7 Nights 8 Days Kashmir Trip with Gurez Valley
Overview
This is a 7 nights/8 days Kashmir itinerary which sees you cover the standard Srinagar and Pahalgam with two nights in the Gurez Valley (a remote Himalayan valley on the Kishanganga River just north of the LoC). You start with two nights on a houseboat on Dal Lake, a shikara ride, an evening stroll along Boulevard Road and a full day to the Mughal Gardens, the Hazratbal Shrine and Pari Mahal.
Day 3: The road takes you past Wular Lake and over Razdan Pass into Gurez. You're in Dawar village for two nights (home to the Shina-speaking Dard people), with time for Habba Khatoon Peak (and its spring) and a drive to the wooden villages of Tulail Valley. From Gurez you head south to Pahalgam for two nights, with a full day in Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari. Final night on the houseboat in Srinagar.
This is for the traveller who wants something a bit quieter than the standard Kashmir route and has eight days to spare. Gulmarg is not on this itinerary. You stay in 3-star properties on double occupancy with breakfast each morning, travel by private vehicle and are met and collected at the Srinagar airport. Gurez is only accessible when the road over the Razdan Pass is open, so this is a trip to plan for late spring to autumn.
Package Features
Three nights on the lake, with a shikara ride on arrival.
Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine and Pari Mahal.
A scenic mountain road north into Gurez Valley.
Dawar village, Habba Khatoon Peak and Tulail Valley.
Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari in one day.
Airport pick-up and drop-off with our representative.
Included
- 7 nights' stay in 3-star properties on double occupancy (3 nights Dal Lake houseboat in Srinagar, 2 nights Gurez, 2 nights Pahalgam)
- Daily breakfast
- Pick-up and drop-off at Srinagar airport
- All transfers and sightseeing by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake on day 1
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary
- GST
Excluded
- Flights or train tickets to and from Srinagar
- Lunch and dinner
- Garden and monument entry tickets, unless specifically included
- Pony rides and any other activities not listed in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry, phone calls and tips
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed under Included
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Srinagar
- Arrive in Srinagar, meet our representative and transfer to your houseboat on Dal Lake.
- Check in and settle into life on the lake.
- In the evening, take a peaceful shikara ride and then stroll along Boulevard Road on the lake shore. Overnight stay in a houseboat in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Shikara ride, Boulevard Road
Day 2 Srinagar Local Tour
- After breakfast on your houseboat, visit the Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi.
- Later, visit the Hazratbal Shrine on the banks of Dal Lake.
- End the day at Pari Mahal for panoramic views over Srinagar and the lake. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine, Pari Mahal
Day 3 Drive to Gurez
- Start early for the scenic drive north to Gurez Valley.
- Pass Wular Lake (one of the largest freshwater lakes in Asia) en route to the road climbing over Razdan Pass.
- On arrival, explore Dawar village on the Kishanganga River and get a feel for the culture of this remote Himalayan valley. Overnight stay in Gurez.
- Highlights of the Day: Wular Lake, Razdan Pass, Dawar Village
Day 4 Gurez Exploration Day
- After breakfast, set out to explore Gurez Valley, known for its dramatic mountain scenery, rich culture and untouched landscapes.
- Visit Habba Khatoon Peak and the spring at its foot, both tied to the story of the 16th-century poetess-queen Habba Khatoon.
- Later, drive to Tulail Valley, a remote area of wooden houses, alpine views and quiet villages (road conditions permitting).
- Return to Dawar for the evening. Overnight stay in Gurez.
- Highlights of the Day: Gurez Valley, Habba Khatoon Peak, Tulail Valley
Day 5 Transfer to Pahalgam
- After breakfast, leave Gurez for the long drive back over Razdan Pass and on to Pahalgam, with mountain views along the way.
- On arrival, check in to your hotel.
- Spend the evening at leisure by the Lidder River. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
- Highlights of the Day: Razdan Pass, drive to Pahalgam, leisure evening
Day 6 Sightseeing in Pahalgam
- After breakfast, start with the meadows of Aru Valley, ideal for nature walks and photography.
- Continue to Betaab Valley, named after the 1983 film shot there, with its clear streams and snow-capped peaks.
- Visit Chandanwari, the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra, surrounded by snowy peaks and flowing streams.
