Aim : Srinagar

Srinagar enjoys an excellent three ways: air, rail and road ingress in the capital city. Srinagar Airport is connected to Delhi with daily flights and Sahara has introduced air links with Delhi and Jammu. Jammu Tawi is the nearest railhead, well connected to Delhi by the fast and convenient Jammu Tawi express. National highways 1 and 1A connect Srinagar to Delhi. Drive upto Jalandhar on NH 1 via Karnal, Ambala, Rajpura and Ludhiana. ( It is convenient to have a photo ID card of you are travelling by road). Spot security checks are not unusual. Srinagar is one city that accommodate its visitors in its nifty attraction called as houseboat. There are close to thousands of these floating charmers on Srinagar's waterways, mostly between Dal Lake and Nehru Park.

Day One (Mughal Gardens )

The most convenient way to get around Srinagar is in one of the innumerable Sumos at the Taxi stands at the Tourists Reception Center and Tang Bagh. In the city, autos are easily available, the rates negotiable beforehand.

» Stop 1 : The Harwan Gardens
First the inevitable: chances are you will be directed to the Mughal Gardens on your first day in town. This is a garden with few chinars and reservoir that feed the garden. And after you are fully mesmerized with the beauty of the garden take immediate left and you will reach to Khandar and Harichandroz. A short walk along an irrigation canal as well as apple orchards, and you will find yourself at the historic ruins of the 4th -5th century Harwana Vihar.

» Stop 2 : Shalimar Garden
Following the road back to the city, stop at the gate of Shalimar, which is set at the end of the Lake. At the summit of this four storeyed stands the beautiful baradari, a summer house ringed with pillars of black marble from Pampore. This was and remains the high point of any visit to the 'abode of love' and literalism lovers preserve tradition by inscribing every available surface with their longings. Shalimar remains utterly regal with with heronry and hamam are sadly silent and gardens still ring with the cascades and watercourses of their heyday.

» Stop 3 : Nishat Bagh
Just 4 kms down the shore lake lies Nishat Bagh, be fronting the Dal Lake and the mountains beyond. This garden once had terraces stretching down to the lake, but the lower reaches have been consumed by progress

» Stop 4 : Chasma Shahi Gardens
On the slopes of Zaberwan did Shah Jahan a stately pleasure gardens decree. Rising to the occasion of charm and acclaim Aldous Huxley deemed it '' architecturally the most charming of the gardens of Srinagar. Tucked in the folds of hill high above the lake, the gardens are watered by eponymous springs and command a dramatic panorama of the Dal and the surroundings vale set in the mountain amphitheater.

Day Two (On the heights)

Gardens umteen, Srinagar harbours enchanting attractions on the mountains. Utilize your next day exploring the altitude vista instilled here since ages.

» Stop 5 : Shankaracharya Hill
The first essential destination is Shankaracharya hill or Takht-i-Suleiman, rising directly from a boulevard from on the Southern lake shore. At this pinnacle at 1000 fts above the lake is the temple popularly associated with Adi Shankaracharya, who is said to have meditated here. North west of Shankaracharya stands the hill of Harri Parbat, crowned by the 16th century fort of the same. Not surprisingly , this legendary spot is the focus of many sacred shrines like tiara of Makhdum Sahib.

Use your rest of the day for relaxation and shopping in Srinagar.

Day Three (In the city)

» Stop 6 : Shrine Of Dustbin Sahib
The interior ornamentation of the painted and carved wood in the mosque is commendable. Two minutes walk from here is Rozabal Shrine.

» Stop 7 : Gymkhana Of Khwaja Muddiness Naqsbandi
continue walking towards north of Rozalin shrine and you will reach you will find the Khanqah Of Khwaja Moinuddin Naqsbandi on your left. The simple but elegant stone-and-timber structure was the first home of prophet.
» Stop 8 : Jami Masjid
The next major intersection is dominated by Srinagar's central mosque, the Jami Masjid. This unique structure can be ascribed to three mughals.

» Stop 9 : Khanqah of Shah Hamdam
A short distance from the Jami Masjid , on the right bank of Jhelum stands the celebrated. Its beautiful woodcraft is somewhat let down by an unfortunate CGI roof but this was not always so. Not so long ago, the Khanqah was adorned with a roof of birch shingles covered irises.. In fact many of Srinagar's monuments including the Jami Masjid were originally adorned with such burz pash roof.

» Stop 10 : Tomb of Zain-ul-Abidin's mother
This tomb lies across the Zaina Kadal Bridge and further down the river lies one final jewel: the 15th century. Tomb. Reach inside the tomb's unusual edifice with steps and you will find graves of notable figures here. Devote half day atleaste to the lake and its scenic view of floating vegetable market,, proceed to the islands Garden of Char Chinar, stop at Hazratbal, traverse the Nagin Lake and canals of the old Pandits.

Day Four (Temples & Shikara Ride )

A few excursions are required to view the majestic remains of Kashmir's stone temples, but keep a day aside for it.

» Stop 11 : Avanatishrava Shiva Temple
This is one demolished Shiva temple of which there is a base only The remains are quiet impressive with a Vishnu Temple nearby.

» Stop 12 : Shikara rides
Don't forget to take extended excursions on a Shikara in the circuit from Nehru park past Hazratbal, Nagin, Rainawari and back. A shikara ride to Char Minar on Dal Lake and back costs Rs250- 300 for four people, and a ride around the lake Rs 100-250 for four people and a ride around the lake.

Shopping In Srinagar

Shopping amidst the hill is really a adventurous go through in the city. With a new feel of the city explore a lot of handicraft, embroidered woolens, carpets and small time handicrafts including jeweleries too. There are many specialized shopping zones in Srinagar from where you can pick your choices. Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and Polo View are some perfect market areas catering to wider variety of things. Besides, hop in to Government emporia and other private showrooms for genuine articles at throw away prices. Sunk deep in Kashmiri Handicrats and embellished embroidery another articles worth buying are Tibetan handicraft. On many chances you might find the street side shopping attractive and loathsome because of their beauty. You can browse things like shawls, coats, sweaters etc. There are a lot government emporia and private shops for shopping in Jammu Kashmir. These are usually located in the main cities like Jammu, Srinagar and Leh.

Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk and the near by Polo View in Srinagar and Vir Marg, Raghunath Bazaar and Hari Market in Jammu are best places for shopping in Srinagar.

Eating Out In Srinagar

Most hotels have attracted restaurants. Adhoos and Mughal Durbar on Shervani are well known for Kashmiri food as Ruby in Lambart and Lane in Junipaer in Lal Chowk. Word has it that Mummy's Place, in Lal Chowk, is a good eatery. If you boarded the house boat exploit the on boat options: ask for fish, trout, carp, and Kashmiri machhli. There are bakeries all over the valley. Try varied street food. And for your morning try, first and foremost , that delicious and fragrant concoction of hot water, cardamom, and saffron called Khawa. But don't leave out sherchali and and nunchalli.

Latest Buzz

» Houseboats
» Dry Fruits
» Handicrafts items
» Khawa (Kashmiri Tea)

After Srinagar

» Gulmarg
» Pahalgam
» Sonamarg
» Dachigam
» Wular Lake