Tour And Travel

culinary

We will help you unfold the mysteries of North India as we take you through the royal romance of Rajasthan, its deserts, its colours and music, its small reclusive hamlets and bewilderingly enormous palaces, and its mouthwatering cuisine – all together create an unforgettable and colourful tapestry.

Kashmir Culinary Trails

Day 01: Arrive Delhi at Airport – Our representative will welcome you at airport and will transfer you to your respective hotel. Assistance and check-in at hotel. Later proceed for city tour of Old Delhi, drive past Red fort, visit Jamia Masjid, enjoy a Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat. In the evening, indulge in some local street food and experience the bustling markets of Delhi, such as Chandni Chowk. Dinner & overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi – Srinagar – In time transfer to airport to connect the flight for Srinagar. Upon arrival our representative will meet you at the Sheikh –Ul– Aalam International Airport – Srinagar and transfer you to the Houseboat. Srinagar is located in the heart of the Kashmir valley at an altitude of 1,730 m (1530 feet) 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. Visit Khayam Chowk which is a paradise for meat lovers looking to devour some non-vegetarian Kashmiri street food. Lined with hawkers cooking kebabs on charcoal ovens, this is a bustling area with a lot of options to choose from. Barbecue platters with various kinds of kebabs, dips and accompaniments like the Kashmiri flat bread lavasa will be served. Evening 02 Hours Boat Ride on Dal Lake by a gondola Boat called “SHIKARA” witness the ride on lake, called Venice of India & experience the aquatic life of Srinagar. You will be served Hi-Tea (Kashmiri Kahwa) with Girda / Shirmaal (Kashmiri Bread). Dinner & Overnight at the Houseboat.

Day 03: In Srinagar – After breakfast sightseeing of Srinagar Which includes. Mughal Gardens With terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal lake in front of them – these Mughal Gardens are the Mughal Emperors’ concept of paradise and are today very popular places.

Shalimar Bagh: Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan, Shalimar Bagh, 15 Kms from the TRC, is a beautiful garden with sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes, and shallow terraces. The garden is 539 m by 182 m and has four terraces, rising one above the other. A canal lined with polished stones and supplied with water from Harwan runs through the middle of the garden. The fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal ladies.

Nishat Bagh: Situated on the banks of the Dal Lake, with the Zabarwan Mountains as its backdrop, (11 km. from TRC), this ‘garden of bliss’ commands a magnificent view of the lake and the snow-capped Pir Panjal mountain range which stands far away to the west of the valley. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asif Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.

Chashma Shahi (“Royal Spring”) received its name from its water source, a spring located on its uppermost terrace. The garden, one of the smaller Kashmiri gardens around Dal Lake, is found on the south-eastern side of the lake. Chashma Shahi was built by the Mughal governor Ali Mardan Khan under the emperor Shah Jehan in 1632-1633.

Afternoon proceed for Old City Tour of Srinagar visiting Shahi Hamdan & Jamia Masjid, monument of medieval architecture etc. Drive & walk thru the Old town of City, where one can see the colourful life & Culture of people living around. Make a Heritage Walk thru the narrow streets of City along the River Jhelum. On return visit a local Handicrafts Emporium for hand-knotted specialty Silken carpets, shawls, jewellery ornaments.  Wazwan Dinner will be served which is a Multi-Course Royal Meal Of Kashmir. ‘Waza’ literally means cook and ‘Wan’ means shop; ‘Wazwan’ means setting up a feast in the host’s courtyard. Wazas are obsessive and passionate artistes. The preparation of the meal begins long before sunrise — at 3 am. The Wasta Waza (Master Chef) supervises all other Wazas. The authentic Wazwan is made only of sheep meat – and different dishes require meat from different organs. Meat is prepared to be cooked within one hour of the butchering to maintain taste. It is minced with a walnut wood hammer on stone until it loses its stringiness. Wazas beat the meat till all nerves of the mutton are entirely dissolved for a creamy consistency. The flavouring blends are based not on spices but on mild herbs and flower essences. The red dye in food is from flowers like Cockscomb, called Mawal locally. The pre-cooking methods require a great deal of precision, culinary art, patience, and enormous love that Wazas liberally shower on their creations. The flavouring blends are based not on spices but on mild herbs and flower essences. The red dye in food is from flowers like Cockscomb, called Mawal locally. The pre-cooking methods require a great deal of precision, culinary art, patience, and enormous love that Wazas liberally shower on their creations. After the Wazwan Dinner, night stay at Houseboat.

