The Tulip Garden in Spring : In the spring season, Srinagar’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden comes alive with rows of beautiful flowers every year. Fountains and lush green trees add to the beauty of the largest tulip garden in Asia spread over 74 acres.
Nestled on the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range at an altitude of 5600 ft, overlooking the fabulous Dal Lake in Siraj Bagh, the garden is home to several flower varieties apart from tulips like the daffodils, hyacinths, roses, ranunculi, muscari, and iris among others.
The Dal Lake at Sunset
A shikara ride at sunset at the Dal or Nigeen lake is always time to relax and enjoy the Mother Nature’s play of colours on the sky. No two scenes are the same, so you would definitely want to go again, and again. The calm waters and the scenic mountains in the backdrop make it a very romantic experience. Lying back on the bolsters in the boat, watch a million hues dancing in the sky, just in a span of a few hours.
Dodhpathri on a Summer Day
A short distance from Srinagar is the quaint little meadow of Dodhpathri. It’s a perfect location for a picnic. The weather is mild, with the sun playing hide and seek. The feeling of serenity sets in as you laze on the green pastures surrounded by beautiful snow capped mountain ranges. A pony ride to the sunset point is a must, which has a mighty waterfall .
The Chinar trees in the Mughal Gardens in Autumn
Thousands of majestic chinars line the streets of Kashmir. They can be seen at their most resplendent form in Autumn. Catch a glimpse of the auburn fiery leaves of the scores of centuries-old chinars at Nishat or Shalimar gardens. A memorable sight indeed.
The Cherry Blossoms at Badamwari
The almond trees are in full blossom in Spring. The delicate purplish-white blooms adorn thousands of trees in this enchanting almond orchard in Srinagar. Lie down on the carpet of flowers and you are assured of the most insta-worthy shots!
Hazratbal Dargah at Dawn
The Hazratbal Shrine, is situated on the left bank of the famous Dal Lake in Srinagar. This unmatched reverence is anchored in the love and respect for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), whose Moi-e-Muqqadas, the sacred hair from the beard of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is preserved here. At dawn the milky white marble surroundings of the mosque area light up. It’s the most peaceful place to meditate, contemplate and relax. Catch a glimpse of hundreds of pigeons flying over the dome, as first light of the day falls on the Zabarwan range.
Saffron fields of Pampore
Saffron is a rare spice which grows only in few places in the world. In Kashmir, saffron grows in a small town known as Pampore which is about 13 km away from Srinagar. During autumn months, when the flowers bloom, you will be able to see rows and rows of purple flowers. A walk amidst these flowers is certainly a beautiful experience. The fields, no doubt, look beautiful during the day time; but if you can visit the village on a full moon night in autumn, you will be rewarded by a breath-taking sight. The full moon shining upon the purple bloom is simply a sight to behold and you’ll be reaching out for your camera in no time at all. The beautiful flower of the saffron plant is sweet smelling and seeing so many of them together is an unforgettable experience.
Must Buy
Carpets
Shawls
Papier Mache’ Products
Saffron
Dry Fruit
Must Experience
Stay in a Houseboat :
From afar they look alike, but look closer and you can see that each houseboat at Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake in Srinagar has a unique signature style of it’s own. Tastefully furnished with walnut wood furniture and Kashmiri handcrafted curtains, they
Floating markets :
Even before dawn breaks, your shikara takes you to a corner of the Dal Lake which beholds the most amazing sight. Dozens of paddleboats are laden with fresh vegetables, fruit and flowers and sold at wholesale rates. From afar you can hear the call for prayers in the still, calm waters. Someone passes a steaming cup of hot kehwa, while others hand over their Kangri to you to warm your hands. The lotus gardens, the birds of the lake and the beautiful surroundings make this an unforgettable experience.
Gondola ride in Gulmarg :
Gulmarg is one of the most beautiful hill stations in Jammu and Kashmir. During the winter season, it becomes a ski hub. This is possible because of the Gulmarg gondola, the second highest cable car network in the world. You can travel an aerial distance of 5 kms within half an hour via the gondola. The entire route is divided into two phases and it is not necessary to travel to the top. The views from all the phases are beautiful – you can see the Nanda Devi peak and even the LOC.
Horse ride at Botapathri :
A mere half-hour drive from Gulmarg is literally the door to heaven. But to experience it in it’s glory, you will have to ride a pony, leaving all cares behind and let mother nature embrace you. Botapathri has been opened to tourists recently, and is yet to be on the ‘discovered’ list. Make the best of this and reach there to see the most amazing sights. Nature at it’s best!
Drive up to Sinthan top :
Best place to see snow and possibly experience snowfall, even during or early summer is Sinthan Top, which lies about 100 km from Pahalgam. The drive up this winding mountain road is thrilling as well as full of spectacular sights. Lush pine forests, a sparkling, gurgling river and clouds kissing the mountain peaks, this view will be imprinted in memory for a long time.
Trout fishing in Pahalgam :
There is so much to do in the valley but not much time. Good news for the anglers is that there are myriad spots in and around Pahalgam where they can head for trout fishing. There are many streams and tributaries fed by the Lidder River that provide a great option for fishing. The fishing season is at peak between April and October and is quite cheap as compared to other destinations known for fishing around the world. Popular spots for trout fishing include Singh Valley, Upper Valley and Lidder Valley.
Camping at Gurez :
Gurez Valley is one of the least explored regions of Kashmir and the one that can truly be called an offbeat destination. It is a place of high scenic beauty that does not really get the attention that it truly deserves. The vistas and the natural beauty of the mountains that you see here are very different than what you will see elsewhere.
Usually, when you talk about visiting Kashmir, it is mostly 4 places that come to mind – Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam. Even Srinagar just acts as a base to explore the other three places.
But Kashmir is so much more. There are so many other places here that will leave you mesmerized if visited. Gurez is one such destination that is highly recommended.. Camping near the Kishenganga river is one of the most memorable experiences ever. These sights and sounds have a way of making you feel calm and serene and one with nature.
A culture walk in downtown Srinagar :
Many locals participated in the heritage walk in Downtown which began from Pathar Masjid and covered the landmark structures, monuments like Budshah Tomb, Shrine of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani and significant old markets. anging from museums, and historically significant monuments and markets, to explorations of interesting natural landscapes and areas known for their rich cuisine, the programme is curated thematically,
