No. We did not go on Great Lakes Trek in Kashmir as planned.
Torrential downpour in the mountains put paid to our plan of weeklong trek covering five lakes. We did not want to take a chance after hearing stories of previous groups who had got stuck in the rain.
We quickly made Plan B, hired a cab and covered Srinagar, Vaishno Devi Temple near Jammu, Dharamsala and Amritsar. It was a memorable trip.
The vistas on the Srinagar - Jammu highway are very picturesque. This highway must rank as one of the prettiest. ( We could not do Mughal road which is supposed to better) This picture below is the last view of Kashmir valley as you leave the valley and head towards Banihal tunnel. The paddy fields - Kashmiris are rice eaters - interspersed with poplar trees with hills in the background was picture perfect.
We spent few minutes at this spot which is dedicated to the memory Maj Bhupender Singh who died fighting Militants.
When you are driving on this highway next time, spend few minutes enjoying the nature.