Kashmir – The Paradise on Earth

Kashmir – nestled amidst the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal Range in the far northern geographical region of India, is an incredibly beautiful land. We’ve all been hearing and reading about the beauty of Kashmir since childhood.

Due to political and security reasons, the number of people visiting here has been limited in the past. However, Kashmir has always left its mark on Indian cinema. Currently, the conditions in Kashmir have improved significantly for tourism, leading to more people starting to explore the heavenly abode of Kashmir.

Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, is situated in the beautiful valley of the Jhelum River. The Dal Lake adds to its beauty, giving it an extra charm. There are six districts in the Kashmir Valley: Budgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Anantnag. A poet once said about the beauty of the Kashmir Valley that –

“Gar firdaus bar rue zameen ast,
Hameen ast, hameen ast, hameen ast.”

In other words, if there is heaven anywhere on this earth, it is here, it is here, it is here. In Kashmir, there is snowfall in winters and the summers are very pleasant. During the summer season, we also planned a trip to Kashmir. Our trip to Kashmir was very memorable and enjoyable.

We got the opportunity to explore a very beautiful part of our country and to know the people and culture there up close. I am trying to share my experiences of our Kashmir trip and the main places to visit.

➥ Dal Lake – Srinagar
Dal Lake is a beautiful lake located in the capital city of Kashmir, Srinagar. Surrounded by mountains, this lake is famous worldwide. It was a very delightful experience to take a boat ride in the special boats called Shikara on this lake. The Shikaras were beautifully decorated with comfortable velvet cushions for seating. Beautiful gardens are planted inside the lake. You can also see a floating market while on the Shikara ride. Shikara vendors come near you with their goods like food, fruits, and local items to sell.

We tasted Kashmiri Kahwa, a traditional Kashmiri tea. As the day progresses, the lake looks even more beautiful in the evening. We enjoyed Shikara rides for 3-4 hours on the first day of our Kashmir trip. Amidst the beautiful lights along the road surrounding the lake, this serene lake was providing a feeling of tranquility. It was a very nice experience. Everyone should definitely experience a Shikara ride on Dal Lake.

➥ Gulmarg
On the second day of our Kashmir trip, we planned to visit Gulmarg. Located 51 kilometers west of Srinagar, Gulmarg is a world-famous hill station. It is also known as the “Meadows of Flower”. The road from Srinagar to Gulmarg is very good. During winters, people come to Gulmarg for snow skiing. The ropeway, known as the Gondola Ride, takes us to the very high mountains of Gulmarg.

Riding the Gondola was a thrilling experience. We also did snow skiing on the snowy mountains of Gulmarg. Since the distance from Srinagar to Gulmarg can be covered by car in 3 hours, people usually do not stay overnight in Gulmarg and return to Srinagar by evening. We also did the same.

➥ Pahalgam
It was our third day in Kashmir, and exploring the region was proving to be quite delightful. We set out for Pahalgam, situated 90 kilometers east of Srinagar. Pahalgam, also known as the Valley of Shepherd, is nestled along the banks of the Lidder River. After a roughly 4-hour car journey, we reached Pahalgam.

To explore the main attractions further, we had to ride horses. Riding on horseback through the paths ahead was a thrilling and magnificent experience. Some paths were perilous and daunting, but the horses and their riders were very experienced.

We witnessed the beautiful scenery of the Kashmir Valley and saw some lovely waterfalls along the way. The best spot in Pahalgam is the Baisaran Valley, nestled amidst lush green grass, deodar trees, and snow-capped mountains, truly representing the beauty of Kashmir. We spent a wonderful time in the Baisaran Valley. Since our night stay was planned in Pahalgam, we returned to our hotel by evening. Pahalgam is also a significant stop for the holy pilgrimage to Amarnath.

The next day, on our way back to Srinagar, we visited walnut and apple orchards. Pahalgam is also known for saffron cultivation, and we bought some dry fruits and saffron from local shops.

➥ Houseboat – Srinagar
After returning from Pahalgam to Srinagar, we had to stay in a houseboat on Dal Lake. It was our fourth day in Kashmir. The car dropped us off at the ghat of Dal Lake, from where we had to take a shikara ride to reach our houseboat. Sitting on the shikara, we reached our houseboat. The houseboat, made of cedar wood, was exceptionally beautiful. The view of the entire Dal Lake from the houseboat was soothing to the eyes.

The exterior craftsmanship of the houseboat was magnificent, with intricate carvings visible on the wooden walls. The interior decoration of the houseboat was also very impressive. The houseboat was adorned with soft Kashmiri carpets. In the evening, we sat outside the houseboat, admiring the beauty of Dal Lake until late at night. It was a very pleasant and unforgettable moment.

➥ Sonmarg
Our fifth day in Kashmir and our next destination was Sonmarg. Sonmarg is located 81 kilometers from Srinagar. It lies to the east of Srinagar. We traveled from Srinagar to Sonmarg, witnessing the beautiful natural scenery along the way. The most famous place in Sonmarg is Thajiwas Glacier.

After reaching our hotel, we took a break and then set out to see the Thajiwas Glacier. We had to go there on horseback, and the horseman provided us with special warm clothes and shoes to wear.

The route to Sonmarg from Pahalgam is relatively easy compared to other routes. Along the way, we saw locations where famous Bollywood movies were shot. Sonmarg is a very beautiful place. The horses here were easily crossing the river fearlessly.

After some time, we reached near the Thajiwas Glacier. Local people had lit fires here. Due to rain, the cold had intensified. We had tea and Maggi here. After some time, we started trekking near the Thajiwas Glacier.

The snow-covered mountains ahead and the flowing water from there looked very beautiful. We observed the Thajiwas Glacier from very close, where the melting snow was forming a river. It was getting late, so we returned to the hotel.

The five days spent in Kashmir were among the most beautiful days of our lives so far. Seeing Kashmir up close, we realized that it truly is paradise on Earth. Every part of Kashmir offers a beautiful natural panorama. The people, culture, stunning valleys, deodar forests, Dal Lake, snow-capped mountains, beautiful waterfalls, pristine rivers, and saffron and apple orchards all attract visitors to this place. We enjoyed exploring here immensely. Whenever you get the opportunity to visit Kashmir, be sure to come here.

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➜ Things not to miss in Kashmir: Shikara ride on Dal Lake, Gondola ride in Gulmarg, visit to the apple orchards in Pahalgam, taste Kashmiri Kahwa, stay in a houseboat, photography.

➜ How to reach Kashmir: The nearest airport is located in Srinagar, and the nearest railway station is in Jammu, which is 290 kilometers away, connected by trains from all major cities. You can easily reach the Kashmir Valley by road from places like Jammu, Leh, Delhi, Chandigarh, etc.

➜ Best time to visit Kashmir: Although tourists visit Kashmir throughout the year, the best time to visit is from March to October. During winters, in December and January, you can enjoy the snowfall in Kashmir.

➜ Ideal duration for a trip to Kashmir: 5 days / 4 nights.