Glimpses of Paradise

Upon arrival at Srinagar you will be met at the airport and transferred to your houseboat.

Srinagar (Lake City) – It is at once a collection of images: It tells the story of love of the Mughal Emperors for this paradise like vale with deep green rice fields, rivers, gardens in bloom and lakes rimmed by houseboats, where lush wild gardens of lotus and water-lily grow amidst bustling lanes.

Rest of the day at leisure to view the breath-taking scenario around your houseboat.

Morning visit Srinagar City - Shankracharya Temple & Mughal Gardens.

Shankracharya Temple (Hindu Shrine) – Situated on the highest hill of Srinagar, it is nearly one thousand feet above the city. The temple commands a magnificent panoramic view of the Srinagar city. It is devoted to lord Shiva. The site dates back to 2500 BC. The philosopher Shankracharya stayed at this site when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive sanatan dharma.

Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) – The largest Mughal garden situated on the banks of world famous Dal-Lake in the backdrop of Zabarwan hills encircles the Dal Lake. Empress Noor Jahan's brother Asif Khan laid the Garden in 1633 AD. Nishat has seven terraces with a beautiful central water course flowing right in the middle. These terraces rise dramatically off the mountains from the eastern part of the lake.

Shalimar Bagh (Garden of Pleasure) – It was planted by Mughal emperor Jehangir for Empress Noor Jahan in 1619 AD and later extended in 1727 A.D. by Shah Jahan. Shaded by magnificent Chinar trees, the Shalimar is a series of stone pavilions and flowing water with paint box bright flower beds. The Garden blooms with innumerable varieties of flowers in spring and autumn.

Overnight stay at the houseboat.

After having breakfast in the hotel, in the morning, you will be driven for full day excursion trip to Sonmarg.

Sonmarg (Meadow of Gold) – It is a place of enthralling beauty, lies in Sindh Valley, streamed with flowers, surrounded by mountains and perched at an altitude of 2690 m above sea level. Visited less frequently by tourists, it has as its backdrop, snowy mountains against a clear sky. It is a quiet alpine retreat surrounded with sycamore, silver birch, fir and pine trees and the last halt on the Kashmir side for the drive from Srinagar to Leh. It is also the base for some interesting treks to the high altitude of Himalayan Lakes.

After having your lunch at local restaurant, feed your cameras with the picture of magnificent view of mountains.

OPTIONAL - One can enjoy Horse ride at Sonmarg.

Overnight stay at the houseboat.

After breakfast at the house boat, you will be driven from Srinagar to Pahalgam, en-route visit Saffron fields of Pampora, see the beautiful countryside, lots of rice fields and Awantipura ruins on the way, Later continue your drive to Pahalgam through the pine forest, the confluence of the streams flowing from the river Lidder & Sheshnag Lake which are famous for their scenic beauty. On arrival proceed for check-in.

Awantipura Ruins (1100 years Old Temple) - Built in 09th century AD by King Avantivarman and dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Situated 29 kms from Srinagar, the temple ruins at Awantipura represent some of the finest examples of architecture of this region.

Pahalgam (Valley of Shepherds) – It is a resort set in a pristine village lying next to the Lidder River. Once a humble shepherd’s village with breathtaking views. now it is Kashmir’s premier resort, cools even during the heights of summer. It is situated at an altitude of 2,130 m above sea level and has a golf course at 2400 meters above the sea level. Surrounded with fragrant pine forests, the idyllic resort includes a golf course and spots for angling. The bubbling Lidder harbors a sizeable population of rainbow trout and mahaseer to ensure you don’t come away disappointed. The nearby forested slopes are home to the Himalayan brown bear.

OPTIONAL - One can enjoy Horse ride at Pahalgam.

Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, it is worth hiring a pony rather than walking. The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan an idyllic spot for a picnic.

Return to your houseboat for dinner & overnight.

After early breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven from to Gulmarg.

Gulmarg (Meadow of Gold) – It was discovered as a tourist destination by the British in the 19th century. Prior to that, Mughal emperors vacationed in the Gulmarg valley which is about 03 kms long and up-to 01 km wide. It is exquisitely situated in a pine surrounded basin of the Pir Panjal range at an altitude of 2,730 meters above sea level and one of the most famous tourist destinations of Kashmir. It also has one of the world’s highest green golf courses with 18 holes, as well as a clubhouse, which is a historical building in its own right.

OPTIONAL - One can enjoy Gondola ride or Horse ride at Gulmarg.

For a fun-filled ride of a most unusual kind, Gulmarg’s newly constructed gondola lift from high above Gulmarg, through pine-clad slopes is exhilarating. From Gulmarg a pony track leads upwards to Khilanmarg, Kangdori & seven springs, a couple of hours by pony longer on foot.

Return to your houseboat for dinner & overnight.

After breakfast, just relax in your houseboat. Afternoon enjoy a relaxing Shikara ride on the lake – Its one of the most soothing & relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir.

Overnight stay at the houseboat.

Morning you will be transferred to Srinagar airport for your flight to Delhi.