10-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Kashmir

1. Day 1: Srinagar
   6 minutes (2.3 km) from Srinagar International Airport

   Explore the Dal Lake, and take a Shikara ride to see the Floating Market.

2. Day 2: Pahalgam
   2 hours 36 minutes (92.3 km) from Srinagar

   Trek in the Lidder Valley and relax at the Betaab Valley.

3. Day 3: Gulmarg
   2 hours 20 minutes (57.9 km) from Pahalgam

   Drive to the Gulmarg Gondola for a cable car ride and enjoy skiing on the snow-covered mountains.

4. Day 4: Sonamarg
   3 hours 41 minutes (83.1 km) from Gulmarg

   Experience the Thajiwas Glacier and take a pony ride in the beautiful meadows.

5. Day 5: Doodhpathri
   1 hour 26 minutes (41.3 km) from Sonamarg

   Relax and enjoy the scenic view of the valley and have a picnic in the beautiful meadows of Doodhpathri.

6. Day 6: Kokernag
   2 hours 22 minutes (78.2 km) from Doodhpathri

   Take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Botanical Garden, and enjoy a picnic in the beautiful gardens of Kokernag.

7. Day 7: Verinag
   51 minutes (23.3 km) from Kokernag

   Visit the Mughal Gardens and take a stroll in the majestic Verinag Garden.

8. Day 8: Achabal
   30 minutes (13.6 km) from Verinag

   Relax in the beautiful Achabal Garden.

9. Day 9: Martand Sun Temple
   40 minutes (18.7 km) from Achabal

   Visit the ruins of the Martand Sun Temple.

10. Day 10: Srinagar
    1 hour 30 minutes (60.7 km) from Martand Sun Temple

    Visit the beautiful Nishat Bagh Garden and buy some souvenirs from the local Zaina Kadal Market.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dal Lake (2 hours, free)
• Betaab Valley (2 hours, free)
• Gulmarg Gondola (2 hours, ₹750)
• Thajiwas Glacier (2 hours, ₹500)
• Doodhpathri (2 hours, free)
• Kokernag Botanical Garden (2 hours, ₹100)
• Verinag Garden (2 hours, free)
• Achabal Garden (2 hours, free)
• Martand Sun Temple (2 hours, free)
• Nishat Bagh Garden (2 hours, free)
• Zaina Kadal Market (2 hours, ₹1000)
• Total Estimated Costs (10 days): ₹2150

Useful Tips

If you have more time, you can add a visit to the Amarnath Cave or go for a trek to the beautiful Tarsar Lake. If you have less time, you can skip one or two destinations or reduce the time spent at each place.