✨ “Some journeys don’t end when the road ends — they stay quietly in your heart, long after you’ve returned home.”
🌅 A Quiet Morning of Goodbyes – Last Sunrise in Kashmir
The morning arrived softly — not with excitement, but with a quiet heaviness in the heart.
Today wasn’t just another travel day.
It was our last morning in Kashmir.
After nine unforgettable days, the realization slowly settled in — this journey was coming to an end. What began as a travel plan had turned into memories we would carry long after leaving these mountains behind.
☀️ Waking Up to the Last Morning
We woke up around 7:00 AM, greeted by gentle sunlight filtering through the window. The air felt calm, almost emotional — as if even the mountains knew it was time to say goodbye.
There was no rush, no excitement this time.
Only a quiet awareness that this was our final sunrise in Kashmir.
🧳 Packing With Mixed Emotions
As we began packing, every folded cloth felt like closing a chapter.
✔️ Bags were checked again and again
✔️ Small belongings gathered carefully
✔️ Nothing left behind — except memories
Each suitcase carried more than clothes now; it carried moments, laughter, silence, and stories from the road.
🍽️ A Simple Yet Meaningful Breakfast
By 8:30 AM, we reached the dining area for our final breakfast at the hotel.
On the table:
- 🫓 Fresh aloo paratha
- 🍛 Aloo matar curry
- 🍳 Eggs
- 🫖 Black tea
- 🧃 Fresh juice
It wasn’t a lavish meal — but it felt deeply comforting. Every bite carried a sense of farewell, as if the kitchen itself was saying goodbye.
🤝 Farewell Moments That Stay
After breakfast, we met the hotel staff and manager one last time. Smiles were exchanged, hands shaken, and a few warm words shared.
These weren’t formal goodbyes — they felt personal.
A reminder that travel is not just about places, but about people you meet along the way.
🚗 Ready for the Final Journey
Around 9:20 AM, Sartaz Bhai arrived at the hotel.
We gathered near the garden, took a few final photos, and stood quietly for a moment — taking in the surroundings one last time.
The car waited.
The road ahead called.
And our hearts felt both heavy and grateful.
The final chapter of our Kashmir journey was about to begin.
🌷 Day 10 – A Final Morning with the Tulips
Tulip Garden, Srinagar | Spring 2025
🕤 9:30 AM – Farewell to Hassanz Enclave
After checking out from Hassanz Enclave, our hearts already felt a little heavy. But the day still had one beautiful promise left — a final visit to the Tulip Garden.
We had seen it before… yet something told us today would be different.
🌸 A Garden in Full Bloom
As we entered the garden, the sight before us felt magical.
The tulips had bloomed even more beautifully than the previous day — fuller, brighter, and more alive.
🌷 Rows of vibrant colors swayed gently in the spring breeze
🌤️ The weather felt absolutely perfect — cool, soft, and comforting
📸 Every corner invited us to pause, breathe, and capture memories
We spent nearly three peaceful hours walking slowly, clicking photos, and simply letting the beauty sink into our hearts.
🕌 Eid Celebrations & Local Smiles
This morning, the garden felt livelier than ever.
Many local families had come to celebrate Eid, adding warmth and joy to the atmosphere.
👨👩👧👦 Laughter of children
🧕 Smiling Kashmiri families in festive attire
🎥 News channels covering the Tulip Festival
We shared smiles, exchanged greetings, and even captured sweet moments with beautiful Kashmiri girls and adorable little kids — moments that made the experience feel deeply human and heartfelt.
🌷 Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden – Spring’s Masterpiece
📍 Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir
Nestled at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range and overlooking Dal Lake, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden stands as Asia’s largest tulip garden — a true symbol of Kashmir’s springtime magic.
🌸 Garden Highlights
- Spread across 55 hectares
- Over 1.7 million tulip bulbs
- 74+ varieties of tulips in 2025
- Colors ranging from deep reds and purples to soft pinks, yellows, and whites
What began in 2007 with just 50,000 bulbs has now grown into one of India’s most iconic seasonal attractions.
📅 Tulip Festival 2025 – Key Details
🌼 Opening Date: 26 March 2025
🌼 Closing Period: Around 24 April 2025
🌼 Best Time to Visit: Late March to mid-April
🌼 Daily Timings: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
This year saw record-breaking footfall, with over 8 lakh visitors, making it one of the most successful seasons ever.
🎟️ Entry Ticket (2025)
- 👨 Adults: ₹75
- 🧒 Children (below 12): ₹30
- 🌍 Foreign Tourists: ₹200 (approx.)
🎫 Tickets available both online and at the gate
💡 Early morning visits are best to avoid crowds and capture soft light photography.
