Kashmir · 6 Days
Kashmir — Gardens & Gondola
A garden-and-mountain trip — the Mughal terraces and the spring tulip garden in Srinagar, then two nights in Gulmarg for the Gondola and the meadow walks.
Day by Day
6 Days, In Full
A trip built around the gardens of Srinagar and the meadow at Gulmarg, skipping the long transfer to Pahalgam. Three nights in Srinagar: Dal Lake, the three Mughal gardens, Pari Mahal, and the tulip garden when it is in bloom from late March. Two nights in Gulmarg: the Gondola in two stages toward Apharwat, and a slower day for Khilanmarg and St Mary's church. It works especially well in April, when the tulips are open and the Gulmarg meadow is turning green. It returns to Srinagar for the flight out.
Srinagar
Arrive in Srinagar and a First Shikara on Dal Lake
You land at Srinagar and drive to the lake, twenty minutes or so. The afternoon is easy. A shikara ride on Dal Lake is the way to start: a slow paddle past the houseboats, into the lanes of the floating gardens, out to open water for the light on the mountains. Back on shore there is time for tea and a walk along the boulevard. The evening is free. Srinagar sits at about 1,600 metres, so the air is cool even in summer.
Srinagar
Srinagar — the Mughal Gardens and Pari Mahal
A day along the eastern shore of the lake, where the Mughal emperors built their gardens. Nishat Bagh climbs the hillside in twelve terraces, one for each sign of the zodiac. Shalimar Bagh, built by Jahangir for Nur Jahan, runs water down a central channel between chinar trees. Chashme Shahi is small and built around a spring. Above them, Pari Mahal is a terraced ruin with the best view in the city. The afternoon can add the tulip garden in season, or a carpet workshop.
Srinagar
Srinagar in Spring — the Tulip Garden and the Almond Blossom
For a few weeks from late March the slope below Chashme Shahi turns into bands of colour. The Indira Gandhi tulip garden is the largest in Asia, more than a million bulbs planted in long lines above the lake. Go early, before the crowds and the midday sun. The Badamwari garden nearby holds Srinagar's almond orchard, which flowers pink and white at the same time. The rest of the day is for the Mughal gardens, greener now than at any other season. The exact bloom dates shift each year with the winter.
Srinagar → Gulmarg
Srinagar to Gulmarg and the Gondola
The drive to Gulmarg takes about two hours, out across the rice fields of the valley and then up through pine forest to the meadow at 2,650 metres. Gulmarg means the meadow of flowers, and in summer it is exactly that. After checking in, the afternoon is for the Gondola: stage one to Kongdoori, and stage two, weather allowing, to a shoulder of Mount Apharwat near 4,000 metres. The air is thin at the top, so the visit is short. Warm layers are needed even in July.
Gulmarg
A Full Day in Gulmarg — the Meadow, the Church and the Walks
A day to slow down in the mountains. The meadow itself is for walking, with the small wooden church of St Mary's at its centre and the world's highest eighteen-hole golf course spread around it. A path leads up to Khilanmarg, a higher meadow with a view of the Kashmir valley on one side and Nanga Parbat, on a clear day, on the other. If the Gondola was closed for weather the day before, this is the day to try again. The evenings here are cold all year.
Gulmarg → Srinagar
Gulmarg Back to Srinagar
A last morning in the meadow before the drive back down to the valley, about two hours. If there is time, one more walk toward Khilanmarg or a final run on the Gondola. The road drops quickly out of the pines into the rice fields, and the air warms as Srinagar comes back into view. The afternoon in the city is free for shopping in the old bazaars or a last shikara on the lake.
Book This Itinerary
Priced Packages On This Route
This route is already built into these packages — real inclusions and pricing on each one's own page.
luxury · 5 Nights
Kashmir Gardens & Gondola — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 5 Nights
Kashmir Gardens & Gondola — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
luxury · 5 Nights
Kashmir in Tulip Season — Luxury
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
premium · 5 Nights
Kashmir in Tulip Season — Premium
per person, twin sharing — enquire for current pricing
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
Get In Touch
Start Planning Your Trip
Full itinerary, real pricing, one honest conversation — no sales pressure, just answers.