Kashmir Itinerary 6 Days
How to Plan 6 Days Kashmir Tour?
Spend a fun and exciting week in the stunning valley of Kashmir, exploring different tourist attractions here. Needless to say, it will be your most unforgettable experience ever. Before we start with the itinerary that you can follow on this trip of 6 days and 5 nights, painting a picture of the trip for you is very important. Kashmir needs no introduction. People from all over the world wish to come here. The reasons are quite obvious. From those long-spreaded grasslands to ever-calming lakes and rivers, we get to witness some of the highest peaks of India. The region of Kashmir lies in the foothills of the Mighty Himalayas and that can be felt in the form of weather and other things. It is mostly cold there particularly at night even if it is June or May. you won’t be shivering as such but might need a layering or two. Talking of the best time to visit Kashmir then that would be from May till September. You can also visit in Winters if you want to enjoy snow activities like skiing, snowboarding and many more.
Below, we have the most picked 6 days itinerary for your next Kashmir trip. We have also listed some top-notch activities that you can do and everything in-between.
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Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar
The first day of your Kashmir trip begins with your arrival in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar which is the perfect place to be. It is better if you have booked a night flight that will land at Srinagar in the morning. This gives you some extra time in the afternoon and evening to scroll around. Book a cab or taxi from the airport to get to your hotel. Book them in advance via any online website so that you don’t have to wait there. You will be in the main city in half an hour or maximum 45 minutes as the airport is only 15 kilometres away from here. Once you have checked in your hotel, get something to eat for rest for a few hours as you must be jet lagged.
Whenever you are ready to conquer the rest of the day, your first stop should be the serene Dal Lake. There are a bunch of activities to do at the lake and nearby it. The completely unmissable one is Shikara ride. Hoping on the boat and the ferry will give a memorable experience. After that, in the evening, visit the Lal Chowk, a famous market of Srinagar where you can interact with the locals and maybe buy something that you like there. In your dinner, have something from the Kashmiri Cuisine. Taste dishes like Dum Aloo, Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, easily available at any local restaurant.
You know what’s better than a hotel? A houseboat. Make the perfect decision of staying in a houseboat at night and in the morning you will wake up to the perfect view.
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Night stay in Srinagar.
Day 2: Srinagar sightseeing
An entire day of city tour, visiting Gardens, monuments and doing outdoor activities will be on your cards on the second day of the trip. After waking up to some beautiful sights of Dal Lake, get some breakfast and after that you can book a cab or taxi or maybe share one with other tourists if you are here as a solo traveller. Srinagar is full of historical places, lakes and what not and you can spend an entire week exploring just this city. But in a single day, we have mentioned below some of the top things to do at popular places of Srinagar.
Top things to do in Srinagar
Visit the Pari Mahal: The place whose reflections can be seen on the surface of the waters of Dal Lake and the sight created there is unparalleled. Also called the “ Palace of fairies”, Pari Mahal is a significant monument which may not be in its original form but the remains still attract tourists here. It is a landmark building and culturally and spiritually important. It was a Buddhist Monastery earlier and then transformed into a Palace by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. People interested in history and culture often visit here. It is a popular photographic spot too. You have to pay an entry fee of about INR 100 to get in.
Nature walks in the Mughal Gardens: Apart from Dal Lake, another highlight that makes the city a famous tourist spot is the presence of a number of Mughal Gardens. It was a kind of summer retreat for Mughal Emperors and hence they left no stones unturned to beautify it with Mughal Gardens. The most popular ones are ChashmeShahi, Nishat and Shalimar. There are more in other parts of Kashmir. They are mostly built in the late 17th-century by some of the most skilled artists of that time who came from another country to do the work. You can see the mastery in the intrinsic designs on the walls, pillars etc.
Here, you can go on nature walks in the gardens, or by the waterfalls found here. Arrange a picnic with your family.