📸 Best Photo Spots Inside the Garden
📍 Terraced flower beds — perfect wide-angle views
📍 Zabarwan mountain backdrop — dramatic frames
📍 Dal Lake side — reflections & serenity
📍 Cultural stalls & folk music corners — vibrant lifestyle shots
The blend of nature, culture, and celebration makes every frame feel alive.
🌼 A Memory to Carry Home
As we slowly walked out of the garden, we knew this wasn’t just a visit —
it was a farewell to spring, to colors, and to moments that quietly stay in the heart.
💛 Kashmir didn’t just bloom outside… it bloomed within us.
🎬 Watch the full experience here:
Kashmir in Bloom – Spring Symphony
Srinagar Tulip Festival 2025 | Day 10 – Episode 1
📅 Premiering on 22nd November 2026
🛕 Day 10 – A Walk Toward the Sky
Shankaracharya Temple | Srinagar
🕛 12:00 Noon – The Ascent Begins
After leaving the vibrant energy of the Tulip Garden, our journey took a quieter, more spiritual turn. We headed toward Shankaracharya Temple, perched high above Srinagar — a place where silence speaks louder than words.
Vehicles are allowed only up to a certain point, so we walked nearly 1 kilometer before beginning the final climb of around 280 stone steps.
With every step upward, the city slowly unfolded beneath us.
👧 My daughter chose to stay back, enjoying a peaceful photoshoot amid the calm surroundings below — while we continued upward toward the sky.
🕉️ Shankaracharya Temple – Where Faith Meets the Sky
Standing atop Shankaracharya Hill, this ancient temple watches over Srinagar like a silent guardian. From here, the entire valley feels closer to heaven.
🌄 Altitude: Approx. 1,100 feet above Srinagar
🌊 View: A breathtaking panorama of Dal Lake, city rooftops, and distant mountains
🕊️ Atmosphere: Calm, spiritual, timeless
This is not just a destination — it’s an experience of stillness and devotion.
📜 A Legacy Carved in Time
Originally known as Gopadri Hill, this sacred site dates back to 200 BC, making it one of Kashmir’s oldest spiritual landmarks.
🔹 Dedicated to Lord Shiva
🔹 Associated with Adi Shankaracharya, the great 8th-century philosopher
🔹 Rebuilt in its present form during the reign of Maharaja Gopadatta
🔹 A symbol of Kashmir’s ancient spiritual heritage
Standing here, history feels alive — carved into every stone.
🪜 The Climb – A Spiritual Ascent
The final stretch includes around 240 stone steps, gently winding upward.
✨ The climb is steady and manageable
✨ Occasional pauses allow moments of reflection
✨ The mountain breeze and temple bells create a meditative rhythm
Vehicles are restricted beyond a point, making the final approach peaceful and distraction-free.
🕯️ Inside the Sanctum
The temple interior is simple, powerful, and deeply calming.
🕉️ A sacred Shiva Lingam at the center
🕯️ Minimal architecture that draws focus inward
📵 Photography restricted — encouraging pure presence
Here, silence feels sacred.
🌄 Views That Stay Forever
From the top, Srinagar reveals itself like a living painting:
🌊 Dal Lake shimmering below
🏙️ The city spread across the valley
🏔️ Zabarwan range standing tall in quiet strength
❄️ Distant snow peaks on clear days
It’s one of the most breathtaking viewpoints in Kashmir — especially in the soft morning light.
ℹ️ Visitor Information
🕘 Timings: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
🎟️ Entry Fee: Free
🪪 Security Check: ID required
📵 Mobile Phones: Sometimes restricted beyond checkpoints
📍 Distance from Lal Chowk: ~5 km
🚗 Travel Time: 20–30 minutes
🚶♂️ Final Climb: 15–20 minutes on foot
🌿 Best Time to Visit
🌅 Early Morning – peaceful, less crowded
🌸 Spring & Summer – clear views and pleasant weather
❄️ Winter – often closed due to snow and slippery paths
💫 A Moment That Stays
Standing atop Shankaracharya Hill feels like standing between earth and sky —
where prayers float silently, and time seems to pause.
🕊️ Some places you visit… others stay with you forever.
🎬 Watch the Journey Here:
Srinagar’s Spiritual Summit – Shankaracharya Temple
📺 Kashmir Vlog: Day 10 – Episode 2
📅 Premiering on 29th November 2026
🚣♂️ Day 10 – Floating Farewell on Dal Lake
Houseboat Visit & Shikara Moments
🕓 Late Afternoon – A Return to the Water
As promised by our travel agent, our next stop was a return to the heart of Dal Lake — Ghat No. 19.
This time, it wasn’t about staying the night… it was about saying goodbye.
