Kashmir Family-Friendly 7-Day Itinerary for October 2023

1. Day 1: Mughal Gardens
   30 minutes (8 miles) from Srinagar Airport

   Visit the Mughal Gardens in the morning to enjoy the beautiful terraced garden, followed by a Shikara ride in the tranquil Dal Lake in the afternoon. In the evening, try some authentic Kashmiri cuisine at Mughal Darbar.

2. Day 2: Sonamarg
   3 hours 15 minutes (80 miles) from Srinagar

   Take a day trip to Sonamarg to witness the stunning Thajiwas Glacier. You can enjoy pony ride, hiking and trout fishing here. On the way back, enjoy the scenic view and visit the towns of Ganderbal, Manasbal and Kheer Bhawani temple.

3. Day 3: Shankaracharya Hill
   20 minutes (5 miles) from Dal Lake

   In the morning, hike up the Shankaracharya Hill to visit the famous Shankaracharya Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the city. In the afternoon, visit the Hazratbal Shrine, one of the holiest shrines in Kashmir. End the day with some shopping at the Lal Chowk market.

4. Day 4: Pahalgam
   3 hours 20 minutes (95 miles) from Srinagar

   Visit Pahalgam, also known as "The Valley of Shepherds". In the morning, visit the famous Betaab Valley and the Chandanwari Glacier. In the afternoon, enjoy some river rafting and horse riding. End the day with a visit to the beautiful Aru Valley and the ancient ruins of Awantipora.

5. Day 5: Gulmarg
   2 hours 15 minutes (33 miles) from Srinagar

   Enjoy a full-day trip to Gulmarg, also known as "The Meadow of Flowers". Take the Gondola cable car to enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayan range and visit the highest golf course in the world. In the afternoon, enjoy some skiing, snowboarding, or a trek to Khilanmarg. End the day with some shopping for handicrafts and Pashmina shawls.

6. Day 6: Dachigam National Park
   50 minutes (14 miles) from Srinagar

   Visit the Dachigam National Park in the morning to witness the indigenous Kashmiri Hangul deer, the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Hari Parbat Fort and the Jama Masjid mosque. End the day with some shopping for spices and saffron at the Residency Road market.

7. Day 7: Dal Lake
   15 minutes (3 miles) from Srinagar

   Enjoy a Shikara ride on the Dal Lake in the morning, followed by a visit to the famous floating vegetable market. In the afternoon, visit the beautiful Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh gardens. End the day with a traditional Kashmiri Wazwan feast at Ahdoos restaurant.

Recommendations

Do not miss the opportunity to visit the Martand Sun Temple ruins in Anantnag, the ancient Awantipora temples, and the scenic Lolab Valley. Consider taking a side trip to explore the remote but beautiful Gurez Valley or Drang-Drung Glacier at Kargil. To maximize your fun, try to attend the famous Shikara festival that takes place in September and October each year. My suggestion is to book a houseboat on the Dal Lake to experience the best of Kashmiri culture.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Mughal Gardens (2 hours, INR 50)
• Shikara ride at Dal Lake (2 hours, INR 600)
• Mughal Darbar (1 hour, INR 500)
• Sonamarg day trip (8 hours, INR 3000)
• Shankaracharya Hill and Hazratbal Shrine (4 hours, INR 200)
• Pahalgam day trip (8 hours, INR 3500)
• Gulmarg day trip (8 hours, INR 3000)
• Dachigam National Park and Hari Parbat Fort (4 hours, INR 150)
• Dal Lake Shikara ride and Nishat Bagh or Shalimar Bagh (4 hours, INR 1200)
• Traditional Kashmiri Wazwan feast at Ahdoos (1 hour, INR 800)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 13,150

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