THE PART 2 OF TRIP TO KASHMIR ; )

Trip to Kashmir- A Day in Gilmarg

We woke up early at 7 AM, ready to begin our adventure from Srinagar to Gulmarg. As we entered the buffet area for breakfast, we were the first ones there—seems like the people of Kashmir wake up later than we do! They seemed surprised to see us so early and eager to explore. It was a chilly 0°C in Srinagar, and the moment we stepped out of the hotel, I felt my legs and arms start to shiver. It was my first time experiencing such cold weather—temperatures below 15°C.

After about two hours of scenic driving, we finally arrived at Gulmarg around 10:30 AM. To my delight, I saw snow for the first time in my life. The view of the snow-covered mountains during the drive was nothing short of magical. The cold was biting as we rented jackets to brave the freezing temperatures—minus 7°C in Gulmarg. We decided to take a ride on the Gulmarg Gondola, the famous cable car that takes you up the mountain. The cold was so intense that when I removed my gloves to take photos, my fingers froze, and I couldn’t feel my hands anymore!

The Gondola ride takes you to two phases. We started with Phase 1, then went up to Phase 2, where we struggled a bit with the altitude and the thinner air. It was difficult to breathe, so we decided to descend back to Phase 1. In Phase 1, we spent about 3 to 4 hours enjoying the snow, trying our hand at skiing, and even attempting to build a snowman—although we couldn’t quite get it right! Despite the cold, it was such a fun and thrilling experience.

Later that evening, we stayed in a cozy cottage in Gulmarg. Even though the temperature was freezing, the beauty of the place made it all worth it. The cottage was picturesque, nestled among the snow-covered landscape. It was the perfect end to a day filled with new experiences and unforgettable memories.

Kashmir has truly been a dream come true!