India6N/7DManali & Kasol
Chandigarh · Manali · Solang · Rohtang · Kasol
Price on enquiry →
7N/8D · India
Kashmir
Pahalgam → Gulmarg → Sonmarg → Srinagar
Eight days through the Kashmir valley: two nights in Pahalgam, two in Gulmarg, one in Sonmarg and two in Srinagar, with a shikara ride on Dal Lake and the Gulmarg Gondola.
Planning guide: Kashmir itinerary for 8 days: Pahalgam to Srinagar
- Duration
- 7N/8D
- Stops
- 4 places
- Best time
- Mar – May
- Price
- Price on enquiry
Day by day
Day 1: Srinagar → Pahalgam
Our representative meets you at Srinagar airport for the drive to Pahalgam, about 95 km and 3 hours. On the way you pass apple orchards, the saffron fields around Pampore and the cricket bat workshops along the highway. Pahalgam sits at 7,200 ft on the Lidder River. Evening free, dinner and overnight in Pahalgam.
Stay: Hotel Hilltop, Pahalgam or similar
Day 2: Chandanwari, Betaab & Aru Valleys
A full day in the valleys around Pahalgam: Chandanwari, Betaab Valley and Aru Valley. Outside vehicles are not allowed on these roads, so you switch to a local union taxi for the day, which is included. Pony rides are available at the meadows. Overnight in Pahalgam.
Stay: Hotel Hilltop, Pahalgam or similar
Day 3: Pahalgam → Gulmarg
Drive to Gulmarg, at 8,825 ft, about 150 km and 4 to 5 hours. Stops on the way at Kunzer, a village known for its carpets and shawls, and at Drung waterfall. High tea at the Khyber resort in the evening, for the view across the meadow. Overnight in Gulmarg.
Stay: Hotel Hilltop, Gulmarg or similar
Day 4: Gulmarg Gondola
Walk to the base station for the Gulmarg Gondola. Phase 1 to Kongdoori is included. Phase 2 to Apharwat can be booked online through the J&K cable car site at your own cost, and sells out in season. In winter we book a table at Gulmarg's igloo café for the evening. Overnight in Gulmarg.
Stay: Hotel Hilltop, Gulmarg or similar
Day 5: Gulmarg → Sonmarg
Drive to Sonmarg, about 140 km and 4 hours, back past Srinagar and up the Sindh valley. Pony ride to Thajiwas Glacier. Baltal valley is further up the road, and white-water rafting on the Sindh River is available in season at extra cost. Overnight in Sonmarg.
Stay: Hotel Village Walk or similar
Day 6: Sonmarg → Srinagar & Dal Lake
Drive back to Srinagar, about 80 km and 2.5 hours. In spring (late March to April), visit the Tulip Garden on the Zabarwan foothills above Dal Lake, the largest in Asia. Late afternoon shikara ride on Dal Lake, which is included, then an evening free for shopping at Lal Chowk. Overnight in Srinagar.
Stay: Rah Bagh by the Orchard or similar
Day 7: Mughal Gardens of Srinagar
Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, the terraced Mughal gardens along the east shore of Dal Lake. Afternoon free. If you would rather have a day out, Doodhpathri (66 km, just over 2 hours) and Yusmarg (50 km, 2 hours) are the two easiest meadow trips from Srinagar. Overnight in Srinagar.
Stay: Rah Bagh by the Orchard or similar
Day 8: Departure
Check out after breakfast and transfer to Srinagar airport for your flight home.
What’s included
Included
- 7 nights in 4-star hotels (Comfort or Premium tier), with the option of one night on a Dal Lake houseboat
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private vehicle for all 8 days, from Srinagar airport pickup to drop
- Local union taxi at Pahalgam and Gulmarg
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Gulmarg Gondola, Phase 1
- WhatsApp support from our team throughout the trip
Not included
- Flights to and from Srinagar
- Gulmarg Gondola, Phase 2
- Pony rides, rafting, skiing and other snow activities
- Lunches
- Personal expenses such as drinks, calls and laundry
- Anything not explicitly listed in inclusions
Hotels
Two budgets. We confirm the exact hotels, or similar, when you book.
Comfort
- Hotel Hilltop, Pahalgam
- Hotel Hilltop, Gulmarg
- Hotel Village Walk
- Rah Bagh by the Orchard
Premium
- Pine Spring Pahalgam
- The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
- Hotel Village Walk
- Luxury Prince of Kashmir Houseboat
- Rah Bagh by the Orchard
Upgrades you can add
Saffron Harvest Add-On
October-November only — visit a saffron farm during harvest.
Business-class flights
Lie-flat seats on every long sector. We can book through your preferred airline alliance.
Luxury car upgrade
Mercedes E-Class, Toyota Vellfire, or Innova Crysta — depending on destination.
Private chef evening
A regional cuisine specialist at your villa or suite for one dinner.
When to go
- Mar – May
- Spring. The Tulip Garden opens from late March to April
- Jun – Aug
- Summer. Green meadows and the best time for Sonmarg
- Sep – Nov
- Autumn colours and the saffron harvest
- Dec – Feb
- Snow. Skiing in Gulmarg; some roads may close
Things to do
Shikara on Dal Lake
A ride in a shikara past the houseboats and floating vegetable gardens.
Gulmarg Gondola
Two stages up Apharwat. Phase 1 reaches Kongdoori; Phase 2 goes on to about 13,000 ft.
Pahalgam Valleys
Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari by local union taxi, with pony rides at the meadows.
Thajiwas Glacier
A pony ride from Sonmarg to the foot of the glacier, with snow for much of the year.
Mughal Gardens
Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, terraced gardens on the eastern shore of Dal Lake.
Doodhpathri and Yusmarg
Meadow day trips about 2 hours from Srinagar, for a quieter alternative to the main circuit.
Photos
Kashmir: common questions
- The tourist areas on this route are busy with visitors through the year. We keep track of local conditions and adjust plans if needed.
- No. Flights to Srinagar are quoted separately at the time of booking, as fares change daily. The trip starts and ends at Srinagar airport.
- Yes. We can swap one Srinagar night for a Dal Lake houseboat. One night is usually enough.
- Local rules only allow the union taxis on the valley roads. The union taxi is included in the trip.
- Phase 1 is included. Phase 2 tickets can be booked online at extra cost and often sell out, so book early.
- No. Every trip is planned for one family, couple or group of friends at a time: flights, hotels, drivers, guides and sightseeing, all chosen for you.
- Message us on WhatsApp — there is no form. Tell us roughly where, roughly when, and who is travelling. A trip designer replies personally, usually the same day, and follows up with a call to understand your priorities before sending a proposal.
- Where we show a figure it is indicative, per couple, and all-inclusive — flights, visa, hotels, sightseeing, transfers, breakfast and dinner. It is a planning number, not a quote: it is confirmed once hotels and transport are actually held, and it moves with the exchange rate on the day of booking. Trips without a figure are priced on enquiry.
- Yes. On our Europe trips both are included in the indicative price — return flights and visa application support and fees. Elsewhere we book flights through your preferred airline alliance and co-ordinate visa documentation separately.
You might also like
Plan your Kashmir trip
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We send this plan back adjusted for you, with a price.