After three days of amazing experience in Srinagar, next day early morning we started our journey for Gulmarg.
It was a two and half hour journey and just before Gulmarg, our driver stopped the car for a quick refreshment at Tanmarg and for renting jackets and boots to protect ourselves from the heavy snow. You can rent this stuff as per your convenience but the quality and fit are not that great so you have to force the salesman “BHAIYA! please aur dikhao.” So, please bargain a lot.
Ohh! gloves are a must otherwise it’s going to be tough to play in the snow. Gulmarg is hardly 20-25 minutes from Tanmarg but because of snow-clad roads, it’s tough and risky for the car to move ahead. So, drivers generally tie sharp chain on tires for better grip on the road.
But seriously speaking you don’t mind a slow car as the view is just magical. Gulmarg looks so beautiful with snow and everything looks like straight out of fairytale movie. The entire valley was covered with a blanket of snow, stunning snow-capped mountain peaks and frozen pine trees.
We booked our stay in ”The Khyber Himalayan Resort and spa.” The Khyber is located in the midst of the Pir-Panjal range and every room comes with a view of the Affrawat peaks or the inner valley view of Gulmarg, picturesque in its own way.
We were greeted with hot Kehwa at the lobby and we were totally mesmerized with the architecture and gorgeous woodwork.
Thanks to the heavy snowfall the previous day, the entire valley looked straight out of a winter postcard. Staff was really humble and proactive in their service.
Wood carvings all around, be it furniture or be it on windows & doors were of one of a kind. Vintage Kashmiri carpets were adding more beauty to this property. Glass windows were stretched from floor till the ceiling so one could enjoy the view.
The rooms have been designed with comfort and luxury in mind. Our rooms were quite spacious and equipped with bespoke furniture and had a spacious balcony to enjoy a panoramic view of the valley.
The highlight of the bathroom was a super amazing bathtub with a view. It was not a general view that you can ignore but the view of snow clad mountains and snow-covered trees. The view from the bathroom was like a Yashraj’s movie I could literally sit there for hours.
Spa, gym and other recreational activities are all interconnected through covered corridors. The best part of the hotel is an indoor heated swimming pool with a gorgeous view of the valley. You can buy a swimming costume if you are not carrying one. We all really enjoyed our time playing in the swimming pool. Post which we relaxed our nerves in a hot jacuzzi for ten minutes.
Then we were called for our prebooked spa facility. The Khyber L’Occitane spa is ideal for unwinding after a day of sightseeing. They use heavenly aromatherapy oils and massage from scalp to toes. The masseuses did an impressive job. We felt light and sleepy after this amazing massage.
After having an amazing experience of a spa, we headed for dinner as we were dying out of hunger. They offered us a free sweet dish to end our yummylicious dinner. Believe me, I slept like a baby.
Next day we had a quick breakfast so that we can hang around and play in the snow (i was damn excited). Our guide wanted to show us the playground but it was all covered in ten inches of snow, it still did not stop us from having a blast.
We all were behaving like a six-year-old even my Mother in law was actively participating and did not miss a moment of hitting us with snowballs. We all were giggling and shouting with our full heart. Damn! it was pure joy.
Next, we got ready for a visit to Shiv temple. Ohh! god, we could not see anything apart from snow. it was a really magical moment. We visited the temple after climbing 50-60 stairs, we felt blessed. Then we had lunch in local dhabha, we ate masala maggie and aloo stuffed paratha and a super hot cup of tea.
After a tiring day, we lazed around on our couches and enjoyed watching Bollywood movies. We even played “chor-raja-sipahi” and can you guess who won this game..? Of course your girl M’fituri.. (LOL)
Later my husband and his twin brother played snooker. And I decided to hit the gym to burn up some calories. Well, you should always try not to miss a workout even while traveling. The gorgeous view was an add on and trust me it was one of the better workouts.
The weather was not good so we couldn’t do any gondola ride or skiing. it was all shut but I seriously don’t mind as I enjoyed watching a surreal snowfall.
As I say goodbye to this beautiful journey, I knew in my heart that definitely I am going to refer this to friends and will come back again in the future. Be it with friends or family you will enjoy the stay over here.
Hope you guys like the post, I’ll see you next with one more amazing blog.
TILL THEN STAY STYLISH AND KEEP EXPLORING!!!
LOVE YOU ALL #MYFITURIS