Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Kashmir : Countdown begins

Just 3 more days to go for my Kashmir trip.

Excited? Yes. But, there also is a sense of fear and apprehension somewhere lurking inside.

Two years back on our trip to the beautiful Lakshadweep, when we were being ferried from our mother ship by a small boat to the turquoise lagoon of our resort, we were all unanimous in exclaiming WOW! This is a heaven on earth. Not many had exclaimed Lakshadweep as heaven, but then not many have been to that place either. But Kashmir is a place exclaimed by many as a heaven on earth. I will be able to see this so called heaven in next one week, and if come back safely, will be able to share my experiences and photos.

The estimated cost of the trip is about 16000 per family. One of my colleagues will be accompanying. Both families are of 3 pax including a kid each. Leaving out the child, the cost will be about 8000 per head ex-Delhi. Now compare this with what is on offer with any travel agent. The cost will be 75-100% more per head, and that too ex-Srinagar. We will be travelling to Jammu by Rajdhani 3AC. Then hire a Sumo / Qualis type vehicle from Jammu and keep it for the entire 7 days of trip till return to Jammu. 4 days of confirmed accommodation booking with JKTDC resorts / hotels. No accommodation booking made for last 2 days to ensure little flexibility so that we can stay the last day either at Srinagar or Pahalgam.

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