Gulmarg
Gulmarg sizzles between the Pir Panjal range and Afarwat Hills in a world of white. The name Gulmarg speaks volumes about the hillside. Gul means flowers in Kashmiri, and the valley is a palette of colors through the year; bouncing buttercups, blushing tulips, cowslips and forget-me-nots carpet the town.

Frequented by great Mughal emperor Jehangir, the valley was first called Gaurimag by shepherds and later in the 16th century it was named Gulmarg by Kashmir King Sultan Yousuf Shah Chak. Such was the beauty and charm of the valley that Emperor Jehangir later visited and collected over 21 species of flowers from the valley. It was in 1927 after the coming of the British that Gulmarg started to develop into a beautiful hill resort. Let's take you to Gulmarg.

Pahalgam
From the high green mountains of the Himalayan range to the great Lidder River, the sheer grandeur of Pahalgam blows you away. It sits pretty right where the Aaru and Sheshnag rivers meet and is guarded by fir covered mountains chequered with white peaks.

Perched around 8200 ft above sea level, Pahalgam offers world class rafting, mountaineering, sledging, camping, skiing, trekking and hiking expeditions. Get set to go on a rollicking high-altitude adventure along the balmy Lidderwat Valley, Kolohoi Glacier and Sonmarg Valley. Let's take you to the beautiful valleys of Pahalgam.

Srinagar
The picturesque Srinagar, the Summer Capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a city of lakes and gardens. It possesses the quiet calm of someone who has seen too much of life. Since its history began - some date it back to the 3rd century BC-it has witnessed opulence and horror.

Shaken to destruction by an earthquake and washed away by floods in recent times, the city picked up the pieces. Its mystique was not missed by the powerful and the wise. Many rulers left a trace of their rule in Srinagar: Asoka, Vikramaditya, the Moghuls and the Dogra. The echo of the Sufi saints's wisdom still reverberates in Srinagar if you are willing to listen.

Urs at Sufi shrines revisit the saints' teachings on their death anniversary. Rozabal Shrine brings people to its door out of curiosity. It is said to be the tomb of Jesus Christ, a controversial claim. A Shiva temple on the Shankaracharya Hill is where Adi Shankaracharya meditated.

It is easy to forget the harsh reality in the enchanting gardens. The Mughal Gardens are like paradise recreated: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashma Shahi Gardens. They are all designed to give you a magnificent view of Dal Lake.16-0431-05