A Kashmir trip is one of those journeys that lives up to its reputation. You wake up on a houseboat on Dal Lake as the mist lifts, ride a gondola above the tree line in Gulmarg, walk toward a glacier in Sonamarg and follow a river through pine forests in Pahalgam, all within a week.
This plan covers that week. It's a seven-day Kashmir itinerary based in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, with realistic drive times, the best season for snow, tulips, meadows or autumn colours, how to get there by air or the new train line, where to stay, what it costs and the practical things that catch first-timers out.
When is the best time for a Kashmir trip?
Kashmir is a different place in every season, so the best time depends on what you want to see.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | March to April | Almond blossoms, and the Tulip Garden in Srinagar, usually open from late March for a few weeks |
| Summer | May to August | Green meadows, pleasant days around 25°C, the busiest season. July and August bring the Amarnath Yatra |
| Autumn | September to November | Clear skies, golden poplars and red chinar trees. Many people's favourite time |
| Winter | December to February | Snow in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, skiing, frozen streams. Very cold nights |
For a first Kashmir trip, late April to June or September to October gives you the best mix of weather, open roads and green landscapes. For snow, go between late December and February, and read our guide to snowfall places in India.
Before you go: practical things to know
Mobile phones: prepaid SIM cards from other states don't work in Jammu and Kashmir. Carry a postpaid connection, or you'll be without data once you land.
Which places are open: after the attack near Pahalgam in April 2025, a number of tourist spots in Kashmir were closed. Most have reopened in phases since then, but a few were still shut in 2026. Check the latest J&K Tourism notices and ask your hotel before you plan a day around a particular meadow.
Union taxis: in Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg, local union taxis and ponies are compulsory for some stretches, and fares are fixed and posted at the stands. Check the board before you agree on anything.
Carry ID: there are security checkpoints on most roads. Keep an original photo ID with you.
How to get to Kashmir
By air: Srinagar airport has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chandigarh and several other cities. It's the quickest and most common way in.
By train: since 2025, trains run all the way to Srinagar from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, crossing the Chenab bridge, the highest railway arch bridge in the world. You can take a train from Delhi to Katra and continue to Srinagar, which makes a great journey in itself. Combine it with a Vaishno Devi yatra if you like.
By road: the Jammu–Srinagar highway takes 7 to 9 hours through the tunnels at Chenani–Nashri and Banihal. It's scenic but can close for a day after landslides or snow.
A 7-day Kashmir itinerary
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, shikara on Dal Lake | Srinagar houseboat |
| 2 | Srinagar: floating market, Mughal gardens, old city | Srinagar |
| 3 | Day trip to Sonamarg (about 79 km, 2 hours) | Srinagar |
| 4 | Gulmarg (about 51 km, 1½ hours) | Gulmarg |
| 5 | Gulmarg to Pahalgam, via Pampore and Avantipora | Pahalgam |
| 6 | Pahalgam: Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari | Pahalgam |
| 7 | Pahalgam to Srinagar airport (about 98 km, 2 hours) | Home |
Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar
Check in to a houseboat on Dal Lake or the quieter Nigeen Lake. Spend the late afternoon on a shikara ride (about ₹400 to ₹800 an hour, depending on the route; the official rates are posted at the ghats), gliding past lotus beds, floating gardens and the old wooden houseboats. End with sunset from the water.
Day 2: Srinagar
If you can, wake up before dawn for the floating vegetable market, where farmers trade from their boats. Book a shikara the night before. Then visit the Mughal gardens: Nishat Bagh, with its twelve terraces dropping to the lake, and Shalimar Bagh, Jahangir's garden of chinars and fountains (about ₹25 each). In the afternoon, climb the 240 steps to the Shankaracharya Temple for a view over the whole city, and see the wooden pillars of the Jamia Masjid in the old city. Watch the sunset from Pari Mahal, the terraced ruins above the lake.
In spring, add the Tulip Garden, the largest in Asia, which opens for only a few weeks from late March.
Day 3: Sonamarg
Drive up the Sindh valley to Sonamarg, the "meadow of gold". From the meadow, walk or ride a pony to the Thajiwas Glacier, where snow lies well into summer. In season, you can raft on the Sindh river. Return to Srinagar in the evening.
Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in early 2025, Sonamarg can be reached in winter too, though snow limits what you can do there.
