First, 2 nights in Srinagar
The LaLiT Grand Palace Srinagar
A 1910 Dogra royal palace on Gupkar Road, its lawns running down toward Dal Lake — over a hundred rooms and suites, a nine-hole golf course and a spa.
Srinagar · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Luxury Accommodation6 NightsLuxuryAdventure
Kashmir Ski & Snow — Luxury
About This Journey
Kashmir Ski & Snow — Luxury
Six nights weighted almost entirely toward Gulmarg, India's best-known winter sports destination, with Srinagar as a bookend rather than the focus. After a Dal Lake shikara and the Mughal Gardens, four full days in Gulmarg cover the Gondola, the meadow under snow, and the higher slopes around Apharwat and Kongdoori — built for winter, when the valley shows its other side entirely.
This is the route for travellers who want snow itself, not just a view of it — real days at altitude rather than a single cable car ride and back.
- 01
Four full days in Gulmarg
Rather than the usual one or two nights, this itinerary gives Gulmarg four days — the meadow under snow, the Gondola in both stages, and separate days at Apharwat and Kongdoori's higher slopes.
- 02
Apharwat and Kongdoori's high slopes
A dedicated day reaches the higher stations the Gondola serves — among the highest skiable terrain in India, with views running toward Nanga Parbat on a clear winter day.
- 03
Skiing or snowboarding, arranged on request
Equipment hire and instruction for skiing or snowboarding on Gulmarg's slopes can be arranged on request through your trip designer — tell us your experience level ahead of arrival.
- 04
A snow day built into the schedule
One day is kept specifically for being in the snow itself — sledging, snow walks or simply the meadow under a fresh fall — rather than treated as an add-on to the Gondola day.
Chapter Two — Where You'll Stay
2 Real Stays, In Order
Handpicked along your own route — not a hotel chain repeated city to city.
Finally, 4 nights in Gulmarg
The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa
Gulmarg's only five-star resort — a deodar-and-stone lodge facing Mount Apharwat, near the Gondola, with an L'OCCITANE spa and fireplaces in the rooms.
Gulmarg · Resort · Luxury★★★★★
Chapter Three — Day by Day
Real Kashmir Attractions in This Itinerary
5 of your 7days — the full itinerary follows below. Scroll to travel the route.
Day 2 · 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.
Day 3 · 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.
Day 4 · 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.
Day 5 · Gulmarg
A Day on the Snow in Gulmarg
Winter turns Gulmarg into a ski resort. The nursery slopes by the meadow are gentle and lift-served, good for a first lesson with a hired instructor. Equipment comes from the village shops. Higher up, the Gondola opens long runs on Apharwat, most of them off-piste, which need a qualified guide and avalanche gear. The light goes early behind the peaks. The best snow is usually in January and February, but the season runs from late December into March.
Day 6 · Gulmarg
Gulmarg — Apharwat, Kongdoori and the High Slopes
A second day on the mountain, once the legs have adjusted to the height. In winter that means longer runs from the top of the Gondola with a guide, or a snow walk and sledging around Kongdoori for those not skiing. In summer it is a walk from Kongdoori toward the Apharwat ridge, across old snowfields, with the Pir Panjal peaks all around. Either way it is a slow, high day. You come down in the afternoon for a hot drink by the fire.
Chapter Four — The Full Itinerary
7 Days, In Full
Every day, start to finish — including the transfers the day-by-day chapter above skipped.
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 → 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
A Day on the Snow in Gulmarg
Winter turns Gulmarg into a ski resort. The nursery slopes by the meadow are gentle and lift-served, good for a first lesson with a hired instructor. Equipment comes from the village shops. Higher up, the Gondola opens long runs on Apharwat, most of them off-piste, which need a qualified guide and avalanche gear. The light goes early behind the peaks. The best snow is usually in January and February, but the season runs from late December into March.
Gulmarg
Gulmarg — Apharwat, Kongdoori and the High Slopes
A second day on the mountain, once the legs have adjusted to the height. In winter that means longer runs from the top of the Gondola with a guide, or a snow walk and sledging around Kongdoori for those not skiing. In summer it is a walk from Kongdoori toward the Apharwat ridge, across old snowfields, with the Pir Panjal peaks all around. Either way it is a slow, high day. You come down in the afternoon for a hot drink by the fire.
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.
Guest Stories
What Our Travelers Say
Real words from real journeys — rated 5.0 across 310 Google reviews.
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An absolutely flawless experience. We felt like royalty from the moment we landed in Delhi until our departure.
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Truly exceptional — Brijesh, our tour planner, was incredibly attentive, professional, and meticulous in organizing a flawless itinerary.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Nothing short of magical. Brijesh crafted a seamless itinerary that balanced sightseeing, culture, and relaxation, making our journey truly special.
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Mentions guide Brijesh
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Everything went beyond our expectations. Our driver Rajesh kept us comfortable in every city, and Vicky was endlessly knowledgeable.
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Mentions guide Rajesh & Vicky
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From the moment we landed until we left, our driver Manish made us feel so taken care of — he made the trip even more memorable.
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Mentions guide Manish
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Brijesh is a super good man! A comfortable journey through six cities, exactly to our desires and limits.
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Mentions guide Brijesh & Manish
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Excellent hotels and tour guides. Our driver Manish was superb in every way — reliable, and full of local knowledge.
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Australia
Mentions guide Manish
Chapter Five — Terms & Conditions
Straightforward, In Writing
Cancellation windows, refund timing, and rescheduling terms for this journey follow our one sitewide policy — nothing package-specific to dig through.
Read the Return & Refund PolicyFrequently Asked
Before You Book
Is ski or snowboard instruction included?
Equipment and instruction are arranged on request rather than included by default — share your experience level and interest with your trip designer and we will confirm local arrangements for your dates.
When is the best time for this itinerary?
December through February brings the most reliable snow cover in Gulmarg. Your trip designer can advise on current conditions closer to your travel dates, since snowfall varies year to year.
Does this route include Pahalgam?
No — this itinerary is weighted entirely toward Srinagar and Gulmarg to maximise time on the snow. Travellers wanting Pahalgam alongside a winter trip should ask their trip designer about combining routes.
Chapter Six — Similar Journeys
More of Kashmir, Privately
Before you go
Planning Kashmir
Travel Tips
Private Tour or Group Tour in India? An Honest Comparison
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Getting Around India: Trains, Flights or a Private Car?
First-Time IndiaPlanning GuideTravel Tips
Travel Tips
Eating Well in India Without Getting Ill: A Practical Guide
First-Time IndiaFood & CulturePlanning Guide
Why Choose Us
The Same Trust, Sized to This Trip
01
Planning, Built Around You
This route was shaped around Kashmir's real places, not lifted from a fixed template.
13 years — Brijesh Sharma, Bespoke Itinerary Specialist
02
Handpicked Hotels
Every stay on this trip was chosen in person, not off a ratings page.
2 real stays, 5★
03
A Private Fleet, Always Yours
One driver, air-conditioned, for the whole route — no shared shuttle.
Premium sedans & SUVs · One driver, the whole trip
Kashmir to Kanyakumari
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