Quick answer
Spend six days in Kashmir as follows: three nights in Srinagar (one on a houseboat) with a day trip to Sonamarg, one night in Gulmarg for an early Gondola ride, and one night in Pahalgam before driving back to the airport. Mid-range land costs start at about ₹27,000 per person, twin sharing, excluding flights.
The route
- Delhi
- Srinagar
- Sonamarg (day trip)
- Gulmarg
- Pahalgam
- Srinagar
- Delhi
Day-by-day plan
- 1
Day 1
Arrive in Srinagar: houseboat and shikara
Morning: Fly Delhi to Srinagar, about 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer 30–40 minutes to your houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake.
Afternoon: Lunch on board and a slow afternoon on the deck; a short walk along the Boulevard if you feel like it.
Evening: Sunset shikara ride of 1–2 hours past Char Chinari and the lotus beds.
Stay: Houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake
Keep day one easy. If you want the floating market tomorrow, ask your houseboat to book a boatman tonight.
- 2
Day 2
Srinagar: Mughal gardens and the old city
Morning: Optional floating vegetable market at 5:30 am. After breakfast, Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh before the crowds.
Afternoon: Chashme Shahi and Pari Mahal for the view, then Hazratbal Shrine on the lake's far shore.
Evening: Old city walk past Jamia Masjid and Khanqah-e-Moula, then a Wazwan dinner.
Stay: Srinagar hotel, Boulevard or Rajbagh
Move from the houseboat to a hotel today if you prefer reliable heating and hot water.
- 3
Day 3
Day trip to Sonamarg
Morning: Leave by 7 am for the 80 km, 2.5–3 hour drive along the Sindh river.
Afternoon: Pony or union taxi to Thajiwas Glacier, with snow for most of the year. Lunch at a dhaba in Sonamarg.
Evening: Drive back to Srinagar by 6–7 pm; shop for dry fruit and saffron at Lal Chowk or Polo View.
Stay: Srinagar hotel
During the Amarnath Yatra in July and August, convoys slow this road. Swap Sonamarg for Doodhpathri if traffic is bad.
- 4
Day 4
Srinagar to Gulmarg and the Gondola
Morning: Leave by 8 am; 50 km, 1.5–2 hours via Tangmarg. Check in and ride Gondola Phase 1 to Kongdori by late morning.
Afternoon: Phase 2 to Apharwat if it is open; snow play in winter or a meadow walk in summer.
Evening: Walk to St Mary's Church as the day-trippers leave; quiet dinner at the hotel.
Stay: Gulmarg
Book Gondola tickets online before the trip; peak-season slots sell out days ahead.
- 5
Day 5
Gulmarg to Pahalgam via Pampore
Morning: Leave by 8 am for the roughly 140 km, 4–5 hour drive. Stop at the Pampore saffron fields and the Avantipora temple ruins.
Afternoon: Arrive in Pahalgam around 1 pm. Union taxi to Betaab Valley and Aru for the afternoon.
Evening: Walk along the Lidder river; early dinner.
Stay: Pahalgam
Some meadows near Pahalgam, including Baisaran, have been closed for long periods since April 2025. Ask your hotel what is open.
- 6
Day 6
Pahalgam to Srinagar and fly home
Morning: Early union taxi to Chandanwari, 16 km up the valley, or a riverside walk. Check out by 11 am.
Afternoon: Drive 95 km, about 2.5–3 hours, to Srinagar airport.
Evening: Fly home. Choose a departure after 5 pm.
Srinagar airport has several security checks; arrive at least two hours before your flight.
Why does this route work?
Six days is the right length for a first trip to Kashmir. It gives Srinagar three nights, so you are not unpacking every day, and it puts a night in both Gulmarg and Pahalgam, so you see each without day-tripper crowds. The order runs in a loop, Srinagar to Gulmarg to Pahalgam to the airport, which avoids doubling back.
How should you adapt it by season?
- April to June: run it as written. In late March and early April, add the Tulip Garden on day 2.
- July and August: the Amarnath Yatra crowds Sonamarg and Pahalgam. Swap Sonamarg for Doodhpathri and keep Pahalgam flexible.
- October and November: the chinar season. Stretch Srinagar by a night and shorten Pahalgam if you like.
- December to February: replace Pahalgam with a second Gulmarg night for snow and skiing. The Sonamarg road stays open since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, but check after heavy snow.
What about honeymooners and families?
Couples often prefer two houseboat nights on quieter Nigeen Lake. Families with grandparents should skip Phase 2 of the Gondola, as the air near 3,980 m is thin, and keep the Sonamarg day short.
Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg use local union taxis for sightseeing. Your Srinagar driver will drop you and wait; budget separately for these.
For costs see Kashmir trip cost; for hotels and houseboats see where to stay in Kashmir; and check the season on the best time to visit Kashmir. Ready to book? Send us your dates through our enquiry form.
Frequently asked questions
Is 6 days enough for Kashmir?
Should I stay on a houseboat for the whole trip?
Can this itinerary be done in winter?
How much does a 6-day Kashmir trip cost?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
