+6 Photos
6N/7D
Kashmir Delight: Valleys, Glaciers & Houseboat Romance
1N Dal Lake Houseboat + 2N Pahalgam + 1N Gulmarg + 2N Srinagar Hotel
Package Inclusions
Meals
Hotels
Transfers
Overview
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes and royal heritage of the "Paradise on Earth" on this comprehensive 7-day tour with SkyGlobals. Wake up to misty mountain views aboard a handcrafted wooden Dal Lake Houseboat, glide past floating water markets on a sunset Shikara ride, and stroll through the royal terraced Mughal Gardens. Journey into the pine-covered river valleys of Pahalgam to explore Betaab and Aru Valleys, ascend to the snowy heights of Apharwat Peak aboard the iconic Gulmarg Gondola, and walk to the foot of the glaciated crags of Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg. Complete with private chauffeured transport, handpicked mountain stays, and daily breakfast and dinner, this itinerary delivers the ultimate Kashmir holiday.
Tour Itinerary
1
Fly into Srinagar Airport (SXR) by midday. Meet your chauffeur and transfer along Boulevard Road to the banks of Dal Lake. Board a traditional gondola-style Shikara to cross to your carved cedarwood Deluxe Houseboat. Check in, unpack, and enjoy a welcoming cup of saffron-infused Kashmiri Kahwa garnished with crushed green cardamom and almonds.
02:00 PM – 05:00 PM (Mughal Heritage Circuit): Explore the royal pleasure gardens laid out by Mughal emperors:
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure): Built in 1633 by Asif Khan, featuring 12 terraced lawns cascading toward Dal Lake against the dramatic backdrop of the Zabarwan range.
Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love): Commissioned in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir for Empress Nur Jahan, featuring polished black-marble pavilions (Farah Bakhsh) and cascades.
Chashme Shahi: The royal spring garden established in 1632, known for its sweet mineral waters.
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM (Sunset Shikara Ride): Glide across the tranquil waters of Dal Lake. Cruise past floating vegetable gardens (Radh), lotus pads, and wood-carved water chalets while the snow-tipped Pir Panjal peaks reflect the golden twilight.
Evening: Savor a traditional dinner on the houseboat deck. Overnight stay on the Houseboat.
02:00 PM – 05:00 PM (Mughal Heritage Circuit): Explore the royal pleasure gardens laid out by Mughal emperors:
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Pleasure): Built in 1633 by Asif Khan, featuring 12 terraced lawns cascading toward Dal Lake against the dramatic backdrop of the Zabarwan range.
Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love): Commissioned in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir for Empress Nur Jahan, featuring polished black-marble pavilions (Farah Bakhsh) and cascades.
Chashme Shahi: The royal spring garden established in 1632, known for its sweet mineral waters.
05:30 PM – 07:00 PM (Sunset Shikara Ride): Glide across the tranquil waters of Dal Lake. Cruise past floating vegetable gardens (Radh), lotus pads, and wood-carved water chalets while the snow-tipped Pir Panjal peaks reflect the golden twilight.
Evening: Savor a traditional dinner on the houseboat deck. Overnight stay on the Houseboat.
2
08:30 AM (Drive through Saffron & Willow Belts): Check out after breakfast and drive southeast along NH-44. Stop at Pampore to see the saffron fields and sample authentic Kashmiri almonds and walnuts. Cross through Bijbehara, famed for handcrafting English and Kashmiri willow cricket bats, and view the 8th-century stone carvings of the Awantipora Sun Temple ruins, dedicated to Lord Vishnu by King Avantivarman.
Climb to Pahalgam ("Valley of Shepherds" - 2,130 m / 7,000 ft): Follow the roaring turquoise torrent of the glacier-fed Lidder River into Pahalgam. Check into your riverside resort or pine-clad hillside cottage.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Lidder Riverside Walk & Bazaars): Spend the afternoon strolling along the banks of the Lidder River. Walk through the pine-scented town bazaar to browse hand-embroidered Pashmina shawls, chain-stitch rugs (Crewel), and carved walnut wood. Dinner and overnight stay in Pahalgam.
