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Best of Kashmir(7 Nights)

Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Srinagar

for Family Traveller, Honeymooner

Holiday Overview

Hazratbal Mosque
Locals moving around in the Nasim Lake
Views of Hari Parbat
Nishat Garden
Chashma Shani Garden
Houseboats by the Boulevard
Floating Market
Nasim Lake Views
Views from Shankracharya Hill
Shikara ride in Dal Lake (Photo Courtesy: Basharat Shah)
Manasbal Lake (Photo Courtesy: Mehrajmir13)
Horse Riding at Baisaran
Zorbing at Baisaran
Riverside Pahalgam
Betaab Valley
Enroute Aru Valley in Winter
Views while Trekking around
Trekking route to Baisaran Valley
Green Tunnel enroute to Pahalgam
Pahalgam Valley (Photo Courtesy: KennyOMG)
Shiva Temple in Gulmarg
Views from Market Centre
Dhabas and Shops in Market Centre
Horses for moving around in Gulmarg
Phase I (Gondola)from a distance
Gulmarg Gondola

Best of Kashmir is a popular itinerary with holiday travellers which combines three most visited destinations of Kashmir i.e. Srinagar (Lakes, Houseboats), Gulmarg (Himalayan views) and Pahalgam (Riverside Himalayan beauty).

Route

Gulmarg(2) - Pahalgam(2) - Srinagar(3)

Summarised Itinerary
  • Day-1 Arrive at Srinagar - Gulmarg
  • Day-2 Gulmarg Gondola Visit. Possible excursion to Khilanmarg.
  • Day-3 Gulmarg - Pahalgam via Martrand
  • Day-4 Pahalgam Sightseeing / Walking / Rafting
  • Day-5 Pahalgam - Srinagar enroute visit Avantipur ruins.
  • Day-6 Sightseeing in Srinagar
  • Day-7 Excursion around Srinagar
  • Day-8 Departure
Sightseeing Summary

Gulmarg - Gondola Ride in Gulmarg (1.00 kms), Khilanmarg (6.00 kms)

Pahalgam - Baisaran (3.00 kms), Betaab valley (7.00 kms), Aru (10.00 kms), Tulian Lake (16.00 kms), Martrand Sun Temple (35.00 kms)

Srinagar - Hari Parbat (4.00 kms), Shikara ride in Dal Lake (5.00 kms), Jama Masjid Srinagar (5.00 kms), Hazratbal Mosque (6.00 kms), Shankaracharya Temple (10.00 kms), Chashma Shahi (10.00 kms), Nishat Bagh (14.00 kms), Shalimar Gardens (16.00 kms), Avantipur temple ruins (29.00 kms), Manasbal Lake (30.00 kms), Gondola Ride in Gulmarg (50.00 kms), Martrand Sun Temple (60.00 kms)

Preferred Arrival /Departure Destination
Arrival - Srinagar Departure - Srinagar
Best Season to Travel
  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec
Popular Extensions to the Itinerary

Guests looking to relax or do a bit of walking / trekking could stay longer in Pahalgam or choose to stay in Sonamarg.

Distances
  • Srinagar to Gulmarg -50 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Gulmarg to Pahalgam -150 kms (5 hrs)
  • Pahalgam to Srinagar -100 kms (3 hrs)
Route

Srinagar - Gulmarg(2) - Pahalgam(2) - Srinagar(3)

Detailed Itinerary

Day-1 Arrive at Srinagar - Gulmarg Arrive at Srinagar (5000+ ft asl) and transfer to Gulmarg (50 kms - 1.5 hrs - 8000+ ft asl). Enjoy close range snowpeak views. Take a walk at the local markets in the evening.

Day-2 Gulmarg Gondola Visit. Possible excursion to Khilanmarg. Go for the famous Gondola Ride (Asia's highest and longest cable car where online booking in advance is recommended). The ride is a two-stage ropeway. The first stage transfers from Gulmarg to Kongdoori Station. The second stage takes skiers to a height of 3,747 m (12,293 ft). The timing of the Gondola is from 10 AM to 5 PM (It's highly dependent on the weather at both stages). Return in the afternoon to enjoy a Pony ride and walk around the area OR visit Khilanmarg (nearby picnic spot) carpeted with flowers in the spring.

Day-3 Gulmarg - Pahalgam via Martrand Proceed to Pahalgam (150 kms - 5 hrs - 7000+ ft asl). Enroute visit Matrand Sun Temple. On arrival, if time permits walk around the area to local markets.

