A place in the Indian subcontinent, Kashmir is one of the most talked about and popular tourist destination in the world. This beautiful and enchanting place has not only found a place in websites or magazines, but, it also has found a mention in books, movies and songs that never fail to appreciate its beauty.
My trip to Kashmir began when I reached the Srinagar airport and then travelled to the main city in a hired car. As a true tourist, I then visited the Dal Lake and took the Shikara ride. The ride provided one of the most beautiful and picturesque views. We, then put our luggage in the house boat we had booked and proceeded for local sightseeing and also visited the Tulip garden- the place which has been made eternal because of the various movie scenes shot there. Even a non-shopaholic like me couldn’t resist the beautiful Pashmina shawls and handloom items at the Kashmir Handloom.
The next day, we travelled to Sonmarg, which literally translates to ‘The Golden Meadow’. True to its translation, Sonmarg was a sight to behold and a immerse oneself into. After this we moved on to Pahalgam where we surrendered to our beds the moment we reached the hotel. The next morning we took the famous pony ride to the various places around Pahalgam. (Tip- Always be prepared for a short shower spell). After some steep slopes and a long ride we reached Baisaran which is often dubbed as the ‘Mini Switzerland’. Personally, I loved this place as not only was it a memorable ride up to there, but, it also had Zorbing. Yes, an adventure sport in such a pretty place? What else could an adventure lover ask for? After the tiring pony ride which consumed a good 3 hours, we wandered about in the main market area of Phalgam and bought some Nehru Jackets and had some mouth watering desserts.
The morning after that, we decided to visit Chandanwari, Beetab Valley and Aru Valley before leaving for Gulmarg. The moment we reached Gulmarg, it felt as if someone had placed us on the lap of a snow covered mountain. The two most popular things here are- The Gondola Ride and Skiing. The Gondola ride is not something that one can afford to miss. Tickets are easily available online or can be purchased through the hotel or by directly going there. And even if you are not a trained skier, you should try your hands at this sport once in your lifetime.
Our trip concluded when we came back to Srinagar airport and bid adieu to this place which (other than some brilliant photos and selfies) left us with a thousand memories and feelings of pure bliss and happiness. My repeated mention of how beautiful the place was and how relaxed it made me feel might come as an exaggeration to you, but, if you do visit Kashmir, you will know that this is not a lie. Also, don’t forget to listen to Led Zeppelins’ famous song called Kashmir, whilst you are there, you will get the feel of the place and the song.
