An Affair to Remember – Bring on the Bollywood

You will be greeted and escorted to your house boat. Time to settle in and marvel. A Shikara ride to the floating post office against the backdrop of a sun setting behind mountains marks a memorable first evening. Bollywood and western stars have been enthralled by a stay here. George Harrison took sitar lessons on a house boat with musical genius Ravi Shankar. Kashmir has long been a center of historical, cultural and social significance and even tumult. The modern state has existed since the 1846 treaty between Raja Gulab Singh of Jammu and the British East India Company. Anything this good is worth fighting for it would seem.

The only struggle you have is choose between coffee or the local delicacy – Kahwa tea on the deck of your house boat. Kahwa means eleven – the number of ingredients – including almonds, raisins and local saffron – that go into this delicious brew.

We head off through saffron fields at Pampore to the “shepherd’s village” – Bollywood’s second home of yesteryear. Visiting Vishnu temple ruins at Awantipur along the way, our meandering drive through rugged terrain along the majestic river brings us to Pahalgam.Dinner in the market place with its great bustling vibe will. You’ll soon be tapping your toes as if you’ve been enjoying Rajesh Khanna songs all your life. Pahalgam market is somewhat unlike the other mall road markets of other hill stations in India with broad roads and more organised shops. Spend some time browsing and shopping in the bazaar.

The quaint village sits exquisitely in stunning landscape. It is naturally decorated by the Lidder river and guarded by snow covered peaks. No surprise that the “Switzerland of India” was a hit with Bollywood. You visit the picturesque Betaab valley where the movie starring Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh was shot. The Aru valley was home to many hit films like Karma, Silsila and Rocky to name a few. Enjoy the sparkling Lidder and the serenity of pine forests hugging the golf course and the mini deer park.

Heading back to Srinagar you will see the Martand temples, the sulphur springs at Anantnag and the cricket manufacturing factory at Bijbehara. Sachin Tendulkar’s bats were made here. After returning to your houseboat and a special lunch you visit the backwaters of the lake with its floating gardens and aquatic life.

Visiting the world famous Mughal gardens. Three calm and tranquil spaces conjure a sense of the refined and romantic Mughal era. With Dal Lake in the foreground ringed by the Zaberwan mountains these are special places indeed. Look forward to refreshing cuppa at Gandhi tree. This site was named for Mahatma Gandhi who saw “a shining ray of hope in Kashmir.” An overnight excursion takes you to Pari Mahal and Shankaracharya Hills.

A spectacular day of touring. We take you to the golden meadows winding our way through the roaring Sindh valley. Sonmarg is truly blessed in its unparalleled scenery all year round. The icy glaciers, snow capped peaks, conifer forests, lakes and trails of amazing beauty and size draw you in with their majesty. A walking tour follows to experience village life: elderly men and women tend to chickens and sheep. Playful children scamper about while women carry water pitchers on their heads.

About three and a half hours drive away is Gulmarg. En route, we visit the Thajjwas glacier where you can explore by pony. Manasbal Lake, considered the deepest in India, is home to lotus flowers which bloom in July and August. It is a bird watchers paradise. We take lunch here before heading to Gulmarg.

Whether you are a skier or a golfer or neither, this is a special place. We ride one of the world’s longest ropeways to the summit of Mt. Apharwat and begin to understand why mountaineers might climb. It is heaven up here. Check out this trailer for the 2012 movie Student of the Year. Snow scenes shot in Gulmarg.

The tour ends after breakfast and you are escorted to the airport for your onward travel.