7-day Kashmir tour by rail and road covering Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg with Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, Shikara rides and Himalayan scenery.
Day-by-Day Travel Plan
Kashmir has a way of quieting the mind before you even reach it. With Garhwal Himalayan Expedition, this 7-day route pairs the country's fastest train experience with the valleys, gardens and lakes that make Kashmir one of India's most photographed regions. No long, tiring road stretches from Delhi, just a smooth rail run followed by curated sightseeing across Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg.
Route At A Glance
Delhi to Jammu to Srinagar, then Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, back through Srinagar, Jammu and finally Delhi.
Day 1: Delhi To Srinagar By Vande Bharat
The trip opens with the Vande Bharat Express, connecting through Jammu toward Srinagar depending on schedules and seat availability on the day. Watch tunnels, valleys and Himalayan ridgelines roll past the window, and you'll see one of the most scenic rail corridors in the country.
- Private driver pickup on arrival in Srinagar
- Hotel check-in and rest
- Optional evening stroll along Dal Lake if energy allows
Overnight in Srinagar. Breakfast included.
Day 2: Mughal Gardens And The Old City
Mornings here are for the terraced lawns and fountains that define Kashmir's Mughal-era gardens.
Suggested stops:
- Nishat Bagh
- Shalimar Bagh
- Chashme Shahi
- Pari Mahal
- Shankaracharya Temple, access permitting
Afternoons work well for wandering Srinagar's old quarters, where wooden architecture and handicraft shops sit side by side. As evening settles in, a Shikara ride across Dal Lake gives you floating gardens, houseboats and the mountains mirrored in still water. It's the kind of moment people remember long after the trip ends.
Overnight in Srinagar. Breakfast included.
Day 3: Gulmarg, The Meadow Of Flowers
A drive through open countryside brings you to Gulmarg, arguably Kashmir's most dramatic hill destination. Snow blankets it in winter, while summer turns the meadows a deep, almost impossible green.
Things to try, weather and operations permitting:
- Gondola ride up the slopes
- Meadow walks
- Pony rides
- Photography stops with mountain backdrops
Return to Srinagar by evening.
Day 4: Into The Lidder Valley, Pahalgam
Pahalgam trades Srinagar's lake calm for pine forest quiet. The drive itself is scenic, and once there, local conditions permitting, you can explore:
- Pahalgam Valley
- Lidder River
- Betaab Valley
- Aru Valley
- Chandanwari
This is the stop for travellers who want Kashmir's slower, more natural side, away from the crowds.
Overnight in Pahalgam. Breakfast included.
Day 5: Pahalgam Back to Srinagar
Start slow. A riverside walk by the Lidder, then a relaxed drive back toward Srinagar, passing rural landscapes, apple orchards in season and small mountain villages along the way.
Evening is free for shopping, and Kashmir does not disappoint here:
- Pashmina shawls
- Hand-knotted carpets
- Paper mache work
- Walnut wood carvings
- Traditional embroidery
Overnight in Srinagar. Breakfast included.
Day 6: Sonamarg, The Golden Meadow
Sonamarg translates loosely to "meadow of gold", and the drive along the Sindh River explains the name pretty quickly: forests, valleys and snow-capped peaks all visible from the road.
- Scenic riverside walks
- Photography opportunities
- Optional higher-altitude excursions, subject to weather and road conditions
Return to Srinagar for a farewell evening before departure.
Day 7: Homeward Bound
After checkout, transfer to the station and board your connecting service back to Jammu, then onwards to Delhi. What you're carrying home isn't just souvenirs; it's memories of Dal Lake at sunset, the Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg's slopes, Pahalgam's pine trails and Sonamarg's golden light.
What's Included
- Vande Bharat or confirmed rail tickets
- Private AC vehicle for all transfers and sightseeing
- 6 nights hotel stay in the selected category
- Daily breakfast
- Station transfers in Srinagar
- All listed sightseeing: Srinagar, Mughal Gardens, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg
- Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- English-speaking local guide, where opted for
- Driver allowance, fuel, tolls, parking and applicable taxes
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Monument and garden entry fees
- Gulmarg Gondola tickets
- Pony rides
- Cable car or ropeway charges
- Meals beyond breakfast
- Personal expenses like laundry or phone calls
- Tips
- Travel insurance
- Camera or video charges where applicable
- Anything outside the listed itinerary
- Delays or closures caused by weather, roads or train schedules, since these sit beyond anyone's control
Kashmir rewards patience, and this itinerary is built to give you enough of it: gardens in the morning, lakes by evening, and mountains in between. For travellers who'd rather skip the long drives and get straight to the good part, Garhwal Himalayan Expedition puts the whole route together so you can just show up and enjoy it.