6 Days Kashmir Itinerary

As a child after watching the scenic beauty of gorgeous Kashmir in movies, I always dreamt of visiting the place someday in life. Not all great works of poetry depend upon pen and words for their immortality, sometimes the poetry gets wither away with time, but not Kashmir the classic example of the living poetry that can be enjoyed through heartbeats and emotions. 

I was kept away from visiting my favorite destination for so long due to the responsibilities that life threw at me. However, the main culprit behind this unwanted delay in my visit to the surreal Kashmir is the political turbulence prevalent in this stunning valley for many years now. Sadly, the ongoing political uncertainty in the valley has kept so many people like me away from the breathtaking Kashmir. 

Last summer I was randomly going through some Kashmir vacation packages to find out something interesting that could meet my taste and preferences. Luckily I came across a perfect 6 days Itinerary to Kashmir. This Itinerary covered all the places that I was planning to visit and was chalk out in such a manner that was easy to follow. 

On 2nd July 2023, I went on a memorable 6 Days Kashmir Trip with my girls gang 🤗 

By the Grace of God last summer I finally visited Kashmir with friends. We, the gang of four girls, booked a flight from Delhi to Srinagar, we traveled on an Air India flight. After flying for 1 and a half hours we landed at the Sheikh-Ul-Alam International Airport from where we were taken to our hotel Alhamra Retreat in an air-conditioned Ertiga Car. This 3-star hotel is located in Shalimar, just behind the Shalimar Gardens. Our room was already pre-booked, providing beautiful views of snow-capped mountains.

Budget-Friendly Kashmir Holiday Package 

Oh!! No, in the excitement of sharing my blissful experience in Kashmir with you, I forgot to tell you I purchased a 5N & 6D Kashmir package that cost me around 12k per person from one of the best travel companies named Book Your Own. These guys were the best in their business. Their mind-blowing travel arrangements made my Kashmir trip such a seamless experience. From booking our room in the best hotel to carrying us around the places in a comfortable car everything was well-planned and budget-friendly

The only thing that looks out of place is the presence of the Indian Armymen in different parts of the Kashmiri cities. The intense militant turmoil is the reason behind such heavy military deployment. The valley has been facing the insurgency for quite a long time now. However, the army is of great help when you are exploring the places on your own and need assistance with the directions of the locations.

The Most Thrilling And Delightful 6 Days Kashmir Itinerary Of My Life 😇 

I’m super excited to share with you my Kashmir Itinerary 6 days. These six days spent in Kashmir were the best and the most fruitful ones. All thanks to BYO our travel partners for our Kashmir journey 

Day 1 Arrival in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir 

Dal Lake, Srinagar

This awesome journey begins with our landing at the Srinagar airport, on our arrival we were warmly greeted by Jas. This guy was from Book Your Own, the travel agency that organized our Kashmir vacation. He was our guide cum driver. He took us in a comfortable air-conditioned car to our hotel, the total drive was approximately 1 hour.

During this scenic drive, our eyes were amazed by the sight of snow-laden mountains kissing the tall chinar trees. The best thing about getting your trip organized beforehand is that neither your energy nor your money is wasted. If you hire a taxi on your own it will cost you around INR 2500 per day which is going to cost you dearly. Finally, we reached our pre-booked hotel Al Hamra Retreat. After spending some restful moments in our hotel room, we rang our guide to pick us up from the hotel for some sightseeing.

• Firstly, he took us to the glorious Shalimar Garden and Nishat Garden where we saw the colorful flower beds with manicured lawns and beautiful water foundations. Both the gardens showcase the awesome craftsmanship of Mughal craftsmen.

• Next, we went for a soulful shikara ride on the Dal Lake, while our shikara floated for 2 hours majestically on the pristine Dal Lake we came across the panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains. At the lake, we experienced a lovely sunset. The ride was for ₹1580

• Then we stopped by the Chashme Shahi Gardens. This garden is a replica of the Mughal architecture. The eye-catching thing about this three-terraced garden is the natural water spring that oozes through the garden.

