Kashmir Travel Guide: Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Travel Tips

Welcome to our Kashmir travel guide. The Kashmir valley lies in the Himalayas in the far north of India, ringed by snow peaks and filled with lakes, rivers, pine forests and orchards. Poets called it paradise on earth, and the Mughal emperors built their summer gardens here. This guide covers the best places to visit, things to do, food, shopping, the best time to visit, how to get there and travel tips.

Kashmir at a Glance

Here are the key facts in our Kashmir travel guide.

• Main city: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir
• Airport: Srinagar (SXR)
• Languages: Kashmiri and Urdu; Hindi and English are widely understood
• Known for: Dal Lake houseboats, Shikaras, Mughal gardens, snow, saffron, pashmina and Wazwan
• Days needed: five to eight
• Best time: March to June for gardens; December to February for snow

Srinagar: Dal Lake and the Mughal Gardens

Every Kashmir travel guide starts in Srinagar, the city of lakes.

Dal Lake, Houseboats and Shikara Rides

Spend a night or two on a Dal Lake houseboat, with carved cedar panels and Kashmiri carpets. Take a Shikara ride at sunset, and go early to see the floating vegetable market. Nigeen Lake is quieter.

The Mughal Gardens

The gardens are the finest Mughal Heritage of Kashmir. Shalimar Bagh was laid out by Emperor Jahangir, Nishat Bagh has twelve terraces stepping down to the lake, and Chashme Shahi was built for Shah Jahan around a spring. Above them, Pari Mahal is a terraced ruin with wide views. The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden blooms for a few weeks in spring.

Old Srinagar

See Mughal Architecture and local wooden styles in the old city: the Jama Masjid with its wooden pillars, the shrine of Khanqah-e-Moula on the Jhelum, and the white marble Hazratbal shrine on the lake. Climb to Shankaracharya Temple for views over the city.

Shamrock travel tip: dress modestly and cover your head in mosques and shrines, and ask before taking photos of people. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Gulmarg: Meadows, Gondola and Skiing

Our Kashmir travel guide now heads west. Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers, is about two hours from Srinagar. The two-stage Gulmarg Gondola climbs to Kongdoori and then towards Apharwat peak. In winter it is India’s best-known ski resort; in summer the meadows are green, with walks and pony rides.

Pahalgam: Valleys and Rivers

The next stop in this Kashmir travel guide is Pahalgam, which lies along the Lidder river among pine forests. Visit Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari by local taxi. Pahalgam is also a base for the Amarnath Yatra in summer.

Sonamarg: The Meadow of Gold

Sonamarg is a high valley on the road to Ladakh. Walk or ride a pony to Thajiwas Glacier, and see the Sindh river below the peaks. It is the starting point of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek and is best visited from April to October.

Doodhpathri and Other Hidden Valleys

Our Kashmir travel guide also suggests quieter places. Doodhpathri, about two hours from Srinagar, is a quiet green meadow with streams and pine forest. It is ideal for a day trip and a picnic away from the crowds.

Katra and Mata Vaishno Devi

Katra, in the Jammu region, is the base for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, reached by a trek of about 13 km, with ponies, palanquins and a helicopter service for part of the way. Many travellers join it with the Kashmir valley.

Ladakh from Kashmir

This Kashmir travel guide ends at the edge of Ladakh. From about June to October, the road from Sonamarg crosses Zoji La to Drass and Kargil, then on to Leh, with its monasteries, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake. Nubra and Pangong need permits, which we arrange.

How Many Days in Kashmir

Use these plans from our Kashmir travel guide:

• Five days: Srinagar and Dal Lake, with day trips to Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
• Seven days: add two nights in Pahalgam and Aru Valley.
• Eight days: add a day trip to Sonamarg.
• Ten days: add Ladakh, or Katra and Vaishno Devi.

