Kashmir Tour Packages

About Kashmir

Kashmir is the classic family holiday in the Indian Himalaya. Most trips start in Srinagar with a night on a houseboat on Dal Lake and a shikara ride in the early morning, then move out to the valleys of Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg before returning for the last night in the city.

Gulmarg has the gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, and snow through most of winter. Pahalgam sits on the Lidder river and works well for a slow day with children, with Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari as short drives. Sonmarg is the drive up towards Zojila with the Thajiwas glacier above it. The Mughal gardens, Shankaracharya temple, Hazratbal and the Srinagar old city bazaars fill the city days.

March to May brings the tulip garden and the blossom, June to September is pleasant and green and the season for Doodhpathri and Yusmarg, and December to February is for snow. We book houseboats, hotels, the Gulmarg gondola and a local driver for the full stay, and keep the route flexible because mountain weather and road conditions change.

Best places to see

• Dal Lake and a houseboat nightA carved cedar houseboat moored on the lake, with a shikara ride out to the floating vegetable market. Take the shikara soon after sunrise, when the water is still and the market is active.
• Gulmarg gondolaA two phase cable car rising to Apharwat, with snow at the top for most of the year and skiing in winter. Book the first slots, since phase two often closes by afternoon in bad weather.
• Pahalgam and the Lidder valleyA riverside town with Aru and Betaab valleys and Chandanwari above it, reached by local taxi from the town. A full unhurried day, with pony rides for those who want them.
• Sonmarg and Thajiwas glacierA meadow on the road to Ladakh with the glacier a short pony ride or walk above. Open from roughly April to November, and best in the morning light.
• Mughal gardens, SrinagarNishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi on the eastern side of Dal Lake, terraced with chinar trees and fountains. Late afternoon is cooler and the light is good.
• Tulip Garden, SrinagarAsia's largest tulip garden below Zabarwan hill, open for a few weeks from late March to mid April. Go on a weekday morning.
• Shankaracharya Temple and HazratbalA hill temple with a wide view over the city and the shrine on the lake's north west bank. Morning is clearest before haze builds.
• Doodhpathri and YusmargQuieter alpine meadows within a day trip of Srinagar, good for summer picnics and less crowded than Gulmarg.
• Srinagar old city and bazaarsJama Masjid, the wooden Khanqah of Shah Hamdan and the lanes where pashmina, walnut wood and papier mache are sold. Go with someone who knows the shops.

Suggested itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Srinagar, transfer to a houseboat on Dal Lake, evening shikara ride and the Mughal gardens.
• Day 2 Day trip to Gulmarg, gondola phase one and two if weather allows, snow activities, return to Srinagar.
• Day 3 Drive to Pahalgam, check in, afternoon at the Lidder river and the market.
• Day 4 Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari by local taxi, evening free in Pahalgam.
• Day 5 Drive back towards Srinagar with a day at Sonmarg and the Thajiwas glacier, overnight in Srinagar.
• Day 6 Shankaracharya temple, Hazratbal, old city walk and shopping for pashmina and walnut wood.
• Day 7 Tulip garden if in season or Doodhpathri, transfer to the airport for departure.

What is included

Best season

Late March to May is blossom and tulip season and the most popular window. June to September is warm, green and best for Sonmarg, Doodhpathri and the high meadows. October brings the chinar colours and cold nights, and December to February is deep winter with snow in Gulmarg and a chance that the Gulmarg or Sonmarg road closes for a day. Amarnath yatra season in July and August makes the Pahalgam side busy.

Good to know

• Aru, Betaab, Chandanwari in Pahalgam and the Thajiwas glacier at Sonmarg are covered by local union taxis and ponies, not your own vehicle, and those charges are paid on the spot.
• Gulmarg gondola tickets are limited and phase two shuts in poor weather, so keep a spare slot in the plan rather than one fixed morning.
• Woollens, a windproof jacket, gloves, a cap and waterproof shoes are needed in every season, and snow boots and suits are hired at Gulmarg.
• Pony and sledge rates should be agreed before you start, and it is better to let our driver settle them for you.
• Internet and mobile service can be slow or interrupted in the valley, so download offline maps and tell family in advance.
• Buy pashmina, saffron and walnut wood from a shop with a bill rather than from touts, and try wazwan, rogan josh, gushtaba and kahwa.
• Ladakh side trips over Zojila and permits for restricted areas are arranged separately and need extra days, so mention them at booking.

Planning and cost

Flights or trains, hotels, transfers and sightseeing are arranged together by our team. Every plan is made for your dates and your group, so the cost is quoted after we know what you want. Price on request.