I'm trying to put Kashmir, the paradise on earth on the global map.
Dumail, a pristine camping spot is a two hours trek from Naranag in the Ganderbal district of Kashmir. The trail leading up to Dumail runs along the Sind stream and goes through dense coniferous forests which makes it one of the best hiking trails for the beginners. It is also a place where the two river streams, the Sind and the Marchaoi merge into one.
Continue reading “Dumail, Naranag.”
Kashmir, a place studded with beautiful landscapes and towering mountains is nothing short of a dreamland and I’ve been lucky enough to explore some of it. So, on the podcast with “Hurricane Hearts”, I’ve shared my experiences of exploring the raw & untouched beauty of Kashmir, best places to visit in Kashmir & also some of the places where one can witness the unparalleled charm of the fall season in Kashmir.
Continue reading “Wanderlust – Podcast with hurricane hearts.”
Lolab Valley or as famously quoted by Allama Iqbal “Waadi-e-Lolab” is a Himalayan Valley situated in the Kupwara district of Kashmir and is around 120 kilometers away from the city of Srinagar. Named after Maharaja Lolo, Lolab Valley comprises of three valleys – Potnai valley, Brunai valley and Kalaroos valley.
Continue reading “Lolab Valley, Kashmir.”
Kashmir, since it’s existence has been a place which grows in grace & elegance in the season of Autumn or “Harud”. Because of it’s rich diversity in plants & trees, in the fall season the whole place seems as if it is painted in different shades of red, gold & orange. All the seasons in the Kashmir Valley are quite evident whether that be the cold of winter, the blooms of spring or the scorching heat of summer but Autumn is without doubt the best season in Kashmir as it is so often referred to as the “Golden Season” of Kashmir.
Continue reading “5 most scenic Autumn places in Kashmir.”
Chuharnag, in Kashmiri dialect translates to as four springs but in reality Chuharnag is a cluster of four Alpine lakes situated at Margan Valley in the Anantnag district of Kashmir at an elevation of 3810 meters above sea level. As I’ve already told you in the previous blog about the difficulty and treacherous drive leading up-to the Margan Valley, I’ll skip past it and straight away tell you about my experience of Chuharnag lakes.
Continue reading “Chuharnag, Margan Valley.”
Margan Valley, literally translated as the valley of death because of it’s difficult approach, thunder & snowstorms, unpredictable weather and fatal road conditions is situated in the Anantnag district of Kashmir at an altitude of 3696 meters above sea level & is part of the Himalayan range of mountains. This unexplored valley is just about 35 kilometres away from Kokernag & it became road accessible just about 10 years ago. The Margan Top, the mountain pass of Margan Valley boasts a panoramic view of both the Kashmir Valley from one side & the Warwan Valley from the other.
Continue reading “Shilsar, Margan Valley.”
Aru Valley, a village located a mere 12 kilometres away from the famous tourist destination of Pahalgam is situated at an altitude of about 2500 meters. Known for it’s raw beauty, Aru Valley is the place where the Lidder River coming from the north & west merge into one. It’s a place which is often the base camp for the high altitude treks like the Tarsar Marsar Lakes & the Kolohoi Peak.
Continue reading “Aru Valley – Pahalgam, Kashmir.”
Doodpathri, literally translated as the Valley of Milk is a bowl shaped Valley located in the district of Budgam, Kashmir. Doodpathri is a part of the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayan Mountains, so naturally it is situated at an altitude of about 8,957 feet above the sea level. Doodpathri is about 42 kilometres away from the city of Srinagar and it takes around 2 hours to reach there.
Continue reading “Camping in Doodpathri, Kashmir.”
Botapathri is a little known dreamland in the lap of Nagin Valley, Gulmarg. It remained closed for tourism from 1990 as it was just 5 kilometres away from the line of control but was reopened for tourism in May 2012. Botapathri is just 10 kilometres away from the famous tourist destination, Gulmarg.
Continue reading “Botapathri – Gulmarg, Kashmir.”
“Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast, hameen ast-o, hameen ast-o, hameen ast. “A famous couplet by one of the best Sufi poets of the time, Hazrat Amir Khusrau translated as “If there is a paradise on earth, It is this, it is this, it is this” sums up the beauty & serenity of the valley of Kashmir. From it’s towering mountains to it’s flowing rivers, from it’s crystal clear lakes to it’s dense forests, Kashmir perfectly exemplifies the definition of paradise on earth. What magnifies the spectrum of this paradise are the mesmerizing sunsets of the place.
Continue reading “5 best sunset spots in Srinagar, Kashmir.”