In this post, I will share a few examples of an itinerary for Kashmir trip. It is one of the most common questions I get asked by people wanted to visit Kashmir. So hopefully, the information below can be of some help.
Your final itinerary will depend on the time you have in hand and the places that you want to visit. Keeping that in mind, I will break down the travel plans based on the number of days. For each segment, I will provide a few different examples and you can pick the one that you like.
If none of these itineraries suit your plan, or if you already had one in mind and had a few questions, you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a question there.
For other details on visiting Kashmir like places to visit, things to do, public transport, where to stay, etc, you can also take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Kashmir – A Complete Travel Guide.
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Minimum Time Needed for Kashmir Trip
So how long do you need to visit Kashmir? This really depends on your mode of travel but a minimum of 4 days in Kashmir is what I will recommend.
If you have more time then you will be able to explore better but you should at least have 4 days in hand between your arrival and departure from Srinagar.
The itineraries I am suggesting below assume that you have arrived in Srinagar, either by road or by flight. Day 1 hence will be Srinagar.
If you were traveling by road, the time you spend traveling to Kashmir and then the journey back home will need to be added to the travel plan.
2 Days Trip to Kashmir
Can you plan a 2 days trip to Kashmir? Is it possible to visit Kashmir over the weekend? The answer to this question is a yes but I will not recommend it at all. A 2 days trip means that you just touched Kashmir and returned home.
But if you still want to do it, below is how the journey can be planned.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. See the Mughal Gardens, go for a Shikara ride, see the sunset from Pari Mahal, and stay for the night in Srinagar.
- Day 2: On this day, depending on your preference, you can go for a day trip to either Gulmarg, Sonamarg, or Pahalgam. You will return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 3: Catch an early morning flight home
This is the best way that this trip can be planned. If you were thinking that you will return home on Day 2 itself, then you must give up the idea of visiting Kashmir. Plan another time when you can add more days to the trip.
3 Days Itinerary for Kashmir
Now let us take a look at the itinerary if you are able to throw in one more day. It will give you a little more time and you will be able to add a couple of other places to your travel plan.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar
- Day 2: On this day, you can go for a day-long drive to Gulmarg. Enjoy the Gondola ride, spend some time visiting the local attractions, and return to Srinagar by evening.
- Day 3: In a similar manner, go for a day trip to Sonamarg. See the Thajiwas Glacier, Zojila Pass, and Zero Point, and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Alternatively, you can also go for a day trip to Pahalgam. See Betaab Valley, Chandanwari, and Aru Valley, and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Fly Out
An important thing to remember is that a trip for 2 or 3 days by public transport will be extremely difficult. The best option is to travel by your self-owned vehicle. If not, then you should either hire a taxi or rent a bike in Srinagar.
Itinerary for Kashmir for 4 Days
Let us now take a look at a few more examples of how this journey can be planned if you had 4 days to spend in Kashmir. This is the minimum time that I recommend and it really widens your sightseeing choices.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Day Trip to Gulmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 3: Day Trip to Sonamarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Day trip to Pahalgam. Return to Srinagar by the evening. You can also choose to stay in Pahalgam if your flight the next day was a little later in the day. Spend the night in Pahalgam and go straight to the airport the next day.
- Day 5: Fly Out
If you have already been to popular tourist spots before and want your trip to cover more offbeat destinations, you can plan the trip like this.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Yusmarg. Night stay in Yusmarg.
- Day 3: Srinagar to Doodhpathri. Night stay in Doodhpathri.
- Day 4: Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall. Spend the latter half of the day in Srinagar.
- Day 5: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 5 Days
Below is an example of how this trip can be planned if you had a total of 5 days in hand.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg. You can also visit Drang waterfall on the way.
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri. Spend some time in Doodhpathri and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall and then continue to Pahalgam. Night stay in Pahalgam.
- Day 5: Spend the day in Pahalgam visiting the local places. You can also trek to Baisaran Hills if you wanted to go on a short trek. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 6: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 6 Days
If you had a total of 6 days to spend in Kashmir, below is how this trip can be planned.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg. You can also visit Drang waterfall on the way.
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri. Spend some time in Doodhpathri and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall and then continue to Pahalgam. Night stay in Pahalgam.
