Kashmir Winter Expedition

6 Days

Kashmir is & will always be the heaven on earth & for all the right reasons because, Travelling across this place is what dreams our off!
This is a trip that is the perfect balance between leisure & adventure. From enjoying shikara rides and houseboat accomodation on Dal lake in Srinagar to exploring off beat places like Aharbal waterfalls; Kashmir has it all! Also known as the Niagara Falls of Kashmir, the mighty strength of this fall is something to behold.
On this journey, we also set out to traverse across South Kashmir. The list definitely includes Saffron fields of Pampore along with meadows of Aru & Betab Valley in Pahalgam. And something no backpacker can forget to explore- Gulmarg. All year round, Gulmarg is in its full glory. A gandola ride & visit to Affarwat Peak is a must!
The adventure doesn’t stop before we reach Yusmarg, also know as the Meadow of Jesus! Here we trek till the beautiful blue Nilnag lake before departing from Srinagar.
Join us on the adventure to backpack in this heaven on earth to enjoy the warm hospitality of people and the astonishing gems of nature.

Overview

Kashmir Backpacking trip is the closest you’d ever get to witnessing paradise on earth.

The valley of Kashmir has always been synonymous with heavenly beauty and it’s only when you witness the snow-covered slopes, traverse the verdant forests of pine trees, hear the rustling of the golden chinar trees and take a Shikara ride in the tranquil waters of Dal Lake, do you realize just how short words fall when it comes to describing the ethereal beauty of Kashmir.

This is why we’ve curated the perfect Kashmir itinerary where travelers can experience the best of Kashmir firsthand in a matter of few days.

The Kashmir backpacking trip commences from Srinagar, the summer capital of the state nestled peacefully on the banks of Jhelum, renowned for being the abode to multitudes of houseboats that can be found floating on the turquoise waters that surrounds it.

Residing in a houseboat is just one of the many authentic Kashmiri experiences you’ll be checking off of your bucket list followed by a sightseeing tour of Srinagar visiting the pristine Mughal Gardens. Nishat Bagh, which is one of the most prominent Mughal gardens of Srinagar, owing to its location being in close proximity to the Dal Lake, with the Pir Panjal mountains in the backdrop will leave you awestruck.

On the other hand, Shalimar Bagh is yet another shoreline garden often referred to as the crown of Srinagar. It is believed that the garden was built by Shah Jahan for his wife Nur Jahan as the king wanted to please his queen.

In this summer Kashmir trip, you’ll also be indulging in a Shikara ride which is hands down the most surreal experience that the valley has to offer. Floating on the quiet waters of the Dal Lake under the blue skies will provide you with the kind of serenity that we bet you won’t be able to feel anywhere else.

In this backpacking trip to Kashmir, we slowly unravel all the different shades of the valley which is why we’d be visiting the pearl of Kashmir, Gulmarg, a hill station renowned for its ivory-clad mountains and ski slopes.

Gulmarg essentially translates to meadows of flowers and the vast tapestry of greenery in the summers adorned by blooming flowers makes the town live up to its name. The best part about Gulmarg is that it offers travelers an opportunity to be a part of the iconic Gondola ride which is the second-highest cable car in the world and leads you to Kongdoori Mountain. Travelers can also indulge in various other activities such as ATV rides and pony rides in the meadows.

The next destination in the Kashmir Backpacking trip is Pahalgam which attracts tourists from all over the world due to its blooming meadows and pristine rivers. The picturesque beauty of Pahalgam has given it the title of being the crowned jewel of Lidder Valley. Pahalgam also has spiritual significance because of its association with the annual pilgrimage to Amarnath.

The town has many gems in its embrace and we explore them on our Pahalgam Sightseeing tour in this Kashmir trip itinerary starting with Aru Valley. Aru is a quaint village with an abundance of peace and beauty overflowing in every corner. Nestled on the bank of the Aru river, the meadows of Aru have a different kind of beauty altogether, and with more than 20 alpine lakes and peaks in its cradle, the valley has something to offer at every step that you take.

On the other hand, Betaab Valley which was originally called Hajan Valley, is a popular destination that gained pop culture significance after being featured in the movie Betaab, hence the name. Nestled at the center of two Himalayan ranges, Pir Panjal and Zanskar respectively, the vast tapestry of the meadows in contrast with the majestic mountains make for a breathtaking view.

Lastly, Chandanwadi holds extreme spiritual significance due to being the starting point of the Shri Amarnath Yatra. Apart from that, Chandanwadi is an offbeat tourist destination with the Lidder river flowing by as magnificent mountains overlook the region. It is one of those places that often get overlooked by travelers but deserves its spot in a Kashmir trip itinerary because of its picturesque beauty and tranquility.

A backpacking trip to Kashmir is incomplete without a visit to Sonamarg aka the meadow of gold. The hill station is adorned with spring flowers, coniferous forests, and meadows that spread like a tapestry beneath your feet making Sonmarg unparalleled in beauty.

