Cradled by the Himalayas, Kashmir has enticed poets, emperors, and travelers for millennia. The Mughals called it paradise; today, you’ll find the spell in willow-framed lakes, terraced gardens, and pine-scented meadows. This 6-day itinerary pairs Srinagar’s houseboats and history with Gulmarg’s world-class gondola, plus an invigorating day trip to Pahalgam.

Kashmir’s story is layered—Buddhist hermitages, medieval Sultanates, Mughal patronage, and a vibrant Sufi tradition. You’ll wander through 17th-century gardens, glide in a shikara at sunset, and sip saffron-laced kahwa after a day in the mountains. Along the way, taste wazwan: a ceremonial feast whose slow-cooked gravies, tender lamb, and fragrant rice reflect centuries of culinary craft.

Practical notes: Spring (Mar–May) blooms with tulips; summer (Jun–Sep) is for meadows and trout streams; autumn (Oct–Nov) glows beneath chinar trees; winter (Dec–Mar) brings powder to Gulmarg. Check current advisories, carry some cash for small vendors, and consider a postpaid or eSIM from major carriers for better coverage. Roads are scenic but winding—start early for day trips.

Srinagar

Set around the mirror-still Dal and Nigeen lakes, Srinagar is Kashmir’s cultural heart—houseboats with hand-carved cedar, Mughal gardens stepping down to the water, and old-city lanes humming with copperware, papier-mâché, and spice merchants. It’s a city to savor slowly: by shikara, on foot, and with a bowl of noon chai at a sunlit window.

• Top sights: Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal Shrine, Old City (Zaina Kadal), Tulip Garden (seasonal).
• Essential experiences: Sunset shikara on Dal Lake; morning strolls along Boulevard Road; browsing carpets and papier-mâché ateliers; a wazwan dinner (rogan josh, gushtaba, yakhni).
• Where to eat and drink: Ahdoos (since 1918; classic wazwan and bakery), Mughal Darbar (robust gravies, kebabs), Stream Restaurant (Dal-side multi-cuisine with trout), Lhasa (Tibetan momos, thukpa), 14th Avenue Coffee & Grill (espresso, waffles, pizzas).
• Fun fact: The houseboat tradition flourished in the 19th century when non-residents were restricted from owning land—so they floated their homes on Dal.

Stay: Lakeside hotels or heritage houseboats put you steps from shikara piers. Browse options on VRBO Srinagar and Hotels.com Srinagar. For a hilltop splurge with sweeping Dal Lake views, consider Vivanta Dal View, Srinagar.

Getting there: Fly into Srinagar (SXR). Typical nonstop flight times: Delhi 1.5 hours (~$45–120), Mumbai ~2.5 hours (~$80–200), Bengaluru ~3–3.5 hours (~$100–220). Compare fares and times on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Airport to Dal Lake is ~40 minutes by taxi (INR 800–1,200).

Gulmarg

Gulmarg (“meadow of flowers”) is a high-altitude playground framed by deodars and the Pir Panjal. In summer, emerald pastures ripple with wildflowers; in winter, skiers and snowboarders chase powder off the gondola—one of the highest in the world.

• Top sights and activities: Gulmarg Gondola to Kongdoori (Phase I) and Apharwat (Phase II), pony rides to Khilanmarg, snowshoeing, winter skiing, and gentle meadow walks to St. Mary’s Church.
• Where to eat and drink: Cloves at The Khyber (refined Kashmiri and North Indian plates), The Highland Park Dining Room & Bar (old-school alpine vibes, hearty grills and curries), cafés near the gondola base for quick kahwa and snacks.
• Fun fact: The first ski club here dates to the 1930s; today, Gulmarg is a bucket-list destination for backcountry enthusiasts.

Stay: Cozy up in alpine resorts with pine views. Search VRBO Gulmarg and Hotels.com Gulmarg, or book the destination icon The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa (spa, crackling fireplaces, gondola access).

Getting there from Srinagar: 1.5–2 hours by road (50 km). Private taxis typically cost INR 3,000–4,500 each way depending on season. In winter, rent proper snow boots on arrival; gondola tickets are best purchased in advance and are weather-dependent.

Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar, Dal Lake Houseboat Vibes

Morning: Fly into Srinagar (SXR). If coming from Delhi or Mumbai, aim for a midday landing—compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Transfer ~40 minutes to your hotel or houseboat; check in and unwind with kahwa tea.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs along Boulevard Road, where chinar trees frame Dal Lake and the Zabarwan foothills. Duck into 14th Avenue Coffee & Grill for strong espresso and a warm walnut brownie, or try a chicken tikka sandwich if you need fuel.

Evening: Take a golden-hour shikara ride—your boatman will glide you past lotus gardens and floating shops. Dinner at Ahdoos: start with nadru (lotus stem) fries, then rogan josh and haak saag with saffron pulao; finish with phirni. Early night to acclimate.

Day 2: Srinagar’s Mughal Gardens, Hilltop Views, and Old-City Flavors

Morning: After a bakery stop for sheermal and bakarkhani, visit Shankaracharya Temple for a panoramic sweep of Dal and the snow lines. Descend to Chashme Shahi and Nishat Bagh; note how Persian symmetry meets Himalayan topography in terraced lawns and chinar avenues.

Afternoon: Continue to Shalimar Bagh, the “abode of love” built by Jahangir for Nur Jahan. For lunch, Lhasa on Boulevard serves steaming thukpa and momos—gentle, comforting flavors on a cool day. Then explore Pari Mahal, a former Sufi school with masterful views.

