Kashmir Itinerary 3 Days
How to Plan 3 Days Kashmir Trip?
You can not get enough of the beauty that Kashmir showcases in even a month of stay. Although, if you don’t have weeks or a month for a Kashmir trip, you can cover some major places of Kashmir in 3 days. Truth to be told, not all tourist destinations are visited but the ones that you do are so worth it. In these three days, from arrival to departure and sightseeing at Srinagar and Pahalgam, you also enjoy some popular activities there. This short trip is perfect for a weekend getaway. Getting out of your busy city life and coming to Kashmir valley to soak in all the serenity and peace is the ideal thing to do. Nothing new to be said but the vast lush plains with rivers and lakes containing clear turquoise waters are the highlights of this trip. The snow-laden mountains are just cherry on cake.
As far as the best time to consider, summer is the perfect time for this brief yet lively adventure in the stunning valley. The weather is to die for with occasional rainfall. With Cliffhangers India, you are provided with a customised itinerary for a specific duration that caters to your preferences and likings.
Below, we have one such Kashmir itinerary for 3 days that you can follow on your next trip.
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Day 1: Srinagar Sightseeing
Try to book an overnight flight so that you land at Srinagar Airport in the morning. This gives you some extra time to explore the capital City. Once you reach the Airport, either book a cab or just hire a taxi to reach the main town. You can do it in advance via online websites or there are many vehicles seen on the road that are readily available. The distance between the airport and Srinagar city is around 15 kilometres and it will take you half an hour or maximum 45 mins to reach there. Reach your hotel and take some rest and get some sleep and you may be jet lagged.
At noon, enjoy the authentic kashmiri cuisine in your lunch at either your hotel if included or any restaurant available nearby. The first and foremost thing to do in Srinagar is going for Shikara Ride at Dal Lake. Visit the lake and you will see many Shikara boats taking tourists on long ferries. You can book one of them and after a short break, you will be taken to the view of some remote villages and the whole adventure is a memorable one.
After the Shikara Ride, you can visit the nearby established markets where there are Kashmiri architecture, woollen clothes, species, dry fruits, souvenirs etc. that you can purchase to take back home. You can also go for dinner by then in any restaurant.
At night, book a houseboat on the Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake to relax and the next morning, you will wake up with a beautiful sight of sparkling water of Dal Lake in front of you.
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Night stay in Srinagar.
Day 2: Drive To Pahalgam And Sightseeing
After Srinagar, the next and last place to Visit in Pahalgam. Your second day will begin with driving to Pahalgam. After having your breakfast, set out early in the morning. Pahalgam is about 90 kilometres away from Srinagar and it will take approximately 2 hours to complete the journey. The route via Srinagar-Pahalgam Highway (NH501) is the correct one. The roads are motorable and it is an easy drive up to there. You can rent a car or bike depending on the number of people travelling and enjoy a road trip as the route is full of different famous attractions. Those include Manasbal Lake, Bat making factory, apple orchards, Saffron fields etc. Since you have to be in Pahalgam as fast as you can, you can not really stop at these sites and explore. However, these are some must-visit places if you are in Kashmir for about a week.
After reaching the “Valley of Shepherd”, there are ample activities to do here which are mentioned below.
Top things to do in Pahalgam:
Pony rides to Baisaran Valley: Baisaran Valley is one of those regions of Kashmir where you can not visit through any private vehicles or taxi and cab. The valley is located 5 kilometres away from the main town of Pahalgam. Some people trek there while others choose pony rides. Pahalgam is one of those places of Kashmir where you can enjoy Pony rides that take you to some remote landscape with excellent panoramic views. It is a must-to-do here. On reaching Baisaran Valley, you will be greeted with some breathtaking sights which is why it is called Mini Switzerland. Here you can enjoy ziplining, zorbing, sightseeing etc.
White water rafting at Lidder river: If you have been an adventurer your whole life, then white water rafting at Lidder River should be on your plans. It is one of the popular recreational activities to do here. Lidder River is a favourite destination for it due to availability of many grades that are beginner-friendly and also provides some much needed thrills for experienced tourists etc.
A 2 kilometre stretch is available here that is the ideal distance. You can either book in advance to save time. If you have not and still want to do this, on-the-spot booking is available here too. Post-Monsoon Season is the suitable time for it. Pay attention to the briefings of your instructor to be safe and comfortable during the activity.
Bollywood in Betaab: Betaab Valley of Pahalgam, previously named as Hagan, is every Bollywood buff’s dream destination. The superhit movie “ Betaab” was shot here and hence the renaming. The movie made this place so popular that people often come here with their partners to relive those movie moments. Click pictures here with your partner to cherish the moments of a lifetime. This is another place that is visited either via trekking or pony rides. Other than this, some other activities to do here include Zip-lining and much more. Summer is an appropriate time to make a visit here as the views are very distinct.
To enter the valley, you have to pay a fee of INR 100.
