Kashmir is one of the few places in India where a single trip can take you from a lake city to alpine meadows and snowfields within a couple of hours’ drive. This guide covers the places most travellers visit, what a trip usually costs and how to plan it without overspending.

How much does a Kashmir trip cost?

For most travellers the biggest costs are hotels, a private cab and flights. A package bundles the first two, which is usually cheaper than booking them separately in peak season.

Budget (4 nights / 5 days): around ₹11,000 to ₹15,000 per person, with standard hotels, breakfast and dinner, and a shared or private cab.
Comfort (4 to 5 nights): around ₹15,000 to ₹22,000 per person with better hotels and one houseboat night.
Premium or long trips (7 nights and up): from around ₹16,000 per person upwards, depending on hotels and season.

Flights to Srinagar and on-the-spot costs such as gondola tickets, pony rides and garden entry fees are usually extra. Ask for a written list of inclusions before you pay.

Srinagar: Dal Lake and the Mughal gardens

Srinagar is where almost every Kashmir trip begins. Spend at least one evening on Dal Lake: a shikara ride at sunset is the classic first experience, and a night on a carved wooden houseboat is worth adding if your budget allows.

The Mughal gardens sit along the eastern shore of the lake. Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh are the largest, Chashma Shahi is known for its spring water, and Pari Mahal looks down over the whole city. In spring, the Tulip Garden opens for a few weeks with millions of blooms.

Gulmarg: the meadow of flowers and snow

Gulmarg is a large meadow basin in the Pir Panjal range, about two hours from Srinagar. In summer it is green and open; in winter it becomes one of India’s best-known ski areas. The Gulmarg Gondola runs in two phases and is one of the highest cable cars in the world. Book tickets online in advance during peak season.

Pahalgam: rivers and valleys

The drive to Pahalgam passes through the saffron fields of Pampore and the ruins at Awantipora. Pahalgam itself sits on the Lidder river and is the base for Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari. It is also one of the starting points for the Amarnath Yatra.

Sonamarg: gateway to the glaciers

Sonamarg, the “meadow of gold”, lies on the road towards Ladakh. Most visitors take a pony ride to the Thajiwas glacier, which is paid directly on the spot. It is also the starting point of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek.

Winter in Kashmir

From December to February, Gulmarg and Pahalgam are under snow. Expect skiing, sledging, snowball fights and cosy evenings with kahwa, the local saffron tea. Choose hotels with central heating and pack thermal layers, gloves and waterproof shoes.

Tips to keep the trip affordable

Travel in shoulder season. Late September to November and March outside the Tulip Garden weeks are quieter and cheaper.
Stay in Srinagar and do day trips. Gulmarg and Pahalgam are easy day trips, which saves on hotel changes.
Agree rates before rides. Pony and sledge rates are negotiated. Your co-ordinator can tell you fair prices in advance.
Book the gondola online. Tickets sell out on busy days.

If you would like a plan built around your dates and budget, send us an enquiry and a co-ordinator in Srinagar will reply with a day-by-day itinerary.