Whether you are a die-hard adventurer or just a nature enthusiast, Kashmir won't disappoint you in any way. It is not called the crown of India for no reason. But what should you do on your trip to Kashmir? In all honesty, there is a lot you can do here, owing to the fact that it is one of the premier mountain destinations in India. However, for a short detour, here is your go-to list:
One of the first things you should do is take a boat for a tour of Dal Lake and Nagin Lake. These special boats, called Shikara, are the perfect places to enjoy the vast beauty that surrounds you. Also, it gives you a great opportunity to learn more about the culture and tradition of the locals. Even Kashmir tour packages from Kolkata have this one experience mentioned in their itineraries.
Gulmarg is a must visit destination in Kashmir. While everyone knows about the place, most people get surprised by the height at which the cable cars here are operated. Officially called Gondolas, they are operated at a height of 12,293ft - world's highest cable car after Dagu Glacier Gondola, China. They will offer you the bird's eye view of the premier ski resort, with the land looking like a fluffy white bed.
These gravity-defying hills in Kashmir are famous around the world for their magnetic properties. We suggest you take a vehicle here to enjoy the phenomenon at its best. Any vehicle with a number of metallic parts is attracted by the hills with such a force that you wouldn't need to accelerate at all while going uphill. However, you will have to put the pedal to the metal to actually get down from the hill.
All your Frozen fantasies can come true without even stepping out of the country if you are in Kashmir. However, do you have it in you to overcome the toughest treks in India? As you might have heard, Chadar Lake Trek is one of the toughest in the world. But, if you have courage, then this trek would slake your thirst for adventure. Spanning over the Zanskar River, Chadar means a sheet. Thus, you are supposed to trek through the sheet of snow here. If the frozen river and more than 11,000 ft of elevation do nothing to you, the average temperature between -15 and -30 certainly will. Are you up for the challenge?
Gulmarg is one of the premier skiing resorts in India. And it is so for a reason. The snow-covered slopes are perfect for a snow sport that shoots your adrenaline sky-high. Gliding down on your skis and boards while the snow flies left and right - this will become an experience you won’t forget any time soon. However, power cuts are a part and parcel of the whole experience, so bring a torch along. Also, do not venture anywhere beyond the patrolled areas, avalanches are real and people have lost their lives around those areas.
While you can easily get a hotel in Kashmir, the joy of a boathouse cannot be compared to those square rooms and cold walls. You can, for at least a night, book a houseboat and enjoy the chills of winter while gazing at the stars. Glittering snow and the smell of Kashmiri food will feel surreal enough to make you regret your return trains.
Whether you come from Delhi or Hisar, even if you have a Kashmir tour package from Ahmedabad, you will come to appreciate the beauty of this paradisiacal land.
Rahul is a travel blogger from Madhya Pradesh who is currently based in Delhi. He loves exploring remote corners of the world where he meets local people, tastes the local cuisine and learns about different ways of life. He strongly believes in the power of traveling to break down barriers and make people more tolerant of one another. Rahul lives for human moments, as it is through the various interactions with local people that he finds his happiness.