When I think of December, I think of thick snow, lush greens, mulled wine and layers and layers of clothing making you feel like a big fat ball. I always dreamt of a white December and it so happened that Kashmir was the chosen city for our new years plan.
It felt I had entered heaven, a heaven I had always imagined it to be. So let me take you through my experience that lasted for 5 whimsical days which I highly suggest everyone to go for, especially if you want to escape the sweltering heat!
Here’s some of my recommendations if you’re making a trip there:
Spend a day in Sri Nagar
We were excited to hop straight to Gulmarg from Sri Nagar, but we made a wise decision to stay a night and relish Kashmir in its true local form. You get to see the city life of the locals and venture out to local markets experiencing and finding unique accessories and food ingredients.
We dropped by the Dal Lake, but due to the smog and cold weather, the lakes charm and beauty was hidden. The best time to stroll through the lake is during autumn and summer where you get to see the clear blue skies with mountainous landscape around you, a truly magical view they say.
Drive down to Gulmarg
The drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg is one of a kind. Snow tipped pine trees and a smorgasbord of birds chirping around is something you will enjoy. In my words, it’s a drive through cloud nine.
Make sure you stay at the Kyber Himalayan Resort & Spa, Gulmarg
The drive to Gulmarg is just not enough, to continue a dream like experience make sure you stay at the Kyber Himalayan Resort and Spa, Gulmarg. Their service, wooden structures and cozy ambiance gives you a forever Christmas feel.
Must Try: L’occitane Spa
Learn to Ski if you haven’t:
If you haven’t skied all your life, now is the time to do it. A lot of people say it is a difficult sport, but the minute you get a hang of it, you crave for more. Make sure you devote half a day for this particular activity and get yourself a personal trainer.
Snow Mobile Under the Stars
Who said all the activities are done during the day? The best ones are kept for the nightriders for an enhanced adventurous journey. My favorite of the lot, was snow mobiling amidst snow flaked woods in a mid night blue sky twinkling with a million stars. Trust me, It couldn’t get better than this!
Drive through Gulmarg on an ATV
Get your adventurous caps on because Gulmarg offers all snow related activities you can possibly thing of. One for the books is to ATV through the roads of Gulmarg where they show you everything you need to know about Gulmarg. From the strawberry fields to an array of army camps, you’ll witness the whole of Gulmarg in an hour, and in style!
Gandola it to Phase 2
Gandola, in other words cable car, isn’t your ordinary cable car journey, while you hop on to this 4 seated trolling car, beneath you in a tone of snow surrounded by igloos that is a site you don’t want to miss. The icing to the cake are the skiers you shall see drifting away through slopes and risky edges which makes you dream of the champ you are when it comes to being a true sport!
As beautiful as you think it can get, there is actually more waiting. Phase 2, the highest peak of the mountain is somewhere I can spend 10 days of every month. Snow that you can eat like a flavorless gola, sun that sparkles on your face giving you the additional warmth and views that are meant for the gods is something that you should not miss.
