Day 1 – Arrival in Srinagar by road or flight. Spend the day exploring Srinagar after checking into your hotel or houseboat
Explore the Srinagar gardens namely the Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Pari Mahal. Shalimar Bagh has the gorgeous Zabarwan Mountains as a backdrop and Nishat Bagh is a 17th century beautifully maintained terraced garden. Pari Mahal offers gorgeous views of Kashmir Valley. Between the end of March and April, one can visit the stunning tulip festival at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. In th
e evenings, enjoy a shikara ride on the tranquil Nigeen Lake or the bustling Dal Lake. Glide through the pamposh (lotus) forests, see the floating shops, emporiums, and curio sellers. Enjoy a cup of saffron tea (kahwa) and sunset. For some authentic Kashmiri wazwan, try goshtaba, tabak maaz, and rishta at Mughal Darbar. Sleep overnight at Srinagar.
Day 2 – Day trip to Sonamarg. Overnight at Srinagar.
After a leisurely breakfast, head over to Sonamarg. The journey will take you through the rural areas where you can see the daily life, orchards, agricultural fields, and bands of Bakarwal (local shepherds) herding their animals. After crossing the Sindh river, you will reach Sonamarg. This is a seasonal resort as in winter the snow is too deep for visiting. Hence, there are only a handful of resorts. At Sonamarg, take a
break at one of the resorts, and have lunch there before hiking in the nearby meadows and fields. On clear sunny days, you can even hike all the way to the Thajiwas glacier. Ponies are available for those who are not keen on hiking. This is a beautiful place to photograph. Return to Srinagar in the evening.
Day 3 – Transfer to Pahalgam. Overnight at Pahalgam.
On this day, after breakfast, you will head over to Pahalgam. On the way, you will cross Awantipora (famous for making willow cricket bats) and Pampore saffron colony. Blooming saffron fields can only be seen in autumn and it is a sight to behold. You can shop for authentic Kashmiri saffron there at half the market price. After crossing the Lidder river, you will reach Pahalgam. Overnight at Pahalgam.
Day 4 – Day trip to Chandanwari. Overnight at Pahalgam.
After breakfast, head over to Chandanwari, the last motorable point for the Amarnath trek. This is yet another photogenic place. The stunning Sheshnag Lake is located here. Pony rides are available for short excursions into the surrounding areas. In the evening, return to Pahalgam and sleep overnight.
Day 5 – Day trip/Hike to Betab Valley. Overnight at Pahalgam.
Across the Lidder river, lies the gorgeous Betaab valley where the famous 80’s movie Betaab was filmed. It is a scenic charming place that does not see many tourists and is relatively quiet. After breakfast, on Day 5, you can walk over to Betaab valley where you will find meadows, forests, and mountains. There is also a little stream and a wooden bridge. This is the perfect place for a picnic and children to run around. Return to Pahalgam in the evening. Read more about Pahalgam here.
Day 6 – Return to Srinagar via Martand Sun Temple. Overnight at Srinagar.
After a leisurely breakfast, start your journey towards Srinagar. On the way, stop at the magnificent Martand Sun Temple. Though it is a bit of a detour from Pahalgam, this Hindu temple is worth a visit. Commonly called Martand or Mattan, and the Pandu-Koru, or the house of the Pandus and Korus, it is believed to have been built around A.D 370 and 500 and is full of intricate carvings. After the excursion, drive on towards Srinagar. In the evening, walk along the Dal Lake promenade, shop for Kashmiri souvenirs such as paper mache articles, Kashmiri shawls, and walnut carvings. Spend your last night in Srinagar. Read about Martand Sun Temple here.
Departure from Srinagar either by flight or road. Make sure to leave at least 3 hours before your flight to avoid a last-minute rush. This is due to the heightened security measures at the Srinagar airport.