Travel guide · Kashmir
Kashmir travel guide
When to go, how to reach Srinagar, getting around the valley and what to pack — practical advice from the team that plans our Kashmir trips.
By Holiday Guru Travel · Updated 8 Oct 2026
In short: Lakes, meadows and mountains, a different trip each season, works for most travellers and culture and heritage. Dal Lake shikara rides, the meadows of Gulmarg and Sonmarg, and the Lidder valley at Pahalgam — all within a day’s drive of Srinagar. For sightseeing, March to October is the most comfortable time to visit Kashmir; choose December to February if you want snow.
Kashmir quick facts
- Trip length
- 3–10 days (27 itineraries)
- Best time
- For sightseeing, March to October is the most comfortable time to visit Kashmir; choose December to February if you want snow.
- Key places
- Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, Katra
- Tours start in
- Srinagar, Jammu
- Travel style
- Private cab on 5 of 27
- Hotels
- Standard / 3-star equivalent on 22 of 27; Deluxe on 5 of 27
- Meal plans
- Breakfast on 22 of 27; Breakfast & dinner on 5 of 27
When to go
For sightseeing, March to October is the most comfortable time to visit Kashmir; choose December to February if you want snow.
| Months | Season | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| March – May | Spring | Blossom season; Srinagar’s tulip garden usually opens around late March to April. Pleasant days, cool nights. |
| June – August | Summer | Peak season with long, mild days — best for meadows, pony rides and Sonmarg. Book hotels and houseboats early. |
| September – November | Autumn | Clear skies and chinar trees turning red and gold. Quieter than summer and good for photography. |
| December – February | Winter | Snow in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, and skiing in Gulmarg. Very cold; heavy snow can close some roads, including towards Sonmarg. |
How to reach Kashmir
Fly to Srinagar airport (SXR), which has direct flights from Delhi and other major Indian cities; most itineraries start there.
Srinagar airport (SXR) has direct flights from Delhi and other major Indian cities. Our packages start with pick-up at Srinagar (or Jammu on road itineraries), with transfers and sightseeing as specified on each package; some include a private cab. Some local excursions — for example ponies at Sonmarg or the Gondola at Gulmarg — are paid locally.
If you are combining Kashmir with Mata Vaishno Devi, the longer itineraries continue by road from Srinagar to Katra (about 268 km, 6–7 hours) and end in Jammu.
Getting around
Srinagar is the base; Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg are day trips or short stays by road.
Srinagar
The base for most trips: shikara rides on Dal Lake, houseboat stays, and the Mughal gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal — plus the Shankaracharya temple viewpoint.
Gulmarg
About 56 km from Srinagar. Meadows, snow views and the Gulmarg Gondola cable car (tickets at your own cost); known for skiing in winter.
Pahalgam
In the Lidder valley, roughly a 186 km round trip from Srinagar. Riverside walks and local-transport excursions to nearby valleys.
Sonmarg
The “meadow of gold”, roughly a 196 km round trip from Srinagar. Ponies go up towards the Thajiwas glacier, where snow can remain into summer.
What to pack
Pack layers in every season — evenings are cool even in summer, and Gulmarg and Sonmarg are colder than Srinagar.
| When | Pack |
|---|---|
| March – May | Light woollens and a jacket; rain layer; comfortable walking shoes. |
| June – August | Cotton clothes for the day, a fleece or jacket for evenings and for Gulmarg and Sonmarg; sunscreen and sunglasses. |
| September – November | Layers — warm sweater and jacket for cool mornings and evenings. |
| December – February | Heavy winter wear: thermal layers, down jacket, gloves, cap and waterproof boots for snow. |
A 5-day plan for a first visit
Five days covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, with a night on a Dal Lake houseboat.
- Day 1: Arrival Srinagar
- Day 2: Srinagar – Local sightseeing 50 km
- Day 3: Srinagar to Gulmarg 56 km
- Day 4: Gulmarg to Pahalgam 149 km
- Day 5: Pahalgam to Srinagar and departure
See the full day-by-day itinerary · Compare all Kashmir packages
How long to stay
Five days is enough for a first Kashmir trip covering Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam; allow 6–7 days to add Sonmarg, and 8–10 days if you also want to visit Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra or drive in from Jammu.
| Trip length | What it covers | Our itinerary |
|---|---|---|
| 4 days | Srinagar and Gulmarg | Srinagar Gulmarg Tour Package |
| 5 days | Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, with a houseboat night | Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Tour Package |
| 5 days | Srinagar with day trips to Gulmarg and Sonmarg | Srinagar Gulmarg Sonmarg Day Trip Tour |
| 6 days | Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg | Srinagar Pahalgam Gulmarg Sonmarg Tour |
| 8 days | Kashmir valley plus Katra and Mata Vaishno Devi, ending in Jammu | Srinagar Gulmarg Sonmarg Pahalgam Katra Tour |
Where to stay
Stay in Srinagar for most of the trip, with a night on a Dal Lake houseboat, and add a night in Gulmarg or Pahalgam if you want more time in the mountains.
