Day 2, 30th June 2013
Jammu to Srinagar
Distance Covered: 300 Kms
Route taken: Jammu-PatniTop-Banihal-Anantnag-Srinagar
Yesterday had a sound sleep and got up fresh as planned by 4:30 AM. Tied up the luggage again( which was really a pain) and were all set to leave at 6:00 AM.
By the time we started the Amarnath Yatra convoy had already started and man the traffic was hell. Being on a bike proved to be a boon as we could move ahead wherever there is a traffic jam. The uphill climb starts as soon as you reach Jammu outskirts. Managed to reach someplace near PatniTop for breakfast.
Tanked up again at Kud and both the uphill/downhill traffic was killing. Reached PatniTop by 9 AM and it was getting up quite pleasant there. The Taxi's drivers were rash to say the least and it was getting difficult mitigating the traffic. But, PatniTop has its own charm and it is a very beautiful place for a stay with your family.
Riding on the hills is an amazing experience in itself. I was reaching Banihal when I saw a huge line of cars lined up for atleast 2 kms. Managed to reach the front and cross the narrow bridge which was proving to be a bottleneck causing the jam.
After crossing Banihal you get the whole feel of being in Kashmir with huge mountains and valleys and complete green cover all over. After riding a few kms reached the Jawar Tunnel. This tunnel is the main link between Indian mainland and Kashmir. It is a 2.5 kms long tunnel where traffic is allowed only from one side a time. When I reached the tunnel, I was stopped suddenly by the army jawans(BSF) posted there and they wanted to check my luggage. Managed to show just my license and get off. Now, crossing the tunnel is an amazing experience, it is a very narrow tunnel and very dimly lit. Followed the vehicles ahead and reached the other side to be feasted with the first views of the Kashmir Valley.
Now, riding in the Kashmir Valley makes you a little nervous. There is army deployment every 100mts and the valley had recently witnessed some tensions with a terrorist attack on CRPF when the Banihal-Quazigund railway line was opened by the PM.
Saw many bat manufacturing factories near Anantnag. From there it was again boring ride till Srinagar. Crossed the Tree tunnel a few kms after Anantnag.
Reached Srinagar by 4:30 and got a room near Dal Lake for Rs 800. Freshened up and went for a Shikara ride.
While taking the Shikara ride we were advised by Shaukat(who took us around) that we should leave early tomorrow as there was new that a few locals got caught in crossfire between BSF and terrorists and this could lead to curfew in Srinagar tomorrow.
Again had just Dal-rotis and dozed off at 10 PM. Our next days plan was Kargil.
Petrol filled at: Kud and Quazigund.
Jammu to Srinagar
Distance Covered: 300 Kms
Route taken: Jammu-PatniTop-Banihal-Anantnag-Srinagar
Yesterday had a sound sleep and got up fresh as planned by 4:30 AM. Tied up the luggage again( which was really a pain) and were all set to leave at 6:00 AM.
By the time we started the Amarnath Yatra convoy had already started and man the traffic was hell. Being on a bike proved to be a boon as we could move ahead wherever there is a traffic jam. The uphill climb starts as soon as you reach Jammu outskirts. Managed to reach someplace near PatniTop for breakfast.
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| Was talking to this kid who has to climb up from his village to get milk. |
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| B'fast near PatniTop |
Tanked up again at Kud and both the uphill/downhill traffic was killing. Reached PatniTop by 9 AM and it was getting up quite pleasant there. The Taxi's drivers were rash to say the least and it was getting difficult mitigating the traffic. But, PatniTop has its own charm and it is a very beautiful place for a stay with your family.
Riding on the hills is an amazing experience in itself. I was reaching Banihal when I saw a huge line of cars lined up for atleast 2 kms. Managed to reach the front and cross the narrow bridge which was proving to be a bottleneck causing the jam.
After crossing Banihal you get the whole feel of being in Kashmir with huge mountains and valleys and complete green cover all over. After riding a few kms reached the Jawar Tunnel. This tunnel is the main link between Indian mainland and Kashmir. It is a 2.5 kms long tunnel where traffic is allowed only from one side a time. When I reached the tunnel, I was stopped suddenly by the army jawans(BSF) posted there and they wanted to check my luggage. Managed to show just my license and get off. Now, crossing the tunnel is an amazing experience, it is a very narrow tunnel and very dimly lit. Followed the vehicles ahead and reached the other side to be feasted with the first views of the Kashmir Valley.
Now, riding in the Kashmir Valley makes you a little nervous. There is army deployment every 100mts and the valley had recently witnessed some tensions with a terrorist attack on CRPF when the Banihal-Quazigund railway line was opened by the PM.
Saw many bat manufacturing factories near Anantnag. From there it was again boring ride till Srinagar. Crossed the Tree tunnel a few kms after Anantnag.
Reached Srinagar by 4:30 and got a room near Dal Lake for Rs 800. Freshened up and went for a Shikara ride.
 |
While taking the Shikara ride we were advised by Shaukat(who took us around) that we should leave early tomorrow as there was new that a few locals got caught in crossfire between BSF and terrorists and this could lead to curfew in Srinagar tomorrow.
Again had just Dal-rotis and dozed off at 10 PM. Our next days plan was Kargil.
Petrol filled at: Kud and Quazigund.
Yes machi it was an amazing experience..
ReplyDeleteThis is just the start da..
The terrain was amazing after crossing Srinagar.. and really once in a lifetime experience..
I have the bike with me.. was planning to buy a bullet from a long time.. just that happened to get a good deal just before the trip. :)