Things to Do in Kashmir

Our Kashmir travel guide lists the best experiences:

• A sunset Shikara ride and a night on a houseboat
• The Gulmarg Gondola and skiing in winter
• Pony rides in Pahalgam and Sonamarg
• White-water rafting on the Lidder and Sindh rivers in summer
• Treks such as the Kashmir Great Lakes trek
• Photography of lakes, chinar trees and snow peaks
• The saffron fields of Pampore in autumn

Kashmiri Food

No Kashmir travel guide is complete without food. Try Wazwan, the Kashmiri feast, with rogan josh, rista and gushtaba. Drink kahwa, a green tea with saffron and almonds, and noon chai, the pink salt tea, with local breads from the bakers.

Shopping in Kashmir

Shopping tips from our Kashmir travel guide: buy pashmina shawls, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mâché boxes, walnut wood carving, saffron and dried fruit. Buy from trusted shops and ask for certificates for pashmina and carpets.

How to Reach Kashmir

This part of our Kashmir travel guide explains how to get there.

By Air

Srinagar airport has flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other major Indian cities.

By Train

Trains run to Jammu and Katra, and the new rail line now links Katra with Srinagar through the mountains.

By Road

The highway from Jammu to Srinagar takes about seven to nine hours. Roads to Sonamarg and Ladakh may close after heavy snow.

Best Time to Visit Kashmir

Our Kashmir travel guide suggests March to June for gardens, tulips and mild weather. July to September is good for Sonamarg, treks and Ladakh. October and November bring golden chinar leaves and the saffron harvest. December to February is cold, with snow in Gulmarg and good skiing.

Kashmir Travel Tips

Before you go, read these tips from our Kashmir travel guide.

• Prepaid SIM cards from other states do not work here; carry a postpaid connection.
• Pack warm layers in every season, as evenings are cool.
• Carry cash for local taxis, ponies and small shops.
• In Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg, local sightseeing is by union taxi or pony.
• Check current travel advisories before you travel; we keep our guests updated.
• Book houseboats and hotels early for spring, the summer holidays and New Year.

Kashmir Travel Guide FAQs

How many days do I need in Kashmir?

Five days for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam; a week to add Sonamarg.

Should I stay on a houseboat?

Yes, for at least one night. It is the most special stay in Srinagar.

When does Kashmir have snow?

Usually from December to February, with snow on the high slopes of Gulmarg into spring.

Is Kashmir good for families?

Yes. Gardens, lakes, gondola rides and easy walks suit all ages.

Can I combine Kashmir with Ladakh?

Yes, by road from Srinagar over Zoji La from about June to October.

Ready-Made Kashmir Tours

If you want us to plan everything, these private tours include hotels and transfers. See all our Kashmir tour packages.

• 5-day Kashmir Express tour: Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens and day trips to Gulmarg and Pahalgam: the Kashmir 4 nights 5 days tour package.
• 6-day Mesmerizing Kashmir tour: adds a night by the Lidder river in Pahalgam: the Kashmir 5 nights 6 days tour package.
• 7-day Beautiful Kashmir tour: adds Aru Valley and the Pampore saffron fields: the Kashmir 6 nights 7 days tour package.
• 8-day Amazing Kashmir tour: the full Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Sonamarg package, with Thajiwas Glacier.
• 7-day Kashmir Katra tour: Mata Vaishno Devi darshan with Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam: our Kashmir Katra tour package.
• 9-day Kashmir Taj Mahal tour: Delhi, a Taj Mahal sunrise in Agra, then Kashmir.
• 10-day Kashmir Ladakh tour: Srinagar and Gulmarg, then by road over Zoji La to Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.
• 9-day Amritsar Katra Kashmir tour: the Golden Temple, Vaishno Devi and the Kashmir valley: our Kashmir Katra Amritsar tour package.

Plan Your Kashmir Trip

We hope this Kashmir travel guide helps you plan. Explore more of India with our Agra and Varanasi guides, our Golden Triangle tour, our honeymoon packages, our India spiritual tours and all our India tour packages. Request your free quote

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