Check into your hotel and begin your day at Dal Lake. Take a shikara ride to enjoy the beauty of the lake and explore the floating markets. In the afternoon, visit the Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh, and Shalimar Bagh. End your day with a visit to Hazratbal Shrine and enjoy the evening aarti.
Day 2: Gulmarg
2 hours (52 km) from Srinagar
Head to Gulmarg in the morning and enjoy the scenic drive. Once there, take the Gondola ride to Apharwat Peak and enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas. In the afternoon, explore the town and visit the Gulmarg Golf Course, the highest green golf course in the world. End your day with a visit to the Maharani Temple.
Day 3: Pahalgam
2 hours 30 minutes (95 km) from Gulmarg
Head to Pahalgam in the morning and enjoy the scenic drive through the Lidder Valley. Once there, visit the Betaab Valley, named after the Bollywood movie Betaab which was shot here, and enjoy the view of the snow-capped mountains. In the afternoon, take a pony ride to Chandanwari and visit the Amarnath Cave. End your day with a visit to the Pahalgam Golf Course.
Day 4: Sonamarg
3 hours 30 minutes (125 km) from Pahalgam
Head to Sonamarg in the morning and enjoy the scenic drive through the Sindh Valley. Once there, visit the Thajiwas Glacier and enjoy the snow. In the afternoon, take a pony ride to Krishnasar Lake and enjoy the scenic beauty. End your day with a visit to the Baltal Valley.
Recommendations
If you have time, you can visit the Dachigam National Park, which is home to the endangered Hangul deer. You can also take a day trip to the Kheer Bhawani Temple, which is considered one of the most sacred shrines by the Kashmiri Pandits. Another must-visit place is the Shankaracharya Temple, which is located on top of a hill and offers a panoramic view of the city. To make the most of your trip, try the local cuisines like Rogan Josh, Gushtaba, and Kahwa. Don't forget to buy some Kashmiri handicrafts like Pashmina shawls, carpets, and papier-mâché products. You can also take a side trip to Leh and Ladakh if you have more time.