Kashmir

Overview

Why go to Kashmir

The Kashmir valley rewards a slower itinerary than most people plan. Srinagar deserves two nights on its own — a houseboat on Dal or Nigeen, the Mughal gardens in the late afternoon, and the floating vegetable market at dawn, which is worth the 5am alarm.

From there, Gulmarg for the gondola and meadows, Pahalgam for the Lidder valley and Betaab, and Sonamarg if the Zojila road is open. Roads are mountain roads: build in buffer, and let the driver decide the departure time.

Things to do

• Stay a night on a cedar houseboat
• Ride the Gulmarg gondola to Apharwat
• Trek to Thajiwas glacier with a local guide
• Wazwan tasting dinner in old Srinagar
• Saffron fields at Pampore (Oct–Nov)
• Golf at Royal Springs, one of India's highest courses

Travel tips

• Layer up — even July evenings drop below 15°C in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
• Mobile data can be patchy in the higher valleys; download offline maps before you leave Srinagar.
• Check current travel advisories before booking; we re-confirm on the day of departure.
• Buy pashmina and saffron only from GI-tagged, receipted sellers — we'll point you to ours.