Kashmir ClassicKashmir in 6 nights

The full Kashmir loop in six nights, with evenings left free. We start on the houseboat so the first two nights are unpacked and easy, use Srinagar as the base for Sonamarg, then go up to Gulmarg and across to Pahalgam, ending with a night in Srinagar close to the airport. It suits couples, honeymooners and families who want all four of Kashmir's big names.

Day 1

Arrive in Srinagar – Houseboat (2 Nights)

About 14 km · 30–45 minutes from the airport

Welcome to Kashmir. Your driver meets you at arrivals and takes you to the ghat on Dal Lake, where a shikara carries you and your bags across to your houseboat. Settle in with tea on the carved veranda. In the late afternoon you set off on an hour-long private shikara ride past the houseboats, the shops on water and the lotus beds, out towards Char Chinari island if the light allows. Back on board, the houseboat family cooks dinner, and the lake goes quiet as the lights come on along the Boulevard. Overnight on the houseboat in Srinagar.

• Dal Lake
• Char Chinari
• Boulevard Road
• Floating gardens

• Note: The lotus beds flower in July and August. In other months we take the quieter channels towards Nigeen Lake.

Prafull’s tipAsk the houseboat for kahwa with saffron and almonds when you arrive; it is the best welcome Kashmir has.

Dinner

Day 2

Srinagar – Sonamarg – Srinagar

About 80 km each way · 2.5–3 hours by road

We leave by 8 am for Sonamarg, the 'meadow of gold', along the Sindh river past Kangan and Gund, with the valley narrowing and the mountains rising on both sides. At Sonamarg, about 2,700 m, ponies or local union cabs take over from your car. A pony ride of about an hour heads up the side valley towards Thajiwas Glacier, where snow lies on the slopes for much of the year. Take a hot lunch by the river, then drive back to Srinagar by early evening. Dinner on board. Overnight on the houseboat in Srinagar.

• Sindh river
• Kangan
• Sonamarg
• Thajiwas Glacier

• Note: Ponies to Thajiwas and union cabs to points beyond Sonamarg are paid locally at the notified rates.
• Note: In winter the road beyond Sonamarg is closed; we confirm conditions the evening before.

Prafull’s tipCarry cash for the pony handler, agree the waiting time before you set off, and stay off the snow bridges near the glacier in warm weather.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3

Srinagar – Gulmarg (1 Night)

About 50 km · 1.5–2 hours by road

After breakfast a shikara takes you ashore and we drive through Tangmarg and up a road lined with pine and fir to Gulmarg, at about 2,650 m. After check-in and lunch, we take you to the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world. Phase 1 to Kongdori, about 3,080 m, suits everyone. Phase 2 continues to Apharwat at nearly 4,000 m if the weather is clear and you're feeling strong. In the evening, walk on the meadow past St Mary's Church and the Maharani Temple as the day visitors head back to Srinagar. Overnight in Gulmarg.

• Gulmarg Gondola
• Kongdori
• Apharwat
• St Mary's Church
• Maharani Temple, Gulmarg

• Note: Gondola Phase 2 is optional, approx. ₹1,000 per person, and runs only when the weather allows.
• Note: Ponies and sledges in Gulmarg are paid locally.

Prafull’s tipCloud often builds after lunch at Apharwat. If Phase 2 matters to you, tell us and we'll book the earliest slot we can get.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4

Gulmarg – Pahalgam (2 Nights)

About 145 km · 4–5 hours by road

Today is the long drive, so we break it often. Down from Gulmarg and around Srinagar, we join the highway south past the saffron fields of Pampore. We stop at the 9th-century stone temple ruins at Avantipora, and at one of the Kashmir willow bat workshops along the road, where clefts are shaped and seasoned by hand. From Anantnag the road turns up the Lidder valley, with apple orchards and the river for company, to Pahalgam at about 2,100 m. Check in and take an evening walk by the Lidder. Overnight in Pahalgam.

• Pampore saffron fields
• Avantipora temple ruins
• Kashmir willow bat workshops
• Lidder river

• Note: The saffron crocus flowers only for a few weeks in late October and early November; at other times you'll see the fields and the saffron shops.

