P a g e | 1 364 Embassy, Koramangala, Bangalore. Ph: +91 9483958408, 9880388991, [email protected], www.takeabreak.in BEST OF KASHMIR Pahalgam – Gulmarg – Srinagar 8 Days / 7 Nights Validity: 1st March 2016 – 31st March 2017 (Blackout Dates: 15th December 2016 to 5th January 2017) Pahalgam Gulmarg P a g e | 2 Srinagar Overview Destination Nights Basis RO: Room only I SC: Self Catering I HB: Half Board I B&B: Bed and breakfast I Gulmarg 2 BB D, B&B: Dinner, bed and breakfast I FB: Dinner, bed, breakfast and lunch I Pahalgam 2 BB FB+: Dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch and activities daily I FI: Fully inclusive HB – breakfast & dinner Srinagar 3 BB PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Pahalgam: Aru valley, Betaab Valley, Baisaran, Mamaleshwara Temple, Panchtarni, Awantipura ruins Gulmarg: St Mary's Church, Alpathar Lake, Ferozpur Nallah, Khilanmarg, Lienmarg, Maharani Temple, Ningle Nallah Srinagar: Sonamarg (Thajiwas glacier, Zoji-la, Krishnasar Lake, Nilagrad River), Shankaracharya Temple / Takht-e-Suleiman and Mughal gardens P a g e | 3 Day 1: AIRPORT – GULMARG (3hrs DRIVE) Gulmarg Rated among the best hill stations of the world, Gulmarg is truly a treat for tourists. Lush greenery, snow capped mountains, fragrant meadows and host of adventure activities are some of the facets that characterize Gulmarg. Located in the heavenly state of Jammu and Kashmir, Gulmarg can be easily reached by following the roadways from Jammu. The nearest railhead is at Jammu while the airport is at Srinagar. Alpathar Lake, Khilanmarg Lake and Shrine of Baba Reshi are some of the main attractions. For adventure seekers, trekking, horse riding, skiing and golfing are some of the best options. Do not miss enjoying the pony ride from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg. The best time to visit Gulmarg is from the winter months of November to February, when the best of skiing can be enjoyed. Alternatively, summer months from May to September are ideal for those seeking refuge from the scorching heat that grips North India during that time. Day Notes Arrive in Srinagar Airport. You will be greeted by our chauffeur and drive to Gulmarg Reach Gulmarg by early evening. Check-in to the Hotel & rest of the day at leisure Overnight at Gulmarg Included BB Day 2: GULMARG Day Notes After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Gulmarg Sightseeing of Gulmarg: St Mary's Church, Alpathar Lake, Ferozpur Nallah, Khilanmarg, Lienmarg, Maharani Temple, Ningle Nallah, Gondola Ride Return to the resort and rest of the evening at leisure Overnight at Gulmarg Included BB Visit the below sightseeing points Gulmarg Gondola Gulmarg boasts Asia's highest and longest cable car project, the Gulmarg Gondola. The two-stage ropeway ferries about 600 people per hour to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m (13,780 ft)). The ropeway project is a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government and French firm Pomagalski. The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The timing of the gondola is 10 AM (IST) to 5 PM (It's highly dependent upon the weather at both stages). A gondola can carry six people at a time. The price is 600 Indian Rupees (10 US$) for the first stage and 800 Indian Rupees (14 US$) for the second stage. Also offered is Chair Cars for phase-II for 300/- INR. It takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the first stage and 12 minutes for second stage. Kongdori Asia’s largest and highest cable car project lead to Kongdori Mountain perched at an altitude of 3099.6 meters from the resort situated in Gulmarg. A bowl shaped area, it is known for its abundant opportunities for enjoyable sessions of powder skiing and snowboarding. As a popular destination for skiing, Kongdori has earned fame as one of the best Gulmarg tourist places to visit. A lofty mountain that adjoins Apharwat peak, Kongdori can rightly be called the skier’s paradise. P a g e | 4 St Mary's Church Situated in the valley of shepherds in Gulmarg is the 150 years old St Mary's Church. Built during British rule, the church got its new look in 2003 with a renovated façade and it is worth a place to visit in Gulmarg. Besides, Gulmarg Golf Club is a nearby attraction to visit. Baba Reshi Shrine popular Shrine (Ziarat) of Baba Reshi, dedicated to Muslim scholar and saint Baba Reshi, is a sacred mosque in the valley of Gulmarg. Built in 1480, this sacred tomb is a highly revered religious attraction and thousands of devotees visit this shrine every year. Tourists can access by local means of transportation such as sledges and field chutes. Alpathar Lake Located 13 km from Gulmarg at the foot of the twin 4,511 m Apharwat peaks is the beautiful Alpathar Lake. Triangular in shape, this serene