5-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Gulmarg, Katra, Phalgam, Srinagar

1. Day 1: Gulmarg
   1 hour 21 minutes (39.7 km) from Srinagar

   Begin your journey with an exhilarating Gondola ride to the top of Gulmarg's snow-capped mountains. Enjoy the stunning panoramic views and explore the Kongdori Valley. End the day with a visit to the Gulmarg Golf Course, known for being the highest golf course in the world.

2. Day 2: Katra
   6 hours 43 minutes (266 km) from Gulmarg

   Visit the famous Vaishno Devi Temple and trek up the scenic mountain. Afterwards, explore Katra's local market and indulge in some local cuisine such as rajma chawal and kulcha.

3. Day 3: Phalgam
   3 hours 20 minutes (98.5 km) from Katra

   Discover the gorgeous countryside of Phalgam with a visit to the Betaab Valley, named after the film. Walk along the beautiful Lidder River and take a pony ride to the Kolhoi Glacier. End the day with a visit to the Aru Village and explore the local culture and traditions.

4. Day 4: Srinagar
   1 hour 27 minutes (51.1 km) from Phalgam

   Start your day by witnessing the beauty of the Dal Lake with a shikara ride. Visit the famous Mughal Gardens, which include Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and Chashme Shahi Garden. End your day with a visit to the Jama Masjid, an architectural masterpiece of Kashmiri Muslim style.

5. Day 5: Srinagar
   1 hour (22.3 km) from Dal Lake

   End your trip with a visit to Shankaracharya Hill, an ancient temple atop a hill. Enjoy the gondola ride to the top of Mt. Mahadev to encompass extraordinary scenic panoramas. Lastly, end their day with some souvenir shopping at the Badshah Tomb Bazaar.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Gondola ride (2-3 hours, INR 700-1000)
• Vaishno Devi Temple trek (4-5 hours, free)
• Betaab Valley and Kolhoi Glacier tour (6-7 hours, INR 3000-5000)
• Dal Lake Shikara ride (2-3 hours, INR 400-500)
• Gondola ride (2-3 hours, INR 500-700)
• Local Cuisine (1 hour, INR 100-500)
• Souvenir Shopping (1-2 hours, INR 500-1000)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 10,000-15,000

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, visit the Sinthan Top for some scenic beauty or plan a day trip to Sonmarg. Those with less time may consider skipping Phalgam and Kashmir's historic temples for a shorter, more relaxed trip.