EXCURSION TO SCENIC SPOTS
KASHMIR'-Only Kashmir! were the last words before Emperor Jehangir breathed his last on the way back to his royal seat in Delhi. That was his third and last visit to the valley.The immortal couplets'If there is Heaven on Earth,it is this(Kashmir),it is this,it is this' are also attributed to this great monarch that show his love for Kashmir.
The 'vale of cashmere' tops among the most visited tourist destinations on the planet.The great sage and poet Pundit Kalhana described Kashmir 'the best part of Himalayas'. Nature has adored this lovely valley so dexterously and generously that a lover of Nature cannot stop admiring her beauty.
To a visitor Kashmir has something to offer and there is always something for him to take away - memories of a pleasant vacation in most serene and peaceful environs. He is again and again lured by the charms of Gulmarg ,the lush green valleys of Pahalgam and weather- beaten rock faces of the mountain tops of Sonmarg valley ,with Nature in her wildest manifestation. Besides these popular and well known scenic spots, there are several other less known vistas worth seeing but ,nevertheless, equally charming and majestically beautiful.
For the benefit of our prospective esteemed guests let us briefly give some information on some of well known and popular tourist destinations across the valley.
- GULMARG
Distance from Srinagar - 56 km
Altitude from sea level - 2740 m
Main attraction
Gondola(cable car), highest 18 holes golf course in the world, snow skiing during winter,heritage Catholic church and cemetery, view point to see Mt.Nanga Parbat (6 highest in the world) from Khilanmarg top.
PAHALGAM (Lidder valley)
Distance from Srinagar - 96 km
Altitude - 2130 m
Main attractions
Saffron fields, remains of ancient Hindu temple, Betaab valley, Aru valley, Chandanwari (base camp for Amarnath Cave pilgrimage), Bisaran valley, River rafting, trout fishing,pony riding.
SONMARG (Sindh valley)
Distance from Srinagar - 86 km
Altitude - 2800 m
Main Attractions
Thajiwas galciers, pony riding, River rafting, Baltal(base of trekking route to Amarnath Holy cave),Zoji la pass (gateway to Ladakh), weather beaten,rugged mountains.
YUSMARG (Meadow of Jesus)
Distance from Srinagar - 47 km
Altitude - 2396 m
Main Attraction
Rolling landscape, Shrine of great saint of Kashmir,Hazrat Sheikh Nooruddin at Chararisharief, Pony riding, Nilnag Lake, breathtaking views of Pir Panjal mountain.
DUDHPATHRI MEADOW
Distance - 42 km
Altitude - 2986 m
Main Attractions
This newly found hill resort has much to offer to a sightseer . Dudhpathri is an exotically lush green meadow of rolling landscape ,dotted with pine and conifer trees. Dhoodhganga river and Sukhnag(lake) are some of attractions of this lovely valley situated at the foothills of Drang and Pir Panjal ranges.
Mughal Gardens of Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is home to most beautiful mughal gardens and Srinagar hosts the maximum.The terrace gardens of Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh offers a magnificent view mountain range and Dal lake. Kashmir also host Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip garden is the largest Tulip garden of Asia, one of the top 5 most beautiful valley of flowers.
Shalimar Garden
Shalimar Garden is the largest garden great emperor Jehangir built in Kashmir. The work on Shalimar Garden began in 1619 A.D. by the emperor.This lovely garden is located at northeast of Dal Lake near Srinagar city along with other famous lake garden Nishat Bagh. The Bagh has the Dal Lake in the background and considered to be very beautiful during the autumn and spring seasons.
Nishat Bagh
Located on the bank of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, Nishat Bagh is a garden with views of the lake beneath the Pir Panjal mountain range. The Bagh was designed and built in 1633 by Asif Khan, elder brother of Nur Jehan
An anecdote of jealousy of the Emperor Shah Jahan on beholding such a delightful garden, which almost shutdown the garden for some time, is narrated. When Shah Jahan saw this garden, after its completion in 1633, he expressed great appreciation for its grandeur and beauty.
Cheshmashahi Garden
This lovely garden was built by Shah Jahan, the builder of Taj Mahal in 1634 A.D. It houses a natural spring ,hence the name,meaning the Royal Spring. Its water is crystal pure and is rich in minerals.
All the above gardens are located within a 14 km radius from the city center.