Day 04: Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar – After Breakfast transfer to Gulmarg, called as “Meadow of Flowers” Gulmarg is 53 Kms from Srinagar at an altitude of 8700-ft. Gulmarg is a famous Ski Resort & the world’s highest 18-hole Golf Course.  The importance of Gulmarg was during British period, who used to holiday here. The place was prominent during the British time.  Enjoy the scenic view of Kongdori on a Cable Car Ride – OPTIONAL (Gondola). & Later walk up to the Church & Golf Club of Gulmarg. After making best of the day return back to Houseboat for night stay & Kashmiri Veg Dinner will be served at Houseboat. Enjoy Plain Rice or Naan with Nadroo Yakhni (Lotus Stem in Yogurt Sauce), Haakh (Collard Greens), Dum Aloo (Baby Potatoes) & Lyader Tschaman (Cottage Cheese).

Day 05: Srinagar – Pahalgam – Transfers from Srinagar to Pahalgam called as “Valley of Shepherds. Pahalgam, 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. Now it is Kashmir’s premier resort, cool even during the height of summer when the maximum temperature does not exceed 25° C. Around Pahalgam are many places of interest, and because the resort is set between fairly steep hills. Visit the famous Himalayan Cheese Factory, where natural artisan cheese is made from fresh mountain milk. Home to a local cheese factory that creates traditional cheese Kalari from cow and goat’s milk, a variety of Himalayan cheese can be found in this scenic town. The pastoral nomadic communities rare the cattle and provide this milk to the locals, who in turn make the mozzarella-like Kalari (Kashmiri Cheese). Kalari cheese is sold in stores across India, and the site of Himalaya Cheese has become a popular eco-tourism spot. On arrival check in at Hotel. In Pahalgam, Enjoy the nature & walk around the banks of River Lidder. Pahalgam is famous for some trekking routes also & is the base camp for Amarnath Pilgrimage. Dinner & night stay at Hotel.

Day 06: In Pahalgam – In Pahalgam, free day at Leisure for Independent activities to explorer surroundings. After Breakfast, you can visit to Aru, Chandanwari & Betaab Valley.

Aru is a tourist spot located around 12 from Pahalgam, 11 km upstream from the Lidder River. The Aru valley is noted for its scenic meadows. It is popular among the tourists for its peaceful environment and scenic beauty. The village is a base camp for trekkers to the Kolahoi Glacier, the Tarsar-Marsar lakes and the Katrinag valley. There are about 20 alpine lakes, peaks and meadows around the Aru Valley. Other popular tourist activities include fishing of trout in the Lidder River, trekking, hiking, horse riding, sightseeing and photography.

Betaab valley is situated at a distance of 15 kilometers from Pahalgam in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. Betaab Valley lies between the two Himalayan Ranges – Pir Panjal and Zanskar. The valley got its name from the Sunny Deol – Amrita Singh hit debut film Betaab. The Valley is towards northeast of Pahalgam and falls between Pahalgam and Chandanwari and is enroute Amarnath Temple Yatra. The valley is surrounded by lush green meadows, snow clad mountains and covered with dense vegetation. Betaab Valley is a very popular touristic destination. Betaab Valley is also a favorite campsite of travelers as it also serves as a base camp for trekking and further exploration of the mountains. The valley is a walk-able distance from Pahalgam. The crystal clear & chilly water of the stream bubbling down from the snowy hills is a delight; locals here drink this water too. Baisaran and Tulyan Lake are few nearby attractions that can be visited.

Chandanwari situated 16 Kms from Pahalgam, is the starting point for the famous Amarnath Yatra. It is also famous for snow sledging on Snow Bridge. At Chandanwari the Sheshnag River is captivating with its sheer force and clear waters. Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 07: Pahalgam – Srinagar – After Breakfast, drive back to Srinagar on the way visit Cricket Bat Factory, these bats are made of Kashmiri Willow and are popular among semi-professionals and cricket clubs. Also visit Awanitpora Ruins & Saffron Fields. While returning visit to the local crafts market and see the fine carved hand-made articles from Paper Mashie & wood of a walnut. Also see the scenic extravaganza of the Kashmir and enjoy the profusion of colors in the Paradise on Earth. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 08: Srinagar – Delhi – In time transfer to airport to connect the flight for Delhi. After Check In at Hotel, proceed for Sightseeing tour of New Delhi. NEW DELHI – the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens.  Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings – the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years.

Also proceed to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship in Delhi, India and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the “Sarovar.” It was first built as a small shrine by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi.

Dinner & Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 09: Delhi – Depart – Breakfast at hotel.

In time transfer to International airport to connect flight for onward destination.