Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Fly from the Punjab airport that best suits you, using a confirmed itinerary to Srinagar; allow roughly 5–8 hours door-to-door, including getting to the airport, check-in, the flight and the transfer from Srinagar airport into town. Leave plenty of time for airport formalities, and keep your first day light. A pre-arranged taxi is easiest for the airport-to-hotel transfer; traffic can affect the drive. If you travel by road instead, budget 9–12+ hours and expect to skip the sightseeing below.
After checking in, head to Dal Lake along Boulevard Road for a gentle lakeside walk or a short shikara ride, allowing 1–1.5 hours. Agree the route, duration and price with the boatman before setting off; rates vary, so ask your hotel for a current local estimate. If the journey has run late, keep this to a stroll and save the boat ride for another time.
If you still have daylight and energy, take a taxi to Shankaracharya Temple in the Zabarwan foothills. Allow about 1.5 hours for the uphill approach and steps, and check locally that visitor access is open before you go; security rules may restrict what you can bring inside. Finish at Mughal Darbar in the Dalgate area for Kashmiri wazwan or other local dishes—budget roughly ₹400–900 per person. If you’re arriving by road or reach Srinagar late, skip the temple rather than rushing the climb.
After breakfast, allow 2–3 hours to reach Gulmarg and settle in; winter weather or road conditions can add time, so ask your stay to confirm the local car arrangements and latest access conditions. Head to the Gulmarg Gondola as early as practical: allow 3–5 hours for the ride, queues and weather delays. Book tickets through the official channel in advance; access to Kongdoori and especially Apharwat depends on ticket availability, operating conditions and weather, so don’t count on the upper phase running.
After the gondola, take a relaxed 30–45-minute walk across the meadow to St. Mary’s Church. It’s a lovely change of pace after the high-altitude ride; access and visiting arrangements can vary, so check locally rather than assuming it will be open. Continue to Maharani Temple, allowing about 45 minutes for the hilltop setting and views. The walk is uphill; if conditions or energy make it uncomfortable, ask locally about a vehicle or pony option and agree on the price before setting off.
Wind down with dinner at your Gulmarg hotel’s restaurant—a warm, convenient choice after a full day outdoors. Budget roughly ₹500–1,200 per person, depending on the hotel and meal. If the gondola is delayed or weather closes a phase, keep the church and temple visits flexible and enjoy the meadow at an unhurried pace rather than trying to fit everything in before dark.
After breakfast, leave Gulmarg for Srinagar and allow 2–3 hours, with a buffer for weather or road delays. Drop your bags at your Srinagar stay before heading into the Old City. At Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta, allow 45–60 minutes to take in the cedar-wood colonnades and spacious courtyard; dress modestly, remove your shoes where directed, and be prepared for visitor access to pause around prayer times.
Continue to Khanqah-e-Moula by the Zaina Kadal riverfront, allowing 30–45 minutes. This revered Sufi shrine is known for its intricate woodwork; follow local guidance on entry, as access can be restricted during prayers or for other reasons. For lunch, head to Ahdoos on Residency Road—a Srinagar institution for Kashmiri dishes such as rogan josh and gushtaba. Budget roughly ₹500–1,000 per person; confirm what’s available that day, and allow time for the drive across town from the Old City.
Visit Hazratbal Shrine for a quiet 45–60 minutes on the western shore of Dal Lake. Dress modestly, remove your shoes where requested, and keep the visit respectful; opening and access arrangements can vary, so check locally that morning. Then head to Lal Chowk—allow roughly 20–30 minutes by taxi, depending on traffic—and browse its handicraft and dry-fruit shops for 45–60 minutes. Prices are often negotiable, so compare a couple of shops before buying.
Stop at Cafe de L’intérieur in the Lal Chowk area for breakfast or an early meal; budget about ₹300–700 per person and check opening hours before setting out, as they can change. Keep this a light, flexible stop rather than planning anything that depends on a tight schedule. For your confirmed flight back to Punjab, allow roughly 5–8 hours door-to-door, including the airport transfer, check-in, flight and onward transfer; leave for Srinagar Airport with plenty of buffer and don’t schedule sightseeing close to departure. A road journey takes about 9–12+ hours, so it’s not a comfortable same-day alternative—add an overnight en route if travelling by road.
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