A spiritual guide to Shankaracharya Temple: The location of Shankaracharya is on the top of Shankaracharya Hill, which gives a perfect view of the entire valley. It is breathtaking as far as the eye can see. Other than that, the place is religiously significant, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Pilgrims come here to offer their prayers and seek blessings. It was built in 200 BC by Gopadtiya. It is one of the oldest temples where the Great philosopher and theologian Adi Shankaracharya made a visit and hence the name. The best time to visit here is during the festival of Shivaratri when a huge crowd comes here to offer fruits, milk and other things.
Shikara ride at Dal Lake: The single unmissable thing in Srinagar is Shikara Ride. There are options of riding at Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake. you can do it each day you are in the city. When you visit the lake, you will see many operators with their boats lining up at the shore. Book one or two according to the people you are there with. And in no time, you will be in the presence of water all around you with alpine mountains in the background. There is a famous loathing market of fruits and vegetables that you can explore. Visit Char Chinar island and the Mughal Gardens via the ride.
Explore the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden: One of the most mesmerising gardens of Kashmir, Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden is a must visit place in the valley. It is the largest tulip garden where about 1.5 Million tulips are found with different colours and varieties. The spring and summer season is the best time for visiting the place as the flowers really bloom to the core. A tulip Festival is also hosted here in April. Not only the vibrant flowers but the soothing paths in between the garden, the towering trees, terraces found here make the place a magical one altogether. You can even see Dal Lake from the Garden.
After the entire day of sightseeing, have your dinner and sleep a bit early as the next day is a long day with a drive to Pahalgam and exploring the town.
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Night Stay in Srinagar.
Day 3: Pahalgam Sightseeing
After having your breakfast and getting ready, start the road trip from Srinagar to Pahalgam. The total distance to be covered is 88 kilometres which will take approximately 2 hours to complete. You can either book a cab or rent a private vehicle to be at your own pace. The correct route is the Srinagar-Pahalgam Highway (NH502). The route is in good condition and connected roads are motorable. There are many spots throughout the journey that are very charming and unique like the saffron fields, Bat Making factory, apple orchards, Manasbal Lake etc.
If you start the drive at 8 AM in the morning, you will be in Pahalgam by max 10:30AM. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the town.
Top things to do in Pahalgam:
The adventure of hiking to Baisaran: Popularly known as “Mini Switzerland”, Baisaran Valley is one of the popular ABC valleys of Pahalgam. Baisaran Valley falls at a distance of about 12 kilometres from the main town and it is the perfect opportunity to trek there. Well, it is kind of a non-negotiable thing too as private vehicles are not accessible there. The trek takes about 2-3 hours and the trails are easy to navigate and soothing too with some remote villages, dense forts and lush meadows. It goes through the Lidder River. You just have to follow it along the shores. If this is your first time, you can join a trekking group to be safe. Carry a reusable water bottle and some snacks.
Pony rides: Pony rides are very popular in Places like Pahalgam, Yusmarg and others. In Pahalgam, they are a must to have experience as well as a famous option of transportation. Some of the regions of the Valley of Shepherds, Pahalgam can not be accessed via a taxi or cab and pony ride is the only option that remains. You can take these rides to Aru Valley,Baisaran Valley, Lidder Valley, Tulian Lake. They are available from the Pahalgam bus stand itself.
The price varies according to the distance to be covered but you should leave no chances of negotiation as they are highly overpriced.
Explore the Aru Valley: Along with a stunning valley, Aru acts as the basepoint of many treks like Tarsar Marsar trek. It is one of those treks that you should do in another trip to Kashmir, solely for this one. The meadows provide just the right environment for acclimatisation. The highlight of the valley is the Lidder river that flows right through. Sightseeing, photography, trekking, water rafting and paragliding are some of the things to do here.
It is located at a distance of about 12 kilometres from the main Pahalgam Town and there are cabs as well as taxis available up to there. Pony rides are one available option too.
