Holiday in Kashmir will cost you more than a trip abroad

HYDERABAD: Travelling to Kashmir this summer might be more expensive than taking a holiday to Singapore, Sri Lanka or even Thailand. While the cost of flying to these foreign locations from Hyderabad ranges from 39,000 to 60,000, summer packages to the picturesque north are as high as 70,000 to 1 lakh. These packages include travel, accommodation, and food.

As on 16 April (Tuesday), a flight from Hyderabad to Singapore was priced at 14,000 (approx.), while airfares to Kashmir for April and May months were almost 20,000 per passenger. A one way trip to Colombo was below 10,000 — 50 % cheaper than Kashmir. Despite the exorbitant price tag, travellers are flocking to Kashmir, say local travel agents, claiming that all accommodations are nearly fully booked. Some say that holiday-goers are ditching cheaper offers to some popular destinations in the Asia Pacific and deciding to fly into Kashmir instead. Leh-Ladakh too is experiencing high demand from travellers, hoping to escape scorching summer back home.

“A one-week package to Kashmir from the city with 5-star hotel accommodation will cost more than 1 lakh, while the trip with 4-star accommodation will be around 70,000. In spite of expensive charges, we are finding it difficult to find vacant rooms for guests,” said Nagesh Pampati from Aeroworld Holidays. According to him everything is sold till May, even as many travellers are still inquiring about packages and available dates.

Abdul Majeed Faheem, chairman of the Travel Agents Federation of India (Hyderabad) agrees that Kashmir has emerged as the most favourite destination for Hyderabadis this season. “Every week, hundreds of students and families are going to Kashmir and this trend is expected to continue till mid-June,” he said. Faheem’s agency has already booked at least 15 family tours from Hyderabad to Kashmir.

Eid-ul-Fitr in Jammu and Kashmir saw prayers at Hazratbal Shrine with Abdullahs and Mufti. Calls for friendly India-Pakistan relations and spreading love. Mufti Ainayatula Qasmi emphasized brotherhood at Eidgah and Mecca Masjid.

Discover your perfect travel destination based on your zodiac sign. From thrilling adventures to luxurious indulgences, there's a world of possibilities waiting for exploration, tailored to each astrological sign's unique traits.