Kashmir is mostly know for its tourists places like Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, & Sonamarg, but there are plethora of amazing and beautiful places that usually go under the radar.
Offbeat places in Kashmir are not as popular but they are equally or more beautiful. These places are not as well-known among tourists but they still attract people who want to explore the unexplored. Some of the offbeat places in Kashmir include Kokernag, Yusmarg, Doodhpathri, Sinthan Top, Daksum and Margan Top. All these places have a lot of natural beauty and allure that is waiting to be explored by travelers.
On arrival at Srinagar Airport, get transferred to the Houseboat. After rest freshens up, enjoy SHIKARA RIDE on famous DAL LAKE (on direct payment basis). Spend evening in leisure, enjoying Houseboat facilities. Overnight stay at houseboat
After breakfast, check out from the Houseboat and take the road to one of the most serene and beautiful city of Kokernag in Anantnag district. On the way visit the ruins of three imposing Hindu temples, AVANTISHWARA (Shiva), AVANTISWAMI (Vishnu) and MARTAND (Sun). The two temples in Avantipur date from the 9th century AD and the largest of the three is MARTAND dates back to the eighth century AD and was dedicated to Surya, the chief solar deity in Hinduism; Surya is also known by the Sanskrit-language synonym Martand. The temple was destroyed by Sikandar Shah Miri.
On arrival at Kokernag, after some rest, proceed for PAPASHUDAN NAD SPRING. The water of spring is popular for its medicinal and digestive properties and draws thousands of tourists around the world. Overnight stay at hotel
Proceed for a full-day excursion to Daksum and Sinthan Top. 45 km from Kokernag, Sinthan top is the highest pass connecting Kashmir with Jammu via Kishtwar. DAKSUM swathed in coniferous green forests is trekker’s paradise. The curvy uphill drive from Aksum to Sinthan Top is pretty thrilling and adventurous. Sinthan top is popular for the 360 degrees view and year-round snow. Adventure enthusiasts can plan for mountaineering and skiing here. Overnight stay at hotel in Kokernag
After breakfast, proceed for a full-day excursion to LIHINWAN AND MARGAN TOP. 45 km from Kokernag, Margan top connects Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh. Margan is slowly becoming popular among tourists because of its stunning beauty and snow-capped mountains. At Lihinwan, you feel the fresh mountain air and the calmness and serenity. After spending quality time here, drive back to Kokernag for overnight stay.
After breakfast, check out from hotel and proceed for Srinagar. Enroute visit VERINAG – popular for water spring and Mughal gardens.
On arrival at Srinagar, check in at the hotel and visit famous MUGHAL GARDENS like NISHAT GARDEN AND SHALIMAR GARDEN, CHASHME-E-SHAHI and PARI MAHAL. Later visit SHANKRACHARYA TEMPLE. In evening return to the hotel for overnight stay
Day free to explore SRINAGAR CITY OR you have an option of visiting SONAMARG OR DOODHPATHRI OR YOUSMARG
OPTION 1: SONAMARG (80 KM / 2 HOURS – ONE WAY)
At SONAMARG (also known as “The Meadow of Gold”) take a pony ride out here (on direct payment basis) and enjoy the white mountains covered with snow and the river Sindh flowing through the valley. You can also hire a local vehicle or pony (on direct payment basis) to visit THAJIWAS GLACIER.
OPTION 2: YOUSMARG (49 KM / 2 HOURS – ONE WAY)
You can drive to YOUSMARG. Grassy pastures stretching to acres of land, the dense forests full of pine trees, with the backdrop of splendid snow capped mountains leave you almost speechless. Yusmarg is also famed for having some exceptional springs of flowers. The mighty natural slopes provide skiing opportunities to adventure enthusiasts.
OPTION 3: DOODHPATHRI (45 KM / 2 HOURS – ONE WAY)
DOODHPATHRI, yet another bowl shaped valley about 45 kms from Srinagar. It is a recent discovery in the valley covered with the green carpeted meadows. A flowing river resounds with soft wind passing through the pine trees of the enclosures of the valley. It is also called as a “VALLEY OF MILK” because it produces rich milk in a large quantity.
Overnight stay at Srinagar Hotel
Post breakfast, proceed further towards GULMARG. Enroute you get to see the beautiful TANGMARG town and drive ahead on a scenic drive of 14 kilometres to Gulmarg. Enjoy beautiful surroundings and PONY RIDE (on direct payment basis). Have a GONDOLA RIDE (on direct payment basis). It has two phases; Phase-I is from Gulmarg to Kungdoor and Phase-II is from Kungdoor to Affarwatt. Then visit a small SHIVA TEMPLE AND GULMARG GOLF COURSE, which is in existence for 100 years. One can also hire a local vehicle or pony (on direct payment basis) to visit BOTA PATHRI IN NAGIN VALLEY, which is recently opened to tourists. (If open) Experience dining at the world’s largest Igloo Cafe “SNOWGLU” Gulmarg Igloo Cafe is a complete snow wonder which is completely built out of snow. In late afternoon return to Srinagar hotel for overnight stay
*Please note that in case there is heavy snow, a chained vehicle will have to be hired from Tanmarg to Gulmarg on direct payment basis. Also the Gondola ride is not included in the package and it completely depends on weather conditions. It may be closed at times due to bad weather or maintenance issues.
Post breakfast; check out from the hotel, you’ll be dropped at Srinagar Airport for further journey.
Due to tighten Security at the Srinagar Airport one should start from the Hotel at least 3-4 hrs before scheduled departure as there might be lot of traffic to the Airport in Peak time.