Our Kashmir packages use hotels in Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonmarg — standard / 3-star equivalent or deluxe, as listed on each package — and several include one night on a Dal Lake houseboat. If a listed hotel is unavailable, a hotel of similar standard is arranged.
- Srinagar — the best base: hotels near Dal Lake and Boulevard Road, and houseboats on Dal and Nigeen lakes.
- Gulmarg — stay a night for early Gondola rides and snow in winter.
- Pahalgam — riverside hotels in the Lidder valley, quieter than Srinagar.
Food and shopping
Try a Kashmiri wazwan meal and kahwa tea, and shop for pashmina, papier-mâché and saffron.
What to eat
- Wazwan dishes such as rogan josh, yakhni and gushtaba
- Kahwa — green tea with saffron, cardamom and almonds
- Noon chai (salted pink tea) and local breads from the bakeries
- Vegetarian dishes such as dum aloo and nadru (lotus stem)
What to buy
- Pashmina and Kani shawls
- Papier-mâché and walnut-wood crafts
- Hand-knotted carpets
- Saffron — our 5-day itinerary stops at saffron fields on the drive to Pahalgam
Practical tips
- Carry a government photo ID for hotel check-ins; foreign nationals need a passport and valid Indian visa.
- Prepaid mobile SIMs issued outside Jammu & Kashmir generally do not work there; postpaid connections usually do.
- Pack layers even in summer — mornings and evenings are cool, and it can be much colder in Gulmarg and Sonmarg.
- Book early for June–August, long weekends and the Amarnath Yatra period, when hotels fill fast.
- Snow and weather can change sightseeing plans at short notice; the driver will follow what is open that day.
Best places to visit in Kashmir
Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Katra are the places our Kashmir itineraries are built around.
Srinagar
The base for most trips: shikara rides on Dal Lake, houseboat stays, and the Mughal gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal — plus the Shankaracharya temple viewpoint.
Gulmarg
About 56 km from Srinagar. Meadows, snow views and the Gulmarg Gondola cable car (tickets at your own cost); known for skiing in winter.
Pahalgam
In the Lidder valley, roughly a 186 km round trip from Srinagar. Riverside walks and local-transport excursions to nearby valleys.
Sonmarg
The “meadow of gold”, roughly a 196 km round trip from Srinagar. Ponies go up towards the Thajiwas glacier, where snow can remain into summer.
Katra
About 268 km (6–7 hours) from Srinagar. Base for the 13 km trek to Mata Vaishno Devi, with pony and palki options.
Things to do
- Take a shikara ride on Dal Lake and spend a night on a houseboat
- Walk the terraced Mughal gardens in Srinagar
- Ride the Gulmarg Gondola for high-altitude views (own cost)
- Take a pony ride towards the Thajiwas glacier at Sonmarg
- Explore the Lidder valley around Pahalgam
- Shop for pashmina, walnut-wood and papier-mâché crafts in Srinagar
Suggested Kashmir routes
Routes from our own Kashmir itineraries, by trip length.
- 2 Nights / 3 Days: Srinagar — Srinagar Weekend Getaway
- 3 Nights / 4 Days: Jammu → Patnitop → Sanasar — Jammu, Patnitop and Sanasar
- 4 Nights / 5 Days: Srinagar → Gulmarg → Srinagar — Gulmarg in Winter Snow
- 5 Nights / 6 Days: Srinagar → Gurez → Srinagar — Gurez Valley
- 6 Nights / 7 Days: Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar — Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Tour
- 7 Nights / 8 Days: Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar — Grand Kashmir Tour
Kashmir travel questions
What is Kashmir known for?
Lakes, meadows and mountains, a different trip each season, works for most travellers and culture and heritage. Dal Lake shikara rides, the meadows of Gulmarg and Sonmarg, and the Lidder valley at Pahalgam — all within a day’s drive of Srinagar.
How many days should I spend in Kashmir?
Five days is enough for a first Kashmir trip covering Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam; allow 6–7 days to add Sonmarg, and 8–10 days if you also want to visit Mata Vaishno Devi at Katra or drive in from Jammu. Our Kashmir itineraries run 3–10 days.
What is the best time to visit Kashmir?
