Asia-India

Northern India

Lachlan,Garrett,Steven  I want to go to Srin a gar, Kashmir in the spring. //**Spring**//, which extends roughly from March to early May, is when a million blossoms carpet the ground. The weather during this time can be gloriously pleasant at 23*C or chilly and windy at 6*C. This is the season when Srinagar experiences rains, but the showers are brief. Currency Indian rupee

Let's go April 4-14 Air India has round flight cheaply from Oregon to Srinagar

The most prominent natural feature of Srinagar is the **Dal Lake**. Spread 6 kms long and 3 kms wide, the lake is divided into four parts by causeways. The lakeside is lined with luxuriant chinars and poplars. The larger and more elaborate pleasure garden of the Mughals is the **Shalimar Bagh**, four kms away. Laid out by Emperor Jahangir for Nur Jahan, this garden is also divided into four terraces and has a water channel running down its centre. On the topmost terrace is the pavilion reserved for the royal visitors. Supported by stunning black marble pillars, the pavilion had tiny niches that were used to keep fragrant flowers in the day and light up the pavilion with lamps at night. We could visit Dal Lake and Shalimar Bahh.

The **Pari Mahal** (Fairy Palace) is 2 kms up from the garden, and a school of philosophy and astrology established by Dara Shikoh, the elder son of Emperor Akbar. The **Harwan** garden 18 kms from the centre is quieter, with less decorative elements. But the vast lawns, surrounded by chinar trees and a canal fed from a nearby lake, are a popular picnic spot. Behind Boulevard Road at a height of 1,100 feet on Shankaracharya Hill is the **Shankaracharya Temple.** This ancient hilltop shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva is said to have been built by King Gopadatya in 371 BC. Over time, the temple was renovated and reconstructed by several rulers, including Lalitaditya, Zain-ul-Abidin, Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din and finally Maharaja Gulab Singh. The Dogra ruler added a flight of 100 stone steps leading up to the temple. The temple was electrified in 1925. The most important Muslim shrine in Kashmir is the **Hazratbal Shrine,** on the western bank of Dal Lake. The shrine is specially sanctified by the hair relic of Prophet Mohammad preserved in its precincts AHDOOS RESTAURANT RUBY RESTAURANT Kashmir food

Day 1 I have arranged to take the Srinagar tour which lasts six days. On day one I will arrive and be escorted to my hotel by the tour's representative, for the night.

Day 2 on day two they will show me some historical sights like Qutab Minar, Chattarpur Mandir, Iskcon Temple, and Humayun's Tomb. Humayun's Tomb is a complex set of buildings that was recently restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.

Day 3 In the morning I will be sent to Sonmurg park for trekking, alpine skiing, white water rafting, and sightseeing before returning to my hotel.

Day 4 After a breakfast provided by the tour, I will go to Gulmarg, whitch is not only one of the largest resorts in Srinagar, but also has a huge golf course.

Day 5 The next day I will go around the valley and visit the Mughal gardens, Nishat garden, Shalimar garden, Chashashahi, Shankaracharga, and Dal Lake.

Day 6 I'll take a trip to Pahalgam for the day to golf, hike, fish, ride horses, alpine skiing, white water rafting, and sight seeing.

Day 7 On the final day of the tour they will take me to the Hazratbal shrine and Nagin lake before taking me to the local market then they will take me back to my hotel.

Day 8 Today I roamed the town shopping and eating at restaurants. I noticed that nobody used any hand gestures or even wave. Some people pointed with their chins. That night we went and saw a IPL 20/20 Cricket match.

Day 9 A thing I noticed about the food in that it's all very spicy. I have taken to bringing water wherever I go. I also noticed that there are hundreds of different languages in Kashmir.

Day 10 Today I left for home. I had a lot of fun, and I hope I can do it again.

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