Trekker and Tourist in Srinagar, Kashmir !! Trip to Kashmir – Oct 27 – Nov 4, 2023

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

 It’s always fun to travel with a group of friends who love to spend on travel, trek, and explore. This year I went to Srinagar, Kashmir with my MBA classmates and their families. We were 8 people including 2 kids between 2-3 years and aunty who was above 65 years. This was a leisure, touristy cum trek trip as small kids and aunty were with us. It was way different than a regular trek in mountains. The entire trip was organized by ‘Eka Experience’ and its team. Eka is run by a passionate trekker Abhirup who was our first trek leader when we went to Sandhakphu-Phalut trek with Indiahikes (my first trek). Eka experiences have their own trekking destinations, and they also customize them according to the size of the group. They accommodate solo treks, group treks and family treks. Here are details of our trip to Srinagar! Before our trip let’s see where is Srinagar and what is it famous for?

 Srinagar (Source- Wikipedia)

Srinagar is a city in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir in the disputed Kashmir region. It is the largest city and summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an Indian-administered union territory. It lies in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River, and the shores of Dal and Anchar lakes, between the Hari Parbat and Shankaracharya hills. The city is known for its natural environment, various gardens, waterfronts, and houseboats (Shikaras). It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts like the Kashmir shawl (made of pashmina and cashmere wool), papier-mâché, wood carving, carpet weaving, and jewel making, as well as for dried fruits. It is the second-largest metropolitan area in the Himalayas (after Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal).

Famous in Srinagar, Kashmir

-          Chinar trees,  Apple gardens,  Walnuts,  Pine trees ,Kashmiri Khawa ,  Kashmiri Pulao ,  Dum Aloo,  Pine trees, Nadru curry, Willow bats , Saffron aka kesar & Mountains and Meadows

 Day 1 - 27^th Oct 2023 (Friday) – Hyderabad to Srinagar

Five of us, me, Sayantan, Shalini their 1.5-year daughter Agnya and Shalini’s mom took a 3-hour flight to Srinagar from Hyderabad. We reached Srinagar around 7 pm where drivers with cabs were ready to pick us and drop at our hotel. It was already a little dark as it was slightly cold in Srinagar. Temperatures were very different from Hyderabad. I was excited and had mixed feelings about landing in Srinagar and traveling around. Security check was tight and there were 100s of CRPF jawans with gun deployed in the entire city. It was a cultural shock for me as I am not used to see so many CRPF men walking next to us. I understand they were for the safety of the citizens, but it was very new to me, but it was normal for locals. Heard they doubled the number because of the recent G-20 meeting. We checked in hotel Royal Batoo and had a must drink Kashmiri Kahwa (Kashmiri Kahwa is a fragrant, warming, mild green tea made with whole spices, saffron, and nuts like almonds or walnuts.) This was our regular drink, replacing our morning & evening tea and coffee for most of the trip. We met Dilshaad, his wife Tarannum and their 4-year-old daughter Inaya who reached earlier for dinner. Tasted local cuisine Kashmiri Pulao and Dum Aloo along with other delicacies. We took a rest for the night.

 Day 2 - 28^th Oct 2023 (Saturday) – Check out and city tour

 Next morning we checked out and went sightseeing. First stop was Pari Mahal - Pari Mahal or Peer Mahal, also known as The Palace of Fairies, is a seven-terraced Mughal Garden located at the top of Zabarwan mountain range. It is an example of Islamic architecture. Got to see the beautiful view from the top and enjoyed the vibrant colors of different flowers. This day was garden and flowers day so went to another garden called Mughal Garden Chashmashahi. This garden was surrounded with flowers, a fresh water pond and saw tall Chinar tree. Entire roads were covered with Chinar trees and the trees were changing colors due to fall. It was one of the mesmerizing scenes while traveling in and around Srinagar. In between when we were crossing the governor’s bunglow we need to scan our luggage again to pass that road for security purpose. The entire stretch had double the CRPF jawans than the normal roads. After that, we Had Lunch at a local restaurant and then our last leg was ride on boat in Dal Lake. Shikaras are very famous in the Dal Lake and were quite expensive as well. We hired two Shikaras and went to the other end of the Lake. It was a unique kind of experience. All the services and products are sold on boats 😊 Yes service at your doorstep!! I mean we were sailing on the boat and in the mid-way small vendors were selling us their products, selling snacks and photo shooting as well. All the shops at the other end were on boats. It is called a floating village in Dal Lake. It is amazing to see how people use different tricks and methods to sustain and promote their business. We should really make it safer by suggesting some safety norms. Like usage of Life Jackets while sailing on the boat. Because not all tourists are swimmers 😊 Shopped in that floating bazar and while coming back it was chilly. We checked in to another hotel, had dinner and took rest.

 Day 3 – 29^th Oct 2023 (Sunday) – Aharbal water falls (The Niagara falls of Kashmir)

Day started with a sumptuous breakfast and went to visit Aharbal waterfalls (Known as The Niagara Falls of Kasmir) was 2 and half hours from Srinagar. The entire travel was having scenic beautiful views and Chinar trees spread over the route. It was such a pleasant feeling for the eyes and soul. Learn about Wazwaan & Shirmal which are purely local delicacies. Finally, we reached the destination Aharbal waterfalls. The kids were hungry so first fed them and later we all walked down around 200 steps to reach the point. The entire view was covered with a fence for safety purposes. But the sound of the waterfalls, the rays of sun on the falls and the chinar trees in between the mountains covering the falls was a breathtaking view. We spent more than 3 hours at the point and enjoyed the beauty. Later had Maggi and Pakoras at the canteen available in the destination. After filling our stomachs, we drove back to Srinagar, and did some shopping on the way back. Reached the hotel, had dinner and took a rest.

