5 offbeat experiences in Kashmir that you must have

Think of Kashmir and you cannot help but think of misty mountains, gregarious rivers, and the massive Himalayas. It is, perhaps, as close to heaven as you can get on the earth, and has stayed a poets’ fancy for ages now. A trip to Kashmir is never enough, as you keep craving for another one. If the raging summers have made it impossible for you to resist the lure of Kashmir, it is time to leave for the trip of a lifetime. While a guide to Kashmir will never be enough, we have put together some of the most interesting and offbeat Kashmir experiences.

Experiences that you will not find in any other guide book, experiences that come straight from a traveller. So, when in Kashmir, this is what you need to do!
1. Himalayan cheese They call it kalari, I call it the best cheese that you can have in India! The next time you are in Kashmir, do not forget to make a trip to Pahalgam and explore the cheesemaking culture there. This beautiful place is home to the not-yet-famous cheese-makers of Kashmir, the Gujjar community, experts at kalari, a traditional cheese variety that is specific to India. If lucky, they might just share a recipe secret with you

2. Shopping on shikaras
You must have heard of houseboats and how they are an essential experience if you are visiting the Dal Lake. What you might not have heard of is the unique shopping experience, the floating vegetable markets of Srinagar! An unforgettable memory for the early risers, these markets turn up at around dawn as locals come out on the Dal Lake, trading vegetables off their canoes. Photographers’ alert.

3. Trout angling
If you have a thing for fishing, Lidder Valley in Kashmir is where you need to be. Its crystal-clear waters are home to the best trout fish, and attracts enthusiasts from all over the country. Still a secret known only to the most ardent travellers, it will take you for a ride to days of solitary bliss.

4. Seven Lake Trek
It is time to put on your trekking shoes and gear up for the thrilling Seven Lakes Trek. The trek starts from Sonmarg and can be done over eight days; it will take you traversing across the most magnificent Himalayan scenery around. And the lakes, they are out of this world.

5. Gurez Valley
This stunning valley is at some 130 km from Srinagar, and is yet to attract tourists owing to its remote location. If you crave to explore a place that is still untouched by all the touristy glitz, the folds of Gurez Valley are just what you need. It is largely inhabited by the Dards community, and will surprise you with its interesting culture. It has a cluster of village to explore, mostly sprawling by the side of Kishanganga river.