[Windingroads]

I have read multiple travelogues on Team-BHP, so I thought I'd share my contribution here as well.
I had my own bucket-list of places I wanted to visit one day. Since I'm based in Kashmir from two years so trying to tackle the list as much as I can.

SO It went like...

Day 1 (12-OCT-2024)

Woke up early, completed my morning rituals, packed essentials, and hopped on my Tokyo (Name of my V-storm SX). Although I was a bit late, still okay since I encountered only 6-7 vehicles until Sinthan Pass (riding from Kishtwar) and the freedom was exhilarating!









I didn't stop at Sinthan Pass, as I'd been there many times before, Instead rode downhill towards Daksum, where I stopped for breakfast. Nun-Chai and an egg omelette there, then continued towards Anantnag/Islamabad (Anantnag is also known as Islamabad among locals, its historical name)

Visited Ancient Martand Surya Temple Anantnag




Having booked Zostel Pahalgam prior I reached around 14:00.



After checking in and freshening up, went to common room and met a few fellow travellers (most of whom were solo travellers) and then I headed to Aru Valley with another solo buddy on his rented scooty.







We reached Aru, where there was a large crowd at the base, bought apples from a local vendor and hiked to a less crowded spot, where we enjoyed the apples and met a family of nomads and negotiated a deal to take pictures with the children – three packets of biscuits for a few photos!

returning to the hostel had an amazing diner time with the hosts and fellow travellers

Day 2 (13-OCT-2024)

Started early from the hostel and set my navigation to Margan Pass. I downloaded offline maps, which became a saviour later. I rode on the same route until Vailoo (Kokernag), then took a left turn towards Margan.

Rode across several villages, receiving thumbs-ups and smiles from the locals. Network coverage disappeared after a few miles, leaving me alone with Tokyo and the beautiful mountains. The roads were decent until I began climbing Margan Pass, where roadwork was in progress with few broken patches and fresh tarmac in patches. After climbing 12-15 hairpin bends, I finally reached Margan. Surprisingly there was nobody at the pass, so I rode further to partially constructed JKTDC huts.

Dropped my riding gear, changed into normal clothes with a fleece jacket, and then saw a Himalayan 411 approaching from Marwah Valley., A couple on the bike had been traveling for over a month in Himachal and Kashmir so we teamed up and started hiking towards Chaurnag Lakes (one of the easiest alpine lake treks in J&K, with a 6-7 km circuit trek).











Met a group of five local guys from Kashmir, who were also attempting the trek for the first time.








It was 3 PM when we reached the third lake, so I decided to head back. While descending, I saw a few tourists which was fine but only after a few steps i saw some empty food packets and a plastic water bottle that weren't there earlier. I was disappointed to see the litter and thought about hiking back to those people with the trash, but only settled for shouting a few abusive words (and it was intensely as well and loud, i hope they have heard the words) due to the timing as i was bit far away from my place and way back there was still 5-5:30 hrs with climb to Sinthan Pass so I collected the trash and headed back to Margan Pass, changed into my riding gear, and reached home around 20:30.

[vinya_jag]

Thanks for sharing. Hoping to hear and read more, and also about how you got to Kishtwar in the first place. Please do share