- Day 5: Spend the day in Pahalgam visiting the local places. You can also trek to Baisaran Hills if you wanted to go on a short trek. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 6: Day trip to Sonamarg
- Day 7: Fly Out
Another way to plan the trip can be like this.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Day trip to Gulmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 3: Day trip to Sonamarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Day trip to Pahalgam. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Gurez Valley. Night stay in Dawar
- Day 6: Dawar to Srinagar
- Day 7: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 7 Days
Below are a few examples of how the trip can be planned if you had 7 days in hand.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg. You can also visit the Drang waterfall on the way.
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri. Spend some time in Doodhpathri and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall and then continue to Pahalgam. Night stay in Pahalgam.
- Day 5: Spend the day in Pahalgam visiting the local places. You can also trek to Baisaran Hills if you wanted to go on a short trek. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 6: Day trip to Sonamarg
- Day 7: Day trip to Yusmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening on both days 6 and 7.
- Day 8: Fly Out
Another way to plan the trip can be like the one mentioned below.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Day trip to Gulmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 3: Day trip to Sonamarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Day trip to Pahalgam. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Gurez Valley. Night stay in Dawar
- Day 6: Dawar to Chakwali road trip. Return to Dawar by the evening.
- Day 7: Gurez Valley to Srinagar
- Day 8: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 8 Days
Let us now take a look at a couple of examples on an itinerary for Kashmir if you had 8 days to spend in Kashmir and will fly out on Day 9.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg. You can also visit the Drang waterfall on the way.
- Day 3: Go for a Gondola ride in the morning. You can also rent a local cab and drive all the way to Bota Pathri. Stay for the night in Gulmarg.
- Day 4: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri. Spend some time in Doodhpathri and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall and then continue to Pahalgam. Night stay in Pahalgam.
- Day 6: Spend the day in Pahalgam visiting the local places. You can also trek to Baisaran Hills if you wanted to go on a short trek. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 7: Day trip to Sonamarg
- Day 8: Day trip to Yusmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening on both days 7 and 8.
- Day 9: Fly Out
Another way to plan the trip can be like this.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Yusmarg. Night stay in Yusmarg.
- Day 3: Yusmarg to Doodhpathri. Night stay in Doodhpathri.
- Day 4: Doodhpathri to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg.
- Day 5: Gulmarg to Srinagar and continue to Gurez Valley. Night stay in Dawar.
- Day 6: Dawar to Chakwali road trip.
- Day 7: Dawar to Srinagar and continue to Sonamarg. Night stay in Sonamarg.
- Day 8: Sonamarg to Srinagar.
- Day 9: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 9 Days
Mentioned below is how this trip can be planned for a total of 9 days in Kashmir and a return flight on Day 10.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Go straight to Gulmarg and stay there for the night.
- Day 2: Local sightseeing in Gulmarg. Enjoy the Gondola ride.
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri to Srinagar. Night stay in Srinagar
- Day 4: Day trip to Aharbal waterfall. You can also go all the way to Peer ki Gali Pass on Mughal road
- Day 5: Day trip to Yusmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 6: Srinagar to Gurez Valley. Night stay in Dawar
- Day 7: Dawar to Chakwali to Dawar
- Day 8: Return to Srinagar and go straight to Sonamarg. Night stay in Sonamarg
- Day 9: Spend the day in Sonamarg and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 10: Fly Out
Another way to plan the trip can be like the one mentioned below. This focuses more on the popular tourist attractions in Kashmir.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Go straight to Gulmarg and stay there for the night.
- Day 2: Local sightseeing in Gulmarg. Enjoy the Gondola ride.
- Day 3: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri to Srinagar. Night stay in Srinagar
- Day 4: Srinagar to Sonamarg day trip. Start early, see Thajiwas Glacier or Zojila Pass and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Pahalgam
- Day 6: Spend the day in Pahalgam. See Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and Chandanwari, and trek to Baisaran Hills. You can break this sightseeing between days 5 and 6.
- Day 7: Pahalgam to Srinagar
- Day 8: Day trip to Yusmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 9: Day trip to Aharbal waterfall. You can also go to Peer ki Gali Pass on Mughal road.
- Day 10: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir for 10 Days
Last but not least, mentioned below is how this trip can be planned for a total of 10 days.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Day trip to Gulmarg. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 3: Srinagar to Sonamarg. Go all the way to Zojila Pass and return to Sonamarg to spend the night.
