Srinagar is capital of Jammu and Kashmir State in India. It is situated in the valley of Kashmir. The city is on both banks of the Jhelum River, a tributary of Indus River. Srinagar City is famous for its lakes and houseboats floating over them. It is also known for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts & dry fruits. Srinagar is 876 km north of New Delhi. The city of Srinagar is one of the most scenic and beautiful places of India.

Location: 34°5′23″N, 74°47′24″E 
Highest temperature: 41 °C; lowest −20 °C
 
The weather of Srinagar is generally described as alpine. The city has mild summers during the months of April-June, and cold winters of November-February. The city generally gets heavy snowfall from December to February.

The city is located on both sides of the river Jhelum, which is called Vyath in Kashmir. The river passes through the city and meandering through the valley, moves onward and deepens in the Wular Lake. The city is famous for its nine old bridges, connecting two parts of the city.

Dal Lake from the Mughal Gardens side back to Srinagar.Srinagar is well known for its lakes. Dal Lake with its houseboats is famous all over world. Srinagar is a small and beautiful city with wonderful climate in summer season.

Srinagar has several gardens which are part of the several such gardens laid by Mughal emperors across Indian subcontinent, which are known as Mughal gardens. The Mughal Gardens located in Srinagar and its close vicinity include Chasma Shahi (royal fountains); Pari Mahal (the palace of the fairies); Nishat Bagh (the garden of spring); Sahlimar Bagh; and the Nashim Bagh

Like the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar too has a distinctive blend of cultural heritage. Holy places in and around the city depict historical, cultural and religious diversity of the city.

Dal Lake, has a total area of 26 sq km. At Dal Gate, a gate lets out the lake water to prevent it from flooding. Dal has three islands, Silver Island popular as Char Chinar, built by Prince Murad, son of Emperor Shah Jahan, Golden Island at the south end and Nehru Park, an island just few yards away from the road side. The Shikara ride in this famous lake is a memorable experience.
Water skiing is a favorite sport among tourists during summer. Motor launches with ski boards are available on hire. During the Winter season, migratory birds float in the lake making it a magnificent scene, The lake offers splendid colours and moods with every change in the weather that mesmerizes visitors and local people too. Dal Lake is a photographers delight.  
Shikara are boats used as means of transportation from ghats to houseboats and for sighteeing in the lake. On shikara ride one gets immersed in the panoramic view of Zabarwan range and in the vastness of the lake symphonized with waves formed by the shikarawala's rowing. A boat ride of interior Dal Lake is an adventure.  The water borne life of the people inside the lake is a different experience. The floating shops on the boats are the main markets of the people.
Nine Kms from Dal, is yet another lake with serene waters, " Nagin Lake "  It has some of the most luxurious deluxe houseboats. this area is preferred by people looking form calm and quiet environments. For this reason foreigners find it more interesting to stay at Nagin Lake, The Lake is approachable by road through the old city and Fore shore Road alongside Dal Lake .

Mughals Gardens 
Most pleasurable day picnic spots for the tourist, the famed Mughal Gardens are located between Dal Lake and Zaborwan mountain range on Boulevard. These gardens are memorials of natural beauty and love for mankind. 

Shalimar Garden : Located 15 km from City, Built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Noor Jehan in the year 1616. The garden has attractive Mughal structure carved from black marble in Dewan – e – Khas used for the guests of the Emperor as Banquet halls. 

Hazratbal Shrine : Located 15 km enshrines the holy relic of Prophet Mohammad. The relic was brought to India in 1634 by Syed Abdullah and acquired by  Khwaja Noor–ud-Din Ishbari a Kashmiri trader in 1692.  It is displayed to the devotees on various religious occasions during the year when people of every class stand in a row to have a glimpse of the holy relic to get blessed. The complex is carved with wonderful white marble work which shines over the years with same glow and stature.

GULMARG
Originally called ‘Gaurimarg’ by shepherds, its present name was given in the 16th century by Sultan Yusuf Shah, who was inspired by the sight of its grassy slopes emblazoned with wild flowers. Gulmarg was a favourite haunt of Emperor Jehangir who once collected 21 different varieties of flowers from here. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty- it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650 m, and is the country’s premier ski resort in the winter.

