7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Srinagar in July 2023

1. Day 1: Dal Lake
   10 minutes (3.1 km) from Srinagar International Airport

   Take a morning Shikara ride to explore the floating markets and gardens on Dal Lake. Visit the famous Char Chinar and Nehru Park in the afternoon. Enjoy a Shikara ride at sunset with views of the Himalayas.

2. Day 2: Shalimar Bagh
   30 minutes (10 km) from Dal Lake

   Explore the beautiful Mughal garden of Shalimar Bagh in the morning. Visit the Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi gardens in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Kashmiri dinner at Ahdoos Restaurant in the evening.

3. Day 3: Shankaracharya Temple
   20 minutes (7 km) from Shalimar Bagh

   Take a morning hike to the Shankaracharya Temple for breathtaking views of Srinagar. In the afternoon, visit the Pari Mahal and explore the old city of Srinagar, including the Jamia Masjid and Hari Parbat Fort.

4. Day 4: Yusmarg
   2 hours (47 km) from Shankaracharya Temple

   Spend the day in the scenic hill station of Yusmarg. Enjoy horseback riding, trekking, and picnicking in the beautiful meadows. Visit the Nilnag Lake and enjoy a traditional Kashmiri lunch at the Yusmarg Restaurant.

5. Day 5: Gulmarg
   2 hours 20 minutes (56 km) from Yusmarg

   Take a day trip to the famous ski resort of Gulmarg. Take the gondola ride to Kongdoori Mountain and enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas. Enjoy horseback riding, golfing, and skiing in the summer. Visit the Alpather Lake and enjoy a Kashmiri tea at the Highland Park Restaurant.

6. Day 6: Sonamarg
   2 hours 30 minutes (80 km) from Gulmarg

   Spend the day in the scenic town of Sonamarg, also known as the 'Meadow of Gold.' Take a pony ride to the Thajiwas Glacier and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Visit the Zojila Pass and enjoy a traditional Kashmiri lunch at the Glacier View Restaurant.

7. Day 7: Pahalgam
   3 hours 30 minutes (93 km) from Sonamarg

   Take a day trip to the picturesque town of Pahalgam, also known as the 'Valley of Shepherds.' Visit the Betaab Valley and enjoy a picnic by the Lidder River. Take the Aru Valley trek and enjoy the scenic views of the meadows and forests. Visit the Mamal Temple and enjoy a Kashmiri dinner at the Dana Pani Restaurant.

Recommendations

Consider taking a day trip to the Wular Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India. Also, experience the traditional Kashmiri culture by attending a live music and dance performance at the Tagore Hall. For a side trip, visit the beautiful Mughal gardens of Naseem Bagh and Achabal. To maximize your fun, try the watersports at the Manasbal Lake and the adventure activities at the Lidderwat Valley.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Dal Lake Shikara Ride (2 hours, INR 500)
• Shalimar Bagh Entrance Fee (1 hour, INR 50)
• Shankaracharya Temple Hike (2 hours, Free)
• Yusmarg Horseback Riding (2 hours, INR 500)
• Gulmarg Gondola Ride (2 hours, INR 1500)
• Sonamarg Pony Ride (2 hours, INR 800)
• Pahalgam Aru Valley Trek (3 hours, Free)
• Total Estimated Costs (per person): INR 3350