Gulmarg is known for having some of the best ski slopes in the world and also the world's highest 18-hole golf course. Weather permitting, you may even catch a glimpse of Nanga Parbat, also known as the "Naked Mountain," rising to an altitude of over 26,000 feet. Another adventure awaits you in Gulmarg, where you may take a ride on the Gondola cable car to Khilanmarg. You will be staying in a hotel in Gulmarg.

Start your day with a healthy breakfast before proceeding to Pahalgam, which is famously known as "The Valley of Shepherds." The picturesque drive will take you through a distance of 130 km in approximately 3 hours. On the way, you will visit the famous saffron fields of Pampore, as well as the ancient Awantipura Ruins, which is a 1100-year-old temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, constructed by King Awantivarman. You will also pass through beautiful countryside views while driving through the serene pine forests. On arrival at Pahalgam, check-in at your hotel. After freshening up, you will get a chance to explore the beauty of Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, and a horse ride to the beautiful Baisaran meadows, which is available at an additional cost. Leisurely bridled walks and photography of the majestic mountains will surely mesmerize you. If you want, you can further visit Aru and Chandanwari on your own. If you are a movie buff, you will surely get a chance to spot many locations where many famous movies were shot. End your exciting day with a night stay at your hotel in Pahalgam.

Heading Back Home with Cherished Memories Once you have your breakfast, you will check out from the hotel and head towards the airport. You will take a flight to reach your destination, taking along the cherished memories of your trip with Holiday Travel Zone.