The journey to Gulmarg is half the enchantment of reaching there– roads bordered by rigid avenues of poplar trees give over to flat expanses of rice fields interspersed with picturesque villages. Depending on the season, nature’s colours could be the translucent green of spring, summer’s rich emerald, or autumn’s golden hues, when scarlet chillies festoon windows of village homes. After Tangmarg, the climb to Gulmarg begins through fir-covered hillsides. During winter season at one point, known simply as View Point, travellers generally stop their vehicles for a few minutes and look out a spectacle of snow-covered mountains.

The Meadow Of Flowers
A huge cup shaped meadow, lush and green with slopes where the silence is broken only by the tinkle of cowbells, Gulmarg looks like a fantasy set in a film and not surprisingly have been the venue of several films.

Gulmarg valley, a large meadow about 3-sq-kms in area, stands at 2,730 metres, 56-km south west of Srinagar . The name means ‘Meadow Of Flowers’ and in the spring it’s just that, a rolling meadow dotted with countless colourful Bluebells, Daisies, Forget Me Not’s and Buttercups. The valley itself is about 3-km long and up to one km wide.

Take a Hike!
Snow-capped mountains are all around during winter season, and on a clear day one can see all the way to Nanga Parbat is one direction and Srinagar is another. It’s a popular day trip from Srinagar to Gulmarg, although many people extend their stay or use it as a base for trekking. The road from Srinagar rises gently towards the lower slopes of the range, passing through rice and maize fields.

Pahalgam

Languages : Hindi, Urdu, Kashmiri, English
Altitude : 2130 mtrs  
Distance from Srinagar: 95 Km
Pahalgam is located in the western part of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is located at an altitude of 2130 mtrs above sea level amidst the great Himalayan range. It is positioned beside the Liddar River, in the Liddar valley. Pahalgam is 95 km east of Srinagar. The weather in Pahalgam is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild while winters (November to February) are cold. It experiences rains between July to September and heavy snowfall from December to February.




  
The origin of Pahalgam is obscure. Mughal rulers ruled this region in the medieval period. It was later a part of the Kingdom of Kashmir, which was ruled by local Hindu rulers. This princely state remained independent even during the British period and later on merged into independent India.
Pahalgam (also known as Shepherd’s village) is visited by tourists and locals for its gradual lowering of temperature and river Ladder flowing at an approachable distance. Traveling through meandering roads of north Kashmir, Pahalgam opens up with a fresh cool breeze of the river. It has an astounding 9 hole golf course open for tourists now being extended into an 18 hole . The golf championships are organized by state government and private hoteliers in Summer. 

SONMARG
Languages Hindi, Urdu, and Kashmiri
Sonamarg is situated at an altitude of 2740 mtrs above sea level. The adventure destination is  80 km northeast of Srinagar in the Srinagar District of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sonamarg (Meadow of gold) is a trekker's heaven and has adventurous routes with beautiful green water and frozen lakes around. The vale is believed to be bestowed with mystical water which turns everything into eternal riches. High altitude makes it cold even during summers. It is always advisable to carry warm clothes and rain proofs.

The everlasting Thajiwas glacier, 3km from Sonamarg, provides a chance to enjoy sledge ride on the snow even in mid Summer. Ponies are available up to the glacier from Sonamarg. Superb campsites in Thajiwas area makes ita a prime location for school camps and trekkers during the Summer. Ascending river makes Sonamarg ideal for River Rafting, which is done in full swing by youths, corporate executives and even old members with their familes at different levels in the Sind River. Arrangements can be done through travel agents in Srinagar or Sonamarg Development Authority. More adventure sports like Paragliding is getting lots of takers during the Summer. Assistance is available at the tourist office at Sonamarg.

The rugged countryside market makes one feel the thrill of adventure . Island retreat a park amidst river Sind enroute to Sonmarg is a real treat as a short stopover. The roaring Sind creates a constant cool breeze.

Sonamarg road passes thru the village of Ganderbal, which also leads to Manasbal lake. This lake serves as home to many aquatic birds making it a bird watchers’ paradise.