- Day 4: Trek to Thajiwas Glacier in the morning. Have lunch in Sonamarg and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Pahalgam
- Day 6: Spend the day in Pahalgam. See Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Chandanwari, trek to Baisaran Hills, and spend the night in Pahalgam. You can break this sightseeing between days 5 and 6.
- Day 7: Pahalgam to Srinagar. You can also visit Aharbal Waterfall on the way back.
- Day 8: Srinagar to Gurez Valley. Night stay in Dawar
- Day 9: Gurez Valley to Srinagar. Night stay in Srinagar
- Day 10: Day trip to Yusmarg
- Day 11: Fly Out
Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Sonmarg Itinerary
If you want your trip to be limited to just the popular destinations and want to explore those properly, below is how the trip can be planned.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Local sightseeing in Gulmarg. Enjoy the Gondola ride.
- Day 2: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri to Srinagar. Night stay in Srinagar
- Day 3: Srinagar to Sonamarg. Start early, go all the way to Zojila Pass, and return to Sonamarg by the evening.
- Day 4: Trek to Thajiwas Glacier in the morning. Have lunch in Sonamarg and return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 5: Srinagar to Pahalgam
- Day 6: Spend the day in Pahalgam. See Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Chandanwari, trek to Baisaran Hills, and spend the night in Pahalgam. You can break this sightseeing between days 5 and 6.
- Day 7: Pahalgam to Srinagar
- Day 8: Fly Out
Srinagar Gulmarg Pahalgam Itinerary
If you do not want to include Sonamarg in the travel plan then remove those days and shorten the itinerary.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Local sightseeing in Gulmarg. Enjoy the Gondola ride.
- Day 2: Gulmarg to Doodhpathri to Srinagar. Night stay in Srinagar
- Day 3: Srinagar to Pahalgam
- Day 4: Spend the day in Pahalgam. See Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Chandanwari, trek to Baisaran Hills, and spend the night in Pahalgam. You can break this sightseeing between days 5 and 6.
- Day 5: Pahalgam to Srinagar
- Day 6: Fly Out
Itinerary for Kashmir Trip in Winter
Now let us briefly take a look at how the journey can be planned if wanted to visit Kashmir in the winter season. Places like Sonamarg, Gurez, Doodhpathri, and Yusmarg remain accessible at this time.
Also, if you are visiting Kashmir in the winter season, I am assuming that you want to see snow and hopefully catch snowfall as well. For that, Gulmarg and Pahalgam are the best places.
The itinerary can be planned like this.
- Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar. Local sightseeing and night stay in Srinagar.
- Day 2: Srinagar to Gulmarg. Spend the day walking around and enjoying the views and the snow.
- Day 3: Early morning Gondola ride. Return to Srinagar by the evening.
- Day 4: Srinagar to Pahalgam
- Day 5: Spend the day in Pahalgam. Betaab Valley will remain accessible but you may not be able to go to Chandanwari and Aru Valley, depending on the snow on the road.
- Day 6: Return to Srinagar. If you were short on time, you can return on Day 5 itself, in the evening.
I am not saying that these itineraries are the best ones or perfect. But the information below should be able to give you an idea of how the journey can be planned.
You can pick either of these travel plans and modify it in any way that you like. If you need my input, I will be happy to suggest changes.
Bangus Valley / Lolab Valley / Tangdhar / Teetwal / Keran
Let us also take a look at some offbeat destinations in the Kupwara District. These are the names that I mentioned in the header. Tourism in this area has just started and not a lot of people come in this direction. This is what you can truly call offbeat Kashmir.
To explore this region, you will need at least 4 to 5 days. This will be in addition to the days you spend exploring the popular destinations listed above. The itinerary can be planned in the following manner.
- Srinagar to Lolab Valley – Day 1
- Explore Lolab Valley and reach Chowkibal Rest House – Day 2
- Chowkibal to Bangus Valley to Chowkibal – Day 3
- Day trip to Keran Village. Return to Chowkibal – Day 4
- Chowkibal to Srinagar – Day 5
Another way to plan this journey can be as mentioned below.
