Kashmir, surrounded by the Himalayas and the Pir Panjal range, offers snow-covered mountains, alpine meadows, lakes, rivers, gardens, and some of the most famous hill destinations in India. Whether you are sipping kahwah beside Dal Lake or looking out at the mountains in Gulmarg, there is plenty to experience across the valley. A week gives you enough time to explore some of Kashmir’s biggest highlights without limiting your trip to Srinagar. This seven-day Kashmir itinerary covers Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam, with time for sightseeing, scenic drives, local experiences, and a few slower moments along the way.
Day 1: Reach The Summer Capital Of Jammu And Kashmir, Srinagar
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is a good place to begin your trip. The city is known for Dal Lake, Nigeen Lake, Mughal gardens, historic sites, houseboats, and colorful shikaras. Srinagar International Airport also makes it the most convenient starting point for travelers arriving by air.
Once you arrive, keep your first day relatively relaxed. Head to Dal Lake and take a shikara ride across the water while enjoying views of the surrounding mountains. From there, you can begin to take in Srinagar’s most recognizable landmarks, including Mughal-era gardens, parks, hotels, and houseboats around the shoreline. You can spend your first night on a houseboat on Dal Lake, then use the following day for more extensive Srinagar sightseeing.
Day 2: Explore The Lakes And Gardens Of Srinagar
Start your second day early with a shikara ride on Dal Lake before setting out to explore Srinagar. From there, visit several beautiful Mughal-era gardens, including Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashma Shahi. Nishat Bagh sits along Dal Lake with the Zabarwan Mountains behind it, while Emperor Jahangir built Shalimar Bagh for Nur Jahan in the early 17th century.
Pari Mahal is another place worth adding to the day. Located on the Zabarwan range overlooking Srinagar and Dal Lake, the seven-terraced garden was built by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh in the 17th century. It is also only a short drive from Chashma Shahi, so the two can be easily combined.
If you’re traveling during spring, you can also visit the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. The garden sits at the foothills of the Zabarwan range overlooking Dal Lake, but its tulip display is seasonal. The annual tulip festival arrives with spring, so check whether the garden is open before including it in your plans. For a mix of history and religion, visit the Shankaracharya Temple and Hari Parbat. From there, head to Nigeen Lake, another major lake in Srinagar, before spending the night in the city.
Day 3: Visit The Ski Destination Of Kashmir, Gulmarg
On the third morning, leave Srinagar for Gulmarg. The hill destination is approximately 54-60 km from Srinagar, according to the Baramulla district administration, and the journey takes about an hour and a half under favorable road and traffic conditions. Gulmarg, whose name translates to “Meadow of Flowers,” becomes one of Kashmir’s most popular snow and skiing destinations in winter.
One of the biggest attractions here is the Gulmarg Gondola. The first phase takes visitors to Kongdori, while the second continues higher towards Apharwat. The upper reaches of Gulmarg are particularly popular during the winter, when snow transforms the area into a major skiing destination.
There is plenty to do even if you’re not visiting during ski season. Depending on the weather and local conditions, you can explore the meadows, go horse riding, or spend time around the main Gulmarg area. From there, Khilanmarg, Alpather Lake, and the Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve are among the other attractions associated with the region. However, high-altitude excursions should only be attempted when weather and access conditions permit. Instead of returning to Srinagar, spend the night in Gulmarg. This gives you more time to enjoy the mountain scenery and sets up the drive to Sonamarg the next morning.
Day 4: Marvel At The Meadow Of Gold, Sonamarg
Leave Gulmarg in the morning and make your way towards Sonamarg. The journey takes you back across the Kashmir Valley, so keep most of the day free for the drive and sightseeing rather than trying to squeeze too many stops into your schedule.
Sonamarg, meaning “Meadow of Gold,” is surrounded by snowy mountains, with the Sindh River flowing through the landscape. One of its major attractions in summer is Thajiwas Glacier. Ponies can be hired for trips towards the glacier, while travelers who prefer walking can explore the surrounding landscape on foot.
Don’t confuse the high-altitude lakes around Sonmarg with regular sightseeing attractions. Gadsar, Vishansar, Krishansar, Gangabal, and Satsar are connected to trekking routes from the region and require considerably more time and preparation. They are better saved for a dedicated trekking itinerary rather than added to a one-day Sonamarg visit.
