Kashmir 5-Day Tour Package: Dal Lake Houseboat, Gulmarg and Pahalgam

Our Kashmir 5-day tour package is the perfect short Kashmir 4 nights 5 days tour package. Stay three nights on a carved wooden houseboat on Dal Lake, take a sunset Shikara ride, walk through the Mughal gardens of Srinagar, ride the Gulmarg Gondola and see Betaab Valley in Pahalgam. Your houseboat, hotel, airport transfers and sightseeing by private car are all planned for you.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private holidays across India for couples, families and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of our Kashmir 5-day tour package.

Tour name: Kashmir Express
Duration: 5 days and 4 nights
Stay: Srinagar: 3 nights on a Dal Lake houseboat and 1 night in a hotel
Starts and ends: Srinagar airport
Tour type: private car with driver for transfers and sightseeing
Highlights: Dal Lake, a Shikara ride, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, Shankaracharya Temple, the Gulmarg Gondola, Betaab Valley and the Lidder river
Best for: honeymooners, families, friends and first-time visitors
Best time: March to June for gardens and meadows; December to February for snow

Why Choose This Tour

The best of Kashmir in five days: the Kashmir 5-day tour package covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Three nights on a houseboat: one of the most special stays in India.
One base, no packing: Gulmarg and Pahalgam are day trips from Srinagar.
Private car and driver: no shared buses, and stops where you like.
Private and flexible: add Sonamarg, a night in Pahalgam or skiing in Gulmarg.

Kashmir 5-Day Tour Package Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar and Check In to Your Dal Lake Houseboat

Your Kashmir 5-day tour package begins when we meet you at Srinagar airport and take you to your houseboat on Dal Lake, with its carved cedar panels and Kashmiri carpets. In the evening, take a private Shikara ride at sunset past floating gardens and lotus beds.

Overnight: houseboat, Dal Lake. Read our Kashmir travel guide.

Day 2: Srinagar Sightseeing and the Mughal Gardens

Day 2 of the Kashmir 5-day tour package shows you the Mughal Heritage of Srinagar. Visit Nishat Bagh, with its terraces stepping down to the lake, and Shalimar Bagh, laid out by Emperor Jahangir, two fine examples of Mughal Architecture in garden form. Climb to Shankaracharya Temple for views over the city and the lake, then spend the late afternoon at Polo View Market for pashmina, papier-mâché and dried fruit.

Shamrock travel tip: start early to see the gardens before the crowds, and carry a light jacket, as evenings are cool even in summer. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: houseboat, Dal Lake

Day 3: Gulmarg Day Trip and the Gondola

Day 3 of the Kashmir 5-day tour package takes you to Gulmarg. Drive about two hours to Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdoori, and on to Apharwat if the weather allows, for views of the Pir Panjal range. In winter you can try sledge rides or a skiing lesson; in summer, walk the green meadows or take a pony ride. Return to Srinagar in the evening.

Shamrock travel tip: book gondola tickets in advance in the busy season, and wear warm layers and good shoes for the snow. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: houseboat, Dal Lake

Day 4: Pahalgam Day Trip and Betaab Valley

On Day 4 of the Kashmir 5-day tour package, drive about two and a half to three hours to Pahalgam, past the saffron fields of Pampore. Visit Betaab Valley by local taxi and walk beside the Lidder river among pine forests. Lunch is at your own cost. Return to Srinagar in the evening and check in to your hotel.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Srinagar

Day 5: Departure from Srinagar

Enjoy a Kashmiri breakfast with kahwa, shop for saffron or shawls near Lal Chowk, then transfer to Srinagar airport. Your Kashmir 5-day tour package ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Kashmir 5-day tour package includes:

Three nights on a Dal Lake houseboat and one night in a Srinagar hotel, with breakfast
A private sunset Shikara ride on Dal Lake
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ticket
Airport arrival and departure transfers by private car
Srinagar sightseeing and day trips to Gulmarg and Pahalgam by private car
Tolls, parking, driver costs and taxes

What Is Not Included

Your Kashmir 5-day tour package does not include:

Flights to and from Srinagar
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2, local union taxis in Pahalgam and pony rides
Lunches, dinners and garden entry tickets
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

March to June is the best time for our Kashmir 5-day tour package, with blooming gardens, the Tulip Garden in spring and green meadows in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. July to September is warm, with some rain. October and November bring golden chinar trees and the saffron harvest. December to February brings snow to Gulmarg, which is perfect for a Kashmir snow holiday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are 5 days enough for Kashmir?

Yes, for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. For a night in Pahalgam, Aru Valley or Sonamarg, choose our Kashmir 7-day tour package or Kashmir 8-day tour package.

Is the pace of the tour comfortable?

Days 3 and 4 have four to six hours of driving in total. The Kashmir 6-day tour package adds a night in Pahalgam for a slower pace.

Is this a good honeymoon package?

Yes. We can add a luxury houseboat, flower decorations and a candlelight dinner. See our honeymoon packages.

Is it good for families?

Yes. There is only one hotel change, and children love the houseboat, the Shikara and the gondola.

Can you add flights?

Yes. We can book flights to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata or your city.

How much does the Kashmir 5-day tour package cost?

The price depends on your houseboat and hotel, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your dates and we will send a clear quotation.

More Kashmir Tours

Want more than our Kashmir 5-day tour package?

Kashmir 6-day tour package: adds a night in Pahalgam.
Kashmir 7-day tour package: two nights in Pahalgam with Aru Valley.
Kashmir 8-day tour package: adds Sonamarg and Thajiwas Glacier.
Kashmir Katra tour package: Vaishno Devi with the Kashmir valley.
Kashmir Taj Mahal tour: Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal with Kashmir.
Kashmir Ladakh tour: Srinagar, Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong Lake.

See all our Kashmir tour packages, our India spiritual tours, all our India tour packages and the best North India tours. Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

Recognised and trusted: Recognised by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. Member of PATA, TAAI, IATO and ADTOI.

Tell us your travel dates and we will send you a personal itinerary. Request your free quote