Most Kashmir holidays are built from four places: Srinagar and its lakes, the snow and meadows of Gulmarg, the river valleys of Pahalgam, and Sonamarg on the road to Ladakh. All of them are within about three hours of Srinagar by road. That is why so many trips keep one hotel in the city and head out on day trips, instead of packing bags every morning.
Which ones you choose depends on the month and on who is travelling. In winter, Gulmarg is the reason people come. From spring to autumn, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are at their best, and the Srinagar gardens are in bloom. With small children or grandparents, fewer hotel changes matter more than one extra valley. Each page below covers what the place is like, the best season, and the drive from Srinagar.
Srinagar
Lakes, gardens & houseboats
The base for most trips. Dal and Nigeen lakes, the Mughal gardens, the old city and houseboats, with Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam as day trips.
Gulmarg
The skiing paradise
A high meadow two hours from Srinagar. The two-phase gondola, snow and sledges from December to March, and wide green meadows in summer.
Pahalgam
A perfect hill station
Pine forest and the Lidder river, about three hours from Srinagar. Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari by local car, and the base for the Amarnath Yatra.
Sonmarg
The golden meadow
At the head of the Sindh valley on the Ladakh road. Thajiwas glacier on foot or by pony, Zero Point by local car, and a river drive from Srinagar.
How to split your nights
- Three or four nights: sleep in Srinagar, and do Gulmarg plus one of Pahalgam or Sonamarg as day trips. The 3 nights 4 days package is built this way.
- Five or six nights: add a night or two in Pahalgam, so the valleys are not rushed. See the 5 nights 6 days package.
- Travelling with small children: keep one Srinagar hotel and shorter days, as in the family package with kids.
- Somewhere quieter: the Gurez Valley trip crosses Razdan Pass to a valley few visitors reach, from June to September.