Highlights
- Two nights on a Dal Lake houseboat
- Sunrise shikara ride and the floating market
- A night in Gulmarg and the first gondola of the morning
- Two quiet nights in Pahalgam by the Lidder
- Sonmarg and the Thajiwas glacier
- A free afternoon in Srinagar for shopping
The difference from a family tour is that you stay put. Instead of day trips from Srinagar, you sleep in Gulmarg and Pahalgam, so the mornings are yours, and two nights on the houseboat give you time to enjoy it. There’s one free afternoon with nothing planned. If you’d rather have a snow honeymoon, go between late December and February and swap the Sonmarg day for a second day in Gulmarg.
Day-wise itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar, houseboat on Dal Lake
Pickup at the airport or station and a shikara to your houseboat. Rest, then a slow evening shikara ride. Dinner on board.
Day 2: Early shikara, Mughal gardens
If you’re up for it, an early shikara to the floating vegetable market, which is busiest around dawn. Later, Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi. Second night on the houseboat.
Day 3: Srinagar to Gulmarg
About two hours by road. Check in, walk the meadow, and in the evening watch the light on the peaks without the day-trip crowd. Night in Gulmarg.
Day 4: Gondola morning, drive to Pahalgam
Take one of the first gondola slots, Phase 1 to Kongdoori and Phase 2 if the weather allows. After lunch, a drive of about four hours to Pahalgam via Srinagar’s bypass.
Day 5: Pahalgam: Betaab Valley and Aru
Local taxis take you to Betaab Valley and Aru. The afternoon is free for a walk along the Lidder or doing nothing at the hotel.
Day 6: Pahalgam to Srinagar, free afternoon
Drive back to Srinagar and check in to a hotel. The afternoon is free for Lal Chowk, Polo View market or a walk on the Boulevard. Shop for pashmina and dry fruit only where you’re comfortable with the price; there’s no pressure to buy.
Day 7: Sonmarg, then departure
With an evening flight or train, a morning at Sonmarg and the Thajiwas glacier, then straight to the airport or station. With a morning departure, we skip Sonmarg.
Choosing a houseboat
Houseboats are graded by the tourism department, and the better ones are on the quieter parts of Dal and Nigeen lakes. Ask for the photos of the actual room, not the boat’s front. Between November and March, check what heating there is (electric heater, bukhari or heated blanket) and whether there’s power backup. We send you two or three options with this information before you choose.
What's included and what isn't
Included
- 2 nights on a houseboat, 1 in Gulmarg, 2 in Pahalgam and 1 in a Srinagar hotel, with breakfast and dinner
- Private car with a driver for the whole trip
- Pickup and drop at Srinagar airport or railway station
- Shikara rides on Dal Lake
- Booking of Gulmarg gondola tickets on the official portal
Not included
- Flights or train tickets to Srinagar (quoted on request)
- Gondola fares (paid at the official rates)
- Local taxis at Pahalgam and Sonmarg, ponies and sledges
- Garden entry fees and lunches
- Extra nights from snow, road closures or flight cancellations
- Tips and personal expenses
Visa, costs, best time and travel tips: Kashmir Tour Packages.