Day 4: Gulmarg
Drive to Gulmarg, a high meadow ringed by fir forest. The Gulmarg Gondola is the reason most people come: Phase 1 rises to Kongdoori, and Phase 2 climbs to Apharwat at about 4,000 m, with views to Nanga Parbat on a clear day. Both phases together cost about ₹1,700. Book online a day ahead, since counter tickets run out by mid-morning, and go early, as Phase 2 shuts in high wind.
In the afternoon, walk across the meadow to St Mary's Church and the red-roofed Maharani Temple. In winter, Gulmarg is India's best ski resort, with lessons for beginners on the Kongdoori slopes.
Day 5: Gulmarg to Pahalgam
It's about 3½ to 4 hours from Gulmarg to Pahalgam through Srinagar. On the way, stop at Pampore, famous for its saffron fields (they flower in late October and November), and the 9th-century temple ruins at Avantipora. Reach Pahalgam by late afternoon and walk along the Lidder river.
Day 6: Pahalgam
Pahalgam is where three valleys meet, and you'll need a union taxi to visit them, at fixed fares from the stand. Choose two or three of:
- Betaab Valley (about ₹100): a meadow and stream named after a 1983 film
- Aru Valley: meadows, pony rides and the start of the Kolahoi treks, 12 km away
- Chandanwari: a snow bridge and the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, open from about April to October
In summer, you can raft on the Lidder near Yanner. Visit the small stone Mamleshwar Temple, one of the oldest in Kashmir, before dinner.
Day 7: Back to Srinagar and home
Drive back to Srinagar, about 2 hours, for your flight. With an afternoon flight, you'll have time for some last shopping for walnuts, saffron and shawls.
Shorter and longer Kashmir trips
5 days: Srinagar (2 nights), Gulmarg (1 night), Pahalgam (1 night). Do Sonamarg only if you have a spare day.
8 to 10 days: add Doodhpathri and Yusmarg, two quiet meadows near Srinagar, or continue over Zoji La from Sonamarg to Ladakh in summer. Our guide to the road into Ladakh from Srinagar explains that route.
Honeymoon: Kashmir is one of the classic honeymoon destinations in India. Swap one Srinagar night for a Nigeen Lake houseboat.
Where to stay in Kashmir
| Place | Area | Price a night | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Dal Lake houseboats | ₹2,500 to ₹8,000 | Wake up on the water |
| Srinagar | Nigeen Lake houseboats | ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 | Quieter, more upmarket |
| Srinagar | Dalgate guesthouses | ₹1,000 to ₹2,500 | Cheapest, walk to the ghats |
| Gulmarg | The meadow | ₹4,000 to ₹9,000 | Walk to the gondola |
| Gulmarg | Tangmarg | ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 | 13 km below, cheaper |
| Pahalgam | Lidder riverside | ₹6,000 to ₹15,000 | Resorts by the river |
| Pahalgam | Main Bazaar | ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 | Walk to the market and taxis |
Spend at least one night on a houseboat. Look at the boat and its bathroom before you book, and choose one with recent good reviews.
What a 7-day Kashmir trip costs
A rough budget per person for two people sharing, not counting flights to Srinagar:
| Budget | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Stays (6 nights) | ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 | ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 |
| Car with driver (7 days, shared) | ₹10,000 to ₹13,000 | ₹10,000 to ₹13,000 |
| Food | ₹3,500 to ₹5,000 | ₹6,000 to ₹9,000 |
| Gondola, shikara, union taxis and entry fees | ₹4,000 to ₹5,500 | ₹5,500 to ₹8,000 |
| Total per person | ₹23,500 to ₹33,500 | ₹36,500 to ₹55,000 |
A car with a driver for the week usually costs about ₹2,800 to ₹3,700 a day. Return flights to Srinagar add ₹7,000 to ₹15,000 per person, depending on your city and the season.
What to eat in Kashmir
The great Kashmiri feast is wazwan, a multi-course meal of rogan josh, rista, gushtaba and more. Ahdoos on Residency Road has served it since 1918. Vegetarians should try nadru (lotus stem), dum aloo, haak (collard greens) and the famous vegetarian dhabas near Durganag. Drink kahwa, a saffron and almond green tea, all day, and try the noon chai, a salty pink tea, with a local bread for breakfast.