Climb to Pahalgam ("Valley of Shepherds" - 2,130 m / 7,000 ft): Follow the roaring turquoise torrent of the glacier-fed Lidder River into Pahalgam. Check into your riverside resort or pine-clad hillside cottage.
02:30 PM – 05:30 PM (Lidder Riverside Walk & Bazaars): Spend the afternoon strolling along the banks of the Lidder River. Walk through the pine-scented town bazaar to browse hand-embroidered Pashmina shawls, chain-stitch rugs (Crewel), and carved walnut wood. Dinner and overnight stay in Pahalgam.
3
08:30 AM – 01:00 PM (Betaab Valley & Chandanwari): Board a local Pahalgam Union-authorized green vehicle to explore the upper valleys:
Betaab Valley (Hajan Valley): Set between snow-covered cliffs and dense deodar forests, this valley is named after the hit Bollywood film Betaab. Walk across wooden footbridges over the crystal-clear Lidder stream.
Chandanwari (2,895 m): The official starting roadhead for the sacred annual Amarnath Cave pilgrimage, renowned for its towering mountain gorges and year-round snow formations.
02:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Aru Valley & Nature Trails): Drive 12 km northwest along a dramatic mountain road to Aru Valley, a scenic village nestled in green meadows. Stroll past traditional Gujjar log huts, watch mountain goats graze against glacier backdrops, or take an optional pony ride toward Lidderwat trail. Return to Pahalgam town for a warm fireside dinner. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
Betaab Valley (Hajan Valley): Set between snow-covered cliffs and dense deodar forests, this valley is named after the hit Bollywood film Betaab. Walk across wooden footbridges over the crystal-clear Lidder stream.
Chandanwari (2,895 m): The official starting roadhead for the sacred annual Amarnath Cave pilgrimage, renowned for its towering mountain gorges and year-round snow formations.
02:00 PM – 05:30 PM (Aru Valley & Nature Trails): Drive 12 km northwest along a dramatic mountain road to Aru Valley, a scenic village nestled in green meadows. Stroll past traditional Gujjar log huts, watch mountain goats graze against glacier backdrops, or take an optional pony ride toward Lidderwat trail. Return to Pahalgam town for a warm fireside dinner. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
4
08:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Baisaran Pony Trek): After breakfast, take an early morning pony ride or gentle trek up through pine forests to Baisaran Meadow, known as "Mini Switzerland" for its rolling green pastures framed by pine ridges and snow-crested peaks.
11:00 AM (Scenic Drive to Gulmarg): Check out and drive past Srinagar's bypass toward Tangmarg. Ascend the twisting 14 km scenic mountain highway through pine and fir trees into Gulmarg ("Meadow of Flowers" - 2,650 m / 8,690 ft).
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM (Meadow Walk & Victorian Church): Check into your mountain resort in Gulmarg. Stroll through the rolling meadows, view the 110-year-old stone St. Mary’s Church, and admire the historic 18-hole Gulmarg Golf Course, one of the highest in the world. Enjoy a warm dinner. Overnight stay in Gulmarg.
11:00 AM (Scenic Drive to Gulmarg): Check out and drive past Srinagar's bypass toward Tangmarg. Ascend the twisting 14 km scenic mountain highway through pine and fir trees into Gulmarg ("Meadow of Flowers" - 2,650 m / 8,690 ft).
03:30 PM – 06:30 PM (Meadow Walk & Victorian Church): Check into your mountain resort in Gulmarg. Stroll through the rolling meadows, view the 110-year-old stone St. Mary’s Church, and admire the historic 18-hole Gulmarg Golf Course, one of the highest in the world. Enjoy a warm dinner. Overnight stay in Gulmarg.
