Summer Vacation in Kashmir: The heaven on Earth -- Peace, Unwind, and Reconnect

Day 1: We meet up and stay in Delhi--the capital of the world's largest democracy and a classic blend of history and urban culture. The day begins with light ice-breaking sessions where we get to know each other. 4 pm Delhi Haat: Start your journey with Delhi Haat. It is a one-stop destination for shopping, dining, and watching cultural performances. The handicraft market is the star attraction and offers some of the best buys. 6 pm India Gate: Take a drive to the India Gate, about 10 minutes away, and see the stunning archway bathed in soft golden light and glistening against the dark sky. 8 pm Local markets: Street shopping at South Delhi markets such as Lajpat Nagar, Sarojini Nagar and South Ex. Explore these markets, for the best street food joints and a colourful maze of shops. While South Ex hosts high-end brands, Sarojini Nagar is a great stopover to indulge in Delhi’s culture of street shopping. 10 pm Delhi nightlife: Khan Market is a great spot to explore the nightlife of Delhi. Several lounges, pubs, socials and cafés offer the best of music, food and drinks. Explore local food, and party late night--How about Disco? Day 2: Start your day by exploring the Rajpath's landmark sites like Rashtrapati Bhavan. To explore the best of Delhi, start early. That is before traffic hits the road; get the most amazing sun-lit pictures in front of landmark buildings: Visit Old Delhi's cultural delights like Jama Masjid, Purana Qila, etc., which are famous heritage structures. Qutub Minar--UNESCO World Heritage Site: Visit to the iconic Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it remains one of the most magnificent buildings of India from the medieval era. Another attraction here is the Qutub complex that houses a number of monuments. One of the most popular among these is the Iron Pillar, also known as the Ashoka Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century. 10 am: Return to the hotel for a very good breakfast. 12 Noon: Red Fort--Unesco world heritage site: 1PM Chandni Chowk (Lunch): visit the food havens of the capital and treat your taste buds by indulging in the gastronomic delights of Chandni Chowk. Iconic food stalls serving chole bhature (chickpeas with fried rice flour bread), parantha (stuffed flatbreads), chaat, allo-kachori (deep – fried pastry served with potato gravy) etc., will give you a culinary experience beyond belief. 2 pm: Visit the Jantar Mantar, one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh II of Jaipur. In the evening, visit local malls, just chill with TripMates and have fun!

Day 3: • Arrival in Srinagar: we’ll land at the Sheikh Ul Alam International Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from the city center. (Alternatively, if you’re coming by train, take a train to Jammu, and then continue by road approximately 6 to 12 hours by taxi or bus). • Dal Lake: Check in to the hotel or houseboat near the iconic Dal Lake. Enjoy the serene beauty of the lake, take a shikara ride, and explore the floating gardens. • Shankaracharya Temple: Visit this ancient temple perched on a hilltop for panoramic views of Srinagar. • Mughal Gardens: Explore the beautiful Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, Mughal-style terraced gardens. • Local Cuisine: Don’t miss out on trying authentic Kashmiri cuisine

Day 4-5 Gulmarg (an enchanting town, and the hub for snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, snowbiking and sledding) • Drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg 51 Kms (1 hr 23 min): A scenic drive, in the morning, will take us to Gulmarg, known for its lush meadows and snow-capped peaks. Check-in. • Gondola Ride: Take the Gulmarg Gondola (Asia's highest cable car) to reach the highest point and enjoy breathtaking views. We'll try to book early morning slot (8-9 am) for Gondola ride. Phase 1 Gulmarg to Kongdori 2091 meters. Phase 2 Kong Dori to Aparwat 2540 meters. • Golf Course: Visit the world’s highest golf course. • Strawberry Valley: Explore the picturesque Strawberry Valley, lush meadows and pine forests.

Day 6-7 • Gulmarg to Pahalgam drive 140 kms (3 hr 11 min): Drive to Pahalgam, a charming town surrounded by pine forests and the Lidder River. (Valley of shepherds, saffron fields) • Betaab Valley: Visit the scenic Betaab Valley. • Aru Valley: Enjoy a leisurely stroll and soak in the serene ambiance of lesser-known Aru Valley. • Chandanwari: During the right season, consider a trek to Chandanwari. (The starting point of the Amarnath Yatra) • Baisaran Valley (mini Switzerland): Immerse yourself in the breathtaking beauty of this meadow.

Day 8-9: Sonamarg • Sonamarg: Drive to Sonamarg, known as the “Meadow of Gold.” • Thajiwas Glacier: Take a pony ride to the Thajiwas Glacier. • Zoji La Pass: Enjoy the scenic drive through the Zoji La Pass.

Day 10 - We travel to Srinagar International Airport to return back home. Do you have your returns planned from Mumbai or Delhi? This international airport is well connected. ➡️ We met as TripMates, became friends on the way, and travelled as one family. Have a safe journey back home. Or join my next trip and continue. See you in the next trip. Namaste!