Kashmir travel tips
Agree prices first. For shikaras, ponies and guides, check the official rate boards and agree on the fare before you start.
Book the gondola early. Tickets for both phases sell out in season. Book online a day ahead.
Pack layers in every season. Even in summer, Gulmarg and Sonamarg can be cold in the evenings. In winter, you'll need proper thermals and snow boots, which you can rent locally.
Respect local customs. Dress modestly, especially in the old city and at shrines, and ask before photographing people.
Leave a buffer day in winter. Snow can close roads to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg for a day or two.
Kashmir with children and older parents
Kashmir is a wonderful family trip if you plan for the altitude and the cold. Gulmarg's Phase 2 gondola goes to about 4,000 m, which can be hard on older travellers and young children, so many families stop at Phase 1. Houseboats have narrow gangways and steps, so check access before booking for elderly parents. Ponies and union taxis make the meadows of Pahalgam accessible to everyone, and shikara rides are gentle enough for all ages.
What to buy in Kashmir
- Pashmina and Kani shawls: buy from reputable shops or government emporiums, and ask about authenticity certificates for genuine pashmina.
- Saffron from Pampore: buy from farms or trusted shops, as fake saffron is common.
- Walnuts and almonds, dried fruit and kahwa mix.
- Papier-mâché boxes, carved walnut wood and crewel-embroidered cushion covers.
- Kashmiri carpets, which are expensive, so take your time and compare.
A sample Kashmir budget for a family of four
For a family of four for seven days, sharing one car and two rooms, a mid-range Kashmir trip typically costs about ₹80,000 to ₹1.4 lakh, not counting flights. The biggest costs are hotels in Gulmarg and Pahalgam in peak season, the car and driver, and the Gulmarg gondola for four.
Common Kashmir trip mistakes
- Not booking the gondola in advance, and losing half a day in the queue.
- Relying on a prepaid SIM, which won't work.
- Underpacking warm clothes, even in May and June.
- Trying to see Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam in two days. Each deserves at least a full day.
- Skipping the old city of Srinagar, which is as beautiful as the lakes.
When to visit Kashmir for what you want to see
| If you want | Go in |
|---|---|
| Tulips in Srinagar | Late March to mid-April |
| Snow and skiing in Gulmarg | Late December to February |
| Green meadows and pleasant days | May and June |
| Rafting on the Lidder and Sindh | May to August |
| Golden poplars and red chinars | October and early November |
| Saffron flowers at Pampore | Late October to early November |
July and August are pleasant but coincide with the Amarnath Yatra, when roads around Pahalgam and Sonamarg are busy and security is heavy.
Getting around Srinagar
Shikaras are the easiest way to move along Dal Lake, while autos and taxis cover the city. For Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam, hire a car with a driver for the day or the trip, and remember that local union taxis are compulsory for some valleys once you arrive.
Kashmir's food, beyond wazwan
Wazwan is the feast, but everyday Kashmiri food is just as good. Try girda and lavasa breads from the old city bakeries for breakfast, noon chai (pink salt tea), nadru yakhni (lotus stem in yoghurt), haak saag, dum aloo, tchok wangun (sour aubergine), and harissa on winter mornings. Most houseboats serve home-cooked Kashmiri meals if you ask.
A note on respect
Kashmir is a deeply hospitable place. Dress modestly in the old city and at shrines, ask before photographing people, especially women, and be patient at security checks, which are part of daily life here.
Plan your Kashmir trip with JrnyLoop
Tell JrnyLoop where you're flying from and that you're going to Kashmir, and add Gulmarg and Pahalgam as stops. It plans each day in a sensible order, with the floating market at dawn, the gondola in the morning and Pari Mahal at sunset, budgets the trip for your group in your chosen stay style and packs for the season, from summer layers to snow boots.
Travelling as a family or with friends? Invite everyone to the trip and vote on the plan, such as whether to add Doodhpathri or a second night in Gulmarg.
The short version
Go between late April and October for meadows and autumn colours, or between late December and February for snow. Give it seven days: two in Srinagar with a night on a houseboat, a day trip to Sonamarg, a night in Gulmarg and two in Pahalgam. Carry a postpaid SIM, check which spots are open, agree every fare before you start, and book the gondola a day ahead.
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