5
08:30 AM – 01:00 PM (Gulmarg Gondola Ride to Apharwat Peak): Board the world’s second-highest operating cable car system (advance online booking required):
Phase 1 (Kongdoori - 3,050 m / 10,000 ft): Ascend through pine bowls to the Kongdoori plateau for gentle snow activities, snowmobiling, and cafe dining.
Phase 2 (Apharwat Peak - 4,200 m / 13,780 ft): Climb above the tree line to the windswept crest of Apharwat, right beneath the Line of Control. Walk along pristine snow fields with views stretching toward Nanga Parbat on clear days.
02:00 PM – 04:30 PM (Descent to Srinagar): Descend by cable car, meet your chauffeur, and drive down through Tangmarg to Srinagar city. Check into your premium hotel.
05:00 PM – 07:00 PM (Shankaracharya Temple & Craft Workshops): Ascend Takht-i-Suleiman hill to visit the 9th-century stone Shankaracharya Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which offers 360-degree aerial views over Dal Lake and the city. Visit a certified artisan workshop to watch live demonstrations of hand-knotted silk carpets and papier-mâché painting. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
Phase 1 (Kongdoori - 3,050 m / 10,000 ft): Ascend through pine bowls to the Kongdoori plateau for gentle snow activities, snowmobiling, and cafe dining.
Phase 2 (Apharwat Peak - 4,200 m / 13,780 ft): Climb above the tree line to the windswept crest of Apharwat, right beneath the Line of Control. Walk along pristine snow fields with views stretching toward Nanga Parbat on clear days.
02:00 PM – 04:30 PM (Descent to Srinagar): Descend by cable car, meet your chauffeur, and drive down through Tangmarg to Srinagar city. Check into your premium hotel.
05:00 PM – 07:00 PM (Shankaracharya Temple & Craft Workshops): Ascend Takht-i-Suleiman hill to visit the 9th-century stone Shankaracharya Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which offers 360-degree aerial views over Dal Lake and the city. Visit a certified artisan workshop to watch live demonstrations of hand-knotted silk carpets and papier-mâché painting. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
6
08:00 AM – 10:30 AM (Scenic Drive along the Sindh River): Depart along the Srinagar–Leh Highway. Wind through the gorge carved by the Sindh River, passing through walnut groves, tumbling glacial torrents, and trout streams into Sonamarg (2,740 m / 9,000 ft).
10:45 AM – 02:30 PM (Thajiwas Glacier & River Meadows): Hire local union ponies or take an invigorating 45-minute alpine walk to the foot of Thajiwas Glacier, where high-altitude snowfields melt into turquoise streams beneath glaciated crags. Walk along snow patches, try sledging, and enjoy hot Maggi noodles and tea from mountain kiosks.
03:30 PM – 06:00 PM (Return Drive to Srinagar): Drive back down the highway to Srinagar.
Evening: Savor a celebratory farewell multi-course Kashmiri Wazwan dinner (featuring Rogan Josh, Rista, Gushtaba, and saffron pulao). Overnight stay in Srinagar.
10:45 AM – 02:30 PM (Thajiwas Glacier & River Meadows): Hire local union ponies or take an invigorating 45-minute alpine walk to the foot of Thajiwas Glacier, where high-altitude snowfields melt into turquoise streams beneath glaciated crags. Walk along snow patches, try sledging, and enjoy hot Maggi noodles and tea from mountain kiosks.
03:30 PM – 06:00 PM (Return Drive to Srinagar): Drive back down the highway to Srinagar.
Evening: Savor a celebratory farewell multi-course Kashmiri Wazwan dinner (featuring Rogan Josh, Rista, Gushtaba, and saffron pulao). Overnight stay in Srinagar.
7
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Explore the Old City (Downtown Srinagar) to admire the 378 deodar-wood pillars of the 14th-century Jamia Masjid and walk across the historic wooden bridges (Kadhs) over the Jhelum River. Pick up saffron, dried morel mushrooms (Gucchi), and walnut kernels from the local market. Check out by 11:30 AM. Your chauffeur will provide a prompt transfer to Srinagar International Airport (SXR) for your flight home.
