+13 Photos
6N/7D
Rediscover Kashmir: The Classic Valley Circuit
2N Srinagar + 1N Pahalgam + 1N Gulmarg + 1N Sonamarg + 1N Srinagar Houseboat
Package Inclusions
Meals
Hotels
Transfers
Overview
Immerse yourself in the poetry of the Himalayas on this 7-day classic valley journey with SkyGlobals. Trace the stone pathways of Mughal gardens and glide past floating markets on a sunset Shikara cruise over Dal Lake. Breathe in the pine-scented air of the Lidder River in Pahalgam's Betaab and Aru valleys, ride the high-altitude Gulmarg Gondola to the snowfields of Apharwat Peak (13,780 ft), and gaze upon the glistening cascades of Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg. Conclude your holiday anchored aboard an authentic carved cedar-wood luxury houseboat. Complete with private heated transport, verified hotel stays, and traditional Wazwan dinners, this itinerary brings the magic of Kashmir to life.
Tour Itinerary
1
Touch down at Srinagar Airport (SXR). Meet your private chauffeur outside the terminal and take a scenic drive through the Chinar-lined boulevards to your Srinagar hotel. Complete check-in, unpack, and freshen up with a welcoming cup of hot Kashmiri Kahwa.
Mughal Heritage: In the afternoon, visit the terraced gardens built by the Mughal Emperors along the eastern shores of Dal Lake:
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Bliss): A 12-terraced garden designed by Asif Khan in 1633, framed against the Zabarwan Mountains with cascading water fountains.
Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love): Built by Emperor Jahangir for Empress Nur Jahan, featuring polished black stone pavilions and royal water channels.
Chashme Shahi (The Royal Spring): Known for its cold, sweet natural mineral spring water.
Return to the hotel for a multi-course dinner. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
Mughal Heritage: In the afternoon, visit the terraced gardens built by the Mughal Emperors along the eastern shores of Dal Lake:
Nishat Bagh (Garden of Bliss): A 12-terraced garden designed by Asif Khan in 1633, framed against the Zabarwan Mountains with cascading water fountains.
Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love): Built by Emperor Jahangir for Empress Nur Jahan, featuring polished black stone pavilions and royal water channels.
Chashme Shahi (The Royal Spring): Known for its cold, sweet natural mineral spring water.
Return to the hotel for a multi-course dinner. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
2
After breakfast, spend the day exploring Srinagar's cultural core:
Shankaracharya Temple: Ascend the forested Takht-e-Suleiman hill (243 steps) to this ancient 9th-century stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, taking in 360-degree views of Srinagar city, the Pir Panjal range, and Dal Lake.
Old City Architecture: Walk through the 14th-century Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, admiring its 378 deodar wooden pillars and peaceful courtyard. Cross the Jhelum River to visit the historic wooden shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula, adorned with Kashmiri papier-mâché and wood carvings.
Hazratbal Shrine: Visit the white-marble shrine on the northern banks of Dal Lake, which houses the holy relic (Moi-e-Muqqadas).
Evening: Explore the spice and dry-fruit markets around Lal Chowk. Savor an authentic traditional Wazwan dinner (Rogan Josh, Rista, Gushtaba, and Tabak Maaz). Overnight stay in Srinagar.
Shankaracharya Temple: Ascend the forested Takht-e-Suleiman hill (243 steps) to this ancient 9th-century stone temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, taking in 360-degree views of Srinagar city, the Pir Panjal range, and Dal Lake.
Old City Architecture: Walk through the 14th-century Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, admiring its 378 deodar wooden pillars and peaceful courtyard. Cross the Jhelum River to visit the historic wooden shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula, adorned with Kashmiri papier-mâché and wood carvings.
Hazratbal Shrine: Visit the white-marble shrine on the northern banks of Dal Lake, which houses the holy relic (Moi-e-Muqqadas).
Evening: Explore the spice and dry-fruit markets around Lal Chowk. Savor an authentic traditional Wazwan dinner (Rogan Josh, Rista, Gushtaba, and Tabak Maaz). Overnight stay in Srinagar.
3
After an early breakfast, check out and drive south along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway toward Pahalgam.
En Route: Drive through the purple saffron fields of Pampore, stop to observe cricket-bat workshops carved from Kashmiri willow in Bijbehara, and explore the 9th-century stone ruins of the Awantipora Sun Temple.
Arrival in Pahalgam (7,200 ft): Check into your riverside hotel framed by pine-covered cliffs along the Lidder River.
The Valleys (Local Union Taxi Excursion): Board authorized local Pahalgam taxis to explore the outer valleys:
Aru Valley: A tranquil village meadow known for whispering pine forests and traditional wooden houses.
Betaab Valley (Hajan Valley): Famed for its rushing turquoise river, willow groves, and lush lawns framed by snow peaks.
