Srinagar in 72 Hours

Morning

9:00-9:30 am: Srinagar is very well known for its cafe culture and therefore offers several of them to all its tourists. Start your first day from the Books and Bricks Cafe. A warm and comfortable space decorated with printed pages from books, makes the space worth a visit. The freshly brewed coffee is a must try here.

9:30-11:00 am: Day one is all about sightseeing, so head towards Badshah Tomb which is just 7km from the breakfast place. A 15th-century tomb of Sultan Zain-Ul-Abidin’s mother located on the banks of River Jhelum is built in the complex of a graveyard. The tomb has remarkable architecture and is open to all for free.

11:00 am-12:30 pm: Next stop from the tomb is the Sri Pratap Singh Museum which is again 7km away from the last destination. This museum boasts of a huge collection art, textiles, utensils and ornaments. Before the place got converted into a museum, it served as a summer palace to the rulers of that time. Maharaja Pratap Singh is known to have contributed an extensive collection of handicrafts and artifacts to the museum. The museum remains open from 10 am to 5 pm close spaces everywhere and is closed on Mondays.

Afternoon

12:30-1:30 pm: After a tour of two of the best historical sites of Srinagar, take a break and refill yourself at the Mughal Darbar. This restaurant is famous for its Kashmiri cuisine and has few vegetarian options. The Mughal Darbar is known for Wazwan, which is a multi-course meal in Kashmiri Cuisine. Special carpet seating is available for all the guests who want to enjoy a traditional Wazwan experience.

1:30-3:00 pm: Now, head to 15th-century Jama Masjid which is just 3km from the restaurant. Jama Masjid is located right in the centre of Srinagar. This age-old structure has three minarets with Persian-style architecture. This historical site will take you back in time as it has undergone some major renovations by different rulers at different times.

3:00-5:00 pm: After the tour of Jama Masjid, visit the Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh. Nishat Bagh is 12km away from the mosque and is located in the eastern side of Dal Lake. The terrace garden owes its beauty to the Mughal style symmetrical gardening and is adorned with 12 terraces, each signifying a zodiac sign. The garden is known as the second largest Mughal garden in Asia and is definitely a must-visit for any traveller in Srinagar

Evening

5:30 pm: Enjoy the sunset in a Shikara ride at Dal Lake which is just 2km away from the mosque. The Shikara ride can cost from ₹150 to ₹250 per person. Apart from being a popular tourist attraction, Dal Lake also holds importance for commercial purposes. Dotted with several floating gardens and houseboats, Dal Lake is the most attractive part of Srinagar

9:00-10:00 am: Start your upcoming adventurous day with a sumptuous breakfast at 14th Avenue Cafe, another cafe in Srinagar that has breakfast options. The river view cafe is a European style coffeehouse and is known for its multi-cuisine options. Try the sheermal (puff pastry) and noon chai (Kashmiri pink tea) here.

10:00-12:00 am: Take a day trip to Gulmarg and hop on a gondola cable car to see it all in just one day. You can also enjoy skiing here. Gulmarg is about 51km away from the city of Srinagar and it takes around 2 hours to reach the town. It is claimed to be the hot spot for winter sports in India and you will get a variety of options to enjoy your day here.

12:00-5:00 pm: Enjoy a phenomenal view of the snow-covered mountains on a ride of the world’s highest gondola. The ride takes place in two phases; One from Gulmarg to Kongdoori at 3,080 metres and second from Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak which is 4,200 metres above sea level. Each ride is for about 15-20 minutes long, but you might have to wait for your turn if it is peak season. For those who want to ski will have to take a chairlift from Kongdoori to Mary's shoulder. The cable ride is operative from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. The cost for all the rides range from ₹300 to ₹800 and the ticket counter closes at 3 pm.

5:00-7:00 pm: Leave Gulmarg for Srinagar. It will take another two hours to reach Srinagar.

Evening

7:00-9:00 pm: Shop for famous Kashmiri handicrafts and Pashmina silk. Visit Polo View Market and Kokar Bazar for an unlimited shopping experience. From dry fruits and spices to paper mache products, Srinagar has it all.

Morning

9:00-10:00 am: Head to Goodfellas Cafe for your last breakfast in the city. This little artsy cafe that hosts several open mic events has Kashmiri elements here and there. The place offers a range of speciality teas and a variety of breakfast options.

10:00 am-1:00 pm: Leave for Astanmarg Harwan after breakfast, the paragliding take off-site in Srinagar. At a distance of 18km from the Goodfellas Cafe, Harwan is located at an altitude of 2,250 metres and offers an extraordinary view of the valley. Enjoy a thrilling experience of paragliding and take a bird’s eye view of the region. Get more details for paragliding here.

Apple Orchards

2:30-3:00 pm: For lunch, visit the first restaurant in Kashmir Valley, Ahdoo. This was built in 1918 and specialises in Kashmiri cuisine. Carved from wood, the interiors of the restaurant give an old rustic feel to the place, but with modern amenities. The restaurant also offers Mughlai and Indian cuisine. Don’t forget to try the sewai here.

3:00-9:00 pm: Next stop is the Wular Lake which is at a distance of 60km from the restaurant. It will take approximately two hours to reach the lake, but it is worth the travel. Along with iconic landscapes, the lake is also very popular as a fishing spot and is a paradise for bird watchers. The place boasts of a population of unique species of birds like koklass pheasan, Eurasian sparrowhawk and many others.

9:00-9:00 pm: Spend a night on a Kashmiri houseboat that seamlessly floats on the Dal Lake. Open your eyes to a picturesque sunrise and get ready for your next destination.

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