“Kashmir is not just a destination, it is an indescribable feeling that everyone desires to experience!!!!!”
During our visit to Switzerland, our guide enthusiastically pointed out, “You have got Kashmir and Himalayas. You are the richest when it comes to natural beauty!” Now, looking back on our unforgettable 7-day trip to Kashmir, I truly understand the depth of that statement. The allure of Kashmir, often described as “heaven on earth,” had captivated us for years through stories, images, and our own family’s memories. Every Indian dreams of visiting this paradise at least once in their lifetime. To assist you in planning your own journey to Kashmir, we have put together a comprehensive 7-day itinerary for a family trip to this breathtaking destination.
Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar:
We flew from Bangalore to Srinagar with a connecting flight due to the absence of direct budget flights. Our journey included a flight from Bangalore to Delhi and then another from Delhi to Srinagar. Upon our arrival in Srinagar at 8:00am, we encountered a long queue at the airport exit due to the high influx of tourists during the peak season of April-June. After navigating through the crowd, we took a cab to our hotel, Walisons Hotel, Srinagar.
Since we arrived early and our rooms were not yet prepared, we decided to visit the Tulip Gardens near Dal Lake. The tulips were in full bloom, and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to witness their beauty. After dropping off our luggage at the hotel, we asked the driver who brought us from the airport to take us to the gardens. We arrived at the gardens by 8:30am, with no lines at the ticket counter and a peaceful atmosphere inside.
We enjoyed exploring the gardens and returned to the parking lot by 10:00am for a late breakfast.
While admiring the Tulip Gardens of Kashmir, I couldn’t help but compare them to the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens in the Netherlands, which I had visited during my trip to Europe from Amsterdam. Both have their own unique beauty, and I couldn’t decide which one I preferred. I recommend visiting both if possible! After spending quality time among the tulips and capturing some memorable moments, we headed back to our hotel.
This time, our rooms were ready, and we settled in for some much-needed rest after an early dinner.
Day 2 : Places to visit in Srinagar
Following breakfast, today marked the commencement of our exploration of Srinagar – our designated day for sightseeing in the city. We had arranged for a private cab for the entirety of our journey starting from this day. Our first stop was Pari Mahal, a stunning garden surrounding a 7-story building.
The highlight of this site is the breathtaking views it offers of Srinagar, Dal Lake, and the encompassing mountains.
Subsequently, we proceeded to the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar, visiting Chash-me-Shahi Garden and Nishat Bagh. Despite the presence of other gardens in Srinagar, such as Shalimar Garden, after exploring two Mughal gardens, we felt content. As all these gardens tend to resemble each other after a certain point.
Around 4:00 pm, we embarked on a Shikara ride. After some negotiation and discussion with the Shikara owners, we reached an agreement. Eventually, we enjoyed a 2.5-hour Shikara ride on Dal Lake, which included visits to all the renowned spots around the lake, a break for tea and snacks, and a visit to the shops along the bank of Dal Lake.
Day 3: Transfer from Srinagar to Pahalgam:
Today, after having breakfast, we made our way from Srinagar to Pahalgam. Upon our arrival at the Oswal Cottage in Pahalgam in the afternoon, we had our lunch. Following this, we took pleasure in the stunning scenery surrounding us and simply relaxed. However, a few of our companions decided to venture out to explore Bisaran Valley.
The entire round trip takes approximately 3 hours, even though Bisaran Valley is just 6km away from our accommodation. The terrain is quite rugged and can only be accessed by horseback. Due to the fact that we were accompanied by children, and our youngest one has a strong aversion to animals, we opted not to go. Nevertheless, if you are not faced with the same constraints as us, I would highly recommend a visit to Bisaran Valley, as it is truly breathtaking.
DAY 4 :Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and Chandwari from Pahalgam:
our Kashmir trip was filled with exciting adventures as we explored Aru Valley, Betab Valley, and Chandwari starting from Pahalgam. These valleys are renowned for their stunning beauty and unique appeal that varies with each season.
During our visit in April, we were greeted by the vibrant colors of spring and the valley was transitioning into summer. The lush green meadows against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains brought back memories of the picturesque landscapes we had seen in Tuscany during our day trips from Florence while traveling in Italy.
