Gulmarg and Sonamarg are too touristy. Doodhpathri is like heaven on earth. Pristine, untouched beauty. We went there in the first week of March. It was covered by a thick blanket of snow. The Pony union guys stopped all vehicles around 5 kms before the point and quoted around 2000 per pony. We bargained them down to 900. They claimed that the vehicle could not go further due to snow, but it was a lie. We regretted our decision of taking the pony though as the walk is very pleasant here along a straight road - remember its 5 kms each way, so you may get tired. But we do understand we need to support the local economy. There were barely 30 tourists and around 200 pony guys, so they would get a chance only after 2-3 days. Feeling bad for them, we took the pony. Remember the bargaining happens with the union representative. I think the person who accompanies you with the horse gets a fixed price, ensure you tip them well (they are poor hardworking people). After a 5 km walk on the pony, we reached the parking lot. The pony could not go any further. Here there were guys who were offering snowmobiles (snow scooter). They were charging 2000 per person. We tried to bargain, but they were arrogant. Said that its a totally 8 km distance - which we later found out was a lie. The parking lot point was so pristine in its beauty. One can have maggie at the parking lot. The guys with our horses kept accompanying us saying that the union will shout at them if we are left alone since there are wild animals around. They did not leave us even though we came back walking on foot and accompanied us on their horses right back to the place where the union had stopped all cars/

It is the most beautiful place for a day trip from srinagar. A two hour drive. The car can go right upto the entrance point to the river. There is a 150 rupees toll that one has to pay. Also, the horses union will not let the car pass and will insist on taking ponies. We did not want to take horses so we just paid then rs. 500 to let us through. We also tipped our driver who helped in convincing the horse union. The scenic beauty around the flowing river is mersmerising. On the way back we had makke ki roti and sarson ka saag which was very tasty. Do not miss this trip

Not a good time to visit in Winter because driver will drop you 10 km before Doodhpathri and you have to take horses to see the view points which is nothing but covered with snow all over. Drivers does not carry chain for the tyres. Locals also suggests that we should have visited in Summer only.