TOUR STARTS ON : 23rd APRIL
TOUR ENDS ON : 01st MAY

Fact file
Area : 222,236 Sq.Kms
Population : 8.5 Million
Capital : Srinagar
Languages : Kashmiri,Dogri,Urdu & Ladakhi

23rd April : Delhi - Jammu
Morning Pickup from Delhi and straight drive to Jammu (about 590kms / 10hrs ) , once the stronghold of Hindu Dogra kings and abounds with popular temples and secluded forest retreats. Jammu, perhaps, offers the widest diversity of terrain and beauty. The entire region is pocketed with lakes and valleys, some still little explored. The foundation of the settlement of Jammu is attributed to King Jambulochan of the 9th century BC. In 1730 AD, it came under the Dogra rule of Raja Dhruv Deva and Jammu became an important centre for arts and culture, now renowned as the Pahari School. Religion, too, played an important part in its development, so beautifully evidenced in its various shrines and temples spread throughout the region. Arrive and check into the hotel . O/n Hotel

24th April : Jammu - Vaishno Devi
Morning after breakfast visit the Jammu town , although it has some fine temples , notable ones are the Raghunath Temple and the Ranbireshwar Temple of Shiva with a 75 metre high tower . Afternoon drive to Vaishno Devi ( About 60 kms / 1and half hrs . ) northwest of Jammu city , famous for the Cave temple of the mother goddess Vaishno Devi . The holy cave shrine of Vaishno devi is situated in a beautiful races of the Trikuta Mountains forming a part of the lower Himalayas as in the state of Jammu & Kashmir at an altitude of over 5000 feet. In the cave there are images of three deities viz. the Mahakali, Mahalakshmi and Mahasaraswati , visit the temple . O/n Hotel

25th April : Vaishno Devi - Srinagar .
Morning after breakfast drive to Srinagar ( about 245kms / 05hrs ) dating back to 3rd century B C , founded by Emperor Ashoka , Srinagar grew on both baks of the river Jhelum in the heart of the Kashmir Valley , this capital city offers delightful holidays on the lakes with their shikaras and houseboats. Arrive Srinagar and embark the House boat, moored near the summer palace of Maharani , the most sought after sight in the Dal Lake , with panoramic views of Zabarwan hills , Pari Mahal , Shankaracharya Temple and distant views of snow capped Pir Panjal mountain range .O/n House boat

26th April : House boat
Morning free to relax . Each houseboat has a huge terrace where you can sun bathe , enjoy fine views of the surrounding mountains and the lake . Afternoon Shikara ride in the lake . O/n House boat

27th April : Srinagar - Gulmarg - Srinagar
Morning disembark from the house boat and proceed to Gulmarg ( About 56 kms / 02hrs ) , known as ' the meadow of flowers ' situated at an altitude of 2730 Mts . Drive through villages , Apple Orchids and pine forests . Skiing , tobogganing , ski - bobbing are some of the activities offered here , with instruction and facilities . A full day to explore Gulmarg , evening back to Srinagar . O/n Houseboat

28th April : Srinagar - Pahalgam - Srinagar
A full day to visit Pahalgam(94kms / 03hrs ) , another beautiful hill station in Kashmir . Situated at a junction of the Lidder and Sheeting rivers and surrounded by soaring , fir covered mountains with bare ,snow capped peaks rising behind them . Pahalgam is vey popular with Indian tourists as the staging point for the famous pilgrimage to the sacred ice lingam in the Amarnath Cave . Evening back to Srinagar .O/n Houseboat .

29th April : Nishat and Shalimar
Today morning we visit the Nishat Bagh ( Garden of Gladness ) and Shalimar Bagh gardens built on a symmetrical plan of a central waterway with fountains dividing a series of gardened terraces . Nishat Bagh ( about 11kms from Srinagar ) on the shores of the lake was laid out in 1633. It is the largest of all the Royal gardens . The gardens on either side of the water course are planted with tall Chinar trees, which you can see at their best in Autumn .

Two Kilometers further on is the Shalimar Bagh garden built for Nur Jahan by her husband , the Mughal Emperor Jahangir . The central black marble pavilion in the Zenana or Ladies' garden is surrounded by water and looks out in four directions . Below in the Diwan -i - Am , the hall of Public Audiences the Emperor used to sit on a black marble throne above the water . Afternoon visit the famous Shankaracharya Temple , believed to have been founded by the Hindu sage of the same name and dedicated to Lord Shiva . O/n Houseboat

30th April : Srinagar - Jammu
Morning after breakfast drive back to Jammu( about 305kms / 6 hrs.) and check into the hotel . Rest of the day free to relax before return to Delhi . O/n Hotel

01st May : Jammu - Delhi
Morning drive back to Delhi ( about 590kms / 10hrs ) , Arrive and drop at Delhi .
End of Service .

Cost for 2005
Cost per person = Rs. 18,400 /- On Twin Sharing basis .
Single Sharing = Rs. 4750/- nett.

Cost Includes
» Accomodation with all meals.
» All transfer / Sightseeing by Air-conditioned Bus .
» One Tour leader from NEI .
» One Shikara Ride Entrance for Monuments / Temples .

Cost Excludes
» Domestic Airfare .
» Airport Tax .
» Any extra sightseeing not included in the above programme .
» Personal expenses like bar bills , telephone calls ,Laundry , tips , beverages , Medical / travel insurance etc..
» Still / video camera fees .