Trip to Kashmir (April-5th - April 12th 2022)

 We three families( 6 adults and 6kids) did a trip to Kashmir on April 1st week 2022.

Travels: Ahlan tour: They arranged stay ( breakfast and dinner are complimentary) and provided 12 seater vehicle for sight seeing.Hotels are pretty decent except the last one ( Hotel Naqash Residency, Srinagar)

Overall Ahlan was a good experience.

Tickets: We booked the air ticket , Travels take care of only accommodation.

Day 1: ( April 5th):

Our flight from Bangalore was at 6:00 AM. We reached Delhi at 9:00 AM. Next flight to Srinagar was at 11:30 AM. We reached srinagar at 2:00 PM. We can see the snow mountains while flying towards Srinagar. Checked in Hotel Golden tulip. Rooms were pretty decent. While leaving from airport, some guys takes your luggage without asking and we have to pay the tip ( paid 100).

Refreshed at hotel and did walk at nearby place for chai..

 Day 2: ( April 6th):

On day one, we started our journey  to Gulmarg (~2hours). 40 kms plain +15 kms ghat. Before entering the Ghat section we stopped to rent shoes (special shoes to walk in ice), if needed sweter, gloves. Need to bargain heavily while collecting shoes ( we paid 2000/- for 11 pair of shoes). They asked us to rent sweater, gloves as well, but we didn't as driver recommended  not to rent because he said it's not that much cold ( PLEASE RENT SWEATER AND GLOVES AS WELL , AS LEVEL2 OF GONDOLA IS TOO COLD TO MANAGE FOR ELDERS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY KIDS. IN HIGH ALTITUDE (LEVEL2) THERE ARE SUDDEN CLIMATE CHANGE, IT MIGHT RAIN AS OF SUDDEN WHICH INCREASES THE COLD)

 We reached and refreshed in hotel Khaleel palace. Gondola ride is famous in Gulmarg. There are 2 levels 2 to Gondala ride, both are traveled through cable cars. 2kms + 1.5 kms for L1 and L2 respectively. 

Gondola booking should be done in advance ( can be done through online). Children above 3 are allowed to both L1 and L2. OUR RECOMMENDATION IS NOT TO GO TO LEVEL 2 UNLESS YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH HEAVY COLD, ICE. THERE WILL BE SORT OF BREATHING ISSUE IN HIGH ALTITUDE. 5 YRS ABOVE CAN GO, BELOW 5 YRS WE DON'T RECOMMEND)

There is a big queue for L1 Gondola ride. We started at 12. If we go early, the Q will be less. We reached L1 . Level 1 also has ice and we can spend some time there. But our guide( Guides are useless, not recommended) asked us to go to Level 2 first and then come back at level 1 as Level 2 will be closed at 4:30 PM. 

There is a big Q for Level 2 ( high altitude) as well. We reached Level 2 at 1:30 pm. L2 is very beautiful, loads of ice and is too cold. Guide took us to some person who offer ride using skiing in L2 ( He said we will show LOC and is 1.5 KMS from here. We were cheated here). Because with Kids walking will be too difficult, so we thought to take their ride. They charged 1600 per  person ( ~19k) we spent for the whole time, which is a big time cheat. At max, don't go beyond 1000 per person. They use skiing to carry each person to the final point of L2. It's easy to walk than paying them. If you  have kids and need to go to that point , take that skiing help. Adults can easily , it could be around 300mts ( as claimed by them 1.5KMS, it's cheating)

The climate changes suddenly and became cloudly was about to rain, which eventually increased cold. Kids were not able to manage the cold. We can get maggi ( 100-150Rs) , Kawa etc to mitigate the cold.

We came back to L1 and took some photos. There are hotels available in L1 . Since there is a long Q, we had some snacks in the Q itself.

Both L1 and L2 are very good spots. Must visit.

L2 is a must visit for any skating or skiing lovers. 

Day 3: ( April 7th):

 We checked out from gulmarg and going towards pahalgam (~150kms). On the way towards pahalgam, we can see the pulawama terroist attack site.

There are saffron fields, walanut fields near pulawama on the way. Driver recommended to buy saffron and other dry fruits items from saffrom market ( It's not a regular market. There are lot of shops to buy saffron and other dry fruit items. Saffron ranges from 150 Rs to 800 Rs per gram based on the quality).

