4-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Kashmir in August 2023

1. Day 1: Dal Lake
   30 minutes (15.4 km) from Srinagar International Airport

   Begin your day with a relaxing shikara ride on the iconic Dal Lake. In the morning, you can witness the floating vegetable market, where locals sell their fresh produce right off their boats. Afternoon is the perfect time to explore the beautiful Mughal Gardens near the lake. In the evening, head to the Char Chinar island, where you can enjoy the sunset, sip kahwa, and admire the stunning view of the Zabarwan mountain range.

2. Day 2: Pahalgam
   2 hours 20 minutes (92.7 km) from Dal Lake

   Experience the natural beauty of Kashmir with a trip to Pahalgam. In the morning, visit the Betaab Valley, where the famous Bollywood movie Betaab was shot. Enjoy a horse ride amidst the lush green surroundings. In the afternoon, visit the Aru Valley, where you can take a leisurely stroll and enjoy a picnic surrounded by snow-capped mountains. In the evening, visit the Chandanwari temple, and if you're feeling adventurous, take a pony ride to the snow-covered Sonmarg glaciers.

3. Day 3: Gulmarg
   2 hours 10 minutes (56.8 km) from Pahalgam

   Explore the "Meadow of Flowers" with a trip to Gulmarg. In the morning, visit the Gulmarg Gondola, which offers stunning views of the valley. Take a pony ride, and enjoy a picnic amidst the scenic surroundings. In the afternoon, visit the Alpather Lake, one of the highest lakes in Kashmir, and enjoy a serene boat ride. In the evening, visit the Baba Reshi shrine, a sacred place for Sufi Muslims, and offer your prayers.

4. Day 4: Srinagar
   1 hour 45 minutes (51.7 km) from Gulmarg

   Discover the city of Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. In the morning, visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in the city. Take a walking tour of the old city and visit the bustling markets, selling everything from spices to handicrafts. In the afternoon, visit the Shankaracharya temple, located atop a hill with a panoramic view of the city. In the evening, head to the floating gardens of Nigeen Lake, where you can enjoy a romantic shikara ride and witness the beautiful sunset.

Recommendations

Other local attractions you may consider visiting are the Hazratbal Shrine, the Pari Mahal, and the Dachigam National Park. You can also take a day trip to Sonmarg, where you can go trekking and enjoy the scenic surroundings. To maximize your fun, try Kashmiri Wazwan, a traditional multi-course meal, and shop for authentic Kashmiri handicrafts.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dal Lake shikara ride (2 hours, INR 500)
• Mughal Gardens (2 hours, INR 50)
• Char Chinar Island (1 hour, INR 100)
• Betaab Valley (3 hours, INR 1000)
• Aru Valley (2 hours, INR 500)
• Chandanwari temple (2 hours, INR 200)
• Gulmarg Gondola (3 hours, INR 1500)
• Alpather Lake (2 hours, INR 1000)
• Baba Reshi shrine (1 hour, free)
• Jama Masjid (1 hour, free)
• Old city walking tour (2 hours, free)
• Shankaracharya temple (2 hours, free)
• Nigeen Lake shikara ride (2 hours, INR 400)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 5750

For checking hotel and flight prices, please visit https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo