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 Tour-Trek have number of honest hardworking and fluent english speaking guides. They have done their jobs more then 10 years. They pass you through massive glaciers extend for miles: rivers, chilled with melting snow and ice, race through deep, dark gorges. They encounter with Wild animals including rare snow leopards and blue sheep and they suppose their life complete adventure and like radical sports. more ++ |
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| KASHMIR - PARADISE ON EARTH |
Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m above sea level, spread on both sides of the river Jhelum . The Dal and Nagin lakes enhance its picturesque setting, while the changing play of the seasons and the salubrious climate ensures that the city is equally attractive to visitors around the year. 
Kalhana, the author of 'Rajtarangini’, states that Srinagri was founded by Emperor Ashoka (3 rd Century BC). The present city of Srinagar was founded by Pravarasena-II, and Hiuen Tsang, who visited Kashmir in 631 AD, found it at the same site as it is today. Laltaditya Muktapida was the most illustrious ruler of Kashmir in the Hindu period, which ended in 1339 AD. King Zain-ul-Abidin (1420-70 AD), popularly known as ‘Budshah’, was a great patron of Sanskrit. Akbar captured Kashmir valley for the Mughals, who endowed Srinagar with beautiful mosques and gardens. The Sikhs overthrew the last Muslim ruler in the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh in 1819. In 1846 the Dogras secured the sovereignty of Kashmir from the British under the Treaty of Amrjtsar, and in 1947 the state of Jammu and Kashmir with Srinagar as its capital, became part ofthe Indian Union.
Two major Himalayan ranges, the great Himalaya and the Pir Panjal, Surround the Valley Kashmir from the north and south respectively. The Mughals aptly called Kashmir ‘ Paradise on earth’ and traveled long distances to spend the summers in its cool environs. Here they discovered the Valley’s fabled hill stations and laid Srinagar ’s famous Mughal Gardens . They also patronized the development of art and crafts and left behind a rich heritage of exquisite artisanship. 
Kashmir is a land where many holiday ideas are realized, a gift of its spectacular landscape and distinctive seasons. In winter, when snow carpets the valley, you can go for skiing and sledge riding along the slopes of Gulmarg. Or stay back in Srinagar and simply enjoy the bare snow-covered landscape from the windows of a heated room. In spring and summer (April-August), the honey-dewed orchards, flower-carpeted meadows, rippling lakes and blue skies beckon everyone to sample the many delights of the Valley.
Srinagar (1,730) is the hub and heart of Kashmir . The Dal & Nagin Lakes enhance its picturesque setting. An ancient city steeped in legend and history dating back to the BC era, Srinagar today is a resort for tourists to experience the magical beauty of the valley that has attracted visitors from all over the world since time immemorial. The facts:
Area |
105 sq kms |
Altitude |
1,730 m. |
Temperature |
Max |
Min |
Summer |
29.5 C |
10.6 C |
Winter |
7.3 C |
-1.9 C |
Rainfall |
52.9 cms |
Population |
930136 (2001 Census) |
Best Season |
Throughout the year, though the winter months can be quite cold. |
Clothing Spring and autumn |
Light woollens. |
Summer |
Cotton/tropical |
Winter |
Heavy woollens |
Languages |
Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi, English. |
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| Place to trek / excursions : |
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 Gulmarg 9(2,650m/56km) is one of India’s premier hill resorts. Historically a favourite haunt of Emperor Jahangir, Gulmar today is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty-it also turns into India’s premier ski resort in winter. The famous shrine of Baba Reshi, a highly revered Kashmiri Sufi saint, is another attraction of Gulmarg and is thronged by thousands of devotees all year round.
Pony riding is a popular and exhilarating activity in Gulmarg. The Gondola Cable Car offers rides to the upland meadow of Kongdori for viewing the Himalayan peaks in summer and for downhill skiing in winter.
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| Pahalgam |
 Pahalgam (2,130m/90km) is situated at the confluence of the Sheshnag and the Lidder streams. Once a humble shepherd’s village, it is now Kashmir’s premier summer resort, cool even during the height of summer. The resort is surrounded by many places of interest, the best being the upland meadow of Baisaran. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot for picnics. And Mamal, one of the eight tiny villages of Pahalgam, has a 5 th century Shiva temple. Chandanwari (2,895m), 16km from Pahalgam is the starting point for the annual Amarnathji Yatra held in July-August. The Amaranath Cave (3,952m), houses an ice stalagmite in the shape of a natural Shivling, which waxes and wanes with the moon and is the focus of worship of more than 150,000 devotees who go on the annual pilgrimage.