• Nearby the Chashme Shahi Gardens is the seven-terraced Pari Mahal, the stunning Islamic style architecture and the evergreen manicured gardens of this place evoked our senses aesthetically

• .After such a packed day we called it a day and asked our driver to drop us back at the hotel

• While we were returning to the hotel one of our friends insisted on trying local Kashmiri cuisine at a restaurant. So we stopped by a local eatery and ordered tempting dum aloo, rogan josh mutton, paneer methi chaman, and lots of soft rumali rotis.

• After our dinner, we drove back to our hotel and enjoyed a sound sleep.

Day 2 Head for an awesome day out at Doodhpathri and nearby attractions

Doodhpathri, Srinagar

Since yesterday was a long and tiring day we all decided to start today a little late. Around 11 in the morning, after so many missed alarms, we woke up lazily rubbing our eyes, and jumped off the beds to get ready for today’s outing.

• Today we visited the offbeat beauty of Kashmir  Palmaiden in Doodhpathri, which literally means the “valley of milk”. This place to our utter astonishment was nothing but a sparkling pearl in the beautiful crown of Kashmir. This valley is a perfect getaway for a rejuvenating day out, the milky white water of the river Shaliganga meandering through the valley has lots of medicinal properties.

• The second tourist spot near Doodhpathri is the elegant Tangsar, the picturesque bowl-shaped valley remains untouched by tourism, this feature makes the place exclusive.  

• The third destination in the row was the less traveled Mujhpathri known as “Meadows of Turnips'', the sparkling streams, large grasslands, and thick forests inhabited with diverse flora and fauna adorn all the more the untouched beauty of Mujhpathri. The place has a pastoral charm to it.

• With this the second day of our Kashmir itinerary 6 days came to an end, and the driver dropped us back at our Srinagar-based hotel 

Day 3 Experience a scenic journey to Sonamarg

Sonamarg, Kashmir

I have heard a lot about the idyllic valley of Sonamarg, the serene green meadows, countless pristine waterfalls, and the incredible beauty of Thajiwas glacier, which has always been on my bucket list. I was eagerly waiting for this day. In excitement, we got up a little early today. Finished our breakfast and started for Sonamarg around 9:30 in the morning. Sonamarg, a breathtakingly beautiful lush green meadow with lots of yellow flowers, is located in the Ganderbal District. The total traveling time it takes is 2 hr 26 min

• The first place worth visiting in Sonamarg is the Charismatic Thajiwas Glacier. This glacier is located at an elevation of 3000 m above sea level. The evergreen meadows and sparkling frozen lakes enhance the charm of the Glacier. The place is perfect for trekking. Since no one from our group is an adrenaline junkie, the idea of trekking didn’t excite us.

• Nilagrad gave us a great sensory experience. The crystal clear water of this gushing river was something new to experience as we came from Delhi, one of the polluted Indian cities. The majestic sight of the river was enough to heal our mind and soul.

• On the recommendation of our guide, we visited the Baltal Valley, the gorgeous valley adorned with snow-capped hills and lush green grassland is indeed a blessing of Mother Nature. Baltal Valley never fails to impress with its cascading falls, icy glaciers, and dense thickets of Pine, Cedar, and Deodar which add to the spectacular beauty of the area. Baltal Valley serves as the base camp for the Amarnath yatra. The sight of the meandering Sindh river left us enthralled. 

• Based on my personal experience I recommend you to get the majestic Krishnar Lake added in your Kashmir tour package. The magnetic characteristic of the lake is its ever-changing water hues in accordance with the climate of the day. This photogenic destination is a paradise for trek lovers with its appealing Gadsar pass. 

• After such a fruitful day out we drove back to our Srinagar hotel for a sound sleep. 