We boarded a Shikara once again, gently gliding over the calm waters for what would be our fourth ride in ten unforgettable days. The lake felt quieter, softer — as if it, too, knew this was our final meeting.
💰 The round trip cost just ₹200, but the memories created were priceless.
🛶 A Different Houseboat, A Familiar Feeling
Today’s visit was to a different houseboat, belonging to a close friend of our travel partner Umifar Bhai.
When we arrived, the houseboat stood quietly on the water —
no guests, no caretakers, no noise.
Just stillness.
This silence gave us the freedom to explore, click photos, and record videos without any rush. The calm felt personal, almost as if the houseboat was waiting just for us.
👀 Nearby, we noticed two local fishermen calmly casting their nets from a shikara — a simple yet powerful glimpse of daily life on Dal Lake.
🏡 Inside the Floating Home
The houseboat reflected the same charm as our Day 1 stay —
elegant, warm, and deeply traditional.
✨ Hand-carved wooden interiors
✨ Classic Kashmiri décor
✨ Wide windows opening to water on all sides
Even empty, the houseboat felt alive — filled with echoes of travelers, stories, and time.
After about 30 minutes, the owner arrived and warmly welcomed us. During our conversation, he casually mentioned something that surprised us:
🗣️ “If you had come just one hour earlier, you would have met Bollywood actor Sharat Saxena — he checked out this morning.”
A small moment, but a memorable one.
He also shared that the approximate value of such a luxury houseboat is around ₹50 lakhs, depending on craftsmanship and amenities.
🌊 Dal Lake Houseboats – A Living Heritage
Floating gently on Dal Lake, these houseboats are not just places to stay —
they are living symbols of Kashmir’s heritage.
🕰️ A Glimpse into History
✨ Originated during the British era
🏛️ Built when foreigners were not allowed to own land
🌲 Crafted entirely from seasoned deodar wood
📜 Many houseboats are over 100 years old
Each houseboat carries stories carved into its walls.
🏠 Inside a Traditional Houseboat
✨ Intricate wooden carvings
✨ Handcrafted ceilings and panels
✨ Cozy bedrooms with lake-facing windows
✨ Living rooms that feel royal yet warm
Despite their age, most houseboats now offer:
✔️ Hot water
✔️ Comfortable bedding
✔️ Modern washrooms
✔️ Wi-Fi access
🌅 Life on Dal Lake
🌤️ Mornings:
Golden light, distant prayers, ripples on the water
🛶 Daytime:
Shikara rides, floating markets, lotus gardens
🌙 Evenings:
Soft reflections, cool breeze, and deep silence
Life here flows slower — and somehow, fuller.
💰 Houseboat Stay – Cost Overview
🏠 Standard: ₹2,000 – ₹4,000
✨ Deluxe: ₹5,000 – ₹8,000
👑 Luxury / Heritage: ₹9,000 and above
(Most include breakfast & dinner)
📍 Popular Houseboat Areas
🌊 Dal Gate
🌿 Nehru Park
🌸 Nishat Ghat
🕌 Hazratbal Side
Each location offers a slightly different mood — lively or peaceful.
💭 Our Feeling
Standing on the deck, watching ripples fade into the distance, we felt a gentle heaviness — the kind that comes when beautiful journeys near their end.
✨ Houseboats don’t just float on water…
they float on memories, warmth, and timeless Kashmir.
🎬 Watch the Experience Here:
Morning Magic on Dal Lake – Shikara Ride & Houseboat Bliss
📽️ Kashmir Vlog: Day 10 – Episode 3
📅 Premiering on 6th December 2026
🌊 A Gentle Goodbye on the Waters of Dal Lake
After returning from the houseboat, we stepped onto a Shikara once again — our fifth ride in ten unforgettable days.
This time, it was a motorized Shikara, and Sartaz Bhai himself had come to pick us up. The calm water, soft engine hum, and familiar surroundings felt like a quiet farewell whispered by Dal Lake itself.
🍽️ Lunch by the Lake – A Simple, Soulful Meal
Around 3:00 PM, we reached a lakeside restaurant for our final Kashmiri lunch.
🥗 Pure Vegetarian Meal, prepared with warmth and simplicity
🍛 Veg Thali included:
🍚 Steamed rice
🫓 Fresh rotis
🥦 Two seasonal vegetables
🍲 Dal
🥗 Fresh salad
🥒 Achar (pickle)
🥛 Cooling sour curd
🫓 Crispy papad
🍜 Titli chose her comfort favourites — chowmein and momos, enjoying every bite with a smile.
The gentle lake breeze, quiet ripples of water, and peaceful surroundings made this lunch feel like a soft closing chapter to our Kashmir journey.
