TripWise

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Shikara boats on Dal Lake with mountains behind

Photo: Suhail Skindar Sofi · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia

India · North India

Kashmir

Dal Lake houseboats, meadows and the Himalayas at their most photogenic.

A stretch
Great fit

Why TripWise recommends this

  • Strong match for nature and landscapes
  • Strong match for comfortable travel
  • April is the best time to go
  • No visa paperwork to deal with

Worth knowing before you book

  • · About ₹600 over your trip budget — doable if you trim a day or travel off-peak

Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam make a compact week: a houseboat on Dal Lake, the world's highest gondola, and river valleys full of pine. Check current travel advisories before booking; conditions vary by district and season.

Things to do

Must see

  • Shikara ride on Dal Lake

    ₹800 pp

    An hour on the water past floating gardens and the vegetable market.

    Srinagarabout 2hView on map

Food

  • Wazwan dinner

    ₹1,500 pp

    The Kashmiri multi-course feast — order a shortened version for two.

    Srinagarabout 2hView on map

Adventure

  • Gulmarg Gondola

    ₹1,600 pp

    Two stages up Apharwat Peak; book phase tickets online in advance.

    Gulmargabout 5hView on map

Culture

  • Mughal Gardens

    ₹100 pp

    Shalimar and Nishat: terraced Mughal water gardens under the chinars.

    Srinagarabout 3hView on map

Nature

  • Betaab Valley

    ₹300 pp

    Meadow and river walk, gentle enough for all ages.

    Pahalgamabout 3hView on map

  • Sonmarg day trip

    ₹1,200 pp

    Meadow of gold, with pony rides up towards Thajiwas glacier.

    Sonmargabout 7hView on map