- Return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
- Highlights of the Day: Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari
Day 7 Return to Srinagar
- After breakfast, check out and drive back to Srinagar (about 95 km, 3 hours).
- Check in to your houseboat.
- Spend the rest of the day at leisure on the lake. Overnight stay in a houseboat in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Return drive to Srinagar, leisure time on Dal Lake
Day 8 Departure
- Enjoy breakfast and check out from your houseboat.
- Transfer to Srinagar airport for your onward journey.
- Your tour ends here, with memories of Kashmir's lakes, meadows and the quiet of Gurez.
- Highlights of the Day: Departure from Srinagar Airport
Payment Policy
- An advance payment is required to secure your booking; the balance is paid as per the schedule in your booking confirmation.
- Your booking is only confirmed once the itinerary has been agreed, the advance has been received and Luxe Trail Holidays sends you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be required at the time of booking for peak season dates, special hotel rates and certain activities.
- If payment is not received by the due date, the booking is subject to the relevant cancellation terms.
- Price per person on double occupancy and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges will depend on when we receive your request, the hotels and transport suppliers' own policies and any peak season restrictions. The applicable charges are shared with your quotation.
- Refunds are processed once the relevant suppliers approve them, so timelines can vary.
- Refunds are made to the original payment method or another method agreed with you.
- Non-refundable amounts, supplier fees and bank or payment-processing charges may be deducted.
- If a service cannot be provided because of weather, road closures, government orders or other events beyond our control, a refund or an alternative arrangement is offered as per the supplier's terms.
Policy & Important Terms
- Every traveller must have a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence) with them at all times for road checks en route to Gurez. Foreign nationals will need a passport with a valid Indian visa and should check with us prior to booking as Gurez is situated right on the LoC and has its own entry rules.
- Gurez is accessed via the Razdan Pass, which is shut down by snow for several months each winter. The Gurez days and the Tulail Valley drive are only operated when the roads are open.
- Prepaid mobiles from outside J&K won't work in J&K, so you'll need a postpaid connection. Mobile coverage in Gurez is very limited.
- Dress appropriately at the Hazratbal shrine (i.e. follow the rules of the shrine), and a head covering is expected.
- Mountain roads can close at short notice due to snow, rain or landslides and the order of the sights may well be altered as a result of the weather, traffic or local events.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary. Any additional trips or detours are charged separately.
- Standard hotel and houseboat check-in and check-out times apply. Early check-in and late check-out are subject to availability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When can I take the Kashmir trip with Gurez Valley?
Plan it between late spring and autumn (generally from about late May to October). Gurez is accessed via the Razdan Pass, which is shut down by snow for several months in winter, and Tulail Valley is dependent on the road beyond Dawar. Summer is green with meadows, and September and October are clear and cool.
Does this 8-day Kashmir tour include Gulmarg?
No, that route swaps Gulmarg for two nights in the Gurez Valley so you actually see Srinagar, Gurez and Pahalgam in more depth. If you'd like to have Gulmarg as well, we can add on a night there or a day trip from Srinagar at additional cost and will send you a revised quotation.
What is Gurez Valley known for?
Gurez is a high valley on the Kishanganga river just north of the LoC, famous for the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak, the wooden houses of the village and the Shina-speaking Dard population. It's by far the least visited of the three (Gulmarg and Pahalgam being the other two), which is the main reason to go.
What documents do we need for Gurez?
Indian travellers should have an original government photo ID with them as IDs are checked on the way into Gurez. The valley is so close to the LoC that entry rules can change at any time, so we'll confirm the current rules prior to your trip. Foreign nationals should contact us prior to booking this tour.
Is the drive to Gurez difficult?
The road from Srinagar goes past Wular Lake and Bandipora and then up over Razdan Pass on a very winding mountain road. It takes most of the day so we set off early. The drive from Gurez to Pahalgam on day 5 is also quite a long one, so if you're prone to motion sickness then you'll want to have some tablets with you.
Will our phones work in Gurez?
Prepaid SIMs issued outside J&K won't work anywhere in J&K, so you'll need a postpaid connection. Srinagar and Pahalgam will generally have coverage, but the signal in Gurez is very poor, so you're likely to be partially offline for two days. Just pass your hotel details on to family.
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