Driving to Gulmarg in the Mercedes-Benz B-Class
We traveled 8,825 feet above sea level, the temperature consistently dropping with every winding turn on our way to Gulmarg. It was the perfect Bollywood setup â€" a sprawling landscape, snow-capped mountains, regal snow laden pine trees â€" minus Shahrukh Khan dancing with his leading lady in the background, of course! Instead it was us â€" two Mumbai boys surrounded by snow, driving around in our luxurious touring car, the Mercedes B-Class.
It really takes a moment for it to sink in that this picture perfect view and splendid locale is a part of India. All doubts of Gulmarg being the 'Switzerland of India' were put aside. It's a short drive from Srinagar and the roads wind through some beautiful pine trees also known as the 'chinar trees' by the locals.
After a comfortable drive, thanks to the temprature control in the cabin of the B-Class that kept us nice and warm, we arrived at the magnificent Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa â€" Gulmarg's first luxury resort. Clad in timber and stone, the luxury resort is spread over seven acres in a pristine pine valley and offers breathtaking views of the snow-topped Affarwat peaks.
A world away from the ordinary, this 85-room resort is framed at every vantage point by nature at its most spectacular and built in a style true to the architectural heritage of Kashmir. The interiors are designed with traditional materials and showcase fine Kashmiri crafts. Namdas of felted wool, silk carpets from local looms, furnishings embellished with crewel embroidery, carved walnut panelling, teakwood floors and papier-mch accents draw upon Kashmir's rich heritage of craftsmanship.
Amid the icy chill of Gulmarg, we received a warm welcome from the staff. We made our way to one of the Premier Rooms where we would be staying for the next two days, with ceiling-height windows that framed white peaks and sylvan valleys. Luxuriously furnished and decorated, these rooms are warm, welcoming spaces, designed to make you feel pampered.
The following day began in the wee hours of the morning, driving along snowed in roads flanked on either side by towering pine trees and expansive forests. After taking in the picturesque sights and sounds, we made our way towards Gulmarg Gondola, the highest ski lift in the world. It takes more than 600 visitors and skiers per day to Kongdoori Mountain on the shoulder of Mount Affarwat, the highest ski point in the Himalayas at 13,780 feet.
By far, the highlight of our trip was the skiing experience. With the help of a professional trainer, you can successfully attempt some basic skiing on small gentle slopes. After two hours of perfecting our skills, we made our way back to the hotel to feed our ravenous appetites.
Dinner was a traditional Kashmiri meal 'Wazwan' bursting with flavour and taste from the in-house restaurant Cloves. What never ceased to amaze me was the sheer warmth and kindness shown by the hotel staff and locals.
Our last day's plan was a visit to Srinagar and the famous Dal Lake â€" a pride of the state. If you think you've seen real beauty during your travels across the globe, think again. It was a surreal experience just standing along the banks of the lake stretching as far as you can see with the sun setting in the distance, watching the time pass by, staring at the calm still waters occasionally broken by the fishermen's shikaras.