12-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary: Exploring Kashmir, Shimla, Kullu, and Manali

1. Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar
   From Srinagar Airport to Hotel - 45 minutes (7.4 miles)

   Visit the Dal Lake, enjoy a shikara ride, and explore the Mughal Gardens.

2. Day 2: Srinagar
   From Srinagar hotel to Pari Mahal - 30 minutes (6.4 miles)

   Explore Pari Mahal, and indulge in local cuisine at Mughal Darbar Restaurant.

3. Day 3: Gulmarg
   From Srinagar to Gulmarg - 2 hours 15 minutes (34.7 miles)

   Ski at Gulmarg Ski Resort and take the gondola to Apharwat Peak.

4. Day 4: Shimla
   From Gulmarg to Shimla - 13 hours (432 miles)

   Visit the Shimla Ridge, and explore the town at mall road.

5. Day 5: Shimla
   From Shimla hotel to Kufri - 1 hour (11.2 miles)

   Visit the Kufri Fun World and the Himalayan Nature Park.

6. Day 6: Kullu
   From Shimla to Kullu - 7 hours (174 miles)

   Attend the Kullu Dussehra Festival (October only) and explore the Bijli Mahadev Temple.

7. Day 7: Manali
   From Kullu to Manali - 1 hour 20 minutes (26.7 miles)

   Visit the Hadimba Devi Temple, and trek to the Jogini Waterfall.

8. Day 8: Manali
   Free Day in Manali

   Enjoy adventure activities like paragliding, ziplining, and river rafting at Solang Valley.

9. Day 9: Manali
   From Manali to Rohtang Pass - 2 hours 15 minutes (39.7 miles)

   Travel to Rohtang Pass, and enjoy snow activities and scenic valley views.

10. Day 10: Manali
    From Manali hotel to Naggar Castle - 30 minutes (12.2 miles)

    Visit the Naggar Castle, and explore the Roerich Art Gallery.

11. Day 11: Chandigarh
    From Manali to Chandigarh - 6 hours 10 minutes (205 miles)

    Visit the Rock Garden and the Sukhna Lake.

12. Day 12: Departure from Chandigarh
    From Chandigarh hotel to Chandigarh Airport - 20 minutes (7.4 miles)

    Depart for the airport for your flight back home.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Dal Lake (2 hours, Free)
• Mughal Gardens (1 hour, ₹20)
• Pari Mahal (1 hour, ₹50)
• Mughal Darbar Restaurant (1 hour, ₹600)
• Gulmarg Ski Resort (4 hours, ₹1500)
• Apharwat Peak (1 hour, ₹650)
• Shimla Ridge (1 hour, Free)
• Kufri Fun World (2 hours, ₹350)
• Himalayan Nature Park (2 hours, ₹30)
• Bijli Mahadev Temple (2 hours, Free)
• Hadimba Devi Temple (1 hour, ₹50)
• Jogini Waterfall (2 hours, ₹200)
• Solang Valley (4 hours, ₹2000)
• Rohtang Pass (4 hours, ₹1000)
• Naggar Castle (2 hours, ₹60)
• Roerich Art Gallery (1 hour, ₹30)
• Rock Garden (2 hours, ₹30)
• Sukhna Lake (2 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs: ₹5,550

Useful Tips

If you have more time, add a day at the Amritsar Golden Temple (6 hr 21 min (223 miles) from Chandigarh), or an extra day in Manali to try local food like siddu, patande, or thukpa.

If you have less time, consider skipping Gulmarg and add another day in Shimla or Manali. You can also opt to travel via flight or train to save travel time from Chandigarh to Srinagar or straight to Manali instead of traveling by car.