Kashmir tour: one-week itinerary

To minimally know the valley you need to prepare a Kashmir route of 5 or 6 days. Therefore, here I recommend an itinerary for a one-week trip to Kashmir that you can combine with other Indian states such as Punjab, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh or the Golden Triangle.

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Day 1, 2 & 3 – Srinagar

The day of arrival will not give you time to do much. Normally, between the time you land, do the paperwork and get to the city (be aware that the airport is quite far away), half a day has gone by. And then, of course, if you stay at the Dal or Nigeen lakes, the place is so magical that you don’t feel like rushing off to discover Srinagar.

Plan a day to explore the old city with all its historical attractions and to wander around the bazaars on the banks of the Jhelum River. Then in the afternoon you can go to Lal Chowk, the trendiest neighborhood, where there are some interesting cafes and restaurants to have a tea or enjoy Kashmiri cuisine.

Another day you can dedicate to the Mughal gardens that border the Dal Lake. I think a couple is enough, but it is also true that each one has its own special charm. At sunset, they usually have much more atmosphere because they allow you to see the sunset behind the Pir Panjal mountain range. Another essential point is the temple of Shankaracharya where you also have good views of the city and the sunset.

If you decide to extend your stay in Srinagar, don’t worry. You will never get tired of living on houseboats, especially if you chose Nigeen Lake.

The best houseboats in Srinagar

My knowledge of houseboats is limited, but after my visits and trying both lakes, I recommend you stay at Lake Nigeen. It is true that the view over the mountains is not as clean as from Dal Lake, but the experience is much quieter, as the houses are more spaced out. You can go to Dal Lake for a sikara ride at sunset or even at night.

• Canadá Houseboat is the last one I have stayed in. It belongs to a family that has been running houseboats for decades. The grandfather is an endearing character. If you can be introduced to him, don’t hesitate to go have a kavha with him. The marquetry work throughout the boat is impressive and the rooms are very comfortable.

• Wangnoo Houseboat. It is a sixty-year-old house that is very well maintained. Its location is perfect for a quiet stay.
• Mascot Houseboat. A little further north of Lake Nigeen is one of the most luxurious houses in this area. For me, one of the substantial improvements is the food they serve. The rooms and interior are also better than the previous options.
• If you insist on Dal Lake, you’re going to find better prices, but houses closer together and generally more clutter. A cheap houseboat that I like is Green Heritage, but for the record, it would not be my first choice in any case.

You can also stay in a hotel in Srinagar, but honestly the decent hotels are very overpriced compared to other destinations in India and cannot compare to the charm of the houseboats.

Day 4 – Gulmarg

You can plan your day in Gulmarg as a round trip with an overnight stay in Srinagar or stay overnight in the mountains. Outside of the winter months, Gulmarg’s attractions are confined to the landscape and nature.

At one time Gulmarg was one of the most popular destinations in India, so it has a good range of hotels. Keep in mind that luxury hotels are quite expensive.

Day 5 – From Srinagar to Pahalgam

Whether you leave Srinagar or have slept in Gulmarg, you can devote the first day to stops along the way. The temples of Awantipora and Anantnag, especially the latter, are impressive. Also, on the outskirts of Anantnag there are many apple orchards that allow you to go in and pick fruit in a unique environment.

Pampore is another stop you can plan to make. When saffron is in bloom it is a must, but the rest of the year there are many roadside tea shops selling nuts, saffron and the mythical kavha, the spice and almond tea of Kashmir.

As you approach Pahalgam you will enter a world of magical mountains and you will be surprised by the nomadic shepherds and their buildings on slopes next to rivers and streams that flow down with an impressive force.

Day 6 & 7 – Pahalgam

As I mentioned before, the destination I liked the most in this region is the Aru Valley. However, it may be more convenient and easier to stay in Pahalgam, which is the largest town, more centrally located and with more services. For trekking, you can go on foot or hire horses.

• The Baisaran meadow is popularly called Little Switzerland. The ascent can be done on foot by a well-marked path. It is advisable to go early in the morning before it is full of local tourists. You have to pay an entrance fee to access.
• Betsab is a meadow famous for the filming of a Bollywood movie. Of the three, I probably liked it the least. You have to pay an entrance fee to enter.
• Aru Valley. If you do not intend to trek for several days but want to go to a more virgin mountain area, I recommend the upper meadow of Aru. When you reach the center of the village, turn right and start ascending. Many tourists stay in the small cave, about half an hour from the village. It is worth continuing to the upper maidan. You can also start trekking for several days.

Day 8 – Back to Srinagar

From Pahalgam you can follow the route through Kashmir to Jammu, although it is usual to return to Srinagar and take a plane from there to many destinations in India (including international) or continue the journey by road to Ladakh.