lake is frozen until June and during the summer streams of clear water bubbling through the lake with floating ice pieces. The lake can be reached through trekking the snowy mountains and is a perfect location for trekking enthusiast. Ferozepur Nallah Ferozpur Nallah is a beautiful stream located between the Nurpur and Chinamarg Pass, 5 km from Gulmarg. Popular for good trout fishing, the stream can be reached from either Tangmarg road or from the circular walk. It is a very scenic spot and is ideal for picnicking as well. From here, tourists from further continue to Tosamaidan, a 3 day, 50 km walk to one of the most beautiful meadows of Kashmir. Lienmarg A breath taking meadow of flowers, Lienmarg is beautifully located amidst the pine trees near Ningle Nallah (10km from Gulmarg). This meadow can be visited all year round. It sprawls on an elevation of 2,653 m above sea level and offers great views of the surrounding. It is also a good spot for camping, which is easily reachable by crossing the bridge over Ningle Nallah. Ningle Nallah Located just 10 km from Gulmarg, Ningle Nallah is a popular tourist spot. Formed by the melting snow on Apharwat peak and Alpather Lake, a long bridge crosses the Nallah and from here tourists can enjoy the view of the tranquil streams. Gulmarg Gondola Kongdori St. Mary’s Church Alpather Lake P a g e | 5 Day 3: GULMARG – PAHALGAM (4 ½ hrs / 140km) Pahalgam Pahalgam, the beautiful hill station in Kashmir’s Anantnag district lies about 96 km from the state capital of Srinagar. Located at the confluence of Lidder River and the streams originating from serene Sheshnag Lake, this lush green valley is most sought by travelers seeking relaxation and leisure. Apart from offering the breathtaking panoramic views of the beautiful Himalayan Ranges, the place is also the base camp for pilgrims going to Amarnath Cave and a famous shopping place for woolen cloths. It forms a part of the region in Asia where Saffron is growing. The valley offers adventurous activities such as golf, horse riding, trekking and many water sports making it an ideal location for adventurous enthusiasts. Endowed with natural beauty, Pahalgam offers many mesmerizing attractions which include the meadow of Baisaran, Liddar valley and snow covered Tulian Lake. The Shiva temple located in Pahalgam is considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple dating back to the 5th century. Day Notes After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Pahalgam Enroute visiting Saffron fields, Awantipura ruins (1100 years old temple of Lord Vishnu built by King Awantiwareman), see the beautiful countryside on the way and lot of rice fields. Drive through the pine forest and enjoy the scenic side of Kashmir Arrive in Pahalgam and check-in to the Hotel In the evening you may wish to go shopping to explore the local markets of Pahalgam Overnight at Pahalgam Included BB Awantipura Ruins Nestled between Srinagar and Pahalgam, located on the banks of the river Jhelum, is a small yet historically important town of Awantipura. It is situated about 30 kms away from Srinagar, Kashmir. This town is home to the famous Awantipura ruins, representing the once grand Awantipura temple. These charming shrines stand serenely amidst the scenic green valleys and gorges of Pahalgam. The temple itself was erected by the emperor Avantivarman, during his reign in Jammu and Kashmir (9th century AD). He was a great devotee of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu and hence built two major shrines for these deities. According to traditional trivia, the temple bears the imprints of the aristocratic lineage of Jammu and Kashmir spanning over almost 1100 years. The original layout of the complex shows that the temple was constructed on the central part of an oblong shaped spacious courtyard and four small shrines on each corner. The temple is decorated with beautiful carvings and structures which reveals the masterly architecture and art of that time. Moreover, it has withstood the invasions that the township of Awantipura faced. The Awantipura temple had been intricately designed and it attracts a lot of pilgrims and spiritual folks almost all times of the year. Awantipura has drawn Hindu and Muslim devotees, characteristic of the state which is known for its rich cultural diversity. P a g e | 6 Day 4: PAHALGAM Day Notes After breakfast, proceed for sightseeing of Pahalgam Sightseeing of Pahalgam: Aru valley, Betaab Valley, Baisaran, Mamaleshwara Temple, Panchtarni Return to the resort and rest of the evening at leisure Overnight at Pahalgam O Included BB Visit the below sightseeing points Aru valley Overlooking the majestic snow-capped peaks of Himalayan Range, Aru Valley is a pristine scenic village situated in the region of Trans-Himalaya.