Handy travel advice: Sonamarg is a one-stop destination for both nature lovers and adventurous souls. If time is not a restriction for you, then you can enjoy a two-day stay here and  cover places like adventurous Zoji La, Zero Point, Gangabal, Satsar, and Nichinnai Pass.

Day 4 Enjoy a trip to Glorious Gulmarg

Gondola Ride In Gulmarg

• The next morning after breakfast we left for an exciting journey to Gulmarg. On the way, we saw the snow-capped Himalayan peaks of Nanga Parbat and the twin peaks of Nun and Kun kissing the blue sky. After driving for nearly 1hr 30 min, we reached our first stop of the day, the stunning Khilanmarg. Nestled amid the majestic Himalayan peaks and the decorative pine and deodar trees Khilanmarg will never let you down, located at just 6 km away from Gulmarg. Skiing and trekking are the hot activities to try while in Khilanmarg.You can also get panoramic views of other attractions like Jhelum,wular as well as  Dal, and the Shankaracharya Temple.

• The picturesque journey of Gulmarg is incomplete without the elating Gondola ride. Being Asia’s largest and highest and world’s second-largest and second-highest cable car project, the Gondola ride lets you soak in the alluring views of the captivating Nanda Devi and Pir Panjal Ranges along with the panoramic views of the Nanga Parbat and gorgeous Apharwat mountains.

This ride can be enjoyed in two phases. The first phase starts from Gulmarg Gondola and finishes at Kongdoori station which is at a height of 2900 metres. The second phase takes you from Kongdoori mountain to the beautiful Apharwat Peak which sits at an elevation of 4000 mts. The ticket price for Gulmarg cable car phase 1 is INR 940 And phase 2 will cost you INR 1010. Some of the thrilling things we enjoyed were ATV short rides that cost us INR 1500 for covering a distance of 5 km. While ATV long rides will cost INR 2500. Our group also tried Sledge and Skiing.

• Famous as the Gateway to Gulmarg, Tangmarg is an idyllic valley to visit for its pristine beauty surrounded by lush green Pine forests and snowy white Himalayan mountain ranges. Once at Tangmarg you can breathe in the crisp air and rejuvenate your tired mind and body.  The panoramic sight of the cascading Drung waterfall left us awestruck with its magnificent charm. During extreme winters the water of this waterfall freezes. 

The sparkling icicles formed as the result of the frozen Drung Falls create amazing scenery. We missed this marvelous sight since we visited the valley during the summers, but if you are planning your Kashmir vacation in winter, then do visit this place. You will need to hire a chained taxi, the fare for the same is around INR 2000 to INR 2500.

• The mesmerizing Seven Springs located in Gulmarg were our next destination. These charismatic springs offer a feast for the eyes. The towering snowy mountains including the Nanga Parbat and the lush green meadows ring the seven springs. Once you are at this tourist spot you can feel the tranquility of the place seeping into your soul.  Renowned for its medicinal properties these seven natural outlets of water must be visited.

• After hopping from one destination to another we called it a day. And asked our driver to drop us back at our Srinagar hotel.

You can also visit some of the other offbeat places like the Strawberry Valley, Ningle Nallah, Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve, Alpather Lake.

Day 5- Today was the fifth day of our Trip to Kashmir

Houseboat in Pahalgam

• Our fifth morning in Srinagar began with super excitement as today we were traveling to the magical valley of Pahalgam as well as spending our last night in Srinagar in a houseboat. So before leaving for Pahalgam, we checked out of our hotel.

• And checked in our Houseboat named Shalimar houseboat located at Nigeen Lake, the surroundings were amazing. Per night the Houseboat will cost you INR 5000 which is expensive, but since we booked through BYO we got it in the best deal.

