Air
All major airlines, both budget and full service, including Jet Airways, Indigo Airlines, Spice Jet, Air India, Vistara and Go Air have daily flights from most major cities in India. Rail
Train routes from cities and towns end in Jammu and the track to Srinagar is under construction. One can opt for travel by the State Transport Buses or Share in taxis which run regularly outside the Jammu R
ailway Station and bus stand which is 2 to 3 kms from the station. RoadTravel from Jammu to Srinagar is around 300Km and from New Delhi (860km, 548 miles) drive can be a unique experience climbing winding roads through the breathtaking Pir Panjal range. There are several places en route developed for the convenience of the motorist—Jajjar Kotli, Kud, Patnitop, Batote, Ramban, Banihal and Qazi Gund, all have tourist bungalows and provisions for meals, snacks, petrol pumps and car repair.Deluxe coaches are operated by Jammu & Kashmir SRTC and take about 11 hours to Srinagar. KASHMIR
The Kashmir valley is famous for it picturesque natural beauty and among other sights, is known for its Dal Lake that reflects the surrounding snowcapped mountain peaks. It is unique as there is no valley so large (5000 sqkm) at such a high altitude (1600m). Flanked by the Pir Panjal range and the Himalayas, this densely settled and much coveted land is truly a paradise on earth as stated by Mughal Emperor Jehangir on his visit to Kashmir, “if there is a paradise on earth, it is here, it is here, it is here.”
The word Kashmir is an ancient Sanskrit word which literally means Land of Rishi Kashyap-mar who saved the people of that land from a demon. Initially, an important centre of Hinduism and Buddhism, Kashmir was succeeded by the Mughal empire, Afghan empire and lastly by the princely Sikhs. Kashmir is a land where myriad holiday ideas are realised. In winter, when snow carpets the mountains, there is skiing, tobogganing and sledge-riding along the gentle slopes (in Gulmarg, a 2 hour drive from Awakening). In spring and summer, the honey-dewed orchards, rippling lakes and blue skies beckon every soul to sample the many delights the mountains and valleys have to offer. Golfing at 2,700m above the sea, water-skiing in the lakes, angling for prized rainbow trout, or simply drifting down the willow fringed alleys of lakes in shikaras and living in richly carved houseboats are some of the favoured activities. For golf enthusiasts, there is the spectacular 18-hole championship golf course, Royal Springs, designed by Robert Trent Jones, one of the world’s foremost golfcourse designers, overlooks the Dal Lake, just a 15 minute drive away. The languages spoken are Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi & English
Weather
Kashmir has four distinct seasons, each with its own peculiar character and distinctive charm. Spring March to May 0° to 27°C. Brief showers
Summer May to August 10° to 35°C
Autumn September to November 0° to 26°C
Winter December to March -4° to 17°C
