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Location:
107-km From Srinagar Via Pahalgam, Kashmir Region, J&K
Altitude: 2,408m
The chirrup of birds, the gentle
swish of the breeze, the sapphire coloured sky, and all at 2408m above
sea level - this is Aru. Far far away from the routine urban life, Aru
is a meadow bordered on one side by a ravine of the Lidder River. A
little stream also flows past in the green-gold grass.
The English Backdrop
Dotted with stone and wood houses, resembling an English hamlet, some
of them are built in the typical Gujjar-shepherd style-flat roofed,
squat and backed against the hillside. One can stroll through the
meadows of burnished green and gold grass and chance upon the tourist
bungalow or stop by at little roadside stalls known as "Dhabas"
and the mandatory "hotel".
A Natural Bounty
Once in Aru, one will feel like a shepherd, away from the travails of
modern life. One wonders if one really needs to go back and leave all
the beauty and serenity to the lean, high cheek-boned Gujjar or
Bakerwal herd of men and dark-eyed women and children whose natural
habitat it is. In fact one's heart fills with envy at their luck in
belonging to this land of beauty surrounded by conifer-covered forests
with the mighty Himalayas peeping up over and above the conifers.
Idyllic, this place almost looks like a picture postcard.
Trekking
If one wants to flex those legs a little more, one could trek for
24-km to the Kolahoi glacier at 3,200 metres. Or one could spend the
whole day unwinding. Walk in the resinous, whispering woods with the
sun shafting in; stretch out on pine needles; bask in the honey-glow
of sunset.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: Nearest airport is
Srinagar - 107 km via Pahalgam.
Rail: Nearest railhead is situated in Jammu.
Road: Taxis and buses ply from Srinagar to Pahalgam and from
there one can take a taxi, pony or can trek towards Aru.
WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available in
the tourist bungalow run by the state tourism department and a couple
of budget hotels.
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