🍂 Kashmir with My Father: Four Autumn Days I’ll Always Remember
When I was young, my father used to tell me about Kashmir.
“Kashmir is incredibly beautiful. Everyone should see it at least once in their lifetime,” he would say. He also hoped that one day, he would get the chance to see it for himself.
I was too young to understand where Kashmir was or even which part of the region it belonged to. Still, I never forgot what my father had said.
Many years later, on an October day, I found myself sitting beside him on an Air India flight from Amritsar to Srinagar. Somewhere between take-off and landing, I suddenly remembered those conversations from my childhood and the real reason behind this journey.
We were not simply travelling to another place on my list. We were finally heading somewhere my father had talked about when I was young. Looking at him, I could tell how happy he was.
Our Kashmir journey began after spending three days in Amritsar. We left behind the warm colours of Punjab and flew north towards Srinagar.
Four days in Kashmir may not sound like much, but it was enough to visit a place my father had always talked about and to make memories that would stay with both of us.
Our First Day in Srinagar
After arriving in Srinagar, we took some time to rest before heading to Dal Lake in the evening.
As our Shikara moved gently across the water, we slowly took in the beauty around us. There were houseboats floating on the lake, mountains rising in the distance and Chinar trees turning shades of yellow, orange and red.
Sometimes a place is so beautiful that there is not much more to say beyond, “This really is beautiful.” Dal Lake felt like that.
It also reminded me a little of Inle Lake in Shan State, Myanmar. The two places have their own landscapes and cultures, but there was something familiar about seeing boats, homes and daily life so closely connected to the water.
A Day in Gulmarg
On our second day, we travelled by car from Srinagar to Gulmarg. As we moved farther away from the city, the buildings slowly disappeared and the road became surrounded by pine forests, open meadows and mountains.
My priority in Gulmarg was not to cover as many places as possible. I simply wanted my father to enjoy the day without becoming too tired.
I found myself worrying about several little things. Would the queue for the Gondola be too long? Would it be much colder at the higher station? Would my father feel tired after all the travelling and walking?
Travelling with an older parent is not about how many attractions you can fit into one day. What matters more is making sure they can explore comfortably and enjoy the experience without feeling rushed.
The Peaceful Side of Pahalgam
We spent our third day in Pahalgam.
Gulmarg impressed us with its mountain scenery, while Pahalgam had a quieter kind of beauty. The landscape felt peaceful from the moment we arrived.
The sound of the river, the wind passing through the pine trees and the valley views along the road made it the kind of place where doing nothing felt completely fine. Sometimes sitting quietly and looking at the scenery was enough.
We did not fill every hour with activities. We explored for a while, rested when we wanted to, drank tea and stopped at small places along the way.
It was a relaxed day with no pressure to complete a long list.
Our Final Morning in Srinagar
Our flight was not until the evening, so we still had some time on our final day.
We visited Hazratbal Shrine and one of Srinagar’s Mughal gardens before spending a little more time around the city. A cup of Kashmiri kahwa felt like a fitting way to end our four days in Kashmir.
We did not manage to see every destination in the region, but that was never the most important part of this journey.
What mattered was being able to travel slowly with my father, spend time together and turn a place he had once spoken about into a memory we could now share.
One Night in Delhi Before Returning to Yangon
There was no direct flight from Srinagar to Yangon, so we flew to Delhi and stayed there for one night.
Delhi was not one of the main destinations on this trip. However, after four days of travelling around Kashmir, the overnight stop gave my father time to rest. Our Yangon flight was also scheduled for the following morning, so staying one night in Delhi made the journey home much more comfortable.
The next day, we flew back to Yangon with a few souvenirs and plenty of photographs. But the most valuable thing I brought home was the time I had spent travelling with my father.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Kashmir?
The best time to visit Kashmir depends on the type of scenery and experience you want.
🌷 Late March to May
This is a good period for spring flowers, greener gardens and pleasantly cool weather. Flowering dates can vary slightly each year depending on the weather.
🌿 June to August
The mountains and valleys become greener, while daytime temperatures are generally warmer. Travelling is easier, although this is also one of Kashmir’s busier tourist seasons.
🍂 Late September to Early November
This is the season to choose if you want to experience Kashmir’s autumn colours. October is especially beautiful as the Chinar leaves turn yellow, orange and red, giving the landscape a completely different atmosphere.
❄️ December to February
Winter can be beautiful for travellers hoping to see snow. However, the cold is more intense and flights, roads and outdoor activities may be affected by the weather.
We visited in October, when the weather was not yet extremely cold and the autumn colours were beginning to appear. For us, it offered a comfortable balance and was especially suitable for travelling with an older parent.
A Few Practical Tips for Visiting Kashmir
Using Srinagar as a base and staying at the same hotel throughout the trip made travelling easier. We did not need to pack and unpack repeatedly, while Gulmarg and Pahalgam could both be visited as day trips.
Although October can feel pleasant during the day, mornings, evenings and higher mountain areas can be cold. Warm clothing is necessary, along with comfortable walking shoes. Those travelling with older family members should also remember their regular medicines and any essential health supplies.
Gulmarg Gondola tickets should be booked in advance through the official booking channel. Before travelling, it is also important to check the latest weather forecast, road conditions, flight schedules and official security updates.
When I think about Kashmir, I will certainly remember its mountains, Dal Lake and the autumn-coloured Chinar trees.
More than anything else, though, I will remember being able to take my father to a place he had told me about when I was young.
Have you ever visited Kashmir? Which season would you choose for your own trip?
#kashmir
#kashmirtravel
#srinagar
#dallake
#gulmarg
#pahalgam
#kashmirinautumn
#indiatravel
#travelwithparents
#fatherson
#familytravel
#travelstory
#exploreindia
#kashmirguide
#tripmoments