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Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg
Kashmir7 Days 6 Nightsgroup tour

Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg

Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, photo 1
Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, photo 2
Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, photo 3
Kashmir Valley Group Trip: Dal Lake, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gulmarg, photo 4

Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Pickup

Srinagar Airport (SXR)

Drop

Srinagar Airport (SXR)

Type

Short-haul

Overview & Highlights

This fixed-departure group trip covers the best-known places in the Kashmir valley over six nights. You begin with two nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake, with a shikara ride and a day among the Mughal gardens, then drive to Pahalgam for its river and meadow valleys. From Srinagar you make two day excursions: one to Sonamarg and the Thajiwas Glacier, and one to Gulmarg for the gondola. Day trips from a Srinagar base mean fewer hotel changes, and a trip captain travels with the group throughout. Daily breakfast and dinner are included, and vegetarian and Jain options are available on request. Mountain roads and the gondola depend on weather, so the order of days may change, and we keep spare time in the plan.

  • Two nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake, with a shikara ride
  • Mughal gardens of Srinagar: Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh
  • Pahalgam, with Betaab Valley and Aru Valley by local cab
  • Day trip to Sonamarg and the Thajiwas Glacier area, as conditions allow
  • Gulmarg Gondola ride (Phase 1 included, Phase 2 optional and weather permitting)
  • Daily breakfast and dinner, with vegetarian and Jain options on request
  • Trip captain with the group throughout

Itinerary

1Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar | Houseboat on Dal Lake | Shikara Ride
  • Arrive at Srinagar Airport, where your trip captain meets the group.
  • Transfer to your houseboat on Dal Lake and check in.
  • In the evening, take a shikara ride on the lake, weather permitting.
  • Dinner on the houseboat.
  • Overnight stay on Dal Lake, Srinagar.
2Day 2: Mughal Gardens | Srinagar Sightseeing
  • After breakfast, visit Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh, the terraced Mughal gardens above the lake.
  • Continue to a local market for shawls, dry fruits and handicrafts, at your own pace.
  • Spend the evening on the houseboat deck or at leisure.
  • Overnight stay on Dal Lake, Srinagar.
3Day 3: Srinagar to Pahalgam | Lidder River
  • After breakfast, check out and drive to Pahalgam, a journey of about three hours.
  • Check in to your hotel and have a relaxed afternoon.
  • Walk beside the Lidder river and enjoy the pine-covered slopes.
  • Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
4Day 4: 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 available at some points and are paid locally.
  • After lunch at leisure, drive back to Srinagar, about three hours.
  • Check in to your hotel in Srinagar.
  • Overnight stay in Srinagar.
5Day 5: Day Trip to Sonamarg
  • After breakfast, drive to Sonamarg, a journey of about three hours each way.
  • Enjoy the valley beside the Sindh river and, as conditions allow, the Thajiwas Glacier area by local cab or pony.
  • Lunch is at your own cost. Return to Srinagar in the evening.
  • Overnight stay in Srinagar.
6Day 6: Day Trip to Gulmarg | Gondola
  • After breakfast, drive to Gulmarg, about two hours from Srinagar.
  • Ride the Gulmarg Gondola (Phase 1 included) and walk across the meadow.
  • The upper phase is optional and depends on wind and weather on the day.
  • Return to Srinagar in the late afternoon.
  • Overnight stay in Srinagar.
7Day 7: 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 Pahalgam, twin sharing
  • 3 nights hotel stay in Srinagar, twin sharing
  • Daily breakfast and dinner at the houseboat and hotels
  • 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 of Srinagar
  • Day excursions to Sonamarg and Gulmarg by AC vehicle
  • Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ride
  • Services of a trip captain throughout the tour
  • Vegetarian and Jain meal options on request, subject to availability
  • 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
  • Power bank and phone charger (Indian plugs are used)

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.
  • This is a group departure and runs on minimum numbers; we will inform you in advance if a departure needs to change.
  • A trip captain accompanies the group throughout.
  • 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.

See our Terms & Conditions for payment and cancellation rules.