The Classic Kashmir Story
The definitive first taste of the valley: two nights afloat on Dal Lake, a day above the treeline in Gulmarg, and the Lidder running loud through Pahalgam. If you have never been to Kashmir, start here.
Srinagar, Gulmarg & Pahalgam — day by day
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Day 1
Arrive Srinagar · first night on the water
Met at Srinagar airport and driven to the Boulevard. Board your houseboat on Dal Lake, then a shikara out through the lotus channels as the light goes. Dinner on board.
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Day 2
Mughal gardens · old city Srinagar
Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh in the morning, terraced against the Zabarwan hills. Afternoon through the old city — Jamia Masjid, the shrine at Hazratbal, and the papier-mâché and pashmina workshops off Zaina Kadal.
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Day 3
Gulmarg · the gondola
Drive up through Tangmarg's pine belt to Gulmarg (2,650 m). Gondola Phase 1 to Kongdoori for the meadow-and-peak view; Phase 2 to Apharwat is optional and weather-dependent. Back to Srinagar for the night.
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Day 4
Pahalgam · Betaab and Aru
South through the saffron fields of Pampore and the cricket-bat workshops of Bijbehara to Pahalgam. Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari by local union taxi, with the Lidder alongside the whole way.
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Day 5
Sonamarg or a slow Srinagar day
Your choice: a full day to Sonamarg and the Thajiwas glacier, or a slower day in Srinagar — the dawn floating vegetable market, Pari Mahal at sunset, and time to actually sit still.
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Day 6
Departure
Breakfast, then transferred to Srinagar airport in time for your flight.
What’s included
- 2 nights on a Dal Lake houseboat + 3 nights in hotels
- One shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Accommodation on twin-sharing basis as per the itinerary
- Daily breakfast and dinner at your stay
- All transfers and sightseeing by private, non-shared vehicle
- Airport pick-up and drop at Srinagar (SXR)
- Driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel
- A dedicated trip manager on WhatsApp for the whole trip
- 24x7 on-ground support from our Srinagar office
Not included
- Flights to and from Srinagar
- Lunches, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Gondola, pony, sledge and shikara tickets unless stated
- Union taxis inside Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg (fixed local rates)
- Entry fees at monuments and gardens
- Travel insurance, tips and personal expenses
Best time for this Kashmir tour
April to October. Tulips in April, meadows at their greenest in June, chinars turning in late October.
Good to know
Getting there
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) takes direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, and sits about 30 minutes from the Boulevard. Your pick-up is included. If you would rather come overland, Jammu is the nearest major railhead at roughly seven hours by road.
What to pack
Layers, in every season. Srinagar can be warm at midday and cold by the lake after dark, and Gulmarg is always several degrees colder than the valley floor. Bring shoes you can walk in, sunscreen for the altitude, and a light waterproof between March and May.
Local taxi unions
Inside Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, sightseeing runs on fixed-rate local union taxis rather than your own vehicle. This is the rule for every operator, not a surcharge we invented. We tell you the rates in advance so nothing is a surprise at the gate.
Altitude
Gulmarg's gondola tops out near 3,980 m at Apharwat. Most people feel nothing more than mild breathlessness, but take the second phase slowly, drink water, and skip it if you have a heart or respiratory condition without checking with your doctor first.
Questions people ask
This itinerary starts at ₹24,999 per person on twin-sharing, and the final price depends on your travel month, hotel category and group size. Peak season — April tulips, June, and the December–January snow — sits higher than the shoulder months. We quote exactly, with no hidden extras.
Gondola tickets are not included, because availability and phase depend on the weather on the day. We book them for you at the counter price, with no markup.
Yes. The houseboats we use are heated, with attached bathrooms and hot water. Two nights afloat and three in hotels is the balance most first-time visitors prefer.
April to October. April for the Tulip Garden, June for the greenest meadows, and late October for the chinars turning crimson.