For sightseeing, March to October is the most comfortable time to visit Kashmir; choose December to February if you want snow.
Which places should I include in a Kashmir trip?
Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg and Katra. Srinagar: The base for most trips: shikara rides on Dal Lake, houseboat stays, and the Mughal gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal — plus the Shankaracharya temple viewpoint.
Which Holiday Guru Travel packages cover Kashmir?
27 itineraries: Srinagar Weekend Getaway (2 Nights / 3 Days); Jammu, Patnitop and Sanasar (3 Nights / 4 Days); Sonmarg, Thajiwas Glacier and Zero Point (3 Nights / 4 Days); Srinagar and Pahalgam Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days); Srinagar and Sonmarg Tour (3 Nights / 4 Days); Srinagar Temples: Kheer Bhawani and Shankaracharya (3 Nights / 4 Days); and 21 more listed below.
Can a Kashmir itinerary be customised?
Yes. Any of our Kashmir itineraries can be changed — add or remove nights, change the hotel category or add sightseeing. Tell us what you need and we send a quote for your dates.
Is Kashmir good for a first visit?
Yes. Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam are easy to cover in five days by private cab, with short walks, ponies or the Gulmarg Gondola for the higher points.
How far is Gulmarg from Srinagar?
About 56 km. Pahalgam is roughly a 186 km round trip and Sonmarg roughly 196 km round trip from Srinagar.
Do mobile phones work in Kashmir?
Prepaid SIMs issued outside Jammu & Kashmir generally do not work there; postpaid connections usually do.
Is the Gulmarg Gondola included in packages?
No — Gondola tickets are paid locally, like pony rides and shikara extensions.
Kashmir holiday packages
All 27 Holiday Guru Travel itineraries for Kashmir, shortest first. Each can be customised.
| Package ID | Package | Duration | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0114 | Srinagar Weekend Getaway | 2 Nights / 3 Days | Srinagar |
| 0568 | Jammu, Patnitop and Sanasar | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Jammu → Patnitop → Sanasar |
| 0570 | Sonmarg, Thajiwas Glacier and Zero Point | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Sonmarg |
| 0108 | Srinagar and Pahalgam Tour | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Pahalgam |
| 0109 | Srinagar and Sonmarg Tour | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Sonmarg → Srinagar |
| 0569 | Srinagar Temples: Kheer Bhawani and Shankaracharya | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Shankaracharya Temple → Kheer Bhawani → Martand |
| 0564 | Srinagar in Tulip Season | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Tulip Garden → Nishat Bagh → Shalimar Bagh → Gulmarg |
| 0001 | Srinagar Gulmarg Tour Package | 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg |
| 0565 | Gulmarg in Winter Snow | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Srinagar |
| 0566 | South Kashmir Springs: Achabal, Kokernag and Verinag | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Kokernag → Srinagar |
| 0567 | Daksum and Sinthan Top | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Daksum → Srinagar |
| 0112 | Srinagar, Gulmarg and Doodhpathri Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Srinagar |
| 0110 | Srinagar, Pahalgam and Sonmarg Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0113 | Srinagar, Yusmarg and Gulmarg Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Srinagar |
| 0002 | Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Tour Package | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam |
| 0003 | Srinagar Gulmarg Sonmarg Day Trip Tour | 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Sonmarg |
| 0562 | Gurez Valley | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Srinagar → Gurez → Srinagar |
| 0563 | Lolab and Bangus Valleys | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Srinagar → Lolab Valley → Bangus → Srinagar |
| 0119 | Pahalgam Valleys Holiday | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Srinagar → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0111 | Classic Kashmir: Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0004 | Srinagar Pahalgam Gulmarg Sonmarg Tour | 5 Nights / 6 Days | Pahalgam → Gulmarg → Srinagar |
| 0005 | Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Tour | 6 Nights / 7 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0115 | Grand Kashmir Tour | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0116 | Kashmir by Road from Jammu | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Patnitop → Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
| 0006 | Srinagar Gulmarg Sonmarg Pahalgam Katra Tour | 7 Nights / 8 Days | Srinagar → Sonmarg → Srinagar → Katra |
| 0118 | Leisurely Kashmir Holiday | 8 Nights / 9 Days | Srinagar → Sonmarg → Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam |
| 0117 | Vaishno Devi with Grand Kashmir | 9 Nights / 10 Days | Katra → Patnitop → Srinagar → Gulmarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar |
Related reading
Kashmir articles
- Kashmir by season: what each month is like
- Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam: how to plan 5 days
- Gulmarg, Pahalgam or Sonmarg: which to choose
- Adding Mata Vaishno Devi to a Kashmir trip