- Srinagar to Lolab Valley – Day 1
- Lolab Valley to Sadhna Pass to Tangdhar – Day 2
- Day Trip to Teetwal and return to Tangdhar – Day 3
- Tangdhar to Bangus Valley to Chowkibal – Day 4
- Day trip to Keran Village. Return to Chowkibal – Day 5
- Chowkibal to Srinagar – Day 6
Conclusion
I hope the information above on planning your itinerary for Kashmir trip was of help. If you have any questions, you can contact me on Instagram and I will be happy to answer. You can also consider subscribing to my YouTube channel and asking a question there.
13 comments
Hi,
Ur vlogs r so informative .
I m a solo female traveler planning to visit in May. Can u please guide me with the itinerary.
Is it possible to include Gurez, Yusmarg, Chandwari, Aru, Aharbal waterfalls, Bangus all in one trip?
information about taxi. if can have stay and Srinagar. then what will be tax cost. total. plus change of taxi in some destination. guide cost. planned air book for 15th (in Srinagar) to 21 (checkout flight)
Hi Vargis Bhai, The posts are so helpful. I planned my trip inspired by your suggested itinerary as below. Kindly let me know if I have planned right. Also, I have spoken to 2-3 car rentals who are telling me day 2 and day 6 is not possible. Kindly help me with your suggestion and some car contact.
Day 1 (30 Mar): Bagdogra to Srinagar (evening) night stay in Houseboat
Day 2 & 3 (31 Mar & 1 Apr): ( 4.30 hrs ) Srinagar to Aharbal Waterfall and then continue to Pahalgam. Night stay in Pahalgam for 2 days.
Day 4 (2 Apr): Pahalgam to Gulmarg. Night stay in Gulmarg. (3.30 hrs)
Day 5 (3 Apr): Gulmarg to Sonmarg (3.30 hrs). Visit the Drang waterfall on the way
Day 6 (4 Apr): Sonmarg to Srinagar (2 hrs)—-local (Hotel stay)……..(On the way visit Doodhpathri)
Day 7 (5 Apr): Srinagar to Yusmarg (1.40 hrs) to Srinagar hotel
Day 8 (6 Apr): Srinagar local and late evening fly out
Hi Abhishek – The itinerary is doable. The cab drivers do not agree to this because they expect you to break this in two different days. They would want to charge you for Sonamarg to Srinagar and then separately for Doodhpathri. The same is the case with Aharbal as well.
Hello Vargis Bhai… I Plan to do Kashmir in Jan 2023, and Yes, seeing a snowfall being one of the of the Objective.. Need your guidance…
Firstly,… which week of January can I see a snow fall say in Srinagar itself..
My Trip would be mostly of 8 days…. If you could please give a suggestive Itinerary .. Apart from the regular tourist Places like Pahalgam .. Sonmarg, Gulmarg etc,,, could you also please suggest some Off beat places which can be accessible during that period of time…
Thank you…
Hi Nilesh Bhai – The entire month of January is one of snow so you can plan any week that suits you the best. Srinagar, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg are the places that will be easiest to reach and explore. Even Sonamarg may remain closed. Those are the places you should keep in your itinerary
And yeah have to fit in Doodhpatri, Aharbal Waterfalls as well
You can travel like this Bhai
1 – Srinagar arrival and sightseeing
2 – Srinagar to Pahalgam
3 – Pahalgam to Gumlarg
4 – Gulmarg to Srinagar while visiting Doodhpathri on the way
5 – Srinagar to Dawar (Gurez)
6 – Dawar
7 – Dawar to Srinagar – Evening sightseeing in Srinagar
8 – Srinagar to Sonamarg day trip
9 – Srinagar to Kupwara – Visit Lolab Valley
10 – Bangus Valley
11 – Srinagar Sightseeing
12 – Fly Out
Thanks a ton Bhai… Highly appreciate your help ….
You are welcome Bhai !!!
Always a pleasure reading your posts! Always will remain a big fan of your work. Have planned Spiti /Ladakh purely based on your website.
I am planning Kashmir next late September early October kinds with my family of 3 (2 adults 1 5year old) and I want to cover Valleys of Kupwara (Lolab, Bangus etc), Gurez Valley, Pahalgam, Sonamarg/Gulmarg and of course Srinagar. Can you kindly assist how to fit in all this in a 10 or 11 day itinerary?. Thanks in advance
How will you be traveling around Vivek? Private taxi or your own vehicle?
Hi Vargis Bhai, I will be entering via flights and then private taxi either point to point or for the entire trip. Thanks in advance.