Day-4 Pahalgam Sightseeing / Walking / Rafting Enjoy white water rafting (possible in Summer) OR walk around the riverside OR undertake sightseeing around Pahalgam to spots like Baisaran, Tulian Lake, Chandanwari (16 kms - 8000+ ft asl - close range views) where you can find snow even in summer, Betaab Valley and Aru Valley etc.

Day-5 Pahalgam - Srinagar enroute visit Avantipur ruins. Transfer to Srinagar (100 kms - 4 hours). Enroute visit Avantipur ruins. Visit Dal Lake and enjoy the Shikara ride in the evening. Time permitting visit local markets.

Day-6 Sightseeing in Srinagar "Day sightseeing in Srinagar visiting Mughal Gardens (Chesmashahi, Nishat and Shalimar), Jama Masjid, Shankaracharya Temple, Hari Parbat etc.

Day-7 Excursion around Srinagar Full day excursion to Sonmarg (85 kms - 3.5 hours - 8500+ ft asl) and Baltal valley. Alternatively guests have an option to visit Manasbal lake (30 kms) where there are water sports on offer. Leave for Srinagar in the evening.

Day-8 Departure Depart for onward journey.

Detailed Sightseeing

Gulmarg :

  • Gondola Ride in Gulmarg - Gondola ride in Gulmarg is perhaps the most awesome when it comes to views. The ride is split in two stages and both require diff tickets. Tickets can be sourced online. Both stages are a must do. The Gondola ride is subject to weather.

  • Khilanmarg - Khilanmarg is 6-km walk from the Gulmarg bus stop and car park. The meadow, carpeted with flowers in the spring and is the site for Gulmarg's winter ski runs and offers a fine view of the surrounding peaks and over the Kashmir Valley.

Pahalgam :

  • Baisaran - Baisaran (3 kms away from Pahalgam) is a lush green meadow surrounded by thick forest. One can trek to Tulian Lake from here (day trip).

  • Betaab valley - Betaab valley (7 kms from Pahalgam) is named after bollywood movie Betaab which was extensively shot here. The valley is characterised by picture perfect views and is a kind of popular picnic spot for tourists to arrive.

  • Aru - Aru is a sleepy village 10 km from Pahalgam, is the first step on the way to Kohlai glacier. From here one can also trek to Tarsar, Marsar lakes and Sonamarg. Aru offers picture perfect views and is a popular tourist visit option.

  • Tulian Lake - Tulian Lake a high altitude lake near Pahalgam at an altitude of 11,000 ft asl. The lake is surrounded on three sides by snow covered mountains. It is located in a meadow dotted with pine forests.The lake lies between the two Himalayan mountain ranges of Pir Panjal and Zanskar and presents spectacular views. The area is accessible via a trek.

  • Martrand Sun Temple - Matrand Sun temple near Anantnag is a temple complex built around ancient temple ruins and visited enroute Pahalgam while arriving from Srinagar / Katra / Patnitop via Anantnag.

Srinagar :

  • Hari Parbat - Hari Parbat or Koh e Maran is a hill overlooking Srinagar. It is the site of a Durrani fort (1808) and home to Shakti Temple and Muslim shrines of Khwaja Makhdoom Sahib and Akhund Mullah Shah. There is also a Gurudwara, which commemorates the visit of Guru Hargobind.

  • Shikara ride in Dal Lake - Shikaras are narrow boats to ferry guests from Houseboats to the banks of the lake. Its also the vehicle to ferry supplies. Shikara rides in Dal Lake has been one of the romantic experiences even since Kashmir has been visited by tourists. Shikara ride offers guests a leisurely lakeside experience. Vastness of the lake being such that guests can spend a couple of hours moving around the area into different corners of the lake. Some areas around Boulevard around are very busy and where Shikaras literally jostle for space. Whereas ones a bit away from Boulevard especially around Nagin is quiet and serene.

  • Jama Masjid Srinagar - Jamia Masjid is a mosque in Srinagar in the middle of the old city built in 1400 AD. The mosque has Indo-Saracenic architecture, a large courtyard and 370 wooden pillars.

  • Hazratbal Mosque - Hazratbal is a prominent domed mosque in Srinagar overlooking Dal lake and mountains beyond. Hazratbal is a popular tourist spot and a significant Pilgrim centre for Muslim as it houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad which is displayed to the public on religious occasions. Friday prayers are offered at Hazratbal and attended in large number by locals.