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| Sonamarg |
Sonamarg (2,730m/84km) lies at the head of the Sindh Valley. The drive through this valley presents a spectacular facet of the Kashmir countryside. Sonamarg is surrounded by colourful mountains and thick pine forests. There are many attractive walks, the best being a trek or pony ride to the Thajiwas glacier. Sonamarg also serves as a base for the Amarnath. Yatra from the Baltal route.
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| Dal Lake |
 The Dal Lake is Srinagar ’s most distinctive landmark. It is divided by causeways into four parts, the Nagin Lake being one of them. Not merely a lifeless body of water, the Dal is unique for the communities that have made it their home, from fishermen to houseboat owners. There are fields of lotus blossoms in parts of the lake, vegetable patches, shops, and even villages. The best way of exploring the lake and the sites on its shores is by Shikara boat.
Srinagar ’s main attraction is the charm of staying in a houseboat. The experience of living on the lakes in a cedar-panelled elegant bedroom, with all the conveniences of a luxury hotel is unique and endearing.
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| Maghal Gardens |
Another distinctive feature of Srinagar is the Mughal Gardens with their terraced lawns, cascading fountains and bright flowerbeds, overlooking the pano ram a of the Dal Lake . Shalimar (15 km) the farthest of the three gardens was built by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jehan. Nishat Bagh (11km) was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan. Chashmashahi (Royal Spring), the spring of refreshing sweet water cherished by the Mughals, is surrounded by a Mughal Garden laid out by Shah Jahan in 1632AD. On a nearby spur of the mountain is the ancient monument of Pari Mahal , planned out by Dara Shikoh as a Sufi School , surrounded by a beautiful garden.
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| The Old City |
 A very interesting and learning sightseeing option in Srinagar is the “ Old City ” which has a quaint medieval charm of its own and a strong tradition of handicrafts. Traveling through its labyrinthine alleyways, one catches sight of gaily-embroidered fabric-raw material for exquisite carpets and shawls-hanging out to dry from top-floor windows of houses. The old city also conceals within its maze, Kashmir ’s many ancient shrines and mosques among which Shah-I-Hamdan, Makhdoom Sahib, Patthar Masjid, Jama Masjid and Pir Dastagir Sahib are the most prominent.
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| Shankaracharya Temple |
 The sacred temple of Shankaracharya occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar . The site dates back to 250BC. The philosopher Shankaracharya stayed at this place when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive Sanatan Dharma.
Before this date, the temple was known as Gopadri, as an earlier edifice on the same site was built by king Lalitaditya in the 6th century AD. In fact, the road below the hill, with residences of high- ranking State Government officials, is still known as Gupkar road. Built on a high octagonal plinth and approached by a flight of steps with side walls that once bore inscriptions, the main surviving shrine consists of a circular cell. It overlooks the Valley and can be approached by a motorable road. A modern ceiling covers the inner sanctum and an inscription in Persian traces its origin to the reign of Emperor Shah Jehan. The original ceiling was dome- shaped and the brick roof, it appears, is not more than a century old.
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| Hazratbal Mosque |
 Hazratbal Mosque is located in a village of the same name on the banks of the Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.
Hazratbal's special significance is derived from the fact that it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. This is displayed to the public on religious occasions, usually accompanied by fairs. Apart from these occasions, Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended by throngs of people. Hazratbal is remarkable for being the only domed mosque in Srinagar ; the others having distinct pagoda like roofs. The shrine – mosque complex is situated on the western shore of the Dal Lake opposite Nishat Bagh and commands a grand view of the lake and the mountain beyond. |
| Hari Parbat Fort & Temple of Sharika Devi |
 The Mughal emperor's fort crowns the top of Hari Parbat hill. There is little left of its former glory, but the ram parts are still impressive and the old apartments within the fort, even though in a state of ruin, still convey at least a little of the grandeur of the Mughals’ summer retreat in ‘paradise’. The fort was later developed in 18 th century by an Afghan governor, Ata Mohammad Khan. The hill is considered sacred to the Hindus due to the presence of temple of Sharika , which isbelieved to be a form of goddess Durga or Shakti. The wall around the hill was built by Akbar in 1592-98 AD. The hill is surrounded by almond orchards, which make a lovely sight during April when the trees blossom, heralding the advent of spring in Kashmir .
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