About the tour – 1N Pahalgam , 2N Srinagar and 1N Srinagar Houseboat

Jammu and Kashmir is a gorgeous region that has been rising in popularity for adventurous souls and nature seekers. For five days, we will be spending time in Pahalgam and Srinagar to explore the jade-like beauty of this land, starting with a scenic drive across Anantnag and the Lidder River as we head into Pahalgam. Chandanwari is a gorgeous valley famous for snow-sledging activity that’s available all year round. Have fun with playing in the snow with your family and friends, but make sure to remember your warm clothes! From Chandanwari, we’ll visit the valleys of the surrounding area, such as the Aru Valley which is where you can find a beautiful village within the meadow of Himalayan mountains. Just as gorgeous, the Betaab Valley is also where you want to be to hear the singing birds and see the former filming site of the famous 1983 movie “Betaab”. From Srinagar, we’ll visit the mountain of Gulmarg to explore the hill station that has become a resort area. We’ll ride the Gondola to reach the resort, the second stage, and the top. At resort level, you can look around and visit the Maharani Temple that was built by the wife of the final king of Jammu and Kashmir, Mohini Bai Sisodia, and see what the royal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati looks like. The St. Mary’s Church that was built around 110 years ago is another wonder you shouldn’t miss, a delightful chapel with green tiled roofing. If you ride the gondola, you’ll reach the Kongdoori Station and eventually, the Afarwat Peak of Kongdoori Mountain at 3,743m height. We’ll then spend a full day at Sonamarg from Srinagar, which is the “meadow of gold” at the edge of Kashmir. On the background, you’ll see the white-tipped mountain and sprawled before you are vast meadow that just makes you relax. We head to Thajwas Glacier which is a 3km wall or pony-ride depending on your preferred method of transportation, for the waterfalls, streams, and eventually the magnificent glacier. Then trek the way up to Shakhdar hill, which has an amazing viewpoint of the glaciers which cover the lake and hill. You should try snow sledging down the side of the mountain and try to walk across the frozen lake or glacier. Take in the breathtaking view of the high mountain pass Zojila and bring home the most amazing sights from this trip with you.

Highlights

Pahalgam 1 night, Srinagar 2 nights & Houseboat 1 night
Return Economy Class Airfare
Daily Breakfast
All transfers and sightseeing on Non AC (up to 4 pax Etios, 5-7 pax Tavera & 8-12 pax Tempo Traveler)
Pahalgam Sightseeing
Full Day Gulmarg Excursion
Full-Day Excursion to Sonamarg
1 Hour Shikara Ride
Toll tax, Parking & Driver’s Bata

Flight

GO FIRST flight from Delhi (DEL) to Srinagar (SXR) departing at 11:50 arriving at 13:20 | GO FIRST flight from Srinagar (SXR) to Delhi (DEL) departing at 11:30 arriving at 13:10

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Useful Tips Before Booking

Overview

Accommodation

Hotel Baisaran or Similar

1 night(s) in Pahalgam

Room Type: Standard Room

Meals Included: Breakfast

—

Hotel Palm Spring – Wazir Bagh or Similar

2 night(s) in Srinagar

Room Type: Standard Room

Meals Included: Breakfast

—

Moon Valley Group of Houseboats on Dal Lake or Similar

1 night(s) in Srinagar Houseboat

Room Type: Deluxe Room

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 1 :

Arrival At Srinagar And Transfer To Pahalgam

Upon arrival in Srinagar, you’ll be greeted by our representatives for your ride to Pahalgam. We’ll transfer there via Pampore, Avantipura, and the village of Bijbehara which is where Kashmir gets most of their fresh produce from. Enjoy the scenic drive that goes into the national highway 1A before entering Anantnag, the second largest city in Kashmir, then back to the wild as we drive along the Lidder River to Pahalgam.
Once we’ve arrived, we’ll head to the hotel for check-in for overnight stay at Pahalgam hotel.

Day 2 :

Pahalgam Sightseeing And Transfer To Srinagar Hotel With Shikara Ride

After breakfast at the hotel in Pahalgam, we check-out and head to a tour of the local area. With so many gorgeous places to visit and sights to see, we suggest renting a local taxi who’ll be able to take you around the area on a private basis, exploring Pahalgam Valley.
Around 16kms from Pahalgam is Chandanwari, a lush area in the valley that’s famous as a snow-sledging area. Hail a cab from Pahalgram for a roundtrip here which takes around 4-5 hours back and forth. While the ride can be quite long, it is one that you can enjoy with the Lidder River flowing on one side and the snow-capped mountain on the other. Have fun in the snow and make some snowballs to throw at your friends before heading back down. For a less boring trip, you can sledge down the side for an unforgettable experience. There are also several picnic spots that are easily accessible from the road.
We can ride on to the next destination, which is a village in the Aru Valley. This beautiful village is snuggled amongst the green grass and lush forest of Trans-Himalaya. With clear blue sky hanging above and the mist that hints the slightly cool weather of this area, it’s the perfect getaway that lets you forget your hectic life. It is the smallest hill station in the state, but surrounded by the native pines and conifer forests, the meadows are truly mesmerizing. Trekkers love to just stop and take in the majestic view of this small paradise which is covered in white during winter.
From Aru Valley, we head to Betaab Valley that was previously known as Hagan Valley. It earned a new name after the movie “Betaab” was filmed here in 1983, hence the Betaab Valley. It’s not just a former film setting – this valley is a wondrous gorge of nature’s beauty where you can listen to the songs of birds and is often the destination tourists head to in Kashmir. For those who wish to drown in the sight and place longer, this place is a popular camping site as well since it’s located not far from Pahalgam.
We keep driving and exit the valleys for Srinagar. Head to the hotel for check-in before you rest for the rest of the night in Srinagar.
(Breakfast)

