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Itinerary · Kashmir

7 Days Kashmir Itinerary

The fuller valley loop: Pahalgam, Srinagar, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Doodhpathri, with a houseboat night and time for the old city.

Duration7 days

Scheduled Travel Plan

Jammu to PahalgamA full day on the highway through Udhampur, Ramban and the Jawahar Tunnel to Pahalgam. Plan lunch stops and keep snacks handy. Arrive in the evening, check in and rest.

A full day on the highway through Udhampur, Ramban and the Jawahar Tunnel to Pahalgam. Plan lunch stops and keep snacks handy. Arrive in the evening, check in and rest.

Pahalgam to SrinagarMorning in Betaab Valley and Aru Valley by local cab, then drive to Srinagar and check in to a houseboat. Evening on the lake and dinner on board.

Morning in Betaab Valley and Aru Valley by local cab, then drive to Srinagar and check in to a houseboat. Evening on the lake and dinner on board.

Srinagar sightseeingVisit the Mughal Gardens and the Shankaracharya Temple in the morning, with a Shikara ride on Dal Lake in the afternoon. Keep the evening for shopping and a relaxed dinner.

Visit the Mughal Gardens and the Shankaracharya Temple in the morning, with a Shikara ride on Dal Lake in the afternoon. Keep the evening for shopping and a relaxed dinner.

Sonamarg excursionA full-day trip to Sonamarg through the Sindh valley, with the Thajiwas Glacier by pony or local cab. Return to Srinagar for dinner and rest.

A full-day trip to Sonamarg through the Sindh valley, with the Thajiwas Glacier by pony or local cab. Return to Srinagar for dinner and rest.

Gulmarg excursionDay trip to Gulmarg for meadows or snow, the Gondola if tickets are booked, and a pony ride toward Khilanmarg. Return to Srinagar in the evening for dinner and an early night.

Day trip to Gulmarg for meadows or snow, the Gondola if tickets are booked, and a pony ride toward Khilanmarg. Return to Srinagar in the evening for dinner and an early night.

Doodhpathri and Srinagar marketsVisit Doodhpathri's meadows in season and return to Srinagar in the afternoon for the old city and markets. If roads are closed, keep the day free.

Visit Doodhpathri's meadows in season and return to Srinagar in the afternoon for the old city and markets. If roads are closed, keep the day free.

Srinagar to JammuEarly start on the highway to Jammu, with breaks along the way. Drop at the railway station or airport. Keep onward travel for the next day in case of delays.

Early start on the highway to Jammu, with breaks along the way. Drop at the railway station or airport. Keep onward travel for the next day in case of delays.

Seven days lets you see the whole valley without hurrying. This plan follows a road loop from Jammu, but you can also run it from Srinagar by skipping the highway days and adding a rest day.

Who it suits: families, groups and travellers who want Sonamarg and Doodhpathri as well. Pace: two long drive days (1 and 7) and five valley days. Seasonal tweaks: in winter, move Gulmarg earlier and keep a spare day for snow; in July and August, expect crowds at Pahalgam; in October, add a Pampore saffron stop if the fields are in bloom.

This is the route of our 6 nights, 7 days Jammu group tour, which is priced on request. For a slower pace, ask us to remove a day.

Making it easier. The first and last days are mostly on the road, so if you are coming by train try for a morning arrival at Jammu, and book onward travel for the day after you return. If anyone in your group dislikes long drives, consider a night at Patnitop on the way in or fly into Srinagar and start the loop from the valley. In winter, keep one flexible day for snow and roads.

Helpful answers

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are enough for Kashmir?

Five days covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam without rushing. Six or seven days lets you add Sonamarg and Doodhpathri at a comfortable pace, which most families prefer. A weekend is possible from Srinagar, but you will see only Srinagar and one hill destination.

Should I start my Kashmir trip from Jammu or Srinagar?

Fly into Srinagar if you have five days or fewer; you save a full day of road travel. Start from Jammu if you are travelling by train, want to combine Vaishno Devi with Kashmir, or enjoy road journeys. The Jammu to Srinagar drive takes most of a day.

Are roads open to Sonamarg and Gulmarg in winter?

Usually yes, with delays. The Sonamarg tunnel, opened in January 2025, keeps the approach to Sonamarg open through most of winter, though heavy snow can still close roads for hours or days. The road to Gulmarg is cleared quickly but may need snow chains. Always keep one buffer day on winter trips.