Kashmir – Full Circuit Trekking Tour Package – Budget holiday in Kashmir, India

You arrive at Srinagar (International Airport) in the morning.

You will be picked up by taxi and taken to your houseboat on Srinagar’s Dal Lake.

Suggested sights to visit for the day:

• Shalimar Bagh
• Nishat Bagh
• Chashme Shahi
• Pari Mahal

A Shikara will take you back to your houseboat for an enjoyable evening and for a good night’s rest – which you will definitely appreciate!

After breakfast on your houseboat we suggest the following sights/activities for today:

• Jamia Masjid
• Hari Parbat
• Hazratbal Shrine
• Shikara Boat Roundtrip (60 min)

When you return, go back to your Ghat and allow the Shikara to drop you at your houseboat: sleep well!

We recommend to have an early breakfast so that you have enough time for your day trip to Sonmarg. A taxi will pick you up then at the Ghat closest to your houseboat and take you there.

On the way you pass …

• Barwalla Waterfall
• Sindh View Environment Park
• Gagangair Park

Consider visiting these places on the way back so that you have enough time in Sonmarg. Your taxi will be at your disposal for this full day.

After lunch prepare to…

• Trek to Thajiwas Glacier

Thajiwas Glacier is THE tourist attraction in Sonmarg and a horse would probably take you there blindfolded. You can hike there (about 5 km one way, 90 min walking time). However, you can also go on horseback, if you prefer. You can find horses easily, which come with a guide. The shortest starting point for this trek to Thajiwas Glacier would be here. Your driver could either drop you there or you can decide ahead of time to park at a hotel where you will perhaps have lunch before or after your trek.

Depending on the season, you’ll be able to see some snow and even have a sleigh ride.

At the end of the day, your taxi driver will take you back to your houseboat in Srinagar.

Congratulations, you made it! After lots of fresh air and exercise you should sleep well!

After breakfast at your houseboat, a taxi will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Gulmarg.

When you arrive, you will receive a welcome drink and a little snack.

For the afternoon we suggest a shorter walk to get to know Gulmarg. You can click here to view our proposed trip (approx. 90 min/6.5 km).

This could be excellent preparation for the big climb tomorrow.

There are of course plenty other options to walk/explore in Gulmarg such as:

• Gulmarg Children’s Park / Boat ride
• ATV ride
• Horse ride
• Cycling

Please get a good night’s rest for an early start tomorrow.

After an early breakfast your big climb awaits you. Please leave your hotel around 7 am if you choose the medium or advanced levels, and purchase your gondola ticket(s) the day before.

Depending on your fitness consider the following trekking trips:  

• Easy level (3 km/400 m difference in altitude): Hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori (Phase 1) and Gondola ride from Kangdori (Phase 1) to Apharwat (Phase 2) and return to Kangdori (Phase 1) to Gulmarg.
• Medium level (7 km/1280 m difference in altitude): Hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori (Phase 1) to Apharwat (Phase 2), then Gondola ride to Kangdori (Phase 1) to Gulmarg. (This trip is only possible during the snow-free season)
• Advanced level (10 km/1680 m difference in altitude): Hike from Gulmarg to Kangdori (Phase 1) to Apharwat (Phase 2), then Gondola ride to Kangdori (Phase 1) and hike back to Gulmarg. (This trip is only possible during the snow-free season)

After such a long trek, you definitely deserve a rest! Well done!

If the weather is fine and the sky cloudless, please step out into the dark after dinner to observe the stunning starry sky!

For breakfast sample the tasty fresh baked lavaas or girda, a “must try” while in Kashmir.

After breakfast, get ready for a long journey to Pahalgam.

On the way via Anantnag you pass …

• The Saffron fields near Pampore
• Anantnag
• Sun temple called “Martand” (6 km after Anantanag)
• Lidder river valley

At the hotel receive a welcome drink and a little snack.

If you have not had lunch yet, get ready for it in order to start your “Bollywood trip”!

Here is your suggested list of sights/activities for the rest of the day:

• Chandanwadi (family valley) with suggested activities like walking and hiking, riding a sleigh (seasonal), pony riding
• Betaab Valley (famous for Bollywood films) with activities like zip-line, park visit, walking and hiking

After such a long day, you definitely deserve a good’s night rest!

This trip is only possible during the snow-free season.

Today please get up early for this trip, so that you can leave perhaps by around 8 am to visit “Lidderwat Valley”. It will take you about half an hour to reach the village Aru by taxi from Pahalgam. Either in Pahalgam or Aru get enough food and water for a full day of hiking.

At Aru Valley please get a guide or maybe even also a horse, which could carry your bag if needed.

The hike from Aru to Lidderwat Valley is about 9 km (one way), which may take you around 2.5-4 hrs depending on your hiking speed. This trek is probably the most scenic one you find in Kashmir: have your camera handy! If you like you can click here for a rough overview.

Congratulations, you made it, after a long day of fresh air and exercise! You should “Sleep well”!

You receive your breakfast at the hotel in Pahalgam. After checking out, your taxi will be waiting for your return trip to Srinagar International Airport.

On your way back to Srinagar consider taking a shortcut via the so called “Apple/Walnut Valley” which gives you an impression of Kashmir’s famous horticulture. In addition, you may ask your driver to stop at the following sights:

• Cricket factory in Sangam
• Avantiswami Temple ruins in Awantipora

We hope you have had a pleasant and relaxing stay – share your memories with your loved ones and kindly recommend us!