Day 5: Transfer from Pahalgam to Gulmarg:
Following breakfast, we departed for Gulmarg from Pahalgam. You can view our journey from Pahalgam to Gulmarg in this vlog. Gulmarg is renowned as the top ski resort destination in Asia and India. Upon booking our accommodation, we found that most places in Gulmarg were fully booked or charging exorbitant rates. As a result, we made reservations at Hotel Pineview in Tangmarg, located approximately 10km before Gulmarg.
Despite this, we arrived by midday. We stopped for lunch on the way. Upon reaching Tangmarg, our driver introduced us to a guide who would be accompanying us for the Gondola ride.
During the journey from Pahalgam to Gulmarg
The guide then took us to a store where we rented shoes, jackets, and purchased gloves and caps for all of us to use the following day. Additionally, we arranged for a vehicle to transport us to the Gondola, as our regular cab drivers had opted to return to Srinagar. The shoes were to be packed and placed in the car for the next morning. Therefore, pre-booking these items in advance proved to be a time-saving decision.
Day 6: Gulmarg Gondola Ride:
The long-awaited day of our Kashmir Trip itinerary with family had finally arrived – the day of the Gondola Ride in Gulmarg. We woke up early in the morning and departed from our hotel in Tangmarg at 8:00am to reach the Gulmarg Gondola point. We had already made online reservations for both phase 1 and phase 2 of the Gondola ride through the government website. However, upon our arrival, we noticed that the snow in phase 1 had significantly reduced. After parking our vehicle at the Gulmarg Gondola parking area, we walked to the Gondola and arrived just in time at 8:30am. Despite our punctuality, there was already a long queue. It wasn’t until 10:30am that we finally boarded the Gondola cable car.
As we settled into the Gondola and began our ascent up the mountains, memories of a similar experience scaling the heights of Mount Titlis on a day trip from Lucerne with Aashi came flooding back. At that time, Aashi was the same age as Ishi is now. Once we reached the top, we had a wonderful time playing in the snow. The memories are still vivid, as if it happened just yesterday. It reminds me of the importance of investing more in experiences rather than material possessions.
We reached phase 1 in approximately 10 minutes, but we decided to proceed to Phase 2 first. Due to an early start to summer this year, there was not much snow left in phase 1. Therefore, we opted to explore Phase 2. However, our plans took an unexpected turn as the weather suddenly changed. It began snowing and soon turned into a snowstorm. My friend and I made the decision to return to the Gondola station with the kids, as the temperature dropped to -5 degrees and the children started feeling cold. On the other hand, KARTIK and two other friends decided to embrace the situation and enjoy snow activities.
Day 7: Transfer from Gulmarg to Srinagar:
Following a delightful day at the Gulmarg Gondola, we departed from Gulmarg and headed back to Srinagar on the seventh day of our 9-day Kashmir Trip Itinerary with children. Setting off after breakfast from our accommodation in Tangmarg, Hotel Pineview, we arrived at our houseboat, Chicago Group of Houseboats in Srinagar, in time for lunch. Today, we were looking forward to the unique experience of staying on a houseboat in Srinagar. Access to the houseboat was via a brief Shikara ride from ghat no 9 on Dal Lake. Upon reaching the houseboat and settling in, we took another Shikara back to the main road for lunch, as meals were not provided on the Shikara. Following lunch, we simply relaxed in our houseboat in Srinagar.
Returning from Srinagar:
Our journey back from Srinagar marked the end of our visit to Kashmir. Boarding the Evening flight, we began our return journey home, cherishing memories that will last a lifetime. Despite bidding farewell, we look forward to returning to Kashmir, this time during the winter season, to witness the enchanting transformation of the landscape into a winter wonderland. We hope this plan comes to fruition soon.
Revised family itinerary for a trip to Kashmir.
Here is an alternative Kashmir trip itinerary for families. Our 7-day trip with children was quite laid-back to accommodate their needs. However, if you are short on time or looking to explore different activities, consider these alternative options for your family trip to Kashmir. Some of these itineraries are more fast-paced and suitable for solo travelers, friends, or backpackers.