Spend the rest of the day enjoying Sonamarg’s meadows, mountain views, and riverside scenery before checking into your accommodation for the night. From there, access to Sonmarg can also vary with the season and weather, particularly during periods of heavy snowfall, so check current road conditions before planning a winter visit.
Visiting Pahalgam? Jammu and Kashmir has introduced a QR code system aimed at improving tourist safety.
Day 5: Head To The Valley Of Shepherds, Pahalgam
Begin early because the journey from Sonmarg to Pahalgam takes you across a substantial part of the Kashmir Valley. On the way, you will pass through areas around Pampore, which is famous for saffron cultivation. The Pulwama district administration identifies Pampore as one of the district’s major saffron-growing areas.
If you are visiting during the saffron flowering season, the fields around Pampore can be particularly interesting to see. Outside the flowering period, however, don’t expect the same purple-covered landscapes commonly seen in photographs.
Continue towards Pahalgam, one of Kashmir’s best-known mountain destinations. From there, in Anantnag district among forest-covered hills, Pahalgam is known for its pleasant climate, the Lidder River and surrounding valleys.
Once you reach Pahalgam, keep the rest of the day relatively easy after the long drive. Visit Betaab Valley, which takes its present name from the Bollywood film Betaab and is surrounded by meadows, mountains, and the Lidder River. If time permits, you can also explore Pahalgam town and spend some time beside the river.
Spend the night in Pahalgam so you have the following morning to explore more of the surrounding valleys, then return to Srinagar later in the day.
Planning a trip to Kashmir? Compare train, flight and road options to find the cheapest and easiest way to get there.
Day 6: Explore Around Pahalgam And Return To Srinagar
Use the first half of Day 6 to explore some of the attractions surrounding Pahalgam. Chandanwari is one option and is best known as the starting point of the traditional Amarnath Yatra route. During the early summer months, the area is also known for its snow bridges.
Another option is Aru Valley, a picturesque village and meadow near Pahalgam. Aru also serves as a base for several trekking routes, including the route towards Kolahoi Glacier. While Aru itself fits comfortably into a Pahalgam sightseeing itinerary, Kolahoi Glacier does not. Reaching the glacier requires a proper trek and should be planned separately rather than treated as a quick sightseeing stop.
Baisaran is another popular option around Pahalgam if you want to spend more time among the meadows. Rather than trying to visit every attraction in a single morning, choose one or two depending on the weather, road conditions, and how much time you want to spend outdoors.
After sightseeing, begin your journey back to Srinagar. From there, Pahalgam is well connected to Srinagar by road, and Srinagar International Airport is approximately 96 km away, according to the Anantnag district administration.
Reach Srinagar by evening, check into a hotel or houseboat, and spend the rest of the night relaxing. The next day, you can spend your final day shopping or on a last visit to Dal Lake. For dinner, you can try Kashmiri dishes such as rogan josh, local breads, and phirni, or explore the city’s wider selection of Kashmiri cuisine.
Day 7: Relax And Shop In Srinagar
Keep your final day relatively flexible, particularly if you have a flight later in the day. From there, you can use the morning to return to any Srinagar attractions you missed earlier or head out to shop for souvenirs.
Lal Chowk and Polo View are among the city’s popular shopping areas, while the older parts of Srinagar offer a different experience with traditional markets and historic neighborhoods. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can shop for Kashmiri handicrafts, carpets, spices, tea, walnut wood products, copperware, and other souvenirs.
Exploring Kashmir this September? Discover 10 beautiful places beyond Srinagar and Gulmarg.
Summing Up
Seven days in Kashmir gives you enough time to experience the lakes and Mughal gardens of Srinagar, the mountain landscapes of Gulmarg, the meadows of Sonmarg, and the valleys around Pahalgam without turning every day into a rush between destinations. From there, the route also gives you a mix of city sightseeing, scenic drives, local experiences, and time in the mountains.
However, exactly what you can do will depend on when you visit. From there, spring brings blooming gardens to Srinagar; summer is well suited to sightseeing and trekking; autumn transforms the valley with changing foliage; and winter brings snow and winter sports. Srinagar’s official tourism information itself recommends different experiences for each season.
High-altitude excursions, trekking routes, skiing, the Tulip Garden, and access to destinations such as Sonmarg can all be seasonal or weather-dependent. Before setting out, check the latest weather forecasts, road conditions, attraction openings, and local advisories. With a little flexibility built into the itinerary, a week is enough to experience some of the best-known parts of the Kashmir Valley without trying to fit an unrealistic number of places into each day.
