Travel in India
Gulmarg, the ultimate adventure destination
In the northern tip of the Kashmir valley, Baramullah district lies the famous winter sports destination known as Gulmarg. This small town is famous from time having golf course, Gondola ride upto phase-1 and phase-2. When covered under snow Gulmarg becomes skiing, motor skiing and snowboarding center. People from all over the world let aside country come here to participate in the tournaments.
Skiing Association Gulmarg is an umbrella organisation which takes care of safe and sound activities there. Skiing season starts from 15 December for normal leisure (9am-4pm daily) and for sports training wherein one has to join the course for one and half month, fees varies but is normally upto Rs.20,000 + other expenses. Also, a short term course is also available by highering private trainers for the duration of 3-10 days. This continues untill the melting of snow which is expected in mid March.
Mr. Mehraj Lone, Skiing and Snowboarder Trainer.
Phone: 8491950116
adventuresnowboarding37@gmail.com
www.mehrajlone9985@gmail.com
Instagram link
Kashmir Valley
Agar firdaus bar ru-ye zamin ast,
Hamin ast-o hamin ast-o hamin ast
If there is heaven on earth
It is this, it is this, it is this! - Nuruddin Mohammad Salim
Surrounded by the Great Himalayas and Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayan region lies a beautiful valley of Kashmir. Its worth visiting in both the summers and the winters, each giving its own distinct flavour. Blooming of tulip, apricot, saffron flowers in summers with green meadows and cool weather while in winters, it gets white snowy with light blue sky, sheded trees and traditional warm delicacies and tea.
To reach Kashmir one can avail flights from Delhi to Srinagar or trains till Jammu tawi station, from Jammu cabs and buses are easily available just outside the station. It takes 12 hours to reach Srinagar from Jammu. Once in Srinagar, one can stay there as number of hotels, rooms, motels are easily available in Dalgate area, Lal-Chauk etc. On an average a good hotel room costs Rs. 1400 per day including breakfast. A hired taxi costs Rs. 2500 - 3000 per day. Hotels specially around the Dal Lake, Dal gate number 8 are classical ones similar to Government guest houses with big area and garden. Remember to take a post-paid mobile provider because pre-paid is not available there in Jammu and Kashmir state. Hotels do provide mobile sim on some charges, also. One can stay in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg too or can travel to these spots while staying in Srinagar as journey time is not much. Do not stay out late in the night and make sure to get back before 8 PM to avoid unpleasant security checks and talk-to with security personels.
It is best recommended to drive or ride on motorbike through Manali to Leh and than to Srinagar covering the great Himalayan mountains and valleys, rivers, cultures all along the way. Recommended bikes on the terrain are Enfield Bullet, KTM 200, Pulsar 150. Any good powerful car or jeep is sufficient, 4-wheel drive is an add-on. During winters keep snow tyres or metal grip chain. Also check the highway website for the road status prior starting the journey.
Al Hamra Hotel - Dal lake near gate -8, Buchwara Gagribal Road
Email: bakshiraihan@gmail.com,
Contact: +91 194 250 1666, +91 96229 29418
Bhopal and surroundings
Bhopal is the central city of India with many lakes including the Bada Talab, Chota Talab, Shahpura Jheel. Its worth to visit after the arrival of monsoon, July - August. Lush green hillocks around the lakes give mesmerizing views. Stay and reach to Bhopal is easy as it is well connected city which lies on national highways, trainlines and flight routes. Stay on an average may cost Rs. 1500 onwards per room. Places to visit are the lakes, Taj ul Masjid, Manua Bhaw ki Tekri's cable ropeway at Neori hills, near Lalghati. Van Vihar national park, Meuseum of man or the Manav Sanghralaya. Food is good, Bhopal's cousine is all borrowed from different parts of India. In veg, Manohar dairy, Chappan Bhog and roadside stalls in the Chauk area are great to try. While in non-veg, Filfora restraunt is very popular, Roadside eateries can be quite delicious, places like Chatauri Gali offers some good Nahari, ban-kabab, biryani and paya soup. Biryani at Qazi camp, operates at night but beware of the hygenic conditions. How can one forget the paan, after the Surma Bhopali character in the movie Sholay played by Jagdeep, in Bhopal paan(without tobacco) at Abdur Rehman stall and Banarasi Panwala are worth to try. Overall, good food and atmosphere.
For extrgavent royal experience, Hotel Jehan Numa Palace is the ultimate destination with luxurious rooms and cottages, swimming pool, royal Bhopali and Rampuri cousine straight from the family of Nawabs.
In surrounding areas one can visit the famous Sanchi Stupa. Also, caves of BhimBhetka and Saru Maru are some good spots. Wildlife santuries as Ratapani is also a good spot to visit. Further south to the Satpura Hill range lies the hill station of Panchmarhi, 1000 mts above sea level. At Pachmarhi, one can enjoy the cool weather in the forestry, camping and trekking along many adventure activities are done there at Pachmarhi.