Kashmir- Paradise Visited

Kashmir is beautiful all over. Radiant mustard fields and tall pines and droopy willows and imposing chinars, white snowy mountains and green lush pastures,  flushed cheeked children, handsome men and dainty women....

We stayed at Hotel Pacific and found it clean and comfy.

But Dar e salaam seems nice too and if budget permits the Lalit for a night perhaps.

House boat overnight stay does not appeal to us but that can be done too.

One can stay in other destinations but we used Srinagar as the base and hence all were day trips, Very relaxed even with two kids.

Sonamarg and Manasbal can be combined to shorten tour by a day.

LOCAL

The Dal Lake shikara ride is a must, though cliched.

We visited Pari Mahal, the Spring water garden, Naseem baug, Badamwadi & the Hazratbal shrine and of course the Tulip garden.

SONMARG

Went to a village a bit lower than ‘Meadow of Gold’ Sonamarg. Mesmerisingly white - one can take in the sights and sounds of Kashmiri village life there. The Thajiwas glacier is not too far and we saw the Sind river.

GULMARG

Gulmarg, included sledges and skiing and the highlight was the Gondola cable car ride and the snowman we made.
On our way back , we were enchanted by hand'knotted' carpet creators and a Pashmina shawl making unit

We also enjoyed High Tea at the Lalit in Srinagar

PAHALGAM

Pahalgam on Pony, with its Ledder river, streams, valleys and woods charmed us

Karan, Arjun and Badshah were our rides

We stopped at Sangam for the Cricket bat factory demo

Lunch at Nathus included wada for Adi

YUSMURG

Yusmarg takes in acres upon acres of grassy meadows ringed by pine forests and stunning snow-clad mountains. The reservoir is beautiful and the drive is filled with orchards

MANASBAL LAKE

Said to be the deepest lake in the Kashmir Valley Manasbal has beautiful gardens and is pristine. The girls enjoyed a picnic like ambiance and on the way back we went to a paper mache wokshop.

Just do not shop on Dal lake. It is over priced.

It was fun travelling alone with kids and very doable. 
But of course always nicer when the entire family is around together. 
Especially missed the adult conversation.