Evening: Stroll the Bund and Residency Road markets for crafts: papier-mâché bowls, walnut-wood carving, Pashmina (buy from reputable, certified sellers). Dinner at Stream Restaurant—order grilled trout with lemon butter or a classic mutton yakhni; grab a table by the water channel.

Optional guided tour: For a seamless city overview, book Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour for hotel pickup, Mughal Gardens, crafts stops, and Dal-side highlights.

Day 3: Day Trip to Pahalgam—Saffron Fields, Valleys, and the Lidder River

Morning: Depart Srinagar by 7:30 a.m. for Pahalgam (95 km; ~2.5 hours). Pause at Pampore’s saffron fields (prime bloom Oct–Nov) and the 9th-century Awantipora temple ruins. Roll into Pahalgam and follow the Lidder River to Betaab Valley for meadow walks and photo stops.

Afternoon: Lunch at Café Log Inn (wood-fired pizzas, hot chocolate) or at Heevan’s Abshar Restaurant for fresh river trout. If you’re up for it, ride ponies or drive to Aru Valley for short hikes among pine and pasture.

Evening: Return to Srinagar by dusk. Warm up with kahwa on your houseboat deck, then dine at Mughal Darbar—try gushtaba (yogurt-gravy meatballs) and tabakh maaz (crisp-fried ribs) with naan.

Prefer a guided excursion? Consider Picturesque Pahalgam: A Memorable Day Trip from Srinagar with transport, scenic stops, and local tips.

Day 4: Srinagar—Hazratbal, Craft Workshops, and Sunset Markets

Morning: Early risers can catch the floating vegetable market on Dal (ask your boatman for the best timing, usually around sunrise). After breakfast, visit Hazratbal Shrine, whose white marble glows against the lake. Swing by Nigeen’s quieter ghats for reflective photos.

Afternoon: Dive into Srinagar’s craft heritage. Visit a papier-mâché atelier to see hand-painting in gold and cobalt, then browse a reputable carpet showroom to learn how silk-on-silk designs are knotted. Vegetarian lunch at Krishna Vaishno Dhaba (paneer kanti, rajma-chawal, crispy parathas).

Evening: Time your walk on Boulevard Road for sunset. Pick up dry fruits (walnuts, almonds) and saffron to take home. Casual dinner at 14th Avenue (burgers, wraps, good coffee), or a wazwan tasting menu at your hotel.

Day 5: To Gulmarg—Gondola Heights and Alpine Comfort

Morning: Depart Srinagar for Gulmarg (~1.5–2 hours). Check in—The Khyber offers the classic alpine stay with fireplace lounges and a spa. Head straight for the Gulmarg Gondola: ride to Phase I (Kongdoori, ~3,050 m) for sweeping meadows; continue to Phase II (Apharwat, ~3,980 m) for high alpine views. Expect variable weather; bring warm layers even in summer.

Afternoon: Lunch at Cloves (try trout tawa fry or a warming yakhni). In snow season, rent skis/snowboards and book an instructor near the base; in summer, opt for an easy walk to St. Mary’s Church or a pony ride to Khilanmarg for wildflowers.

Evening: Unwind in the spa or by the fire with kahwa and traditional kulcha bread. Dinner at The Highland Park’s Dining Room & Bar—comforting grills, kormas, and a vintage mountain-lodge atmosphere.

Note for day-trippers: If you’d rather keep Srinagar as your base, a guided option is Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar that covers transport and gondola logistics.

Day 6: Meadow Mornings, Back to Srinagar, and Departure

Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast with mountain views, then a short forest walk beneath deodar and fir. If skies are clear, snap final gondola-side photos.

Afternoon: Drive back to Srinagar Airport (plan 2.5–3 hours including buffer). Search last-minute flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you’ve got time, grab a quick plate of kebabs or a box of bakarkhani for the road.

Evening: Fly onward, carrying the scent of cedar, the taste of saffron, and a camera roll full of Himalayan light.

Practical Dining Shortlist (by area)

• Dal/Boulevard (Srinagar): Stream Restaurant (trout, lakeside seating), Lhasa (Tibetan staples), Shamyana (North Indian classics, late hours), 14th Avenue (coffee and café bites).
• Residency Road/Old City: Ahdoos (heritage wazwan, excellent bakery), Krishna Vaishno Dhaba (fast, hearty vegetarian plates).
• Pahalgam (day trip): Café Log Inn (cozy, wood-fired pizzas), Abshar Restaurant at Heevan (river trout, Kashmiri mains), Dana Pani (simple, reliable vegetarian thalis).
• Gulmarg: Cloves at The Khyber (refined Kashmiri/North Indian), The Highland Park Dining Room & Bar (mountain-lodge comfort food), base-area cafés for kahwa and snacks.

Need a driver and guide for the whole week?

If you prefer an all-in-one arrangement that mirrors much of this route with private transport and guiding, check 6 Days and 5 Nights Private Tour of Kashmir for bundled logistics, sightseeing, and local insight.

Where to book what: Flights on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; Srinagar stays on VRBO and Hotels.com, plus Vivanta Dal View; Gulmarg stays on VRBO and Hotels.com, or direct at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa. For the Srinagar city day and valley excursions, see the linked Viator options above.

In six days, this Kashmir itinerary braids still-water calm with mountain vigor—shikara ripples, chinar shade, saffron fields, and the exhilaration of gondola summits. You’ll leave with stories stitched from gardens and glaciers, markets and meadows—and good reasons to return in another season.