An Arc of Ancient Kashmir

After breakfast, visit Dachigam National Park which covers an area of 141 sq. km. The name literally stands for “Ten Villages”, which could be in memory of the ten villages that were relocated in order to create the park. Dachigam was initially established to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to Srinagar city. A protected area since 1910, it was declared as national park in 1981. The park is best known as the world-renowned Hangul or Kashmir Stag.

After lunch visit the famous Guryul Ravines in Kashmir.

(The first layer comes to the fore from the Third Mass Extinction Event at the end of the Permian period around 250 million years ago in the picturesque but mysterious Zabarwan hills. This place provides a chance to immerse and bear witness to the last remnant from the distant past. Marks from the marine life on the rocks and stones at the Guryul Ravine in Khanmoh, Srinagar, is testimony to the marine life that vanished by 96% in the event. Intriguing for inquisitive minds, Kashmir's least known Triassic Fossil Park is only next to China's fossil park. It still has the ability to unfold the events from the past before our eyes through the layers of littered stones, just a scratch away).

Rest of the day at leisure. B&D

After breakfast, visit SPS Museum (Sri Pratap Singh Museum) as every trip to a museum is an opportunity to broaden your perspective by learning more about others. That’s a skill set that is also very useful in a healthy relationship.

(Standing on left banks of River Jhelum, Sri Pratap Singh Museum stores treasure of the past. Established in 1898, the museum houses a collection of over 80,000 objects from various regions in Northern India.)

The medieval heritage walk will take you to the rich cultural landscape and historic monuments of the city of Srinagar known as Shahar-i-Khaas. Through the narrow lanes and by-lanes of the Shahar-i-Khaas, you will see how its rich culture and architecture comes alive as you walk along the roads and bustling bazaars (market). The main building medium of Kashmir is stone, wood and bricks. Most of the buildings are religious in nature.

In the afternoon, leave for the heritage tour and start you walk on the bank of river Jhelum in front of the Pathar Masjid also known as Shahi Masjid or Masjid-i-nav (new).

(Pathar masjid was built in 1623, and, said to have been built by the Empress Nur Jahan. It was built using grey limestone, which was departure from the common wooden structures built at that time. its room contains twenty-seven domes, which are partly ribbed and partly valued)

As we walk towards our next stop, we cross Zaina Kadal Bridge – constructed by Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin in 15th century, providing a medieval picture of an old town with wooden structures and domes.

We cross the bridge and move further on the right bank of Jhelum to see one of the most beautiful buildings of Srinagar, Khanqah of Shah-i-Hamadan – Khanqah-e-Moula – the first mosque in Kashmir situated on the banks of river Jhelum in the centre of the city. It is one of the oldest mosques (drive past) built by Sultan Sikander around 1400. The mosque is built on timber and was constructed without any nails. Both frontage and interiors are covered in painted papier- mâché work. It was founded by Persian saint Mir Sayed Ali Hamdani, and it is likely that his retinue introduced Kashmiris to the Persian art of fine carpet- making.

At last, visit the Jamia Masjid – built by Sultan Sikander around 1400 AD and later enlarged by his son Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin. It is the most impressive building in wooden style of architecture with minimal carving.

Rest of the day at leisure. B&D

After leisurely breakfast, enjoy a gondola ride on one of the world's highest gondolas for an incredible view of the snow-clad Himalaya Mountains. It passes through the Kongdori station that is located at an elevation of 8,530 ft. and the second leg of the ride takes people to the Apharwat mountain top at a height of 13,500 ft. One can catch sweeping and magnificent views of the Nanda Devi Peak and the Pir Panjal range along the way. The ride from Gulmarg to Kongdori takes about 10 minutes and from Kongdori to Apharwat takes 12 minutes.

In the afternoon, enjoy walking tour in Gulmarg biodiversity park. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve is home to many common and rare species of fauna, flora and avifauna. Nature has blessed this sanctuary with expansive patches of conifers and green herbs that give it a scenic appearance. Here, you can catch sight of the endangered Musk Deer - the main attraction of the park. Also seen in this park are Hangul, Leopard, Brown Bear, Black Bear and Red Fox. A paradise for ornithologists, this area has a huge population of indigenous and migratory birds. Worth mentioning among them are Griffon Vulture, Blue Rock Pigeon Monal, Snow Cock, European Hoopoe, Koklas, Kashmir Roller and Jungle Crow.

Evening at Leisure. B&D