6 Nights 7 Days Kashmir Tour Package
Overview
This is a 6-night / 7-day Kashmir tour package which covers the three classic bases of the valley (Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg) at a very relaxed pace. The first two nights are in Srinagar, where you have an evening shikara ride on Dal Lake and a full day to see the Mughal Gardens, the Hazratbal shrine on the lake shore and Pari Mahal (the terraced garden just above the city with superb views over Dal Lake).
Day 3: Drive to Pahalgam via apple orchards and the Avantipura ruins. As you're staying two nights there, you have a full day for Aru Valley and Betaab Valley rather than just a rushed afternoon. Cross over to Gulmarg for an evening in the meadows, and the following morning a Gulmarg Gondola ride to either Phase 1 or Phase 2 before you head back to Srinagar for your final night.
The tour is ideal for first-time visitors, families and couples who just want to see the main sights of Kashmir without spending days on end travelling. You'll be staying in 3-star hotels or a houseboat (on double occupancy) with breakfast each morning. Travel is by private vehicle, and you're met and collected from the Srinagar airport by our representative.
Package Features
An evening on the lake past floating gardens and local life.
Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine and Pari Mahal's lake views.
Ancient temple ruins and apple orchards on the Pahalgam road.
A full, unhurried day for Aru and Betaab valleys.
Phase 1 or Phase 2, as you prefer.
Met and dropped at Srinagar airport by our representative.
Included
- 6 nights' stay in 3-star hotels or houseboat on double occupancy (3 nights Srinagar, 2 nights Pahalgam, 1 night Gulmarg)
- 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
- Gulmarg Gondola ride to Phase 1 or Phase 2 (subject to weather and ticket availability)
- 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
- On reaching Srinagar, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel or houseboat to check in and relax.
- In the evening, take a peaceful shikara ride on Dal Lake, gliding past the floating gardens, lakeside homes, and mountain views.
- Explore the floating market area of the lake from your shikara. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Shikara Ride on Dal Lake, Floating Market exploration
Day 2 Srinagar Sightseeing
- After breakfast, visit the Mughal Gardens – Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi – with their terraced lawns, fountains and chinar trees.
- Continue to the Hazratbal Shrine, the white marble shrine on the banks of Dal Lake.
- Visit Pari Mahal, a 17th-century terraced garden on the hillside, for panoramic views of Srinagar and Dal Lake.
- Return for a relaxed evening. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine, Pari Mahal
Day 3 Transfer to Pahalgam
- After breakfast, check out and set off for Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds (about 95 km, 3 hours).
- Stop on the way to walk through apple orchards and explore the Avantipura ruins, the remains of 9th-century stone temples.
- Arrive in Pahalgam, check in to your hotel, and spend the evening by the Lidder River. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
- Highlights of the Day: Apple orchards, Avantipura Ruins
Day 4 Aru & Betaab Valley Excursion
- After breakfast, drive to Aru Valley (about 12 km from Pahalgam), a quiet spot of meadows and pine forest that suits nature walks and photography.
- Continue to Betaab Valley, with its clear streams and snow-capped peaks, named after the 1983 Bollywood film Betaab that was shot here.
- Return to Pahalgam in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
- Highlights of the Day: Aru Valley, Betaab Valley
Day 5 Transfer to Gulmarg
- After breakfast, check out from Pahalgam and drive to Gulmarg, a hill station of meadows, pine forests and snow-capped peaks.
- Check in to your hotel and spend the evening at leisure.
- Relax at the hotel or take a walk across the meadows. Overnight stay in Gulmarg.
- Highlights of the Day: Gulmarg
Day 6 Gulmarg Gondola Ride – Transfer to Srinagar
- After breakfast, ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Phase 1 or Phase 2, as you prefer, for views of snow-covered mountains and alpine slopes (subject to weather and ticket availability).
- Later, check out and drive back to Srinagar (about 50 km, 2 hours).
- Spend the evening at leisure. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Gulmarg Gondola ride
Day 7 Departure from Srinagar Airport
- Enjoy breakfast and check out from your hotel.
- If your flight leaves later in the day, use the spare time for some last souvenir shopping.
- Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey.
- 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 have sent 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.
- Package price is per person sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation fees will vary depending on when we receive your request, the individual hotel and transport supplier 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 carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need a passport with a valid Indian visa.
- Prepaid mobile connections from outside Jammu & Kashmir do not work in the region, so carry a postpaid connection.
- Dress modestly at the Hazratbal Shrine and follow the shrine's rules; a head covering is expected.
- The Gulmarg gondola is weather and ticket-dependent, so the phase you'll be on on the day is subject to change.
- Mountain roads can close at short notice due to snow, rain or landslides and the order of the sights may therefore change due to the weather, traffic or local events.
- The vehicle is provided for the routes in the itinerary; extra 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
What makes this 6N/7D Kashmir tour comfortable to travel?
It's all paced for comfort. You get a full day in Srinagar (Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine and Pari Mahal), two nights in Pahalgam with a full day to cover Aru and Betaab valleys, and a night in Gulmarg so that the gondola ride the following morning isn't rushed.
Is the Gulmarg Gondola ride included?
Yes, a Gulmarg Gondola ride to either Phase 1 or Phase 2 is part of day 6 (weather and ticket availability permitting). Phase 1 takes you up to the Kongdoori meadow and Phase 2 takes you further up to Apharwat Peak (which is much colder and is often under snow). Bring plenty of warm layers.
What is the best time to take this Kashmir tour?
April to October is the best time to do this itinerary, with the open meadows in Pahalgam and Gulmarg and the Mughal Gardens in full bloom in the spring. The apple orchards are in fruit in late summer and autumn. You can expect snow in both Gulmarg and Pahalgam from December to February, but the roads may close for a spell after a good snowfall.
Is the tour suitable for families and older travellers?
Yes, the drives are interspersed with two night stays in Srinagar and Pahalgam and most of the sightseeing is just a matter of short walks. Phase 2 of the gondola takes you to high altitude, so those of a more delicate constitution, or those with heart or respiratory problems, may prefer to stop at Phase 1.
Can we stay on a houseboat in Srinagar?
Yes, your nights in Srinagar can be in a 3-star hotel or in a houseboat on Dal Lake (subject to availability) – just let us know your preference when you book. We can of course upgrade the category or add a night and will then issue you a revised quotation.
How far is Pahalgam from Srinagar?
Pahalgam is some 95km from Srinagar (approx 3 hours by private vehicle), with a stop at the Avantipura ruins en route. Aru Valley is about 12km beyond Pahalgam, and Betaab Valley is on the road to Chandanwari.