Day 4 – 30^th Oct 2023 (Monday) – Doodhpatri

Started to our next destination, Doodhpatri another water falls for which you need to trek for a while.We reached Doodhpatri via Budgam in 2 hours from our hotel. Entire road was filled with Pine trees and Chinar trees. At Doodhpatri we have a trek route where you can wither walk or horses can take you on their back. Shalini, Agnya, Tarunnum, Inaya and aunty chose to hop the horses and me, Sayantan and Dilshaad decided to walk. We walked 3km to the closest Dishkal meadows which took 3 hours to go and come back. The kids enjoyed the horse ride. We walked the curve trails steep and slippery sometimes. It was amazing to get to trek even for a short time. We were walking behind or sometimes near the horses with our group to make sure the kids & moms were not having trouble. On the way back I just wanted to try the horse ride so sat for 5 min and it was the scariest time of my day as we were descending, and the horse was walking down, and I felt like I would fall down. I got down and decided to walk rather than hopping it. We all paid for the horses and started our journey back. Doodhpatri was a touristy place and many small vendors had a stalls selling fresh makki ki roti and saag with other snacks and Khawa. We all enjoyed the hot rotis and had kahwa. Most of us dozed off while our drivers made sure that we reached our hotel safely. We took a rest for the day.

Day 5 – 31^st Oct 2023 (Tuesday) – Manasbal Lake and Naranag Village Homestay

This was the last day we were in hotel and rest of our stays were in homestay. We checkd out and started our journey to Naranag village while stopping at Manas Bal Lake. It was just like any other Lake in Kashmir with less crowd than Dal Lake. It has its own aura and beauty. We had a relaxing time at the park next to lake and then found a small submerged Ancient temple at the Manas Bal Lake. The temple was surrounded by water and live fishes. We also took some pictures wearing local Kashmiri attire and jewelry which was available on rent.  Near this Manasbal Lake we found Nadru or Kamal kakkdi and took with us to be cooked in homestay. It is one of the authentic dishes in this area. We drove for an hour to reach Naranag village where our stay for next 2 days was organized with a local homestay. The route through the valley was breathtaking. We literally were cut off from the media, internet and outside the materialistic world. Looking at the locals with minimal things for survival makes us think how they are so happy. We checked in our homestay with Aslam bhai who runs this homestay, certified by Govt of Jammu and Kashmir. On our way we saw Amarnath yatra starting point.

Day 6 – 1^st Nov 2023 Naranag Gangabal Trek

The valley and the homestay were chilling. It was around – 4, -3 and -2 degrees in the early hours of the day and the highest was between 15 to 18 degrees in the afternoon and again temp dips. We started a 3-hour trek after having our breakfast. Naranag-Gangabal trek is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful treks in Kashmir region of Jammu & Kashmir state. Gangabal is nestled at the foothill of Mount Haramukh and overwhelmingly one of the most beautiful lakes in the region. We didn’t hike the entire trek but made to halfway called Dumail point. Spend some time with rocks, water, and nature. It was a narrow path uphill and down and at some points freshwater ponds were there. Shalini’s mom and she was the trekker of the day. Aunty did a great job at her age by finishing the trek while taking short breaks and Shalini was a super mom carrying her baby in the carrier and climbing was a tough task. Dilshaad too hiked carrying his kid on his shoulders. A little tough for parents to carry kids on treks but not impossible if planned well.

Day 7 – 2^nd Nov Aru Valley, Pahalgam - Saffron crops, shopping and willow cricket bats

Our next destination was Aru valley in Phalgam. We said goodbye to our homestay after breakfast and started to Aru Valley. On our way we saw beautiful meadows, houses, and chinars all the way. We also stopped at a village where we saw Saffron crops and shopped at local shops and bought some Saffron, dry fruits and Khawa. I was surprised to see so many bats’ shops as famous willow bats are manufactured here in Kashmir. The entire street was covered with willow trees and shops. Finally, after 4 hours we reached Aru Valley and checked into Milky way cottage. It was simple, clean, and decent. Had some Khawa and ventured out to shop again, bought some beautiful shawls, sarees and kurtis. Had our dinner at the hotel and took rest.

Day 8 – 3^rd Nov  Trek Aru Valley

Next morning, I was excited to walk around in -4 degrees temperature putting on 3 layers of clothes and warmers. It was amazing to see the beauty of nature. Surrounded with mountains which were covered with snow and greenery everywhere. I trolled sometime and came back to cottage. we decided that only me, Sayantan and Dilshaad will go for a trek and rest of ladies and kids will go to near by sightseeing. We 3 started with trek guide and went to Kooth Pathri and green point which was total 7km trek and we took 3 hours to complete the trek. It was narrow cum bedded route throughout the trek. We stopped in between and clicked some beautiful pictures of tall pine trees, chinar trees, meadows, horses, and flowers throughout the trek. We came back and went to troll again with the entire group. We had dinner and took a rest.

Day 9 – 4^th Nov Srinagar to Hyderabad – Apple gardens and Juice

The last day of the trip arrived. We checked out our cottage in Aru valley and then started to the airport. On the way back we stopped at Apple town shopian where we saw Apple gardens and drank the best Apple juice of my life. Never saw so many apples on the trees. Apples were sold as tomatoes and potatoes are sold here in Hyderabad on small carts. On our way we quickly grabbed our last meal at the hotel and reached the airport. There are 2 security checks at the airport where you need to scan your luggage multiple times. Dilshaad and his family left to Delhi and we went came to Hyderabad.