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🌸 6-Day Kashmir Summer Itinerary

Ideal Season: May – August
Weather: 15–28°C (pleasant days, cool nights)
Highlights: Dal Lake shikara rides, Gulmarg meadows & gondola, Pahalgam’s Aru–Betaab–Baisaran valleys, Sonamarg glacier visit and Kashmir willow bat factory stop.

☀️ Getting There
Option 1 – By Air:
Fly into Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport (SXR), Srinagar — direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chandigarh.

Option 2 – By Train (New Vande Bharat Route):
Route: New Delhi to Srinagar 13 hours between Delhi and Srinagar
Stops at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Kathua, Jammu Tawi, Vaishno Devi Katra, Sangaldan and Banihal.

🌼 Day 1 – Arrival in Srinagar & Dal Lake Charm
Arrival: Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport (SXR) or Srinagar Railway Station (Nowgam)
Transfer: 12 km | 30 mins to hotel or houseboat
Activities:

• Check into a houseboat or lakeside hotel

• Shikara ride on Dal Lake (1 hr at sunset)

• Visit Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi

• Evening stroll on Boulevard Road

Food: Authentic wazwan dinner at Ahdoos or Stream Restaurant
Evening: Tea and kahwa by the lake under pastel skies
Tip: Evenings cool (18°C); light jacket recommended

🌻 Day 2 – Srinagar → Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers)
Distance: 50 km | 2 hrs
Activities:

• Gondola ride to Phase 1 & 2 (Khilanmarg/Apharwat)

• Short meadow walk or pony ride

• Visit St. Mary’s Church and the world’s highest Golf Course

• Explore Strawberry Valley for postcard-perfect photos

Stay: Overnight in Gulmarg (Hotel Heevan, Shaw Inn or The Khyber)
Food: Local trout or Rogan Josh with kahwa
Tip: Start early (8 AM) to beat tourist rush

🌷 Day 3 – Gulmarg → Pahalgam via Pampore
Distance: 145 km | 4.5–5 hrs total
Route: Gulmarg – Tangmarg – Srinagar Bypass – Awantipora – Bijbehara – Pahalgam

En Route Highlights:

• Pampore: Saffron fields and hot kahwa tasting

• Sangam: 🏏 Visit a Kashmir Willow Cricket Bat Factory (30–40 min stop)
  Watch craftsmen shaping bats by hand; buy one directly (₹1,500–₹3,500)

• Avantipur Ruins: Optional short photo stop

Arrival Pahalgam (2 PM):

• Pony ride or trek to Baisaran Valley (Mini Switzerland) – 3–4 hrs

• Soak in views of pine forests and snow peaks

Stay: Riverside resort or cottage in Pahalgam
Food: Dinner by the Lidder River (Dana Pani or Troutbeat Café)
Tip: Evenings are crisp (12°C); perfect for bonfire

🌺 Day 4 – Aru & Betaab Valley Excursion
Distance: 25 km round trip | 1 hr total drive
Activities:

• Aru Valley: Short hikes, riverside picnic, ziplining

• Betaab Valley: Verdant meadows, riverside strolls and snow peaks in backdrop

• Optional: Visit Pahalgam Club Park or trout farm

Food: Trout or mutton yakhni lunch at Dana Pani
Evening: Shop for pashmina, woollens and walnut crafts in Pahalgam market
Tip: Visit Betaab first; it gets busy by noon

🌿 Day 5 – Pahalgam → Sonamarg → Srinagar
Distance: 180 km round trip | 5–6 hrs total
Activities: Scenic drive via Srinagar–Ganderbal–Kangan

• Sonamarg: Pony ride or short trek to Thajiwas Glacier

• Optional: River rafting in Sind River (till early July)

• Return to Srinagar by evening and relax by Dal Lake

Weather: 10–20°C; carry a light fleece or stole
Stay: Overnight in Srinagar (houseboat or boutique hotel)
Food: Dinner with traditional kahwa

🌸 Day 6 – Srinagar City & Departure

Morning:

• Visit Shankaracharya Temple for panoramic views

• Shop at Lal Chowk or Polo View Market for saffron, papier-mâché and pashmina

Departure: Airport or Railway Station transfer (12 km | 30 min)
Food Tip: Try bakarkhani with kahwa before flight

✳️ Travel & Comfort Notes
Sonamarg: ✅ Open May–October; Thajiwas Glacier accessible till early July
Aru, Betaab & Baisaran Valleys: Fully open and lush in summer
Cash: ₹5,000–₹10,000; ATMs available in towns
Network: Jio and Airtel best
Permits: Small entry fees (₹100–₹150) at Aru and Betaab
Safety: Avoid late-night drives; wildlife crossings common in forest stretches

❄️ 6-Day Kashmir Winter Itinerary

Ideal Season: December – February
Weather: -4°C to 8°C (snowy & cold)
Highlights: Gulmarg skiing & gondola, frozen Dal Lake, Kashmiri winter cuisine.