Here are some Places to Visit in Pahalgam Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Chandanwari, Baisaran, Lidder River etc.
Betaab for Bollywood: In Betaab Valley of Pahalgam, there are many songs and movies shot and it is kind of directors’ favourite. But the movie that made it very popular and resulted in its renaming from Hagan Valley To Betaab Valley was the 90’s superhit “ Betaab”.
The scenes captured here in the movie looked like a painting on a canvas. When in Pahalgam, you can visit the valley to recreate those Bollywood moments with your partner. Situated 15 kilometres from the Pahalgam city, there are many trekking trails to undertake. Either trek here or hire a pony to reach.
Water rafting at Lidder River: The most adventurous experience you can have in Pahalgam is probably water rafting at Lidder River. The complete distance to be covered is 12 kilometres and it will probably take approximately 3-4 hours to complete it. There are II and II grade and hence beginner friendly locations too.
The best time to do river rafting is from June to September. Post monsoon season is perfect as the flow of water is high, offering a thrilling time over there. There are many operators found on the shores. You can also book your slots via an online website.
Night Stay in Pahalgam.
Day 4: Gulmarg Sightseeing
The next destination on your itinerary would be Gulmarg. Start the drive early in the morning as it would take 4 hours to cover a total distance of about 140 kilometres. The route starts via NH501 heading towards Anantnag and then picks NH44 to continue going till you reach Srinagar. On the same highway, from Srinagar, drive towards Tangmarg and Gulmarg is only 13 kilometres away from there. There are taxis, cabs and buses available to take you to Gulmarg. You can choose any of them as per your convenience.
Top Things to do in Gulmarg:
Visit the Maharani Temple: Start your day in Gulmarg by visiting the historical temple, the Maharani Temple. Built in 1915 by Maharani Mohini Bai Sisodia, the wife of Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir, it is religiously significant among Kashmiri Hindus. The entire complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva. People visit here to offer their prayers and seek blessings. The architectural style here is a blend of Kashmir and Rajputs of ancient India.
It is a popular tourist attraction as well where people come for sightseeing. There are some festivals in the year that are celebrated with grand style like Navratri, Maha Shivratri etc.
Skiing and Snowboarding: The most unmissable thing to do in Gulmarg is the experience of Skiing and Snowboarding. Gulmarg Skiing season typically begins in mid-December. There are winter sports which are best done from January to Mid-february when the snow really sticks to the ground. The average snowfall is 10-12 feet and the massive drop in temperature increases chances of live rainfall also. The slopes formed here are comparatively equal like that of Switzerland. There are skiing slopes as long as 5 kilometres which are uninterrupted too. Apart from Skiing and Snowboarding, you can also go sledding here. There are also opportunities of night skiing as well under the star-studded sky.
Thrills of Gondola Cable Car: Gondola Cable Car is an exhilarating experience that is a once-in-a lifetime opportunity too. It is one of the highest as well as longest cable cars in the world which spans as long as 5 kilometres and goes as high as 13,123 ft. It starts from the Gulmarg town itself and goes all the way up to Kongdoori in the first phase.
aly located 4 kilometres away from the main town. Trekking and cabs are the popular choices available. The golf course is set in a beautiful meadow with many types of vibrant flowers blooming and bursting. This 18-golf course will be the perfect time for some relaxation as you golf in the most greenest and beautiful one.
Explore the Gulmarg Market: The Gulmarg Market is as vibrant as it gets. They are quite friendly spaces where you can interact with locals and know the place in a better way, from the horse’s mouth itself. Here, you can buy local handicrafts like carpets, shawls, embroidery works etc. Get some souvenirs to take back home for friends and family like wooden carvings, decorative boxes and papier-mache etc. There are fruits and vegetable markets as well which you can visit and explore around. Buy local spices like Kashmiri Lal Mirch, apples, walnuts, etc.