Prafull’s tipA good Kashmir willow bat costs far less here than in Mumbai. Ask to see the grain and pick the cleft yourself.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5

Pahalgam

A full day in the valleys around Pahalgam. Private cars from outside are not allowed beyond the town, so a local union cab, which we book for you, takes you up the East Lidder to Betaab Valley, a broad green meadow with the river running through it, and on to Chandanwari, where snow often lies by the road into early summer. After lunch, cross to Aru Valley, about 12 km up the West Lidder, a village and meadow ringed by fir forest. If you prefer something slower, swap Aru for a pony ride to Baisaran meadow above the town. Evening by the river. Overnight in Pahalgam.

• Betaab Valley
• Chandanwari
• Aru Valley
• Lidder river
• Baisaran meadow

• Note: The union cab for Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari is paid locally, approx. ₹2,500–4,000 per vehicle for all three.
• Note: Some points open and close at short notice on local orders, and Chandanwari is busy with the Amarnath Yatra in July and August. We check the evening before.

Prafull’s tipStart by 9 am. You'll have Betaab almost to yourself before the tour buses arrive from Srinagar.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6

Pahalgam – Srinagar (1 Night)

About 95 km · 2.5–3 hours by road

A last walk by the Lidder after breakfast, then the drive back to Srinagar. After lunch we go up to the Shankaracharya Temple for the view over the city and the lake, then on to the Mughal gardens along the Boulevard: Chashme Shahi with its spring-fed fountains, Nishat Bagh with its terraces running down to the water, and Shalimar Bagh, built for Empress Nur Jahan. In the evening there's time to shop for pashmina, papier-mâché and walnut-wood carving around Polo View and Residency Road. Dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Srinagar.

• Shankaracharya Temple
• Chashme Shahi
• Nishat Bagh
• Shalimar Bagh
• Polo View market

• Note: Phones and cameras are usually not allowed past the security check at Shankaracharya Temple.
• Note: The Tulip Garden replaces one of the Mughal gardens if you travel between late March and April.

Prafull’s tipFor pashmina, buy from a shop that will show you the ring test and give a written bill. The government emporium has fixed prices if you'd rather not bargain.

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7

Srinagar – Departure

About 14 km · 45 minutes to 1 hour to the airport

A relaxed breakfast at the hotel and time for a last stroll along the Boulevard if your flight allows. Your driver collects you at the agreed time and takes you to Srinagar airport, with time built in for the extra security check at the outer gate. On the way, pick up kahwa, dried fruit or Kashmiri walnuts from the shops near Dalgate if you still have space in your bag. Your holiday ends here. Thank you for travelling with TripRoutes.

• Boulevard Road
• Dalgate

Prafull’s tipThere is an extra security check at the airport's outer gate, so we aim to get you there 2.5 hours before your flight.

Breakfast

Tour details

Accommodation

Choose the hotel category. The same route and sightseeing in every category.

Hotels are confirmed when you book. If a hotel is full, we give you one of the same category in the same area, and tell you before you pay.

Optional add-ons

Not in the price. Prafull can book them for you or you can pay locally.

Tour information

Read this to prepare for your holiday.

Good to know

• Local taxi-union rules apply in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam: your Srinagar car brings you there, but local union cabs or ponies take you to the sightseeing points. We book them ahead and tell you the going rate.
• Prepaid mobile connections from outside Jammu & Kashmir don't work here; postpaid ones do. Make sure at least one person in your group is on postpaid.
• The Gulmarg–Pahalgam day is the long one, about 4–5 hours with stops. Every other drive is under 3 hours.
• Gulmarg sits at about 2,650 m and Pahalgam at about 2,100 m. Walk slowly on the first afternoon and drink plenty of water.
• Pure-veg and Jain meals are easy to arrange in hotels and on the houseboat with notice; Pahalgam market also has several pure-veg restaurants.
• Pack layers in every season and comfortable walking shoes for the meadows. Carry original photo ID for everyone; there are routine security checks on the highways.

When to go

April to June, and December to February for snow. Spring and early summer bring green meadows and the Srinagar tulip garden (usually late March to April). Winter turns Gulmarg white. Late October brings golden chinar trees.

Our favourite months

Cancellation policy & payment terms

• Cancellations must be sent in writing, on email or WhatsApp; the date we receive it is the cancellation date.
• Flights, trains, visa fees and non-refundable hotel or activity bookings are refunded only as their own rules allow.
• Date changes are free when made 30 days or more before travel, subject to hotel availability and any difference in price.
• Refunds are paid within 14 working days of us receiving them from the hotels and suppliers.
• No refund is possible for services not used during the holiday.
• Hotels may ask for a refundable security deposit at check-in, paid directly to the hotel.

Questions about this holiday