Jammu & Kashmir has drawn pilgrims, poets, and mountaineers for centuries. Ancient trade routes threaded these valleys long before the Mughal emperors landscaped their terraced gardens around Srinagar’s lakes. Today, you can trace that layered history from the temples and bazaars of Jammu to willow-lined shores of Dal Lake.

Expect contrasts each day: a dawn aarti, a sunset shikara glide, snow-dusted peaks above saffron fields, the spice-warmth of rogan josh beside the cool serenity of a chinar grove. In winter, Gulmarg becomes a ski scene under the Pir Panjal; in summer, meadows and rivers around Pahalgam invite leisurely walks and pony rides.

Practicalities: Carry a valid ID for hotel check-ins and security checkpoints. Weather swings quickly in the mountains—layer up and check road conditions. For food, try Dogra classics in Jammu (rajma-chawal, kaladi kulcha) and, in Kashmir, a traditional wazwan feast (gushtaba, rista, yakhni), washed down with saffron-kahwa.

Jammu

Called the City of Temples, Jammu blends sacred heritage and spirited markets. Raghunath Temple anchors the old quarter; Bahu Fort watches over the Tawi River. Between temple bells and shopkeeper calls you’ll find sugary barfi, hot samosas, and the city’s prized kaladi cheese griddled into heavenly kulchas.

• Top sights: Raghunath Temple complex; Bahu Fort & Bagh-e-Bahu terraced garden and aquarium; Mubarak Mandi Palace (Dogra art and history); Amar Mahal Palace Museum; Peer Kho Cave Temple.
• Eat & drink: Pahalwan’s (lassi, patisa, chocolate barfi), Banarsi Vaishno Dhaba (rajma-chawal with anardana), Falak Revolving Restaurant (city views; tandoori and North Indian), Spice Garden at KC Residency (classic mains), and roadside kaladi-kulcha stalls.
• Fun fact: Kaladi—local hill cheese from the Udhampur region—sears into a stretchy, salty delight that locals crave for breakfast.

Stay: Browse stays on VRBO Jammu and Hotels.com Jammu. Neighborhoods around Residency Road and Gumat are convenient for bazaars and dining.

Featured activity: Book a helicopter-assisted pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi from Katra to save time and energy:

Guaranteed Vaishno Devi Darshan by Helicopter (Viator)

Srinagar

Lake light defines Srinagar. Houseboats bob on Dal and Nigeen; Mughal gardens step down toward the water; old-city alleys hum with copper-beaters and papier-mâché artisans. Mornings taste of noon chai and bakarkhani; evenings glow with shikaras sliding past reflections of chinar trees.

• Top sights: Dal Lake shikara ride; Shalimar, Nishat, and Chashme Shahi gardens; Pari Mahal and Shankaracharya Temple viewpoints; Old Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, Shah-e-Hamadan; Nigeen Lake for quieter waters.
• Eat & drink: Ahdoos (heritage Kashmiri), Mughal Darbar (wazwan thali), Shamyana (grills on Boulevard Road), Stream (continental + Indian), Chai Jaai (kahwa, noon chai, bakarkhani), Books & Bricks Cafe (coffee, waffles).
• Shopping: Government Arts Emporium for certified pashmina and carpets; Zaina Kadal lanes for copperware and papier-mâché. Always ask for authenticity tags on pashmina.

Stay: Wake to lake views at Vivanta Dal View, Srinagar or choose a characterful houseboat via VRBO Srinagar and hotels on Hotels.com Srinagar.

Featured activities:

Srinagar Splendors: A Private City Tour (Viator)

Gulmarg Adventure: A Thrilling Day Trip from Srinagar (Viator)

Picturesque Pahalgam: A Memorable Day Trip from Srinagar (Viator)

Day 1: Arrive in Jammu, Bazaar Stroll, and Temple Glow

Morning: Fly into Jammu (IXJ). Typical hops: Delhi–Jammu ~1.5 hours, often $35–$120 on Trip.com Flights. Trains from Delhi to Jammu Tawi take ~9–12 hours; check fares and classes on Trip.com Trains.

Afternoon: Check in via Hotels.com Jammu or VRBO. Walk to Raghunath Temple and thread through Raghunath Bazaar for spices, brass diyas, and saffron. Grab a late lunch: rajma-chawal at Banarsi Vaishno Dhaba or a kaladi-kulcha from a street griddle.

Evening: Head to Bahu Fort for sunset over the Tawi, then wander Bagh-e-Bahu’s garden and aquarium. Dinner at Falak Revolving Restaurant for skyline views (butter chicken, tandoori platters), or Spice Garden for North Indian staples. Sweet finish at Pahalwan’s—try chocolate barfi.

Day 2: Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage (Katra) — Helicopter Option

Early start for Katra (1.5–2 hours by car from Jammu). Most pilgrims trek 12–14 km uphill to the Bhawan; to conserve time and energy, consider the helicopter to Sanjichhat, then walk ~2.5 km.

