Six days is a comfortable length for a first trip to Kashmir. It covers the four classic places without long drives every day.
Day 1: arrive in Srinagar
Fly into Srinagar and check into a houseboat on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake. In the late afternoon, take a shikara ride around the lake as the sun sets.
Day 2: Srinagar
Visit the Mughal gardens, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, the Shankaracharya Temple on the hill and Hazratbal Shrine. In spring, include the Tulip Garden. If you are up early, take a shikara to the floating vegetable market at dawn.
Day 3: Gulmarg
Drive about two hours to Gulmarg. Ride the gondola to Kongdori, and to Apharwat if weather and snow allow. In winter there is snow play and skiing; in summer, meadows and pony rides. Return to Srinagar or stay overnight.
Days 4–5: Pahalgam
Drive about two and a half hours to Pahalgam, passing saffron fields and apple orchards. Spend the next day visiting Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari by local union taxi, or take a pony to Baisaran.
Day 6: Sonamarg and departure
If your flight is late, visit Sonamarg and the Thajiwas Glacier. Otherwise, swap Sonamarg into a seventh day.
Practical points
- Local taxis: in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, sightseeing beyond the town is done in local union taxis. Their cost should be in your quote.
- Mobile phones: prepaid SIM cards from other states usually do not work; postpaid connections do.
- Weather: pack layers in every season. See Best time to visit Kashmir: tulips, meadows, autumn gold or snow.
- Gondola tickets: book online a day ahead in peak season.
Variations
- Honeymoon: two houseboat nights and a private Gulmarg stay.
- Pilgrimage: start with Katra (Vaishno Devi) for Vaishno Devi.
Browse ready-made routes on our Jammu & Kashmir page.
When to go
When to go
When to go
When to go