5-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Kashmir

1. Day 1: Dal Lake
   20 minutes (5 miles) from Srinagar International Airport

   Start your Kashmir trip by exploring the beautiful Dal Lake. In the morning, take a shikara boat ride around the lake and marvel at the floating markets. For lunch, try some authentic Kashmiri cuisine at one of the lakeside restaurants. In the afternoon, visit the Mughal Gardens, a group of beautiful gardens built by the Mughal Empire. End the day with a visit to the Hazratbal Shrine, a famous Muslim shrine located on the western shores of the lake.

2. Day 2: Pahalgam
   2 hours 30 minutes (92 miles) from Dal Lake

   Take a day trip to Pahalgam, a scenic town surrounded by the Himalayas. In the morning, visit the Betaab Valley and admire its breathtaking views. For lunch, try some local street food at the Pahalgam market. In the afternoon, trek to the beautiful Kolahoi Glacier. End the day with a visit to the ancient Mamleshwar Temple, a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

3. Day 3: Gulmarg
   2 hours 20 minutes (34 miles) from Pahalgam

   Visit Gulmarg, a popular skiing destination in the Himalayas. In the morning, take a gondola ride to the top of the mountain and enjoy the panoramic views. For lunch, try some delicious Kashmiri biryani at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon, try skiing or snowboarding at the Gulmarg Ski Resort. End the day with a visit to the Alpather Lake, a serene lake located at the foothills of the Apharwat Peak.

4. Day 4: Sonamarg
   2 hours 10 minutes (65 miles) from Gulmarg

   Head to Sonamarg, a picturesque town located in the Sindh Valley. In the morning, trek to the Thajiwas Glacier and admire the stunning views. For lunch, try some local delicacies at one of the dhabas. In the afternoon, visit the Zojila Pass, a famous mountain pass connecting Srinagar and Leh. End the day with a visit to the Baltal Valley, a scenic valley located at the foothills of the Zojila Pass.

5. Day 5: Wular Lake
   2 hours 50 minutes (74 miles) from Sonamarg

   Explore Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India. In the morning, take a boat ride around the lake and spot some migratory birds. For lunch, try some fresh fish at one of the local restaurants. In the afternoon, visit the Kheer Bhawani Temple, a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Ragnya Devi. End the day with a visit to the Manasbal Lake, a serene lake surrounded by lush greenery.

Recommendations

Don't miss out on visiting the Shankaracharya Hill, a famous hill located in Srinagar with a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can also take a day trip to the beautiful town of Leh, located in the Himalayas. To maximize your fun, try some adventure sports like paragliding or river rafting.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dal Lake boat ride (2 hours, INR 500)
• Mughal Gardens (1 hour, INR 200)
• Hazratbal Shrine (1 hour, free entry)
• Betaab Valley (2 hours, INR 50)
• Kolahoi Glacier trek (4 hours, INR 800)
• Mamleshwar Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Gulmarg gondola ride (2 hours, INR 750)
• Gulmarg Ski Resort (3 hours, INR 2000)
• Alpather Lake (2 hours, INR 100)
• Thajiwas Glacier trek (3 hours, INR 500)
• Zojila Pass (1 hour, free entry)
• Baltal Valley (2 hours, free entry)
• Wular Lake boat ride (2 hours, INR 500)
• Kheer Bhawani Temple (1 hour, free entry)
• Manasbal Lake (1 hour, INR 50)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 5450