Book: Guaranteed Vaishno Devi Darshan by Helicopter (Viator)

Expect a full-day devotion-and-views experience. Keep it vegetarian in Katra’s simple dhabas (kadhi-chawal and paneer thalis are reliable). Return to Jammu for a light dinner—Parsa’s (kathi rolls, tabakh maaz) or Falak if you’d like another panoramic spin.

Day 3: Jammu → Srinagar, Sunset Shikara on Dal Lake

Morning: Fly Jammu–Srinagar (~50 minutes; often $25–$70 on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com). By road via NH44 takes ~8–9 hours; hire a licensed taxi and check mountain pass conditions.

Afternoon: Check into a houseboat on Nigeen or Dal via VRBO Srinagar or a hillside room at Vivanta Dal View. Sip kahwa and snack on nadru monje (lotus-stem fritters) on a late-afternoon shikara ride; golden hour turns the Zabarwan range rose.

Evening: Stroll Boulevard Road. Dinner at Ahdoos (classics: rogan josh, gushtaba, haak) or Mughal Darbar (wazwan platters). For dessert, pop into Ahdoos Bakery for walnut fudge or plum cake.

Day 4: Srinagar City Highlights — Gardens, Hilltop Views, and Old City

Let a local guide knit the story together—gardens, shrines, and artisanship in one sweep.

Book: Srinagar Splendors — Private City Tour (Viator)

Morning: Shankaracharya Temple for sweeping lake views, then Chashme Shahi’s spring-fed terraces.

Afternoon: Nishat and Shalimar gardens—perfect for photos with chinar backdrops. Lunch at Ahdoos (try yakhni—aniseed-laced yogurt gravy).

Evening: Old Srinagar: Jamia Masjid’s 370 deodar pillars and Khanqah-e-Moula’s wood-carved facade. Tea at Chai Jaai—pair saffron-kahwa with bakarkhani. Dinner at Shamyana on Boulevard Road (trout, kebabs).

Day 5: Day Trip to Gulmarg — Meadows or Snow, and the Gondola

Gulmarg sits ~1.5–2 hours from Srinagar. Meadows in spring-summer; powder in mid-winter. The Gondola’s two stages float up to 3,980 m with Pir Panjal panoramas. In peak season, go early and keep warm layers handy; ropeway phases can pause for weather.

Book: Gulmarg Adventure — Full-Day Excursion (Viator)

Lunch: Warm up with noon chai and rajma-chawal at the base dhabas, or, if you want a splurge and spa time, book a table or treatment at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa.

Evening: Return to Srinagar. Dinner at Stream (butter-garlic trout; rooftop tables in summer) or try Tibetan momos and thukpa at Lhasa near Boulevard Road.

Day 6: Day Trip to Pahalgam — Lidder Valley, Aru, and Betaab

Drive ~2–2.5 hours past saffron fields and willow groves to Pahalgam. Local union rules often require hiring a local cab for the Aru–Betaab–Chandanwari circuit; your driver/guide will help arrange on arrival.

Book: Picturesque Pahalgam — Full-Day Tour (Viator)

Lunch: Opt for simple, hearty fare—Dana Pani (veg thalis), or trout at a local riverside cafe in Aru. Stroll along the Lidder River; pony rides are available to scenic meadows.

Evening: Return to Srinagar. Shop for pashmina, papier-mâché, or walnut-wood carvings at the Government Arts Emporium and nearby boutiques. Dinner at Mughal Darbar (wazwan platters) or Ahdoos if you’re craving seconds.

Day 7: Dawn on the Lake, Craft Trails, and Departure

Morning: Optional pre-dawn shikara to the floating vegetable market—a photogenic bustle of boat-to-boat bartering. Warm up with noon chai from a kandur (local baker) and sample girda or tsot breads fresh from the tandoor.

Afternoon: Last wander through Zaina Kadal’s old lanes for copper samovars and papier-mâché keepsakes. Depart via Srinagar (SXR); typical flights to Delhi or Mumbai are 1.5–2.5 hours. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Getting Between Cities & Practical Notes

• Jammu ⇄ Srinagar: Fly (~50 minutes; $25–$70 on Trip.com Flights). By road is scenic but long (~8–9 hours). Train connectivity into the Kashmir Valley is expanding—check the latest segments and schedules on Trip.com Trains and plan for road transfers where rail is not available.
• Seasonal pointers: Gulmarg Gondola operations depend on weather; book morning slots and buffer time. Winter roads can close temporarily—monitor conditions locally.
• Etiquette & safety: Dress modestly at shrines; photography may be restricted in select areas. Friday afternoons in the Old City can be busy—time your visit accordingly. Carry cash for small purchases in rural areas.

Where to Stay (Quick Picks)

• Jammu (2 nights): Near Residency Road for bazaars and eateries. Search options on Hotels.com or VRBO.
• Srinagar (4 nights): Lake-facing hotels/houseboats for the classic experience. Consider Vivanta Dal View for hilltop panoramas; for a Gulmarg splurge/SPA day, The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa is outstanding.

In one week you’ll touch the spiritual heart of Jammu, glide across Srinagar’s lakes, and breathe alpine air in Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Keep this guide handy—your day-by-day map to temples, gardens, and kitchens perfumed with saffron and kahwa.