A piece of Heaven - Pahalgam, Kashmir - Part 3 (Concluded)

After the hectic adventure of Gulmarg, Pahalgam turns into a relaxing excursion. At this point, I would like to warn all tourists who use public transport to reach these places that to visit the city it is necessary to take a local taxi or ride a horse (to favor local livelihoods). Then, after checking into the Regency Hotel in Pahalgam, which is in a very scenic location with a flowing river,

Just go through the market. Back then they bought handkerchiefs, stoles, dried fruit and clothes for women to keep or give as gifts.

Two people from our group decided to take a tour of "mini Switzerland". It's a horse and a taxi

Available at the parking lot where taxis / vans / buses arrive at their destination, park them and board the local transport.

After wandering around the city for a few hours, we went back to the hotel and rested as we had sightseeing planned for the next day.

The first point of our trip was the ^Aru Valley. This place is a page of fairy tales!

The feeling of the embrace of the dry river and nature against the backdrop of beautiful snow-capped mountains is amazing.

Our next stop was Betab Valley. The valley takes its name from the fact that the famous Hindi film Betaab was filmed there. Betab Valley is located between two Himalayan ranges: Pirpanjal and Zanskar.

The entrance to the huge landscaped garden inside is 100 rupees. We skipped this one and instead spent some time taking photos along the flowing Lidder River which was a couple

Maggi's delicious omelettes, rotis and noodles in the shacks along the river. Wash it down with the famous Kashmiri Kahwa tea (Kahwa is a traditional green tea consumed in Afghanistan, northern Pakistan, parts of central Asia and northern India, especially the Kashmir Valley).

Later we moved to Chandanwadi, the starting point of Amarnath Yatra. the

There was still some snow lying around and he offered us lots of photo shoots which we gratefully accepted and called him a day.

We had finished with Pahalgam and had to go to Sonmarg the next day. its peak

The trip to Sonmarg was a delicious meat feast - Wajwan, Pampore organized especially for us by ScoutMyTrip . Vajwan is a multi-course dish of Kashmiri cuisine, the preparation of which is considered an art form and a pride of Kashmiri culture and identity. Almost all dishes are meat-based, with lamb used with some vegetarian dishes. It is popular throughout Kashmir. As we approached Pampore, the weather gods decided we had had enough of the good weather and it started raining which brought the temperature down.

Lots of mustard on the way.

When we arrived in Sonmarg, the gloomy weather had dampened our enthusiasm and we had just arrived at the Glacier Heights Hotel when the power went out. This is not a good sign as the hotel generator cannot run the heaters in all rooms with electric blankets.

Glacier Heights Hotel, Sonmarg.

But the Kashmiri hosts did not disappoint. At the restaurant they reserved a corner for us where they brought us a huge LPG cylinder heater and we sat around sipping drinks and eating delicious chicken and vegetable tika. Pakoda, the heating was a fake fire. After the discussion it was decided that we would return to Srinagar the next day as the weather forecast for the next day was also unfavorable and we didn't want to spend time in a cold room. Our organizer informed ScoutMyTrip of our decision and boldly suggested we stay in Srinagarin in Sonmarg the next day, even though it was a forced relationship.

So we returned to Srinagar and spent a wonderful evening at the Pride Inn, the radiant beauty of Kashmir and Kashmir.

The next day we flew to Mumbai and returned with many memories that will last a lifetime.

Some final remarks:

Throughout Kashmir, the breakfast buffet in all hotels consisted of upma, poha, paratha, and dim (boiled or omelette).

Local residents are fed up with politicians. They were caught between Satan and the deep sea. If the Indian army is informed of the militants' hiding places, they will be killed by the militants and, if not, they will face the wrath of the army.

Tourists are welcomed with love. The locals are warm, very hospitable and go out of their way to make the guest feel comfortable "atithi devo bhava" - the guest is god.
For vegetarians there are many restaurants / Vaishno dhabas serving excellent vegetarian food all over the place. So no problem.

Despite what we have read in the press and seen on TV, we have not suffered a single episode of violence during our stay and our trip.

The only way to bring complete peace to Kashmir is to populate it with tourists. So people, pack your bags and go! Waiting for cashmere!

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