  • Shankaracharya Temple - An ancient temple dating back to 250BC where the philosopher Shankaracharya is believed to have stayed here when he visited Kashmir ten centuries ago to revive Sanatan Dharma

  • Chashma Shahi - Chasma Shahi, originally designed in 1632 are a set of Mughal Gardens situated at 10 kms from town centre (5 kms from Boulevard) in Srinagar, overlooking Dal lake.

  • Nishat Bagh - Nishat Bagh are a set of Mughal gardens at 14 kms and is characterised by terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal Lake and Pir Panjal mountain range in front of them. Nishat was designed in 1633 AD by Asaf Khan, brother of Nur Jehan.

  • Shalimar Gardens - Shalimar Gardens are a set of Mughal Gardens at 16 kms from Srinagar and are popularly visited by tourists. Shalimar Gardens (or Shalimar Bagh as its popularly known locally) were built by Mughal Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jehan. The Gardens are characterised by terraced lawns, cascading fountains, paint-box-bright flowerbeds with the panorama of the Dal in front of them.

  • Avantipur temple ruins - Avantipur temple ruins lie South East of Srinagar and ruins of a 9th century temple are the attraction for visitors

  • Manasbal Lake - The Manasbal lake is located at 30 kms from Srinagar. Road to Wular Lake, the largest lake in Kashmir, passes through this lake. The Mughal garden, called the Garoka, built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake. The lake is a good place for birdwatching as it is one of the largest natural stamping grounds of Aquatic birds in Kashmir. The rootstocks of lotus plant which grows extensively in the lake are harvested and marketed, and also eaten by the local people. Other Tourist attraction in the lake area are the Manasbal Temple, the ruins of a terraced Mughal garden and sculptured stones of some Buddhist shrines on the banks of the lake.

  • Gondola Ride in Gulmarg - Gondola ride in Gulmarg is perhaps the most awesome when it comes to views. The ride is split in two stages and both require diff tickets. Tickets can be sourced online. Both stages are a must do. The Gondola ride is subject to weather.

  • Martrand Sun Temple - Matrand Sun temple near Anantnag is a temple complex built around ancient temple ruins and visited enroute Pahalgam while arriving from Srinagar / Katra / Patnitop via Anantnag.

Destination Overview

Gulmarg - Gulmarg is a ski resort and summer holiday destination situated 46 km southwest of Srinagar and is about 8000 ft asl.

Pahalgam - Pahalgam (100 km from Srinagar) is originally a Shephards Village and is now a premier holiday destination and a Hill Station at 7200 ft above sea level.

Srinagar - Srinagar is the summer capital city of Kashmir. Srinagar is a city famous for its lake experience. Houseboats, Shikaras and Mughal gardens, Handicraft shops all combine to give a unique holiday experience.

Access
Prefered Arrival : No ImageSrinagar
Prefered Departure : No ImageSrinagarNo ImageUdhampur(231kms), Katra(280kms), Jammu(300kms)
Distances
  • Srinagar to Gulmarg -50 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Gulmarg to Pahalgam -150 kms (5 hrs)
  • Pahalgam to Srinagar -100 kms (3 hrs)

Ready Cost estimate for this itinerary is not available.

However Nivalink would be able to readily offer a cost estimate or customise the itinerary as per specific requirements.

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Call 022-6150 6363 to speak to our travel planner or email jk-01@nivalink.co.in to connect with our travel planner for details on the itinerary: Best of Kashmir.

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Travel Ideas incorporated in the itinerary

Gulmarg in Summer

Gulmarg (8,000 ft asl) is a mountain resort of exceptional beauty. Snow peak views are all over more

Pahalgam Experience

Pahalgam (7,200 ft asl) is characterised by views of gurgling river criss cross across the town more

Lines indicate the best available driving routes.
Arrows indicate connectivity other than Road (e.g. Waterways or Air).
Please click on the markers for more detailed Information.

Distances
  • Srinagar to Gulmarg -50 kms (1.5 hrs)
  • Gulmarg to Pahalgam -150 kms (5 hrs)
  • Pahalgam to Srinagar -100 kms (3 hrs)

Expert Speak

Best of Kashmir is the most popular itinerary for April - Dec period (during Jan - March when Pahalgam is semi-closed).

Expert Connect

Nivalink has taken over 300 trips across India and select destinations overseas over last 10 years to verify hotels, evaluate destinations and understand its suitability with different profiles of customers across different seasons.

At Nivalink you are able to connect directly with experts who have travelled to these destinations and are able to offer novel ideas, honest perspectives and help you narrow down choices.

Email to expert@nivalink.co.in to connect with sector expert for specific ideas and recommendations.

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