THE SWITZERLAND OF INDIA.
There is no holiday destination comparable to the sheer bliss and variety that Kashmir offers. Welcome to the old world charm of shikaras and houseboats in the majestic Dal Lake in Srinagar. With its wooden walnut architecture, the houseboats give you an unforgettable experience. Many hued flowers, carpets of grass and colourful fountains are a treat not only for the eyes, but for the soul too. The market place with its pashmina shawls, to finely crafted woodwork and glittering copperware, is another experience altogether. You will become an expert in the art of value buying! Places of interest like Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam are within comfortable driving distance. Enjoy the delicacies of extraordinary Mughlai cuisine offered by families have generations of secret cuisines; no wonder the taste at different places are so unique and mouthwatering.
For the adventurous lot, there is the para sailing through the mountains, not to mention the winter sports at Gulmarg which has been rated as one the best skiing destinations in the world. The mountain ranges reign majesic as you are transported 12,000 ft in the Gandola cable cars. Gulmarg has become the highest lift-served ski resort in the world providing a downhill ski run of 5.2 km from a height of 14,000 ft in the Apharwat range. It is also the longest gondola served ski-lift in Asia. Another popular sport is heliskiing.
Sonmarg, located at an altitude of 2,740 m above sea level, literally means 'Meadow of Gold'. Surrounded by breathtaking glaciers and serene lakes, Sonmarg in the Kashmir valley is the gateway to Ladakh and situated just before the Zojii La pass and thus is the base camp for many trekking expeditions. Situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder river, Pahalgam (2,130 m) was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views where the maximum temperature does not exceed 25 degrees C. Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and the most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine thus making it the most popular destination for many a Bollywood movies.
Above all that, what makes a holiday to Kashmir really endearing are the number of activities you can engage in - from parasailing to golf, shikara rides to mountain climbing, nature and wild life to skiing, horse riding to fishing - you name it and you will enjoy the sheer pleasure of doing things which you have never been able to do so far.
