Made with ♥ in the mountains | © 2023
BRIEF ITINERARY :
DAY 01 : Srinagar - Arrive around 12 pm
DAY 02 : Gulmarg
DAY 03 : Gulmarg - Gandola
DAY 04 : Gulmarg - Pahalgam
DAY 05 : Baisaran valley
DAY 06 : Pahalgam to Sonamarg
DAY 07 : Stay in Sonamarg
DAY 08 : Depart from Srinagar
DAY 01 : SRINAGAR - ARRIVE AROUND 12 PM
Arrive around 12 pm at Srinagar airport (SXR). We will head to our heated houseboat, freshen up, have lunch and head to Tulip gardens. If we have time later today, we will head to Jama Masjid, originally built in 1394 and restored for the last time in 1672, is the largest mosque in Kashmir. It has 378 wooden pillars supporting its ceiling. In the evening we will try some Kashmiri Kahwa (tea) and Wazwan - a multi-course meal in Kashmiri cuisine, the preparation of which is considered an art and a point of pride in Kashmiri culture and identity. It consists of 20 dishes Read more
DAY 02 : GULMARG
Today we will start our scenic drive to Gulmarg with gorgeous willow trees on both sides of the road. We will check in to the hotel and take a stroll/cycle out in the snow in the evening.
DAY 3 : GULMARG - GANDOLA
Today we will take the Gandola ( 3747 M ) . This is one of the highest gondola rides in the world. The ride takes place in three phases.Today is the day to try your hands on skying . The view from the top area is unparalleled. The cost of gondola is not included.
- Phase 1: Gulmarg to Kongdoori
- Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak.
DAY 4 : GULMARG - PAHALGAM
Today we will head to our super cozy hotel in Pahalgam after some hot tea from the streets of this small town. On the way, we will stop at the only kesar farm in india.
DAY 5 : BAISARAN VALLEY
Betab valley is named after the movie was shot here. If we are super lucky we can also play 1 or 2 cricket matches in the valley. The alternate option for today is trek to Baisaran valley. If we have time, we will do both 🙂
PS: it's an easy hike of 5km and a good intro to all the folks coming with me for trekking.
DAY 6 : PAHALGAM TO SONAMARG
Today its a long journey of 4.5 hrs to Sonamarg. Enroute we will visit the Darga shown in the movie Bhajrangi Bhaijaan.
DAY 7 : STAY IN SONAMARG
There is no wonder this is one of the most beautiful places on kashmir. Depending on the snow condition there, we can see if we can reach upto the Thajiwas glacier view point. There might be few shops open for shopping too. As today is the last night of our trip, we shall stay awake as much as possible and maybe go out for a night walk.
DAY 8 : DEPART FROM SRINAGAR
Our kashmir trip comes to an end today . It takes about 3.5 hours to reach Srinagar . You can book any flight after 2pm today. We will leave from Sonamarg just after breakfast. Most of us will meet again in some other mountain 🙂
Photo Credits : Apna Akshay sawant
Sneha Shadi
I had planned a couple of trips with Vyshahk which did not happen due to one or another reason 😔And then i got a message from him for the Kashmir trip for New Years. I instantly said a Yes for it but deep down my heart i was unsure for too many reasons ( covid scenes, the jinx on my trips, etc) but then Vyshakh answered most of my questions and it was quite convincing why should i be on this trip.
I started planning and praying for the trip to happen after the stress-full year of work from home scene. The moment i got my RT PCR negative results, i messaged him and the reaction he shared was so amazing 🤩 The moment i landed in Srinagar i fell in love with its climate, snow clad mountains around and with the warmth of the local people there.
We were around 21 of us on this trip and in no time we started to know each other because Vyshakh makes it a point that the group keeps interacting with each other.
After travelling around for entire day he would still make it a point that we have a meet up sess at night to lighten our moods by playing Mafia, singing, dancing and what not! His efforts to make each one of us comfortable on this trip is what has touched my heart the most 🧡.......coz hey, that’s so tough and consumes so much of energy but he still does it with that smile on his face! ( A true Leader)😎
The best way to end 2020 and WELCOME 2021!!!This trip was supposed to be a week’s trip until God was too kind to shower sooooo much of snow on us that it got extended to another week as well! I have been lucky to have met people on this trip who have become dearest friends now❤️❤️❤️!Even though Vyshakh was not there with us in that extended week, he was in constant touch with us every day! He ensured we are safe and even asked our local guide to be around us! That’s the amount of dedication he invests for the all the people on his trip 😇
All in all, this trip has been an Indelible one ❤️and i look upto having many many more with “The Sane One and the Crazy Heads” 😂😂😂
GROUP TRIP DATES:
FLIGHTS CONSIDERATION :
Onwards : Around 12 pm Outwards : After 2pm
COST ( excluding 5% GST )
Rs. 25,000 / person ( Before Nov 15)
Rs. 26,000 / person ( After Nov 15)
SLOTS AVAILABLE :
HOW TO BOOK A SLOT ?