Chandanwari: The starting base camp of the holy Amarnath Yatra.
Return to your hotel by evening for dinner by the sounds of the Lidder River. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
En Route: Drive through the purple saffron fields of Pampore, stop to observe cricket-bat workshops carved from Kashmiri willow in Bijbehara, and explore the 9th-century stone ruins of the Awantipora Sun Temple.
Arrival in Pahalgam (7,200 ft): Check into your riverside hotel framed by pine-covered cliffs along the Lidder River.
The Valleys (Local Union Taxi Excursion): Board authorized local Pahalgam taxis to explore the outer valleys:
Aru Valley: A tranquil village meadow known for whispering pine forests and traditional wooden houses.
Betaab Valley (Hajan Valley): Famed for its rushing turquoise river, willow groves, and lush lawns framed by snow peaks.
Chandanwari: The starting base camp of the holy Amarnath Yatra.
Return to your hotel by evening for dinner by the sounds of the Lidder River. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
4
After breakfast, take a scenic drive northwest across the valley floor, passing apple orchards and climbing the Pir Panjal foothills via Tangmarg to Gulmarg (8,690 ft). Check into your hotel or resort.
Gulmarg Exploration: Take a walk through the rolling alpine golf course (one of the highest 18-hole green golf courses in the world) and visit the stone-built St. Mary’s Church standing amidst meadows since the British era. Visit the hilltop Maharani Temple (Rani Temple).
Evening: Relax by a traditional bukhari (wood heater) or enjoy hot kehwa overlooking the snowfields. Dinner and overnight stay in Gulmarg.
Gulmarg Exploration: Take a walk through the rolling alpine golf course (one of the highest 18-hole green golf courses in the world) and visit the stone-built St. Mary’s Church standing amidst meadows since the British era. Visit the hilltop Maharani Temple (Rani Temple).
Evening: Relax by a traditional bukhari (wood heater) or enjoy hot kehwa overlooking the snowfields. Dinner and overnight stay in Gulmarg.
5
The Gulmarg Gondola: Board Phase 1 of the world’s second-highest operating cable car, soaring above pine canopies to Kongdoori Station (10,050 ft). Transition into the Phase 2 cable car ascending to the wind-swept ridgeline of Apharwat Peak (13,780 ft). Step out onto high-altitude snowfields just a few kilometers from the Line of Control, enjoying views across the Karakoram range and Nanga Parbat.
Transfer to Sonamarg: Descend by midday, meet your private vehicle at the base, and drive across the Ganderbal district following the Sindh River valley into Sonamarg (8,950 ft)—the "Meadow of Gold." Check into your mountain hotel. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Sonamarg.
Transfer to Sonamarg: Descend by midday, meet your private vehicle at the base, and drive across the Ganderbal district following the Sindh River valley into Sonamarg (8,950 ft)—the "Meadow of Gold." Check into your mountain hotel. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay in Sonamarg.
6
Thajiwas Glacier: After breakfast, head out to the base of Thajiwas Glacier. Walk or hire local union ponies/sledges to reach the foot of the snowfield, surrounded by silver birch trees and tumbling mountain torrents.
Return to Srinagar: In the early afternoon, board your vehicle for the smooth drive down to Srinagar.
Houseboat Experience on Dal Lake: Arrive at the Dal Lake boulevard and board a traditional wooden Shikara to transfer to your carved cedar-wood Deluxe Houseboat. Settle into your embroidered living room and private deck.
Sunset Shikara Cruise: Embark on a relaxing 1-hour sunset Shikara ride across the waters of Dal Lake, gliding past floating vegetable gardens, lotus swamps, and the bustling water bazaars (Meena Bazaar). Savor a candlelit farewell dinner onboard the houseboat. Overnight stay in a luxury houseboat.
Return to Srinagar: In the early afternoon, board your vehicle for the smooth drive down to Srinagar.
Houseboat Experience on Dal Lake: Arrive at the Dal Lake boulevard and board a traditional wooden Shikara to transfer to your carved cedar-wood Deluxe Houseboat. Settle into your embroidered living room and private deck.
Sunset Shikara Cruise: Embark on a relaxing 1-hour sunset Shikara ride across the waters of Dal Lake, gliding past floating vegetable gardens, lotus swamps, and the bustling water bazaars (Meena Bazaar). Savor a candlelit farewell dinner onboard the houseboat. Overnight stay in a luxury houseboat.
7
Wake early to watch morning mist rise off Dal Lake and see vendors trade from wooden canoes. Savor a final traditional breakfast of Girda bread, butter, and saffron tea on the houseboat deck. Complete check-out. Meet your private driver at the designated jetty for a transfer to Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar (SXR), arriving 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight home.
