6-Day Itinerary for Srinagar in July 2023

1. Day 1: Shalimar Bagh
   30 minutes (10.5 km) from Srinagar International Airport

   Start your day at the stunning Shalimar Bagh. This Mughal garden is known for its beautiful fountains, terraces, and pavilions surrounded by manicured lawns. In the morning, enjoy the serene atmosphere and take a walk around the garden. In the afternoon, sit by the Dal Lake and enjoy a shikara ride. In the evening, visit the nearby Pari Mahal for a picturesque sunset.

2. Day 2: Nishat Bagh
   25 minutes (8.7 km) from Shalimar Bagh

   Explore another Mughal garden, Nishat Bagh, in the morning. Admire the beautiful flowers and the stunning views of the Dal Lake from the garden. In the afternoon, head to the Hazratbal Shrine, which houses a holy relic of Prophet Mohammad. End your day with a visit to the Chashme Shahi garden, which is known for its medicinal spring.

3. Day 3: Shankaracharya Temple
   20 minutes (7.5 km) from Nishat Bagh

   Start your day with a visit to the Shankaracharya Temple, which is perched on top of a hill and offers panoramic views of the city. In the afternoon, head to the Mughal Gardens of the Naseem Bagh and visit the Botanical Garden. In the evening, take a walk on the Boulevard Road, which runs along the Dal Lake, and enjoy the street food.

4. Day 4: Dal Lake
   20 minutes (7.2 km) from Shankaracharya Temple

   Take a day to explore the beautiful Dal Lake. Start your day with a shikara ride and explore the floating markets, floating gardens, and the beautiful houseboats. In the afternoon, visit the Char Chinar, a group of four majestic chinars located in the middle of the lake. End your day with a visit to the floating restaurants and enjoy the traditional Kashmiri cuisine.

5. Day 5: Yusmarg
   2 hours (47.1 km) from Dal Lake

   Take a day trip to Yusmarg, a beautiful meadow surrounded by forests and mountains. In the morning, trek to the Nilnag Lake, which is located at the top of the mountain. In the afternoon, enjoy a picnic in the meadow and take a horse ride to explore the surroundings. End your day with a visit to the Doodhpathri meadow, which is known for its milk-like water.

6. Day 6: Pahalgam
   2 hours 45 minutes (92 km) from Yusmarg

   Take another day trip to Pahalgam, a beautiful valley located at the confluence of the Lidder and Sheshnag rivers. In the morning, visit the Betaab Valley, which is named after the Bollywood movie "Betaab" that was shot here. In the afternoon, visit the Aru Valley and take a pony ride to explore the surroundings. End your day with a visit to the Chandanwari, which is the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra.

Recommendations

Don't miss out on trying the traditional Kashmiri cuisine, especially the Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, and Wazwan. Another must-visit attraction is the Tulip Garden, which is open only in the spring. You can also take a day trip to Sonamarg, which is known as the "Meadow of Gold."

Time and Costs Estimates

• Shalimar Bagh (2 hours, INR 50)
• Nishat Bagh (2 hours, INR 50)
• Hazratbal Shrine (1 hour, Free)
• Chashme Shahi (1 hour, INR 20)
• Shankaracharya Temple (2 hours, Free)
• Mughal Gardens of the Naseem Bagh and Botanical Garden (2 hours, INR 20)
• Dal Lake (6 hours, INR 1000 for shikara ride)
• Yusmarg (8 hours, INR 5000 for taxi)
• Pahalgam (10 hours, INR 7000 for taxi)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 9120

Don't forget to book your hotel and flight early to get the best deals.