Destination
Kashmir
Dal Lake shikaras, Gulmarg meadows, and Pahalgam pine valleys — the classic Kashmir circuit.
Kashmir is the mountain holiday people picture when they say “India’s Switzerland”: a shikara on Dal Lake, the Gulmarg gondola, and a slower valley day in Pahalgam. It is a strong family and honeymoon request, and it needs more days than Manali because the drives between Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam are part of the trip.
A working itinerary is six days / five nights: two nights Srinagar (lake + Mughal gardens), one or two nights Gulmarg (gondola if the sky is clear), two nights Pahalgam (Betaab Valley, Aru if open). Sonamarg is a day trip in summer when the road is reliable.
Winter is for snow; April–June and September–October are for meadows and clearer sightlines. We book stays that match the season (heated rooms in winter), a local cab for the whole circuit, and we tell you honestly if Phase 2 of the gondola is closed that week instead of printing it on a brochure.
Top Attractions
- Dal Lake & Srinagar houseboats
- Mughal gardens (Shalimar, Nishat)
- Gulmarg Gondola
- Pahalgam & Betaab Valley
- Sonamarg (seasonal)
Things to Do
- Shikara ride at sunset
- Gulmarg gondola (Phase 1 / 2 by season)
- Pahalgam river walk
- Local wazwan dinner
- Snow activities in winter
Best time to visit: March to October; December to February for snow in Gulmarg
- Carry original photo ID for every traveller; some stretches have checks.
- Gulmarg gondola tickets are weather-dependent — keep a buffer day.
- The classic 6N circuit is Srinagar (2) + Gulmarg (1–2) + Pahalgam (2). Do not squeeze it into 3 nights.