Getting There
Option 1 – By Air: Fly directly to Srinagar (Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport – SXR).
Daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chandigarh → Fastest & most convenient in winter (1.5 hr flight from Delhi).

Option 2 – By Train (New Vande Bharat Route):
Route: New Delhi to Srinagar 13 hours between Delhi and Srinagar
Stops at Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Kathua, Jammu Tawi, Vaishno Devi Katra, Sangaldan and Banihal.

Day 1 – Arrival in Srinagar & Houseboat Stay
Arrival: Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport or Srinagar Railway Station (Nowgam).
Transfer: 12 km | 30 mins to Dal Lake.
Activities:

• Check into heated houseboat on Dal Lake.

• Afternoon Shikara ride on the partially frozen lake.

• Visit Mughal Gardens (if accessible): Nishat Bagh & Shalimar Bagh.

• Evening stroll along Boulevard Road.

Food: Wazwan dinner at Ahdoos or Stream Restaurant.
Tip: Nights dip to -3°C; wear thermals and gloves.

Day 2 – Srinagar → Gulmarg
Distance: 50 km | 2 hrs.
Activities:

• Gondola ride to Phase 1 (Phase 2 if open).

• Skiing, snowboarding, sledging.

• Visit St. Mary’s Church and snow-covered Golf Course.

Stay: Overnight in Gulmarg (heated resort).
Food: Hot Maggi & kahwa at slope cafés; dinner at The Khyber or Heevan Retreat.
Tip: Rent snow boots and gloves locally (₹500/day).

Day 3 – Gulmarg Snow Adventure
Activities:

• Snowmobile ride to Kongdoori (₹2,000/person).

• Optional skiing lesson (₹1,200/hour).

• Bonfire and live Kashmiri music in the evening.

Stay: Second night in Gulmarg.
Tip: Use hot water bags; night temperatures can fall to -6°C.

Day 4 – Gulmarg → Pahalgam (Snowy Valleys Drive)
Distance: 145 km | 4.5–5 hrs.
Route: Gulmarg – Tangmarg – Srinagar Bypass – Pampore – Awantipora – Bijbehara – Pahalgam.

En Route Highlights:

• Pampore: Hot saffron kahwa tasting.

• Sangam: Visit a Kashmir Willow Cricket Bat Factory (30–40 min stop).

• Avantipur Ruins: Optional quick photo stop.

Arrival Pahalgam (3 PM):

• Walk by the snowy Lidder River.

• Visit local market for woollens & walnut wood crafts.

Stay: Riverside resort or cottage with heating.
Tip: Evenings can hit -8°C; carry flask of kahwa.

Day 5 – Betaab Valley & Aru Valley (if open)
Distance: 25 km round trip | 1 hr total drive.
Activities:

• Betaab Valley: Snow meadows, pine forests, riverside tea stalls.

• Aru Valley (optional): Open only if road cleared; offers frozen river scenes & snow hikes.

• Trout or mutton yakhni lunch at Dana Pani or Troutbeat Café.

Evening: Bonfire & dinner by the river.
Tip: 4x4 recommended; confirm Aru access locally.

Day 6 – Return to Srinagar & Shopping
Drive: 90 km | 2.5–3 hrs.
Morning:

• Visit Shankaracharya Temple (snowy city view).

• Shop at Lal Chowk or Polo View Market for pashmina, saffron, papier-mâché.

Departure:

• Airport transfer (12 km | 30 min) or Srinagar Railway Station (Nowgam) for return Vande Bharat.
  Food Tip: Try harissa breakfast or kahwa with bakarkhani before departure.
  

✳️ Travel & Comfort Notes

• Sonamarg: 🚫 Closed from mid-Dec to March due to heavy snow and avalanche risk. Road open only till Gagangir.

• Aru Valley: 🚫 Often closed to vehicles in deep winter; open partially.

• Baisaran Valley: 🚫 Closed during winter (Dec–Feb) due to deep snow and unsafe pony trails. Opens again in March–April.

• Clothing: Thermals, snow boots, gloves, moisturizer and lip balm essential.

• Cash: ₹10,000–₹15,000 (limited ATMs beyond Srinagar).

• Network: Jio & Airtel best coverage.

• Safety: No night drives — roads icy & unlit.

• Permits: None required for Srinagar–Gulmarg–Pahalgam circuit.