When I travelled to Slovenia few years back, I was so impressed with the green pastures on side of roads, the greenery around me and the hills…..it felt like I was on a Yash Chopra film set. Little did I know that we had our own mini Slovenia in India. So, in this blog I would take you to India’s little paradise with me….
Travelling to Srinagar during pandemic needed a negative RT PCR report, though, once you touch down at the airport, you would have to get an Anti Gen test done again for Anti Gen, and then you are allowed to leave from there. Try an catch an early flight to Srinagar, so that all this testing gets over and you have some time left to yourself in the second half of the day.
Once you leave from the airport and if you have time head to Hari Palace, but, ensure that you have a clear day. Because as such the palace has nothing much to offer, but, for the views from the top of Hari Palace. Zabarwan, Pir Panjal, Zansakar ranges are the prominent ranges surrounding Srinagar. And Dal and Nageen Lakes flow in the city. Which you can see from this high point
Once you are in city do ensure to experience the house boat in Dal Lake. You can read about it in my other Blog on Sukoon Houseboat, link of it is https://vagabondexplorer.com/?p=542
Next day after Hari Palace, I headed to Pahalgam to see Betaab Valley, the valley where Betaab Film was shot. The valley is now named after that movie and it has the hut which you can see in the movie also. Important point- at the entrance of Betaab Valley you would fleeced by guides…if you want to take one, is your call, though you don’t really need a guide in this place.
Travelling to Pahalgam takes you through Anantnag, which also one of ways to Kailash Dham and Lider River flows next to the highway. Lider is full of Trout and you would find many restaurants on way to Pahalgam which specialize only in Trout cooking….so, you can enjoy Trout in one of these joints. You can come back to Srinagar the same day or even stay the night at Pahalgam.
I had given a miss to Gulmarg for 2 reasons. One I was looking for greenery where I could just walk, two not many people were going to Gulmarg at that time due to Covid and hence, the facilities were not open.
Though I did not miss anything because instead of going to Gulmarg I explored more of Srinagar. Went to Chashme Shahi, which was built by Shah Jahan for Dara Shikoh and is natural spring. It is a local knowledge that Nehru used to drink water of this Chashme Shahi. Though, don’t know how much is actually the truth.
Try and book one of the cottages at Cheshme Shahi which is under Jammu Kashmir Tourism, which is next to Chashme Shahi, you would like the experience, https://www.jktdc.co.in/displayhotel.aspx?m=5
And yes the best experiences were the Tulip Garden and Pari Mahal. For Tulip Garden do ensure to plan your trip during the blooming seasons of Tulip. Pari Mahal is a 7 terraced garden at the top of Zabarwan Hill and overlooks Srinagar and Dal from opposite side of Hari Mahal. It was built as a library and residence of Dara Shikoh.
Just few things which I thought I should share with you all:
- Try to plan the trip in such a way that you spend ample time in Srinagar and include only those places in your itinerary where you can reach in maximum 2-3 hours from Srinagar,
- Srinagar has a lot to offer in it self. Do take long walk on shore of Dal Lake, and enjoy the scenery
3. There is a floating post office in Srinagar, do try to visit that
4. And, last but not the least, enjoy the local Wazwan. Ahdoos is good place treat your taste buds.
5. A lot of people asked me if it is safe to travel Srinagar, let me tell you that I travelled alone and I didn’t feel unsafe at any point. But yes, avoid being too adventurous and stick to places which are well visited by people.
6. Another thing, yes you would see a lot of armed policemen around you but then you see them in Israel also, you see them in Arunachal Pradesh also and you see them in Delhi also. So, nothing to fear just need to know where you are going.
7. Local people are very welcoming in Srinagar, they know the value of tourists, so they are quite welcoming and you would not feel unsafe…..
So, go ahead and plan a trip to Srinagar….enjoy yourself…..till I see you with my new travel, and yeah, till then, do read my other blogs at https://vagabondexplorer.com/?page_id=453