Relish the popular street food here including Haleem, phirans, Kahwa etc.
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Night stay in Gulmarg.
Day 5: Sonamarg Sightseeing
Sonamarg is the last place to visit on this 6-days trip to Kashmir. About 125 kilometres is the distance to be covered to reach Sonamarg from Gulmarg. This will take 3-4 hours. There are more than one route accessible. First one is NH1 and the second option is Srinagar-Gulmarg road and NH1. The last one that remains is Srinagar-Knagan Road and NH1. All of them take almost the same amount of time to reach Sonamarg.
Top Things to do in Sonamarg:
Visit walnut orchards: You can have a delightful time at the various walnut orchards in Sonamarg. Visit one and you can even pluck one or two to bless your taste buds. There are many varieties found here such as Black Walnuts, English Walnut and Kashmiri Walnut. One interesting fact is that about 90 percent of India’s walnut production is done in Kashmir and Sonamarg plays a huge role in catering those needs. You can get the taste in many dishes of Kashmiri cuisine like Gushtaba and Walnut Chutney etc. You can buy them from the local markets where they are available in abundance. Take back some amount to home.
Trekking in Sonamarg: There are many trekking trails here which take you to some breathtaking locations that are just worth the effort. The most adventurous trek of India, The Kashmir Great Lakes trek starts from Sonamarg itself, specifically from Shitkadi Village. The 80 kilometres trek taking about 7-9 days is everything you need in a hiking experience. Some smaller treks are Amarnath Trek, Baltal TrekNichnai Trek, Zoji La Trel etc. If you are someone who also wants to fish and visit a lake then Gadsar Trek, Krishansar Trek, Gangabal Trek are for you. These lakes are home to trout fishes of different kinds. The routes are of moderate gradient. Bring all the trekking and camping gears.
Serene experience of camping: Sonamarg is an ideal place to go camping. The lush meadows offer everything you want in a camping experience. During camping there are many other activities that you can do like taking strolls, sitting around a bonfire chatting and star gazing. Sounds a bit hysterical, but the sky there is way different than your normal ones in the city. They look magical with different shades of colour casting a shadow. You can even cook there if you have all the gears. In the morning, you will wake up to a stunning view. You can pitch your tent in a grassland or shore of a lake or river is a perfect choice as well.
Fishing and angling: One more must-have experience in Sonamarg is Fishing and angling. The Sidh river flowing in the city is the perfect location for it. Different varieties of fish species that are found here include rainbow trouts, brown trouts, snow trouts and Mahseer etc. The peak season is in June and August but you can also do it from April till October.
When you are going fishing there are some things that are important to remember. Firstly get a fishing licence from the Jammu and kashmir Fisheries Department. Make sure you are following all the rules and regulations of the state in regards to fishing. You can also join a fishing tour with a local guide for a safe and subtle experience.
Relish Kashmiri Cuisine: Lastly, this is something that is necessary to have a wholesome trip to Kashmir. The Kashmiri cuisine is full of different vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. They are mostly meat based but there are some veg options as well. Some of the delicacies that you should try here are Gushtaba, Haak Saag, Kashmiri Pulao, Dum Aloo, Lyodar Tschaman, Kehwa, Phirni, Kulcha, Shufta etc.
You will see how the local spices like wild garlic, cinnamon, saffron are used in the correct proportion to make them tasty and nutritious. You can have them at any restaurant, hotel or even at homestays. Made from locally sourced ingredients, they are a treat to your taste buds.
Night Stay in Gulmarg.
Day 6: Departure
Travel back from Sonamarg to the capital city, Srinagar via the same route you had gone. If you have an evening or night flight and still have some time left to spare, you can explore the Bazaars of Srinagar and go on a food tour around the Hazratbal Shrine. Enjoy Shikara Ride one more time.
Book a cab and reach the Srinagar airport 2 hours before your flight. We hope you have a good time in Kashmir Valley. See you soon!
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