You can block the slot by paying a token amount of 10,500 INR for this trip either by UPI or by Bank transfer. As discussed the total amount is 25,000 INR. Once it's done, please share the reference number with me. Choose UPI or Bank transfer by clicking on the tab below.
SCAN TO PAY
UPI : oneintheorangejacket@icici
BANK DETAILS :
A/C HOLDER'S NAME: Orange jacket Adventures LLP
A/c No : 169105000957
RTGS/NEFT IFSC CODE : ICIC0001691
BANK NAME AND BRANCH: ICICI , Thoppumpady
Account type : Current account
UPI : oneintheorangejacket@icici
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Homestay / Lodging
- Transportation : Srinagar Airport to Srinagar Airport
- Accommodation : 7 Nights in hotels
- Breakfast Bed tea/ coffee with “Wake uuuuup guys” call from me
- Permits
- Local Transportation
- A Trained Outdoor leader to keep you safe. I Promise 🙂
- Mineral Water or any other room service
- Camera Charge
- Cost of any Extra Day
- Lunch and dinner
- Any expenses due to deviation from itinerary
- Gandola pass and Chair lift passes
- Before 45 days of trip, there will be 10% cancellation charge.
- Before 30 days and within 44 days of arrival, there will be 25% cancellation charge.
- Before 15 days and within 29 days of arrival ,there will be 50% cancellation charge.
- Within 14 days of trip there will be 100% cancellation charges.
All this been said if you or me can find a replacement for the slot. I will be happy to refund the entire amount. 🙂
Here is our 9 point checklist that we follow with regards to OJ trips.
- Our trippers will be asked to get -ve RTpcr certificate before they arrive.
- You will staying at a hotel where we are the only guests. its more like a guesthouse.
- Your tempo traveller will be sanitised before it reaches you.
- Your driver is also tested -ve RTpcr before our trip starts.
- We ask our trippers to keep themselves away from any crowded space 2 weeks before the trip.
- We ask our trippers to be careful of the restaurants and hotels that they might go before and after your trek.
- Anyone showing symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, cold, shortness of breath or fever ) are being asked to reschedule their trips/ treks.
- On treks, we are providing hygiene sleeping bags to everyone. You will be using this throughout the trek and only return on the last day
- On treks, every tent will have only 2 people compared to 3 ( which is the usual number at pre-covid era )
- *Mandatory : Original ID Proof
- Clothes : 3 Synthetic / cotton pants ,4 Full sleeves tees , Sunhat , Woollen head-scarf/ muffler ,Towel , 2 pair of thermals , 1 down jacket ( zero degree equivalent ), Water proof jacket or poncho.
- Shoes & socks: High ankle wtaerproof shoes , cotton socks
- Skin care essentials : Sunglasses with UV protection ,Lip balm Cold cream, Sunscreen lotion
- Other accessories : LED Torch/ headlamps (If already bought)
If you can wake up early in Srinagar, we can go on a shikara to the floating market. It’s an authentic experience.I love landscape photography with human subject in it , so if you want to get clicks with amazing landscapes and colourful clothes. Do your research on frames and bring those clothes. If we have time, we can go see the old Kashmir market area in Srinagar.
That's tough... It's better you get your own from hometown!!
Yess..most of the places..!!
Most people come alone for my trips. About 25% of the people bring a friend or partner.Honestly It really doesn't matter. I have seen on all the batches I have lead. Most people really gel with everyone, even the ones who thought wouldn't gel up, surprise themselves always with the way they got comfortable with everyone.
Haan haan... Ofcourse.. Infact this would be the best way for me to introduce you to hiking. It's a simple trail, and let me tell you it will be phuuuunn .
Usually, most batch sizes are between 12-20 people who are aged between 16-38. Most people come alone or with a friend. The trip would feel like you are travelling more with college friends than strangers. We tend to do more outdoorsy things than regular trips .
For example : If we find a very pretty waterfall/ a beautiful sunset / Rainbow on the way. We would stop the vehicle right away to catch the beauty of it.
We usually sleep very late on these trips as we play a lot of group games and most people feel they will miss the precious time with the group members and decides to stay awake.
Here are few places you can read more about the brand and trips
