Kashmir 7-Day Tour Package: Dal Lake Houseboat, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Aru Valley

Our Kashmir 7-day tour package is our classic Kashmir 6 nights 7 days tour package. Stay three nights on a carved wooden houseboat on Dal Lake, take a Shikara ride, walk through the Mughal gardens of Srinagar, ride the Gulmarg Gondola, then spend two nights beside the Lidder river in Pahalgam to see Betaab Valley and Aru Valley. Your houseboat, hotels, 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 7-day tour package.

Tour name: Beautiful Kashmir
Duration: 7 days and 6 nights
Stay: Srinagar houseboat (3 nights), Pahalgam (2 nights), Srinagar hotel (1 night)
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, Chashme Shahi, the Gulmarg Gondola, the Pampore saffron fields, Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and a Wazwan dinner
Best for: honeymooners, families, senior travellers and first-time visitors
Best time: March to June for gardens and meadows; December to February for snow

Why Choose This Tour

A full week in Kashmir: the Kashmir 7-day tour package covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam without rushing.
Two nights in Pahalgam: time for both Betaab Valley and Aru Valley.
Three nights on a houseboat: one of the most special stays in India.
A farewell Wazwan dinner: the famous Kashmiri feast on your last night.
Private and flexible: add Sonamarg, Doodhpathri, river rafting or an extra night anywhere.

Kashmir 7-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 7-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. Rest after your journey, and take an optional Shikara ride at sunset.

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

Day 2: Shikara Ride and the Mughal Gardens

Day 2 of the Kashmir 7-day tour package starts with a Shikara ride on Dal Lake, past floating gardens, lotus beds and the lake markets. Then see the Mughal Heritage of Srinagar at Nishat Bagh, with its terraces stepping down to the lake, Shalimar Bagh, laid out by Emperor Jahangir, and Chashme Shahi, built around a spring: fine examples of Mughal Architecture in garden form. In the afternoon, visit the old city markets or climb to Shankaracharya Temple for views over the lake.

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 7-day tour package is a day trip to Gulmarg, the meadow of flowers, about two hours away. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdoori, and on to Apharwat if the weather allows, for views of the Pir Panjal range. In winter, 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: Srinagar to Pahalgam via the Saffron Fields

Day 4 of the Kashmir 7-day tour package takes you to Pahalgam, a drive of about two and a half to three hours. Stop at Pampore, the home of Kashmiri saffron, where the fields flower in October and November. Check in to your hotel near the Lidder river and spend the afternoon on riverside walks among the pine forests.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Pahalgam

Day 5: Betaab Valley and Aru Valley

On Day 5 of the Kashmir 7-day tour package, visit Betaab Valley, with its meadows and clear streams, and Aru Valley, a quiet village surrounded by meadows and forest, by local taxi. A pony ride is optional, at your own cost.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: hotel, Pahalgam

Day 6: Pahalgam to Srinagar and a Farewell Wazwan Dinner

Drive back to Srinagar and check in to your hotel. Shop for pashmina, papier-mâché, saffron and dried fruit at Lal Chowk and the Bund, then enjoy a farewell Wazwan dinner with rogan josh, rista and gushtaba.

Meals: breakfast and dinner. Overnight: hotel, Srinagar

Day 7: Departure from Srinagar

Enjoy a Kashmiri breakfast with kahwa, then transfer to Srinagar airport. Your Kashmir 7-day tour package ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Kashmir 7-day tour package includes:

Three nights on a Dal Lake houseboat, two nights in Pahalgam and one night in Srinagar, with breakfast
A farewell Wazwan dinner in Srinagar
A Shikara ride on Dal Lake
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ticket
Airport arrival and departure transfers by private car
Srinagar sightseeing, the Gulmarg day trip and the Pahalgam transfers by private car
A local guide for the Mughal gardens, on request
Tolls, parking, driver costs and taxes

What Is Not Included

Your Kashmir 7-day tour package does not include:

Flights to and from Srinagar
Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2, local union taxis to Betaab and Aru valleys, and pony rides
Lunches, other 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 7-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 7 days enough for Kashmir?

Yes. Seven days cover Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam at an easy pace. To add Sonamarg, choose our Kashmir 8-day tour package.

How is this different from the 6-day tour?

The Kashmir 6-day tour package spends one night in Pahalgam. This tour spends two, so you also see Aru Valley.

Is it suitable for seniors and young children?

Yes. The pace is gentle, and we can choose easy walks, comfortable cars and ground-floor rooms. It also works well as a Kashmir honeymoon package; see our honeymoon packages.

Is the Gulmarg Gondola included?

Phase 1 to Kongdoori is included. Phase 2 to Apharwat is an optional extra and depends on the weather.

Are vegetarian meals available?

Yes. Try Kashmiri dum aloo, nadru yakhni (lotus stem in yoghurt) and haak (collard greens). Your driver can suggest good places for lunch.

How much does the Kashmir 7-day tour package cost?

The price depends on your houseboat and hotels (Standard, Premium or Luxury), the number of travellers and the season. We can add flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata or your city. Tell us your dates and we will send a clear quotation.

More Kashmir Tours

Want a different length than our Kashmir 7-day tour package?

Kashmir 5-day tour package: Srinagar with day trips to Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
Kashmir 6-day tour package: one night in Pahalgam.
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.

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