The shop where we stopped to buy these was an expensive one (Khan kesar mehal) which is the driver recommended one. Driver's usually get commission. So, don't go with drivers words. There are lot of shops on the way. Take time and get good one.

We checked in to hotel lal kothi. This is a good hotel to stay. There is a lawn and they are also provide camp-fire ( which is part of package). Food is also good. Their dining area is good.

Day 4: ( April 8th):

After having break fast , we set for pony ride (horse) for sight seeing. These spots can be visited only in horse. No vehicle is allowed. Per head we paid 1600/- for 11 horses . 2 kids shared single horse. These guys asks for 2500-3000 per horse, but we have to negotiate from 1000/-Rs. There are six ports. The best one is mini switzerland (Baisaran) of Kashmir ( must see). All these spots are in small mountain ranges.

This will be around 2-3 hours including getting down at mini switxerland and spending some time there.

 Evening we went to different place in Innova ( 2700/- ..not negotiable it's fixed rate). There are 3-4 spots covered in this.

 Chandanwari,, (Amarnath is around 22 kms from here..)

Chandanwari is a small snow mountain . Can take photos here. RENT shoes before you climb the hill, It is too slippery with normal shoes.

Betaab valley

Day 5: ( April 9th):

We traveled back to srinagar after having breakfast. On the way if we want to to do river rafting we can do it. We prefer not to do it.

On the way back we visited tulip garden. It is famous for various tulip flowers. Very beautiful and a must visit.

We reached srinagar at around 1 pm. Have checked in to same golden tulip hotel.

Day 6: (April 10th):

We went to sonmarg. Sonmarg is famous for its glacier. Once we reach sonmarg we took pony ride to visit the sports and the glacier mountain. Lot of negotiation require for pony ride. We paid 1100/- per horse. Children enjoyed pony ride.There are 3 spots ( not so great) on the way to glacier. Once we reached the glacier, we can rent shoes to climb the mountain.It's difficult to climb without shoes.On the way back to srinagar there is a silk emporium . We bought some sweaters ( it's cheap).

We checked in to Nagash residency ( which is near dal lake)

Day 7: (April 11th):

We went to nishat garden, very near to dal lake. Not much scenery there. It's green and  photos can be taken.

After that we went to Lal chowk market. It's good. But is very expensive. For lunch we went to Ahdoos hotel. We had the best food in Kashmir from this restaurant. Very expensive and very hygienic and tasty.

Wazwan dish is very famous there, though we haven't had it. It's thali type. After that we went to dal lake and checked in to a house boat. During evening , at around 6'o clock the street market will open, opposite to dal lake. You can buy things from there. It's very cheap. We took shikara ride in dal lake, it is complementary for us in the package. Otherwise, shikara ride costs 200/- per hour. We stayed in house boat on this day. 

Day 8: ( April 12th):

Back to bangalore. There are 2 security checks in srinagar airport unlike other airports.

DO's and DONT's in Kashmir:

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1) Traveling during Ramadan time is not advisable. Drivers try to hurry up the day trip before 5 PM.

2) Only Post paid SIM's are active ( Jio is very good)

3) Tourist are cheated very easily. Start the bargain from 20% of the quoted price ( mainly for pony ride, gulmarg level 2 sking, local markets etc).

4) Getting south indian good is difficult. Usually rice in Kashmir is lengthy and looks like half cooked.

5) Try Chicken Kanti in any of the famous restaurants in kashmir.

6) Ahdoos hotel near lal chowk is neat and the dishes are good ( Chicken biriyani is a  must try).

7) Kawa ( local tea) is a must try. Kawa is avaialble in most of the places . Try in pahalgam local shop ( don't remember the shop name).

8) Kesar is available in pahalgam, sonamarg , dal lake viciniites. The price varies from 100 to 600 per gram depends on the quality. Few of the sells it for 50 Rs/gram also. Better to buy it from saffron local markets. Saffron fields are seen towards srinagar-pahalgam route), Lots of shops are seen in this area. Bargain and get the best. Don't take only the recommendation from the drivers.

9) Carry Sunburn lotion(the sun rays from ice area will be sharp) and also lip bam

10) People always expect tips for any ride ( Gandola, horse ride, hotels etcc.)

11) Ahdoos hotel in lal chowk is a must try for lunch/dinner, if you are a non-vegetarian.