5 unexploited tourist spots around Srinagar
RAFIA MANZOOR
SRINAGAR, May 2: Travelers who have explored the world would vouch for the fact that Kashmir can be a one-stop destination for experiencing unparalleled wonders. The best destinations in Kashmir promise to allure you the most without burning a hole in your pocket. It is the time you reconsider your choices for picnic, excursions or adventure and give Kashmir’s unexploited destinations a much deserved chance.
Kashmir, as we all know, is full of tourism potential with some of the most beautiful places to visit in the world. However, few travelers know the fact that this paradise on earth is also a home to some of the unexplored, nascent places which offer a range of tourism specifications.
Well, it sounds unbelievable, but it is true that we have a number of fantastic destinations with a huge tourism potential that are still untouched by the government and the people deserves a visit to these places. Below are five hidden places that you must visit on your own to know the truth:
Bosia
Bosia is almost 114 km north of Kashmir. It is a beautiful place surrounded by lush green forests. From Srinagar to Baramulla is 74 km and from Baramulla to Rohmu one has to travel 15 km approximately then from Rahmu, Bosia is situated at a distance of 25 km approximately which is nearly 119 kilometers from Srinagar. The place is good for trekking and camping. The best part about Bosia is that it has a huge Potato farm with a tremendous yield of potatoes which are exported to other parts of the State. The people of nearby areas are trying to get Bosia converted into a tourism destination because the local people have been visiting here for picnic and they have also witnessed some people coming there for trekking and doing camping of and on. The forest department has constructed a hut here. The natives here speak Pahari language. Roads are well constructed and one can easily come here using even public transport which is available in the area.
Mond Daji
Mond Daji is about 100 kilometers from Srinagar. Covered from all sides with lush green forests, this place is an unexploited tourist destination. It falls in Baramulla district. In order to visit this place, a person has to go to Baramulla town and then to Dangiwacha which is at a distance of 36 kilometers. From Dangiwacha to Mondiji it is around 17 kilometers distance approximately. This is the last village of Baramulla district. In 2006 the then tourism minister Mohammad Dilawar Mir had ordered construction of some huts for tourists here. This place is good for tracking and fishing also. The place is full of apple orchards. There are a number of medicinal plants that grow here. People usually speak Pahari language here to communicate with each other. Roads are well constructed. People can visit this place easily even through use of public transport.
Laduva
Laduva is almost 115 kilometers from Srinagar. One has to travel to Baramulla and from Baramulla town the visitors are supposed to reach Rahmu which is at a distance of 15 kilometers approximately. From Rahmu visitors have to travel a distance of 26 kilometers to reach Laduva. This place is known for its pristine glory and the locals here guide any visitor who wants to see the natures beauty. The locals here are very hospitable and even offer free accommodation because of lack of tourist infrastructure at this place. This place has water bodies and a covering of high altitude mountains. Laduva is good for tracking one can directly go to Vij-Top through tracking. Vij-Top is a meadow where Bakarwals take their animals for grazing in summers. The local speak Pahari but they can speak Urdu too. Half of the population here do farming and other half are in different government and private services. Habwar is one place here which resembles with Gulmarag. Basically this place is alpine. Good roads with good transport facilities are available. One can easily take private or public transport to reach this beautiful place. This place is also known for a revered shrine namely Dalari where people pay a visit especially on Sundays.
Athwatoo
Athwatoo is at a distance of 90 kilometers from Srinagar. The place falls in Bandipora district. The hamlet is tucked between mountains and the view is dominated by the Wular Lake, into which streams of crystalline water gush down from the slopes. For about a decade now, the place has attracted a substantial number of tourists. Private hotels have come up and the place is slowly turning into a tourist resort, with many preferring a night stay here. However, the accommodation available both in government or private sector is not upto the mark. Athwatoo is surrounded by Hajin, Lar, Wakura and Wavoora Blocks. This place is also known as ‘Chota Pahalgam’. This is good and newly developed picnic spot. This place is good for camping. Athwatoo people speak Urdu. Bandipora, Sopore, Baramula, Srinagar are the nearby Cities to Athwatoo. This place is all covered with lush green forests. The beautiful stream with fresh water mesmerizes the visitors. This place provides a very calm ambience with no cellular network coverage. Roads are good and constructed from Ahemshrief side.
Tosa Maidan
Tosa Maidan is a 61 kilometers from Srinagar. Tosa Maidan falls in district Budgam of Central Kashmir. This place is known as the king of meadows. Tosa Maidan shows growth of multiple types of trees of which Pine is the most dominant one. This place is a major trekking route to-Yusmarg-Budgam and is a large meadow used for cattle grazing by nomads. Tosa Maidan is a perfect spot for campers. You can camp at the base called Dam Dam. Horse riding is a potential adventure when you are in Tosa Maidan because of its vastness. The place is rich in diverse flora and fauna. There are a number of medicinal plants that grow here. Some of them are used by the local villagers as home remedies for a number of diseases. Kashmiri is mother tongue of this place.
