I have been to many places in India but Kashmir gave me a very different and difficult experience. Undoubtedly, the place is very beautiful but the local people are complete opposite. All I experienced was first, they are good on your mouth and when they are unable to get extra money from our pockets, they completely change.
I booked a tour from a local person working in Kashmir tour and travels, they didn’t even follow the itinerary. One extra day and money wasted just in the hotel.
I have experienced that Pehelgam is much sober as there is a proper union and people follow the same rate, but in other places like Sonmerg and Gulmarg, people are looting like hell. People are skiing in 4000rs and also in 600rs at the same place, now you can see the difference. Drivers and their commission with the hotel and other sightseeing places are all set.
Well, I believe it happens everywhere. But our driver was booked for full day, still he left us at hotel in Srinagar from Pehelgam and went to pick up other tourists and left out places in our itinerary saying "aap local me hi khud ghoom lo achi jagah hai". His behaviour changed on the third day.
Now I would review a hotel "K29Inn". It is in Srinagar near Lal Chowk market behind the petrol pump. Worst experience. They don’t clean your room properly. I saw open and used soap bars and used towels in the bathroom left by previous tourists. Washrooms were smelling. After asking 10 times, they increased the range of wifi in our rooms. They cut the lights of your room very often because of which we were not able to charge our phones. Also, the food they serve for dinner and breakfast is leftovers. I had a severe stomach ache after having the food.
I would also tell one thing. Once we reached any place in Kashmir, and set our rate, people change their word of mouth.
In Gulmarg, we hired ponies, which was not required because the Gandola ride station was on road but our driver was very cunning. He took us very far so that we can hire ponies. After hiring ponies for 5, in set rate of 1000 per person, in the middle of the ride they started charging extra saying if you want pony rider, per pony you have to pay extra else you will have only one pony rider with you and all ponies will walk alone. Since we paid the full amount for 5, we had only one rider holding only one pony and we were scared if anything could happen.
Overall the hospitality is worst in Kashmir, but the place is heaven. People like them are making hell out of heaven on earth.
People go to Kashmir to get once in a lifetime experience. It’s good one must go, but go after a well research and getting guidance from those who have taken a tour. Otherwise, we have Himachal, Uttarakhand and North East Indian regions, with the same view and better hospitality and experience.
That’s it
Thank you
Stay safe