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The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
A red-canopied shikara crossing Dal Lake below snowy mountains
  • Kashmir
  • 7 days
  • Easy

Dal Lake, Gulmarg and Pahalgam

Overview

A gentle week in the valley: a houseboat on Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens of Srinagar, the glacier meadows of Sonamarg, the gondola at Gulmarg and the pine valleys around Pahalgam. No early starts and no long walks, so it suits families and couples.

  • A night on a deluxe houseboat on Dal Lake
  • The gondola up Apharwat at Gulmarg
  • Betaab and Aru valleys near Pahalgam
  • Saffron fields at Pampore

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 2,740 m
  1. Night 1: Houseboat, Srinagar, 1,585 m
  2. Night 2: Srinagar, 1,585 m
  3. Night 3: Srinagar, 1,585 m
  4. Night 4: Gulmarg, 2,650 m
  5. Night 5: Pahalgam, 2,740 m
  6. Night 6: Pahalgam, 2,740 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar

    Settle into your houseboat and take a sunset shikara ride on Dal Lake.

    • Night in Houseboat, Srinagar, 1,585 m
  2. 2

    Day 2: Gardens and the old city

    Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi gardens in the morning, then the wooden mosques and markets of the old city.

    • Night in Srinagar, 1,585 m
    • About 40 km
  3. 3

    Day 3: Sonamarg

    A day trip up the Sindh valley to Sonamarg and the Thajiwas glacier, on foot or by pony.

    • Night in Srinagar, 1,585 m
    • Highest point 2,800 m
    • 160 km return
  4. 4

    Day 4: To Gulmarg

    Drive to Gulmarg and ride the gondola to Kongdoori, and on to Apharwat if the weather allows.

    • Night in Gulmarg, 2,650 m
    • Highest point 3,980 m
    • 50 km
  5. 5

    Day 5: To Pahalgam

    Through the saffron fields of Pampore and the temple ruins at Avantipora to Pahalgam on the Lidder river.

    • Night in Pahalgam, 2,740 m
    • 140 km
  6. 6

    Day 6: Betaab and Aru valleys

    Local taxis take you to the meadows of Betaab and Aru and up to Chandanwari.

    • Night in Pahalgam, 2,740 m
    • About 60 km
  7. 7

    Day 7: Fly home

    Drive back to Srinagar airport for your flight.

    • 95 km

What the price covers

Included

  • Hotels and one night on a deluxe houseboat, twin sharing
  • Breakfast and dinner every day
  • Private car with driver for transfers and sightseeing
  • A sunset shikara ride on Dal Lake
  • Airport transfers in Srinagar

Not included

  • Flights to and from Srinagar
  • Lunches
  • Gondola tickets, pony rides and garden entry fees
  • Local union taxis in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg
  • Travel insurance
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

No permits are needed for Indian citizens. Carry photo ID at all times, as some roads have checkpoints.

  • Only postpaid mobile connections from outside Jammu & Kashmir work here.
  • Outside vehicles cannot be used for sightseeing in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, so local taxis take over there.
  • We follow Jammu & Kashmir government advisories and adjust the plan if any site is closed.
  • From December to February Gulmarg is under snow and the gondola carries skiers.

Questions travellers ask

Is Kashmir good for a honeymoon?

Yes. A houseboat night, quiet gardens and the meadows of Gulmarg and Pahalgam make it one of the most popular honeymoons in India. We can add a candle-lit dinner on the houseboat.

When is the best time to visit Kashmir?

March and April for blossom and tulips, May and June for green meadows, October and November for autumn colour, and December to February for snow.

Is Kashmir open to visitors?

Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam are open. We follow official advisories closely and change the route if anything changes.

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