The breathtaking views, opportunities for hikers to explore offbeat trails, and serene environment make Sonamarg a must-visit.

The Kashmir backpacking trip comes to an end by tracing our footsteps in Srinagar and departing with fond memories of the trip.

Kashmir offers different color palettes in every season, ranging from ivory white to auburn gold, and in summer, you get to see a shade of Kashmir that is perhaps the most underrated, the jade green with colors of rainbows sprinkled at every distance which is why the best time to visit Kashmir in summer season is from the months of May to August. During these months, a trip to Kashmir will offer you summer tide and autumn feels and you won’t be able to decide which one you love more.

Itinerary

Arrive at the Srinagar airport after a scenic flight over the snow-capped mountains.

From Srinagar airport you will have to reach your houseboat and check in.

Have some rest and have your lunch.

Meet our representative and get ready to explore Srinagar.

You will first visit the beautiful Mughal Gardens which consists of 2 separate gardens - Shalimar Garden & Nishat Garden
Return back and enjoy a 1 hour Shikara ride while admiring the surroundings mountains.

After completing the ride return back to your houseboat and enjoy your dinner.

Overnight stay in Srinagar.

Wake up in the morning, have your breakfast and get ready for the day.

We will then take you to Gulmarg - that appears straight out of painting.

Board your vehicle for a 2-hour scenic drive to Gulmarg, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the Himalayan snow-clad peaks and the scenic vistas of Tanmarg.

Upon reaching Gulmarg, embark on the highest gondola ride in Gulmarg - which offers stunning views of the Kashmir Valley.

Later, check in to your hotel and visit one of Asia’s highest Golf Course of Gulmarg, followed by a visit to a church.

You can then, spend the rest of the day at leisure..

In Gulmarg, you can indulge in a number of winter adventure sports like skiing, snowboarding, etc.

After exploring Gulmarg, return back to your hotel for dinner.

Overnight stay in Gulmarg.

After breakfast in the morning, get ready to begin your day.

Board your vehicle as we will take you to Pahalgam today.

Before going to Pahalgam, we will first visit the famous Drung Waterfall (Only ATVs are allowed for access, & depends on the freezing of the waterfall.).

Next, embark on tour transfers to Pahalgam which will be a 4-hour scenic drive via Pampore and Avantipura.

We switch from the national highway 1A at Khanabal and drive through the second-largest city of Anantnag.

Upon reaching Pahalgam, check in to the hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Have your dinner and rest for the day.

Overnight stay in Pahalgam.

Wake up to a beautiful morning in Pahalgam and have your breakfast.

Get ready for the day and board your transfers.

We will start the day by visiting the Aru Valley known for its lush meadows, pristine lakes & mountains.

Next, we will head to the famous Betaab Valley, one of the favorite spots for many Bollywood filmmakers.

Further, we will head to the scenic rocky valley of Chandanwari (depending on the weather condition) where you can also enjoy an exciting pony ride (at your own expense).

Later, we will start our drive back to Srinagar.

Upon reaching Srinagar, check-in to the hotel and have dinner.

Overnight stay in Srinagar.

Post breakfast at the hotel in Srinagar, get ready to start a fun day.

You will then take you to Nilnag lake, which is approximately a 2 hour drive.

Nilnag is famous for it's blue water and its surrounding pine tree forests.

Further, we will start our trek from Nilnag lake to Yusmarg which is also known as 'Meadow of Jesus'.

It is approx a 5 Km trek which will take approx 3 hours to complete.

OR
If there is Heavy Snowfall, we will take you for a trek to Dhoodhpathri.

In the evening, we will come back to Srinagar.

Overnight stay in Srinagar.

Post breakfast in the morning, get ready to board your return transfers.

Depart with a lot of memories to cherish.

The Kashmir tour package from Srinagar covers the following places

  • Srinagar: visit the beautiful Dal Lake, Mughal Garden, and Shankaracharya Hills.
  • Gulmarg: roam around the beautiful Golf Course and Mughal Garden.
  • Pahalgam: dive into the beauty of Saffron fields and apple orchards.
  • Auli valley: Hike in the beautiful Nafran valley
  • Sonamarg: hike to the splendid Thajwas glacier

What is the best time to visit Kashmir?

Kashmir can be best enjoyed between March to August.

What is the distance between Srinagar and Sonamarg?

The distance between Srinagar and Sonamarg is almost 81 Km. On This Kashmir Tour package from Srinagar, you will be exploring both Srinagar and Sonmarg.

How is the weather in Kashmir during May?

The weather may be really Hot, and you might even experience a few rainy days.

How to reach Srinagar from Delhi?

To Join this Kashmir Backpacking tour, you have to meet us in Srinagar. You can reach Srinagar from Delhi in three ways:

  • Roadways: you can hire a cab or a taxi if you want your own little road trip. Other than that you can also go by government or private buses.
  • Airways: there is an international airport in Srinagar which has flights to and from Delhi.
  • Railways: there might be direct trains running to and from Delhi

You can send your enquiry via the form below.

Kashmir Winter Expedition

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