Day 3 :

Full-day Excursion To Gulmarg

After breakfast in Srinagar, get ready for a whole day trip to Gulmarg. Located over 52 km from Srinagar, Gulmarg is a hill station and town that has been visited by millions for its exquisite view of the Himalayan Mountain. You will be dropped roughly 1 km from the Gondola ride which will take you up to over 2.500m above sea level to Gulmarg Resort. You can choose to go by foot or pay extra for ATV or horse ride for a trip around the area. You can take pony rides to visit Maharani Temple & St. Mary’s Church at extra cost.
From the resort, the gondola can go further up to two stages of height if you wish to pay extra cost for the trips. The first stage starts from the Gulmarg Resort to the Kongdoori Station which is located within Kongdori Valley. While the second stage starts from the ropeway that has 36 cabins and 18 towers to near the Afarwat Peak at 3,747m height of Kongdoori Mountain, the shoulder of Afarwat Peak at 4,200m. The Gondola Ride starts at 10AM until 5PM and you can ride up at any time of the schedule.
While at the resort, you can visit the Maharani Temple, built in 1915 by Mohini Bai Sisodia who was the last Dogra King of Jammu and Kashmir. It was a royal temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and also goes by the name Mohineshwar Shivalalaya. The wife of Maharaja Hair Singh would give her fervent prayers at this temple that is filled with tranquillity and peace. It is also surrounded by gorgeous view of Gulmarg.
The St. Mary’s Church that was constructed over 110 years ago still stand strong today with renovation that was done in 2003. It looks absolutely gorgeous during winter when it snows as the colour white puts the green-tiled roof in stark contrast. The church gives the vibe of a countryside chapel with the overall decent size, decorated walls, and simple designs.
Once you’ve explored everything you want to explore and take in all the view you want, we’ll drive back from Gulmarg to Srinagar. We’ll spend the night in Srinagar.
(Breakfast)

Day 4 :

Full-day Excursion To Sonamarg And Transfer To Srinagar Houseboat

After breakfast, we’ll head out today for an excursion to Sonamarg, a pretty place that’s about 98 kms from Srinagar. It’s be a three-hour drive of beautiful views to Sonamarg, which is located on the edge of Kashmir. Sonamarg means “Meadow of Gold” and it truly lives up to its name with an absolutely fascinating view of the meadow while neighbouring Ladakh. The background of this view is the snow-capped mountain with alpine trees on all sides and flowers blooming everywhere, one of the best for flower viewing in all of Jammu and Kashmir.
From the field, we can head to Thajwas Glacier that’s just 3km from where you park. The journey can only be done on foot or ponies at an extra cost. Take it slow and enjoy the process of reaching there as it is one of the most eventful treks which you’ll pass by the lush greenery and then a frozen lake. It is pretty strenuous, but the view also includes gorgeous waterfalls and streams. The trek heads up to the Shakhdar Hill that has a high viewpoint of the glaciers that cover the lake and the hill. Snow sledging is also available here even during summer and can be hired from Gujars who offer rides across the glacier. At an extra cost, a pony ride to the glacier is also available. You can also walk across the glacier once you’re here. Take care to not slip from the melting snow. Up here, the view of the high mountain pass Zojila at 3528m above sea level with a sweeping view of the lush green meadow around the beautiful blue lake. Rafting expedition at an extra cost is also available.
We’ll head back to Srinagar after heading back down from the hill. We’ll drive and check-in to the houseboat for your overnight stay.
(Breakfast)

Day 5 :

Departure From Srinagar

After breakfast, we’ll check-out and transfer you to Srinagar Airport for your scheduled flight. We’ll bid you goodbye as you head to your next destination.
(Breakfast)

Useful Tips Before Booking

CANCELLATIONS / REFUNDS
A reservation should be considered cancelled only after receiving our confirmation of such cancellation. If a cancellation is received less than 60 days prior to the arrival of passenger, the cancellation expenses will be charged according to the following table:
· 14 – 08 days before arrival: 50% of total price
· 07 – 00 days or if have no show of passenger: 100% of total price.
There will be no refund for unused services or changes in itineraries made by passengers without permission.
BAGGAGE
It is allowed 02 suitcase normal sized per passenger in all transports. Passenger shall be fully responsible for their luggage and personal belongings during the course of the trip. Regarding to land transport, luggage and other personal belongings should be kept with you, whatever part of the vehicle that will be placed and will be transported at the risk of the user. We recommend users are present in all manipulations of loading and unloading of baggage. Baggage on air transport, rail, sea or driving, conditions of transport companies will apply, being the ticket passage, the document binds the mentioned companies to the passenger. If client suffer any baggage damage, loss or delay, the passenger must present a claim against the Transport Company. For transport of large volumes of luggage such as bicycles, surfboards, etc, a supplement will apply (please consult). The tour packages in economy class can have a piece of 15kg in air transport. The company may charge a supplement or can refuse baggage that exceed this weight or parts. Recommended not to store valuables, medication, passport, documents or money inside baggage. If you want to have this procedure, make a statement before travelling.
TIPS / TAXES / TICKETS
Tickets to museums and sites during excursions are included. Not included any kind of tip, and the tips are at your discretion.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTS
Passenger must have valid passport, and visas for the countries that require them. Under 18 years old must have an authorization letter written and signed by their parents or guardians as such document can be requested by any authority. In the case of loss of a document for passenger such as hotel voucher, ferries tickets, air tickets, etc, we will not be held responsible and the penalty that will apply for a new booking and issuance of such documents.
HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Any physical or mental disability requiring special attention or treatment must be noted at time of reservation.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend for you to purchase full travel insure that will cover the entire cost of your trip in case cancellation, trip interruption for any reason, etc.

Timeless Kashmir With Flights