4 Nights 5 Days Kashmir Trip
Overview
This 4-night, 5-day Kashmir trip keeps you in one base in Srinagar for the whole stay and visits Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg as full-day excursions. You unpack once and return to your hotel or houseboat each evening. Day one covers the Mughal Gardens – Chashme Shahi, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh – followed by an evening shikara ride on Dal Lake.
On day two you drive via Tangmarg to Gulmarg for a ride on the Gulmarg Gondola, one of the highest cable cars in the world, with an optional pony ride to Khilanmarg and time at the Gulmarg Golf Course. Day three goes to Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds, past the Awantipora ruins and the saffron fields, and day four follows the Sindh River through Gagangir to Sonamarg, the "Meadow of Gold". Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari in Pahalgam and Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg can be added by local taxi or pony at extra cost.
The trip suits first-time visitors, short breaks and travellers on a tighter budget who want Kashmir's main hill destinations without changing hotels. Each excursion means about two to three hours of driving each way, so it works best if you don't mind early starts. You get daily breakfast, a private vehicle, and pick-up and drop at Srinagar airport.
Package Features
Four nights in one hotel or houseboat, no repacking.
Chashme Shahi, Nishat, Shalimar and an evening on Dal Lake.
Gondola ride, with an optional pony ride to Khilanmarg.
Awantipora ruins, saffron fields and the Lidder valley.
Sindh River drive through Gagangir to the Meadow of Gold.
Met at Srinagar airport by our representative.
Include Features
- 4 nights' stay in a 3-star hotel or houseboat in Srinagar on double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Pick-up and drop at Srinagar airport
- Day trips to Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg and all transfers by private vehicle as per the itinerary
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake on day 1
- Gulmarg Gondola ride (subject to ticket availability)
- Sightseeing as listed in the itinerary (items marked at additional cost are extra)
- GST
Excluded Features
- Flights or train tickets to and from Srinagar
- Lunch and dinner
- Garden and monument entry tickets, unless specifically included
- Optional extras at additional cost: pony ride to Khilanmarg, local taxi in Pahalgam for Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, and pony or local taxi to Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg
- 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 arrival at Srinagar airport, meet our representative and transfer to your hotel or houseboat to check in.
- Later, set out for local sightseeing and visit the Mughal Gardens – Chashme Shahi (Royal Spring), Nishat Bagh (Garden of Bliss) and Shalimar Bagh (Abode of Love).
- In the evening, take a relaxing shikara ride on Dal Lake, with views of the mountains and floating gardens.
- Return to your hotel or houseboat. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Mughal Gardens, Shikara Ride on Dal Lake
Day 2 Srinagar – Gulmarg – Srinagar
- After breakfast, set off on a full-day excursion to Gulmarg via Tangmarg (about 50 km, 2 hours).
- On the way, enjoy views of apple orchards and green countryside (seasonal).
- In Gulmarg, ride the Gulmarg Gondola (subject to ticket availability), one of the highest cable cars in the world, for wide views over the mountains and valleys.
- You can also take a pony ride to Khilanmarg (at additional cost) or spend time at the Gulmarg Golf Course, one of the highest golf courses in the world.
- Return to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Gulmarg Gondola Ride, Khilanmarg pony ride (at extra cost), Gulmarg Golf Course
Day 3 Srinagar – Pahalgam – Srinagar
- After breakfast, leave for a full-day excursion to Pahalgam, the "Valley of Shepherds" (about 95 km, 3 hours).
- On the way, visit the Awantipora ruins and the saffron fields (seasonal) for a glimpse of Kashmir's history and its best-known crop.
- In Pahalgam, enjoy the pine forests, meadows and the Lidder River.
- Visit Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari by local taxi if you wish (at additional cost).
- Return to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Awantipora Ruins, Saffron Fields, Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari (by local taxi, at extra cost)
Day 4 Srinagar – Sonamarg – Srinagar
- After breakfast, set off for a full-day excursion to Sonamarg, the "Meadow of Gold" (about 80 km, 3 hours).
- Drive through valleys, villages and meadows alongside the Sindh River, passing Gagangir on the way.
- In Sonamarg, take in the snow-capped mountains and alpine meadows.
- Visit Thajiwas Glacier by pony or local taxi if you wish (at additional cost).
- Return to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
- Highlights of the Day: Sonamarg Valley, Gagangir Tourist Village, Thajiwas Glacier (at extra cost)
Day 5 Departure
- Enjoy a last breakfast in Srinagar.
- Check out from your hotel or houseboat.
- Drive 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 confirmed only after the itinerary is agreed, the advance is received and Luxe Trail Holidays sends you a written confirmation.
- Full payment may be needed at the time of booking for peak-season dates, special hotel rates and selected activities.
- If a payment is not received by its due date, the booking becomes subject to the applicable cancellation conditions.
- The package price is per person on double sharing and includes GST.
Refund Policy
- Cancellation charges depend on the date we receive your request, the hotel and transport suppliers' 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 Term
- 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.
- In Pahalgam and Sonamarg, Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Chandanwari and Thajiwas Glacier are reached by local taxi or pony at additional cost.
- The Gulmarg Gondola depends on weather and ticket availability; tickets can sell out in peak season.
- Snow, rain or landslides can close mountain roads at short notice, and the order of the day trips may change because of weather, traffic or local events.
- The vehicle is provided for the day trips and transfers 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.
Most Booked
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it that one has to stay in Srinagar for 4 nights?
Remaining in one place means that one only has to check in once and leaves without repacking daily, for short trips. Two to three hours drive from Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are ideal for day trips and return in the evening to Dal Lake and the city's cafes and markets.
Does Gulmarg Gondola ride come as a part of this?
Yes, day two has a Gulmarg Gondola ride (weather and ticket availability required). In peak season, it can be a best bet to book in advance, as tickets may sell out. Pony ride to Khilanmarg is available and extra cost will be charged.
What is the additional expense on this trip to Kashmir?
Lunch and dinner tickets are paid separately as are entry tickets. There are also some optional extras: pony ride from Khilanmarg to Gulmarg, local taxi to and from Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari in Pahalgam, and pony or local taxi to Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg.
What is the optimum time to visit Kashmir for 5 days?
The best time to visit Srinagar is from April to October when the meadows are green, there are open roads, and the days are pleasant. The Mughal Gardens are in bloom in spring and red and gold in autumn with chinar trees. The snow will cover Gulmarg from December to February, which will also make it a good place for snow play but will also make day trips difficult and may be postponed.
Why not stay overnight at Pahalgam or Gulmarg?
Yes. We can book one of Srinagar nights to be in Pahalgam, Gulmarg or Sonamarg in morning or evening so that the drives become shorter and you get to see the place in the light of day. The prices vary according to the hotel and the time of the year, so please provide dates and we will be able to provide an updated offer.
