Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam
Srinagar and Dal Lake · Gulmarg · Sonmarg
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12 days, 11 nights
Kashmir in Twelve Days
The whole valley, plus the roads most trips leave out
The trip
What this is
A longer trip for people who want to see Kashmir properly and only expect to come once. It covers the four well-known valleys with real time in each, then keeps going to Doodhpathri and, weather allowing, over the Razdan pass to Gurez. You finish back on Dal Lake with a day spare.
Best for. A once-in-a-while trip where you would rather do Kashmir thoroughly than come back for the parts you missed.
Highlights
- Two nights each in Gulmarg and the Lidder valley, not day trips
- Doodhpathri on a quiet afternoon, away from the busier meadows
- The crossing to Gurez over the Razdan pass, conditions allowing
- A spare day at the end to absorb it rather than pack
- One driver and one plan for the full twelve days
Day by day
The itinerary
A working outline. We move nights around, add or drop a day, and adjust for weather once we know your dates.
- 01Srinagar
Arrive in Srinagar
Airport pick-up and a quiet afternoon on the lake to get over the flight.
Houseboat or hotel on Dal or Nigeen - 02Srinagar
Srinagar: gardens and old city
The Mughal gardens in the morning, the old city and its craft workshops in the afternoon, a dawn shikara option for the following day.
Houseboat or hotel on Dal or Nigeen - 03Gulmarg
Drive to Gulmarg
Up through the rice fields and pine. Afternoon for the first stage of the gondola or a walk toward Khilanmarg.
Hotel in Gulmarg - 04Gulmarg
A full day in Gulmarg
The top gondola if it is open, the outer circle walk, and time for the meadow early before the day visitors arrive.
Hotel in Gulmarg - 05Pahalgam or Aru
Gulmarg to the Lidder valley
A longer drive across the valley floor and up the Lidder. Evening by the river.
Hotel or guesthouse in Pahalgam or Aru - 06Pahalgam or Aru
The Lidder valley
A walking day from Aru toward Lidderwat, with Betaab valley in the morning if you would rather split it.
Hotel or guesthouse in Pahalgam or Aru - 07Srinagar
To Sonmarg, then Doodhpathri side
Cross back toward Srinagar and up the Sindh valley to Sonmarg for the walk toward Thajiwas, then return to the lake.
Houseboat or hotel on Dal or Nigeen - 08Bandipora
Doodhpathri, then Bandipora
A relaxed morning at the Doodhpathri meadow, then a short drive along Wular lake to Bandipora so the pass crossing is fresh tomorrow.
Guesthouse in Bandipora - 09Gurez
Over the Razdan pass to Gurez
The climb to the pass and the drop into the Kishanganga valley. Afternoon to walk around Dawar under Habba Khatoon peak.
Guesthouse or homestay in Dawar - 10Gurez
The Tulail valley
Up the valley past villages of log houses toward Tulail, and back to Dawar for the night.
Guesthouse or homestay in Dawar - 11Srinagar
Gurez back to Srinagar
The full drive back over the pass to the lake. A long day, so the schedule keeps the next one light.
Houseboat or hotel on Dal or Nigeen - 12Srinagar
Departure
A slow last morning on the lake before we take you to the airport. If the Razdan closed and cost you a day, this is the buffer that absorbs it.
Places you will see
- Dal Lake
- Mughal gardens
- Srinagar old city
- Gulmarg
- Pahalgam
- Aru
- Betaab valley
- Sonmarg
- Thajiwas
- Doodhpathri
- Bandipora
- Wular lake
- Razdan pass
- Gurez and Tulail
What is included
- Private vehicle with a local driver for the whole trip
- Accommodation as listed, on a twin-sharing basis
- Daily breakfast, and dinner where you are staying outside Srinagar
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- All road tolls, parking and driver costs
- A day-by-day plan and a single point of contact while you travel
What is not
- Flights to and from Srinagar
- Lunches, and meals not mentioned above
- Pony rides, gondola tickets, guides and entry fees at sightseeing points
- Anything personal, and anything not listed under inclusions
- Costs from road closures or weather beyond our control
Worth knowing before you book
- The Gurez leg depends on the Razdan pass being open. If it is shut we swap in an extra night in the Lidder valley or at Sonmarg.
- This is a full trip with several long drives. It suits people who are comfortable with time in the car in exchange for range.
- Carry cash for the Gurez section, where cards and mobile payments do not work reliably.
Questions
Is twelve days too long for Kashmir?
Not if you want to see the offbeat valleys as well as the famous ones. If you only want the four main valleys, the seven-day trip covers those well and you can add a night or two rather than a week.
What if the weather closes the Gurez road?
The itinerary has a buffer day at the end for exactly this. If the pass is shut we reshape the last few days around Sonmarg, Doodhpathri or an extra night on the Lidder, at no extra cost beyond any third-party charges.
Can this trip be done in reverse or shortened?
Yes. Tell us your dates and how much time in the car you are willing to accept, and we will trim, reorder or split it.
Nearby
Other trips through here
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