Family-Friendly 5-Day Itinerary for Kashmir in July 2023

1. Day 1: Dal Lake
   15 minutes (2.1 miles) from Srinagar International Airport

   Start your Kashmir trip with a serene shikara ride on the stunning Dal Lake. In the morning, visit the Floating Vegetable Market and later explore the Shalimar Bagh. After a delicious Kashmiri lunch, head to the Nishat Bagh, where you can admire the beautiful Mughal architecture and the breathtaking views of the Zabarwan Mountains. In the evening, enjoy a relaxing sunset shikara ride on the lake.

2. Day 2: Gulmarg
   2 hours 40 minutes (33.5 miles) from Dal Lake

   Enjoy a day trip to Gulmarg, a winter wonderland and a summer retreat, known for its meadows of flowers and skiing in winters. Take a Gondola ride and enjoy the panoramic view of the entire valley from the top. You can also opt for horse riding, trekking or golfing. After lunch, visit the Alpather Lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Return to Dal Lake in the evening.

3. Day 3: Pahalgam
   3 hours 20 minutes (89.3 miles) from Dal Lake

   Drive to Pahalgam, located on the banks of Lidder River. In the morning, visit the Betaab Valley, which was named after the Bollywood movie Betaab, and admire its lush green meadows and crystal-clear streams. After lunch, visit the Aru Valley, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and is known for its trekking trails. In the evening, take a walk in the scenic Baisaran meadow.

4. Day 4: Sonamarg
   3 hours 10 minutes (78.6 miles) from Dal Lake

   Drive to the beautiful hill station of Sonamarg, which is also known as the "Meadow of Gold". In the morning, visit the Thajiwas Glacier, where you can enjoy a pony ride and snow sledging. After lunch, visit the Zojila Pass and admire the stunning views of the Himalayan range. In the evening, return to Dal Lake.

5. Day 5: Shankaracharya Hill
   25 minutes (3.7 miles) from Dal Lake

   Visit the Shankaracharya Hill, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located at an altitude of 1100 feet. In the morning, climb the steps to the hilltop and visit the Shankaracharya Temple, which offers a panoramic view of the entire valley. After lunch, explore the Old City and visit the Jama Masjid, Hazratbal Shrine and the Hari Parbat Fort. In the evening, return to your hotel and relax.

Recommendations

Don't miss the opportunity to try the local cuisine, especially the famous Kashmiri Wazwan, which is a multi-course meal. You can also visit the Dachigam National Park, which is home to the endangered Hangul deer and the Himalayan Black Bear. A day trip to the beautiful Lolab Valley is also recommended.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dal Lake Shikara Ride (2 hours, INR 1000)
• Gulmarg Gondola Ride (2 hours, INR 1500)
• Betaab Valley Visit (2 hours, INR 500)
• Thajiwas Glacier Pony Ride & Sledging (2 hours, INR 1000)
• Shankaracharya Temple Visit (2 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 4500

Check https://booking.tp.st/VhZsadPo for hotel and flight prices.