Visiting Kashmir in peak summer season or during snowfall in winter is a rewarding experience. An experience that is worth making the journey all the way down from Pune in Maharashtra. Since the distance between Pune and Kashmir is about 2,000 km, travellers should book their flight/train tickets well in advance. Jammu and Srinagar are principal gateways for travellers visiting the state. Are you wondering how to reach Kashmir from Pune? Take a look at following ways to visit Kashmir from Pune.
Day 01: Delhi to Katra
After arrival in Delhi drive to Katra by bus through overnight journey.
Day 02: Katra to Vaishno Devi
After arrival in Katra, pick up will be done from Bus stand. Drive to Katra, check in hotel. Later proceed further to visit the Holy temple of Vaishno Devi. This temple is situated on the top of the hill. To visit this temple one has to hire a pony or travel by foot. From Katra the Vaishno Devi pilgrimage is about 12 kms. After visiting the temple, return back to Katra on the same day. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Katra -Srinagar (280 Kms – 10 Hrs)
Early morning leave for Srinagar. Enroute enjoy Kashmir Valley view. On the way you will stop Patnitop sightseeing. You will also be able to see the exceptionally beautiful Jawahar Lal Tunnel, the breath taking views of Ram Ban & Kud. Arrive Srinagar in the evening and check into hotel. Dinner and Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 04: Srinagar to Sonmarg (85 Kms – 2.5hrs)
We begin our day with a sumptous breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast we will drive to the majestic mountain resort of Sonmarg. The route towards Sonamarg takes us on a picturesque country side drive where we will come across rolling hills, green forests, clear water streams and blooming rice fields. We will zoom past the town of Kangan which handles all the local needs of this region. From Kangan, we will drive towards Mammar. We will once again alight from our vehicles at the tourist spot of Gagangir. The spot is built in the middle of the river Sindh and looks like an island with snow glaciers covering one or the other spot. In Sonamarg we will take a 3 hour walk or horseback trip on your own to the Thajwass glacier. After our return we will visit the small town market for some snacks or just pay a visit observing the local people going with thier daily routine. We will drive back to Srinagar in the evening and transfer to the hotel for our overnight stay.
Day 05: Srinagar to Gulmarg(Day Trip): (56 kilometers / 2-3 hrs drive):
After breakfast in the morning, we will begin our country tour towards Gulmarg. The drive past colorful villages and rice fields, gives you an insight of the rich cultural past of Kashmir. We arrive at a small picturesue market town of Tangmarg and drive ahead on a scenic drive of 14 kilometers to Gulmarg. We arrive in Gulmarg early in the afternoon Later we will begin a short tour around the meadow familarising ourselves with the beauty. In Gulmarg you can board the Gondola cable car system on your own, and ascend towards the Afarwatt Mountain range. The 08 minutes of ropeway will take you to the lower ridge of the Afarwatt peak. From here you can click lots of photos of the nearby mountain ranges that stand tall like sentinels guarding the rich natural beauty of Kashmir valley. We descend back to Gulmarg base after an hour and drive towards Srinagar. We will stay at the hotel for overnight.
Day 06: In Srinagar: Local sightseeing:
Today we will do some half a day of local sightseeing that includes a visit to the famous Mughal gardens of Nishat and Shalimar. Built in between a period of 14 years the two gardens are a heritage left behind by the erstwhile Mughals, whose taste for laying exquisite gardens was fascinating. With a backdrop of the sprawling Zabarwan mountains, the gardens boast of green turfs, blooming flowers and cascading water fountains. We will explore the gardens and later drive back to the hotel for check out. We arrive at houseboat and check in. You will have shikara ride in the lake. This boat ride glides you past some wonderful vegetable gardens and aquatic life. Dinner and Overnight in houseboats.
Day 07: Srinagar to Pahalgam: (97 kilometers / 3-4 hrs drive):
We will begin our trip towards Pahalgam and drive on the National Highway 1A. This road connects the Valley to the rest of the country. We drive past the saffron fields of Pampore, the marvellous ruins of Avantipura and the village of Bijbehara which remains famous as the bread basket of Kashmir. You can even sample a few exotic breads sold by vendors near the road. We switch the the national highway at Khanabal and drive through the second largest city of Anantnag. From here the road turns scenic as we drive parallel on the Lidder river flowing from the opposite direction. In Pahalgam we check in at the hotel and later do some nature walks to unwind ourselves. Overnight in hotel.
Day 08: Pahalgam to Jammu Bus Stand:
After breakfast, we will drive to the Jammu Bus stand for your return journey. On your way to the Jammu railway station you can make a brief stopover for some last minute shopping. Drive from Jammu Bus stand to Delhi by Bus overnight journey.
Day 09: Arrive in Delhi:
Arrive in Delhi in the morning around 10.00 am.