Farah’s homestay in Sonamarg
Pricers4500
- Type : Hill Cottage
- Jammu & Kashmir / kashmir homestay
Contact :
Email: farahshomestay@hotmail.com Ph: +91 9596 104 245Farah’s homestay is in a small Kashmiri village that is situated at 2650meters high and is a 3hours drive from Srinagar airport. You can spend some time here enjoying the beauty of the Himalayas, the Kashmiri food with a pint of French taste and much more.
It all started in 2001, when French born Odile, a travel enthusiast and an ardent lover of arts and nature, travelled to India to experience first-hand the Indian landscape and the flavours and colours born thereof. And en-route her eventful and joyful journey across India, she met Rashid, born in Kashmir, who soon became her travel buddy and they both decided to continue the rest of the journey together. One of the places they visited together was Gagangir, a small village near Sonamarg in Kashmir, where they had gone for trekking and they both knew in a heartbeat… that this was to be their home. Thus, they built Farah’s Homestay where they now live with family, their animals, cradling both the Indian and the French culture in perfect.
They have 5 rooms with the price starting from Rs.4500 to Rs.6500 per night on twin sharing basis.
-
Rooms 5 rooms
At Farah’s Homestay, five bedrooms are at disposal. They can accommodate a good dozen of guests and car drivers. Each room has its private bathroom in which Indian and Western habits can be fulfilled. Extra blankets, room heaters, slippers, hot water bottles are available in each room. On request, a fully equipped baby bed is available (even some extra clothes for kids and warm jackets for adults can be lent). The rooms offer a different elegance with a Kashmiri and French touch. A chosen décor, combined with comfort and attention to tail has been given.
-
Food Kashmiri & Continental cuisine
You can taste the Kashmiri delicacies, called Wazwan and also the homemade food ‘Dish of the Day’ vegetarian or non-vegetarian, continental or Indian, prepared by Odile and Rashid…(or the cook), with all the seasonal and regional ingredients. You can take your meals or breakfast in the garden with view on the river, on the balcony of your room or simply in the kitchen “French or Kashmiri style”, in the dining room near the wood stove.
-
Hosts Odile and Rashid
Odile and Rashid had visited together Gagangir, a small village near Sonamarg in Kashmir, where they had gone for trekking and they both knew in a heartbeat that this was to be their home. Thus, they built Farah’s Homestay where they now live with family, their animals, cradling both the Indian and the French culture in perfect symphony.
-
Suggested Activity #1 Thajiwas Glacier
Thajiwas glacier, at an altitude of 9,186 feet, is a striking silvery scene set against emerald meadows and a clear blue sky. In summers, you can take a half-day hike to numerous waterfalls around this glacier. The road will be long and the journey hard but the captivating views make it worthwhile. On the way, have a friendly match with the local Gujjar kids who are almost always ready for a friendly snowball fight!
-
Suggested Activity #2 Visit Gadsar Lake
Situated in the Himalayan mountain ranges, Gadsar Lake is a high altitude lake that is known for its stunning natural beauty. It covers 0.85 km long and 0.76 km wide area in the outskirts of Sonamarg – the golden meadow. Having an elevation of 5000 metres above the sea level, it is counted amongst the highest lakes in Kashmir. The site serves as a popular trekking base and trout fishing centre, which is why it is an integral part of the tourism circuit of Sonamarg.
-
Suggested Activity #3 Nilagrad
Nilagrad near Sonmarg is where a mountain river, red in colour, meets the mighty Indus River. The Baltic community that stays here believes that the waters have curative powers. Over the weekend, people swarm the banks of the river for a dip in the healing waters. With picturesque meadows around, it’s also an ideal picnic spot.
-
Suggested Activity #3 Baltal Valley
The beautiful Baltal Valley is nestled along the banks of the Sindh River near Sonamarg. This valley lies on the foot of Zoji La – the high mountain pass in the Himalayas of Kashmir. The reason behind the popularity of this valley is that it is a major camping ground for pilgrims of the famous Amarnath Yatra. Blessed with Sindh’s meandering waters, sprawling greens and traces of snow, this valley is considered as a paradise for nature lovers. It commands a wonderful panorama of the distant mountains that are enveloped with snow. The undulating terrains and secluded location of Baltal have contributed in making it a frequented trekking and camping site. Several treks are organised to this valley from Pahalgam and other parts of Kashmir.