Visit the Sun Markand Temple: To add a fresh and religious perspective to the trip, you can visit the famous Sun Markand Temple. Offer your prayers here, preferably in the morning when there is freshness in the air and not much crowd can be seen. Located in the Anantnag District of Kashmir, it is one of the three sun temples. When you are at the top of the region where this temple is found, you can see the mesmerising view of satire Kashmir Valley. One thing to know is that the entire building is not there. Built hundreds of years ago, only the remains are to exist. However, people still visit here to seek blessings of Lord Sun.
Strolls and picnics by sheshnag Lake: For every earthly person who seems to enjoy being in the lap of nature, peacefully soaking its beauty, Sheshnag Lake of Pahalgam is an ideal attraction. It is a popular place for weekends getaways where you too can go for some light strolls and maybe arrange a picnic. For this, bring a mat and a basket full of snacks and drinks that you can relish there. You can click pictures here where you don’t need any kind of fever. Other than being a picnic spot, the lake is highly significant in Hinduism as devotees believe that Sheshnag still lives in the lake. It also falls on the route to Amarnath Cave and pilgrims often take a break here to get blessings and rest for a while.
After a long day of Sightseeing and activities, enjoy your dinner containing meals that are made from locally sourced ingredients.
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Night stay in Pahalgam.
Day 3: Srinagar Sightseeing And Departure
On the last day of your trip, it is going to be a busy one. After having your breakfast,Start your road trip from Pahalgam to Srinagar where you will be in not more than 2 hours, covering the total distance of about 90 kilometres. Throughout the day, you are going to be on a city tour, exploring famous Mughal Gardens and visiting other tourist destinations.
Some of the not-to-miss things to do are listed below:
Discover the beauty of Pari Mahal: As the name suggests, Pari Mahal is like a true heaven for fairies. Even though it remains in pieces now, tourists who visit Kashmir, add this to their itinerary. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the place has historical importance too. It is an exemplary work of artists of the Mughal Era who carefully constructed it with some fine details. The terraced gardens found here are the prime highlight.The entire region where it falls is encircled by Chinar Trees and reflection of the Palace can be seen at night on the clear waters of Dal Lake. for avid enthusiasts of history, architecture and natural beauty, this is a must-visit place.
Meander in Mughal Gardens: Built in the 17th century by different Mughal Emperors, the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar are the true witness of the city’s rich heritage. While Shalimar Bagh was constructed by Emperor Jahangir, the credit for building Nishat Bagh and ChashmaShahi goes to Emperor Shah Jahan. These Gardens showcase the blend of Persian, Indian, Islamic and Kashmiri style of architecture. They are a fine example of grandeur and excellence of Mughal architecture. There are waterfalls , springs, and parks found at these gardens too. You can also get a clear glimpse of Dal Lake from here. They offer some beautiful locations inside the gardens for nature walks or strolls and you can even go for picnics as well.
Holy voyage to Shankaracharya Temple: Dedicated to the Mighty Shiva, Shankaracharya Temple, instead of being a spiritual place, is a famous tourist destination. People come here to seek blessings and offer their prayer. The highlight of this temple is that it is located at the top of Takht-e-Suleiman Hill and the views it offers of the entire Valley. The details found in the designs of the temple, the sacred Lingam are the main characteristics of this temple. It is a culturally significant spot which is believed to be highly holy among Kashmiri Pandits and in Hinduism. There are taxis and cabs available that will take you there. Shivaratri is a festival which is celebrated in a grand style here.
Shikara ride at Dal Lake: Experiencing the fun of Shikara ride at the pristine Dal Lake is a quintessential thing to do in Srinagar. Before the ride, you will be surprised how magnificent the Lake is. Surrounded by towering Chinar trees and nestled in the mighty ranges, it is safe to say that it is the most famous attraction of Kashmir. If you did not do it on the first day, you have the chance to do it now. And the enjoyment of experiencing the same fun again is not something to be regretted. With the ferry, you see the floating vegetable and fruits markets. With the Shikara ride, you can also visit the Mughal Gardens mentioned above. Future partners often come here for their pre-wedding shoots.
Soaking serenity at Nigeen Lake: Another lake worth adding to your itinerary is the serene Nigeen Lake. Called as a hidden gem of Kashmir, it is a must-visit place when you are in the valley. It is arguably a calmer lake than Dal Lake as it is not as popular as Dal. smaller in size but equally breathtaking. To have a peaceful time, you can skip Dal Lake and visit here. The place also offers activities like Shikara ride, boat rides, bird-watching, picnic, photography etc. People also come here for fishing and angling. At Nigeen Lake, you will be surrounded by a panoramic atmosphere with chinar trees on the outline.
Finish your trip by going on a shopping spree. It is best if you have your flight at night. Reach the airport 2 hours before the departure and you will make it in time. We hope that you will take back memories of a lifetime. Have a great trip!
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