Amarnath Yatra by Helicopter from Baltal with Sonmarg

After reaching the Jammu & Kashmir’s city, Srinagar airport, meet & greet with our tour operator who then drives you down to Sonamarg or ‘Meadow of Gold’; an idyllic hill town steeped in natural beauty. On reaching Sonamarg, we check into pre-booked hotel- After freshening up, we proceed to visit the Thajiwas Glacier; one of the prime attractions of Sonamarg located nearly 3kms away from the main Sonamarg town. This is one of the most accessible of Kashmir glaciers and one can easily reach the glacier’s base by walking. Post glacier visit, we return to hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Next day we’ll make our pilgrimage trip to the Amarnath shrine. We’ll first reach the Baltal helipad which is located 13kms away from Sonamarg hill town. After completion of the checking formalities at the Baltal Helipad, we board our helicopter. We fly over snowy peaks and panoramic vistas to reach Panchtarni where our helicopter descends. The holy cave shrine is located 6kms away from Panchtarni and can be reached only through trekking. It takes us approximately 2 hrs to reach the cave shrine by trekking. After darshan of Sri Amarnath Ji we return to Panchtarni by trekking again and aboard the helicopter once again to fly back to the Baltal helipad. From Baltal we drive back to Sonamarg and retire to our hotel for overnight stay.

Next day after breakfast we drive back to Srinagar; the state capital as well as the beautiful city of lakes and gardens. On reaching we check into one of the richly crafted and palatial houseboats on the Dal Lake for stay. At the dusk, we set out for one of the most signature experiences of Srinagar; the Shikara cruise on the Dal Lake. These typical nearly flat boats with tapering ends and a decked canopy over the head glide swiftly across the bluish-green waters of the Dal, allowing you to explore the Dal and soak yourself in the mesmerizing aura of the ambiance at sunset. Post Shikara ride, you may utilize the rest of the evening to satiate the shopaholic’s streak in you. Go shopping some of the best items that Kashmir is famous for such as antique hand woven carpets, Kashmiri Lac jewelries, ornate walnut wood crafts, willow baskets, Kashmiri pashmina shawls, dry fruits and saffron, lamb skin coats, ferins or beautifully embroidered shawl kurtis etc. The best places to shop these products in Srinagar are The Bund, Farmer’s Market, Amin-Bin-Khalik, Sunbeam, M Sadiq and Sons, GM Shah, Kashmir Fancy Art. Post shopping we come back to our houseboat. Overnight in the houseboat.

Today the entire day is reserved for Srinagar sightseeing. Post breakfast we go around this beautiful exploring its various gems such as the Tulip Gardens, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashm-e-Shahi, Hazratbal Mosque, Shankaracharya temple, Kheer Bhawani temple, Pathar Masjid, Pari Mahal. Post sightseeing we return to our houseboat for dinner and overnight stay.

Next morning we make an excursion to Gulmarg; the ‘meadow of flowers’; a hill town of unmatched natural beauty with lush green landscapes, gushing streams, ice-capped mountains and Deodar woods. In the winters Gulmarg turns into a snowy paradise with passionate skiers from across the world making a beeline to this most famed ski resort of the country. At Gulmarg we visit places like the golf course, Maharani temple, Avantiswami Temple, Baba Reshi shrine, Ningle Nallah and last but not the least we experience the joy of Gulmarg most exhilarating attractions; the cable car or Gondola ride. Post Gulmarg visit, we drive back to Srinagar and retire to our houseboat. A sumptuous Kashmiri dinner night stay in the house boat.

Next morning after breakfast we hit the road for Pahalgam; another idyllic hill town of Kashmir that mesmerizes you all the time with its many paradisiacal sights and sounds. It takes us nearly 2 and ½ hrs to reach Pahalgam. On reaching we check into hotel and later proceed to explore this scenic hamlet nestled in the Lidder Valley. We visit the Pahalgam golf course today and stroll to the nearby shopping places like Zamindar, Khadi Bhandar, Main market. Back to hotel for overnight stay.

Next morning we proceed for another round of Pahalgam exploration and visit places like Mamleshwar Temple, Avantipur temple, Lidder amusement park, Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Baisaran Hills. Post sightseeing we return to hotel. Evening is left free to you to enjoy at leisure. Dinner and night stay at the hotel.

This is the last day of the tour. Post breakfast we drive back to Srinagar. On reaching you are dropped at the airport. Our representative bids you an adieu and you proceed for your journey back home with lots of colorful memories of this amazing tour.