Heavenly Kashmir Retreat

On your arrival in Srinagar, you will meet our representative at the airport and transfer to your houseboat and check-in. Later, get ready for an hour long Shikara ride  in the lake on the same lake as the houseboat. This boat ride glides you past some wonderful vegetable gardens and aquatic life. Dinner and Overnight stay in Houseboat.

After breakfast today, proceed to Sonamarg - a most beautiful drive from Srinagar. Sonamarg is at a distance of 98 kms from Srinagar. We will take about 3 hours to reach Sonamarg. Sonamarg is the last stop of Kashmir District. From here starts the territory of Ladakh. Situated at an altitude of 2743 m above sea level. Sonamarg is absolutely true to its name, which means 'Meadow of Gold'.

The moment you enter Sonamarg, the first thing that you will notice is the snow-covered mountain that forms the backdrop of the town. Covered with alpine trees from all sides, Sonamarg has the loveliest flower collection in Jammu and Kashmir. On arrival, check in to your hotel and proceed for sightseeing. You can visit the Thajwas Glacier which is 3 kms from town by walk or pony ride where snow remains round the year. Thajiwas Glacier is among the most adventurous treks from Sonmarg.

The trek passes through lush greenery and a frozen lake. From the glaciers, a path leads up the Shakhdar Hill. Tourists can enjoy delightful views of the glacier and its surroundings from the hill.Tourists can enjoy a sledge ride in the area even during the summer season. During the peak season, sledges can be hired from the Gujars who offer rides across the glacier.

The area surrounding the glacier is excellent for camping. The trek to the glacier is one of the most amazing treks that you can experience. You can also take a pony ride to the glacier (at your own cost). The trek can be strenuous as it is uphill and on the way tourists can see beautiful waterfalls and streams. Tourists can walk across the glacier, which is a unique and thrilling experience. The walk can be slippery because of the snow but is worth a try. One can also enjoy a gorgeous view of high mountain pass Zojila which is at an altitude of 3528 m above sea level. A little outside Sonmarg is a sparkling blue lake surrounded by lush green meadow.

You can also go for long rafting expedition (at extra cost). Later, return to your hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast in the morning, check out from your hotel and proceed towards Gulmarg. En route, you get to see the beautiful Tangmarg town and drive ahead on a scenic drive of 14 kilometres to Gulmarg. On your arrival in Gulmarg, check in to your hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing covering Maharani Temple, St. Mary's Church and Gondola ride (cable car). Maharani Temple is known to be built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of Maharaja Hari Singh - the last Dogra king of Jammu and Kashmir. The temple houses shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It is here that the Rajesh Khanna – Mumtaz starrer Aap ki Kasam was shot.

You can enjoy pony rides to Maharani Temple (at extra cost). St. Mary's church was built during british rule. The 110-year-old St. Mary's Church in Gulmarg was given a new look in 2003 with a renovated façade and the first Christmas mass was held in 14 years. Saint Mary's Church was constructed in early 20th century, it is made of grey stone walls looks most scintillating during the winters especially when surrounded by snow.

The green tiled roof, wooden decorated walls and the overall size indicates it could be more like a countryside chapel. The two-stage gondola lift ferries to and from Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m / 13,780 ft). The first stage transfers from the Gulmarg resort at 2,600 m (8,530 ft) to Kongdoori Station in the bowl-shaped Kongdori valley. The second stage of the ropeway, which has 36 cabins and 18 towers, takes skiers to a height of 3,747 m (12,293 ft) on Kongdoori Mountain, a shoulder of nearby Afarwat Peak (4,200 m / 13,780 ft).

The timing of the Gondola ride is from 10 AM to 5 PM (subject to change without prior notice, gondola operations are highly dependent upon the weather at both stages). Later, return to your hotel for overnight stay