• Pahalgam, famous for its apple orchards, warmly invites you to be part of its scenic landscape. Encircled by majestic Himalayan mountains, Verdant green meadows, and the gushing Lidder River enhancing the beauty  of Pahalgam 

• Our guide today took us to the scenic Aru Valley located at a distance of 12 km from Pahalgam. The  lovely Aru Valley is going to leave you speechless with its panoramic vistas of the Himalayan peaks, plush meadows, and pristine rivers

• The picturesque Betaab Valley is highly recommended for its magical natural scenery. Nestled amid the snow-laden mountains and adorned with dense meadows and deodar trees, the tourist spot falls on the way to Amarnath temple. The valley echoes with the melodious sound of a gushing stream originating from the Sheshnag Lake. If adventure is your cup of tea then you can enjoy trekking or stroll around to let your eyes capture the lovely vistas of the magnetic beauty of the destination.

• After digging in some yummy snacks we drove straight to the strikingly charming valley of Chandanwari. Apart from being the base station for the Amarnath Yatra, the photogenic tourist destination flaunts its spectacular natural beauty. Decked up with a flowery bed of bright flowers the valley is surrounded by the imposing mountain peaks and evergreen grasslands. The mighty Lidder River babbles through the Chandanwari valley.

• Next, we went for Baisaran sightseeing, Baisaran is the most Instagrammed scenic spot in Pahalgam. Its incredible natural charm will transport you to another world. An ideal getaway to escape the bustling city life, once we reached our destination we could feel the calmness and tranquility of the place which was very soothing. This flowery valley equally welcomes adventure enthusiasts who can get involved in camping, trekking, and horse riding. Baisaran Hills is the popular trekking base camp for the high-altitude Tulian Lake.

• After traveling for approximately 3 hours we finally came back to our houseboat, had our dinner, and retired to our cozy beds. 

Places like Pahalgam Golf Course, Kolahoi Glacier, Lolab Valley, Tarsar Lake, Marsar Lake, Panchtarni, etc are some of the suggested places for you to visit.

Day 6 -  Last Day of our Kashmir Package

Lal Chowk, Srinagar

• We got up a little early today since we had to park our stuff and also decided to go for local shopping.

• We had a hearty Kashmiri breakfast ordered butter tea, tempting dum aloo, and rumali roti 

• Our guide came and took us first to the popular Lal Chowk, the political hub of Srinagar. The chowk is famous for a big Ghanta Ghar

• Then we went shopping at local markets surrounding the chowk. We hopped from one shop to another and tried our bargaining skills but in vain. The local handicrafts were a bit expensive

• At last, our guide recommended a shop, and to our utter surprise, the items here were less expensive. I bought a pair of beautiful camels carved out of the walnut wood

• Then we sat at a restaurant and enjoyed our last lunch in Srinagar

• Return to our houseboat and packed our bags, finished with the check-out formalities

• Head straight to the Srinagar Airport to catch our flight back to Delhi. The departure time was at 20:15. We reached the airport at 5.30 pm

• Thanked our guide for making our 5 nights 6 days Kashmir tour package such a memorable one.            

Essential Travel Information Regarding kashmir 😊

1. Once at Sonamarg, Gulmarg, or Pahalgam, you will be traveling to different tourist destinations based in these places in their local taxis. Outside cars are not allowed. A taxi ride can  cost you around INR 1500 To INR 4000 depending upon the location

2. The price for a pony ride is different for different places. Factors like how many hours you will be riding the pony, location, etc decide the pony ride price. In Pahalgam, the pony ride can cost you around Rs700 to Rs 1320 depending upon the location. In Gulmarg and Sonamarg the pony ride is a little expensive, it can cost you around Rs 4000.

3. The best months to enjoy the beauty of Kashmir are from March to August. During this period the weather is pleasant and favorable for most of the activities be it trekking, sledding, horse riding, etc. You can indulge in these activities without any weather disturbance of any kind be it scorching heat or heavy downpours. During these months the valley witnesses a huge number of tourists from the plains of India who visit Kashmir to escape the hot and sweaty summers.