7-Day Kashmir Itinerary: Srinagar, Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam
A tried-and-tested 7-day Kashmir itinerary covering all four classic valleys, with drive times, variations for winter, families and honeymooners, and costs.
Five days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Kashmir. It is long enough to see Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam without spending every day in a car. Here is the route our team recommends most often.
Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar
Land at Srinagar airport and check in to a houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake. Rest after the flight, then take a shikara ride at sunset past the floating gardens and the lakeside markets. Dinner on board.
Day 2: Srinagar sightseeing
Wake early for the floating vegetable market (it winds down by about 7 am). After breakfast, visit the Mughal Gardens: Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi. In the afternoon, drive up to Shankaracharya Temple for views over the city, then shop at Polo View or Lal Chowk.
Day 3: Gulmarg
Drive about 2 hours to Gulmarg. Ride the Gondola to Kongdori (Phase 1) and, if open, on to Apharwat (Phase 2). In winter, try sledging or a short ski lesson; in summer, walk the meadows or ride a pony to Strawberry Valley. Stay overnight in Gulmarg.
Day 4: Pahalgam
Drive back through Srinagar towards Pahalgam (about 4 to 5 hours from Gulmarg). On the way, stop at the saffron fields of Pampore, the ruins at Avantipora and a cricket-bat workshop. Spend the evening by the Lidder River.
Day 5: Pahalgam valleys and departure
Take a local taxi to Betaab Valley and Aru Valley in the morning. Leave Pahalgam by early afternoon for the 3-hour drive to Srinagar airport. If your flight is the next day, add Chandanwari or a pony ride to Baisaran.
Drive times at a glance
| Route | Approx. time |
|---|---|
| Srinagar → Gulmarg | 2 hours |
| Gulmarg → Pahalgam | 4–5 hours |
| Pahalgam → Srinagar airport | 3 hours |
| Srinagar → Sonamarg | 3 hours |
How to adjust it
- Summer: swap the Gulmarg night for a Sonamarg day trip if you prefer glaciers to meadows.
- Winter: keep Gulmarg and add a flexible day, as snow can close roads.
- With children or grandparents: stay 2 nights in Pahalgam and skip the Gulmarg overnight.
- On a budget: keep Srinagar as your only base and do Gulmarg and Pahalgam as long day trips.
Prefer us to handle it? Our 4 and 5 night Kashmir packages follow this route with hotels, a private cab and meals included.