Kashmir Classic: Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam
Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Pickup
Srinagar Airport (SXR)
Drop
Srinagar Airport (SXR)
Type
Short-haul
Overview & Highlights
This is a ready-made private package that covers the classic Kashmir circuit in five nights. You stay on a Dal Lake houseboat and see Srinagar's Mughal gardens and hilltop temple, spend a night at Gulmarg for the gondola and meadows, then continue to Pahalgam for its river valleys. Dates, hotels and pace can be adjusted to suit your family or group, and Sonamarg can be added as a day trip from Srinagar. Ask for a quote for your dates.
- Two nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake, with a shikara ride
- Mughal gardens and Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar
- Night at Gulmarg with the Gondola (Phase 1 included)
- Pahalgam's Lidder river, Betaab Valley and Aru Valley
- Private AC vehicle throughout
- Dates, hotels and pace tailored to you
Itinerary
1Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar | Houseboat | Shikara Ride
- Arrive at Srinagar Airport and transfer to your houseboat on Dal Lake.
- Check in and relax.
- In the evening, take a shikara ride on the lake, weather permitting.
- Overnight stay on Dal Lake, Srinagar.
2Day 2: Mughal Gardens | Shankaracharya Temple
- After breakfast, visit Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh.
- Drive to the Shankaracharya Temple hill for views of Srinagar and Dal Lake, subject to local access rules.
- Spend the evening at leisure or shopping for crafts.
- Overnight stay on Dal Lake, Srinagar.
3Day 3: Srinagar to Gulmarg | Gondola
- After breakfast, drive to Gulmarg, about two hours from Srinagar.
- Check in to your hotel and ride the Gulmarg Gondola (Phase 1 included), weather permitting.
- Walk across the meadow and enjoy the mountain views.
- Overnight stay in Gulmarg.
4Day 4: Gulmarg to Pahalgam
- After breakfast, drive to Pahalgam via Srinagar, about five hours with a lunch stop.
- Check in to your hotel and walk beside the Lidder river.
- Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
5Day 5: Betaab Valley | Aru Valley | Return to Srinagar
- After breakfast, visit Betaab Valley and Aru Valley by local cab, as local conditions allow.
- Pony rides are optional and paid locally.
- Drive to Srinagar in the afternoon, about three hours, and check in to your hotel.
- Overnight stay in Srinagar.
6Day 6: Departure from Srinagar
- After breakfast, check out of the hotel.
- Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your flight home.
Weather, road conditions and safety may require changes to the itinerary.
Inclusions
- 2 nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake, twin sharing
- 1 night hotel stay in Gulmarg, twin sharing
- 1 night hotel stay in Pahalgam, twin sharing
- 1 night hotel stay in Srinagar, twin sharing
- Daily breakfast and dinner at the houseboat and hotels
- Private AC vehicle for transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Airport arrival and departure transfers in Srinagar
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Visit to the Mughal gardens and Shankaracharya Temple, subject to access
- Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ride
- Assistance from our travel experts
Exclusions
- Flights, trains or other transport to and from Srinagar
- Lunches and any meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses, laundry, tips and porterage
- Pony rides, local union cab charges, sledging, skiing and other optional activities
- Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2 ticket, which can be added on request
- Camera or video fees at monuments and gardens, where charged
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under inclusions
- GST as applicable
Other Info
Must carry
- Valid government photo ID for every traveller (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence)
- Return flight or train tickets
- Warm layers: thermals, jacket, gloves and a woollen cap (heavier in winter)
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and lip balm
- Personal medicines, including anything for altitude or motion sickness
- Some cash for ponies, local cabs, tips and small purchases
Notes
- Every traveller must carry a valid government photo ID, which is checked at hotels and security points.
- Standard hotel check-in is around 2 pm and check-out around 12 noon.
- The order of the itinerary may change due to weather, road, flight or operational conditions, without reducing the sights covered.
- Rates and availability are confirmed at the time of booking; cancellation and refund are as per our Terms & Conditions.
- The Gulmarg Gondola depends on wind and weather, and the upper phase can close at short notice; if so, we will suggest an alternative where possible.
- Gulmarg's upper gondola station is close to 4,000 metres. Some travellers feel breathless or get headaches, so tell us about any heart, lung or blood-pressure conditions in advance.
- Heavy snow, rain or landslides can close mountain roads and delay flights, mainly from December to February and in heavy monsoon rain. Keep spare time before any onward connection.
- At Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg some points are reached only by local union cab or pony; we confirm at booking what is included.
- During the Amarnath Yatra season (usually July and August, dates set each year) Pahalgam is very busy and road movement can be restricted.
See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.