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Srinagar to Pahalgam Day Trip: Jhelum River, Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and Apple Juice Stop

 If you find yourself awake at 8 am before your friends, go for a morning walk towards Jhelum View park near Parcel Booking Counter, GPO. The view is of mountains, greenery, a mosque and shikaras moored on the river. The Road from Srinagar to Pahalgam Beejbihara is called the land of apples. There is possibly the cleanest washroom at a petrol pump and apple juice shops en route Pahalgam. Depending on which month you go, you may get fresh apple juice or apple juice made from apples stored after the harvest season. Betaab Valley is a beautiful large area in Pahalgam with a river, snow-clad and tree-covered mountains, white and pink flowers, yellow dandelions, and grazing horses. It is a picturesque sight with the sky the most beautiful shade of blue and artistic clouds.Before leaving, nearby the bridge, you can find a spot to sit with your feet in the water.There are also smartly dressed goats to take paid pictures with. From Betaab Valley to Aru Valley The road from Betaab valley to...
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A Day in Jammu: Vande Bharat, Bahu Fort, Amar Mahal, and Planning a Kashmir Journey

  Summary From a quick Vande Bharat trip to Jammu and practical SIM card tips to Bahu Fort, Amar Mahal, local shopping, and Kashmir tour options, this guide combines first-hand experiences with practical travel advice for first-time visitors. Reaching Jammu from Amritsar Getting from Amritsar to Jammu in the shortest time possible via road includes taking a cab to Pathankot Cantt Railway Station and then boarding a pre-booked Vande Bharat Express that departs at 11:17 am and reaches Jammu at 12:43 pm. Grab a cup of coffee from the shop on the main platform before heading to your platform and clicking pictures. First Things to Do After Arriving If you do not have a postpaid SIM card or one that works in Jammu & Kashmir, buy one from the shops outside Jammu Railway Station as you exit. The process requires live photograph, Aadhar card.  The SIM activation is instant. You could be sold a sim supposed to work countrywide but stops functioning when you exit Jammu...
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A Pilgrimage to the Yellow Temple: Visiting Baglamukhi and Pragpur in the Kangra Valley

 Summary A road trip to the Baglamukhi Temple in Kangra Valley unfolds as both a spiritual and sensory experience—misty mountain views, sacred fire rituals, devotion, and quiet encounters with nature. From the temple and its shops and an attempted journey to Pragpur, this guide blends pilgrimage, culture, and travel insight in Himachal Pradesh. On the Way: A Scenic Pause Before the Temple As you head to Baglamukhi temple by road, you will spot "Seven Star Hotel & Restaurant" in seclusion on your right. From here, the view is of misty blue mountains in the far, green hills in its foreground, a flowing river, and vibrant greenery. Constant bird chirping under a cloudy sky. A perfect background for a beautiful picture while soothing your senses with a cup of coffee. Small Wildlife Encounters If you are observant enough, you may notice a peacock in a tree far off and a amily of mongooses(called mob) burrowing so very near. Practical Travel Note         ...
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I Stepped Off a Bus in Una With No Plan: A Solo Female Traveler’s Story of Small Sacred Discoveries

 Summary A spontaneous stop in Una, Himachal Pradesh turns into a quiet walking journey through gurudwaras, street art, and everyday life. This solo walk  reveals how unexpected places can offer grounding, simplicity, and spiritual calm. A Small Sacred Pause When you step down from the bus at the Una bus station, as a female solo traveler, with the travel plan mostly spontaneous, to get your bearings, walk to Gurudwara Sri Damdama Sahib.                          This is more of a small room at the Indian Oil Petrol Pump. It is said that Sri Guru Hargobind Sahib Ji, the sixth spiritual teacher of the Sikhs, came here and rested in the garden. Here you can ground yourself spiritually in solitude and leave energized. Walking Route                                Then walk a little further towards the road above on your right. You will se...
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Monsoon in Dharamkot and McLeodganj: Cafes, Pine Trails, Music, and Moonlit Himalayan Walks

Three girls someone would have surely asked what others were wearing."Very casual sporty, jeans",I replied. On the way we stopped for food and coffee, enjoying rain amongst monsoonish lush green piny hills and black slate d roofs.                   We checked into an almost vacant travel hostel that they had previously stayed at. An Evening Walk to Once in Nature Cafe  Then a long evening walk downhill amongst grafitti walls and stairs and an equally photogenic stray dog to find Once in Nature cafe. Selfies with wild daisies and cafe lights in the background as dusk turned into dark. The cafe has an outdoor and a roofed area with walls and pillars painted with dragons, giant mushrooms and sunflower.  The stage wall is painted with Saraswati with sitar, swan in water, bird and a large banyan tree. Definitely order the Bhagsu cake which we must have ordered atleast four times till the last order. The menu is basically vegan Israeli di...
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A Morning in Tashi Jong: Monastery, Art and Conversations in the Kangra Valley

Summary Tashi Jong is a small village, a flourishing haven of Tibetan art based in Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Buddhism. Tashi Jong From Baijnath chowk or bus station, take a bus that stops enroute Tashi Jong.This is a small village, a flourishing haven of Tibetan art based in Drukpa Kagyu tradition of Buddhism.At the foothills you are greeted by a roaring stream, bright yellowish-orange and  white flowered trees in April,snow-capped mountains, white patches of clouds in the blue sky. A bridge over it connects to nearby houses.Locals are seen offering prayers in the morning at the small temples on the bridge.You will find autos to take you uphill to the monastery if you have time constraints.You can always choose a leisure walk back  after having visited the monastery. Inside the Monastery Prayer Hall                                                   ...
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Kangra and Baijnath

If  you  get up before the rest of Kangra,you will be greeted by hornbills and cute donkey in the streets.Get into one of the numerous buses going to Baijnath. Where the bus stops for a while because of the morning  dairy vehicles, marvel at the staue of Shiva and Parvati on the terrace of the temple. In the bus, groove to retro Bollywood songs  with the view of water and trees .As the bus is nearing the Baijnath bus station, you will see the thirteenth century AD Siddhanath temple on your right, which you must return to later, for its magnificent beauty, peaceful vibe and bearing witness to local people performing Hindu religious rituals . The brown-coloured friendly  mountain dog, who frequents that area, makes a wonderful host to liven up your day. Do carry biscuits for him.
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