🤝 A Heartfelt Visit to Umifar Tour & Travels
After lunch, we made a special stop at Umifar Tour & Travels, near Lal Chowk — not as tourists, but as grateful guests meeting family.
💖 Rehena Madam, the heart and soul behind our entire journey, welcomed us with warmth and affection.
She had been our guiding light from the very beginning —
📞 Morning calls to check on our well-being
🗺️ Daily planning and route guidance
💬 Evening follow-ups to ensure we reached safely
🤍 Constant care, just like a family member
Meeting her in person felt emotional and complete.
She treated us to cold drinks, shared warm smiles, and lovingly gifted chocolates to my daughter — a small gesture that carried deep affection.
We spent nearly 30 minutes together, chatting, laughing, promising to share photos and videos once everything was ready.
🌟 A Promise to Return
Though Umifar Bhai, the founder, couldn’t join us due to other commitments, we carried one promise in our hearts —
This would not be our last visit.
Some journeys don’t end at the destination.
They stay alive in people, connections, and memories.
And this one… truly did. 💛
🌙 The Final Goodbye to Kashmir
Finally, Sartaz Bhai dropped us at Srinagar Airport around 5:30 PM.
The moment felt heavier than expected — not because of luggage, but because saying goodbye to Kashmir is never easy.
🧳 Before entering the terminal, we went through three layers of security checks, a reminder of how protected and sensitive this land is.
Before parting, I handed over a small tip to Sartaz Bhai and also called Zuied Bhai, our first seven-day driver and guide, to say goodbye. Unfortunately, we couldn’t meet him in person as he had urgently gone home due to his father’s health. Still, our gratitude reached him through that call.
🤍 These people weren’t just drivers — they were part of our journey, our safety, our daily smiles.
🌧️ A Sky That Didn’t Want Us to Leave
After clearing all formalities and placing our luggage for boarding, we reached the first floor waiting area.
Just then, something magical happened.
☁️ The sky slowly turned grey.
🌧️ Soft rain began to fall.
It felt as if Kashmir itself was asking us to stay a little longer — a silent goodbye written in clouds and rain.
✈️ Srinagar Airport – Gateway to Paradise
Officially known as Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport (SXR), this airport is more than a travel hub — it is an emotional threshold between everyday life and the magic of Kashmir.
📍 Location: Humhama, about 12 km from Srinagar city
🕌 Named After: Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (Sheikh ul-Alam)
🛫 Type: Civil airport with Indian Air Force operations
Surrounded by mountains and open landscapes, it offers one of the most scenic approaches in India.
🌄 First Impressions That Stay Forever
✨ As flights descend:
🌿 Vast green fields stretch endlessly
🏔️ Mountains rise quietly in the distance
❄️ In winter, everything turns white and still
For many, this moment becomes the emotional beginning of their Kashmir story — just as the departure becomes the hardest goodbye.
🧳 Terminal Experience & Facilities
🏢 A single, well-managed terminal
🔐 Multiple security layers ensuring safety
🧹 Clean and organized interiors
🛍️ Available facilities include:
☕ Food counters
🚻 Clean washrooms
🚕 Prepaid taxi services
♿ Wheelchair assistance
📶 Mobile signals may fluctuate, and photography is restricted in many zones.
🕒 Security & Boarding Process
🔍 Multiple security checks before entry
🎫 Entry allowed only with valid ticket & ID
🧳 Extra screening for baggage and hand luggage
⏰ Travel Tip: Always arrive 2.5–3 hours before departure to stay stress-free.
🚕 Connectivity from Airport
🚗 Airport → Dal Lake: ~14 km | 30–40 mins
🚗 Airport → Lal Chowk: ~12 km | 30 mins
🚗 Airport → Gulmarg: ~50 km | 2–2.5 hrs
🚗 Airport → Pahalgam: ~90 km | 3–3.5 hrs
🍽️ Waiting for Takeoff
Since our flight ticket included meals, we picked up some light snacks from the airport counter.
With tired bodies and full hearts, we waited quietly for our 7:50 PM flight to Kolkata.
📸 From the airplane window, Title captured beautiful night views of Srinagar — lights fading beneath clouds, slowly turning into memories.
❤️ The Final Goodbye
✈️ We landed in Kolkata around 10:00 PM
🏠 Reached home close to midnight
The journey ended, but the feelings stayed.
Kashmir didn’t just give us views —
It gave us stories, warmth, kindness, and moments that will live forever.
✨ Some places don’t stay behind when you leave…
They travel with you, quietly, in your heart. ✨
🏨 Overnight Stay: Our Home, Baguiati, Kolkata
Continue reading: [Day 1: Arrive Srinagar & Night Stay at Houseboat – Kashmir Tour]
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