An Ultimate Guide to a 3 Day 2 Night Trip to Srinagar, Pahalgam & Gulmarg

Kashmir is undoubtedly regarded as the “Heaven on Earth. It truly lives up to this citation with its mesmerizing views, breathtaking landscapes, warm and welcoming people, and delectable food options. Rich in culture and history, the region boasts a mix of traditions woven through centuries. From the intricate craftsmanship of its artisans to the melodious strains of traditional music, every corner of Kashmir resonates with a timeless charm and spending time here would be worth your time.

About Kashmir

Kashmir attracts a lot of tourists every season with maximum footfall during the summer months, from May to August. Not only is the weather very comfortable during these months, but also there’re a plethora of festivals and events that happen during this time. From the vibrant celebrations of Eid-ul-Fitr to the annual Tulip Festival in Srinagar’s Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, there’s no shortage of cultural experiences to indulge in.

I visited Kashmir during May, which is a high-volume tourist month. It was a 10-day trip that covered Srinagar-Pahalgam-Gulmarg-Leh & Beyond. In this blog, I’ll share my itinerary and experience out and about Srinagar Gulmarg and Pahalgam. I’ll also try to capture the transit options and hotel recommendations, places to visit, etc. If you’re planning a visit, you can follow this or pick up things that interest you.

Although, this trip should ideally be planned for 4-5 days, but those who don’t have much time and still would like to explore the best wonders of these areas, you guys can refer to my itinerary guide.

Day 1- Srinagar

I took a flight from Delhi to Srinagar. It’s just a 1.5-hour flight and while landing you get to witness breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains. The one-way flight cost me around 8000 INR. Be sure to plan your trip and book in advance to secure great deals. I usually book my domestic flights on Make My Trip. I took an early morning flight and landed in Srinagar at 8:30 AM IST.

Since I was traveling with my parents, we booked a packaged tour. The per-person cost of the entire 10 days (Including Leh) was around 40-45 grand per person excluding the flight tickets. You can also take the liberty of curating and planning your trip on your own. Usually, you need a dedicated vehicle for transit within Kashmir. A daily cab (Innova/Tata Sumo/Tavera) for local sightseeing would cost you around 2500-3000 INR. We got ourselves an Innova, which stayed throughout the length of our trip. It was a very comfortable journey since only 3 of us were there.

So, the vehicle was waiting outside the airport to take us to our hotel. We were booked in one of the houseboats on Dal Lake for the first day. A room in a houseboat would cost around 3000-8000 INR depending on your choice and preference. It was my first time staying in a houseboat. The experience and surrounding views were worth it. The check-in process was smooth and after having breakfast, we set out to visit the Mughal Gardens.

Mughal Gardens

Its truly a sight to behold. This is one of the most beautiful gardens that I have been to. As you step into the Mughal Gardens, you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery, colorful flowers, and multiple fountains and water bodies. One of the most iconic Mughal Gardens in Srinagar is the Shalimar Bagh, built by Emperor Jahangir for his beloved wife, Nur Jahan. It’s a masterpiece of the Mughal Empire. Another garden is Nishat Bagh, where you’ll encounter fragrant rose bushes and ancient chinar trees. These trees have great cultural significance. Post this we had a sumptuous lunch.

Dal Lake Boat Ride

Post lunch, we headed towards our hotel and planned to take an evening boat ride. These boats are called “Shikara” by locals. It’s not just an activity, it’s an immersive experience that allows you to soak in Kashmiri traditions and culture. It’s very wholesome. We had our evening tea on the Shikara and it was a wonderful ride. Our ride was included in the package cost. If you’re planning your trip on your own, you can get one at 700-1000 INR per hour. Its colorful canopy and intricately carved motifs is a symbol of Kashmiri craftsmanship and hospitality.

After having soaked up ourselves on this serene and amazing ride, we retired to our houseboat.

Day 2-Gulmarg

We started towards Gulmarg after having our breakfast the next day. The ride was very scenic with picturesque mountains and lush green meadows dotted with grazing sheep. We took a halt at Tangmarg for some snacks and simmering chai. After a scenic ride of around 2-2.5 hours, we reached Gulmarg. Its alpine charm will mesmerize you and the views start with lush green valleys and transcend to snow-capped mountains. Gulmarg is a very famous skiing site as well. Gondola rides are something that you must try whenever you’re there. The Gulmarg Gondola is Asia’s largest and highest and the world’s second-largest and second-highest Gondola. The entire ride consists of 2 phases.

Gulmarg to Kongdori – The first phase of the ride takes around 9-10 minutes.

Kongdori to Apharwat Peak- The second phase of the ride takes about 12-15 minutes.

There are long queues to get into these Gondolas. So make sure you arrive on time and purchase the ticket in advance. The ticketing window opens 75 days prior to the actual travel. You can purchase the tickets here.

Phase 1 is priced at 750 INR pp

Phase 2 is priced at 950 INR pp.

In Phase 2, you can see Nanda Devi peak. We had a great lunch after getting down the Phase 2 ride and after having a joyful and fun time, we started our descent. It was truly an amazing experience. The valleys were peppered with beautiful colorful flowers and we also were able to catch a few glimpses of horses grazing grass.

There are several great hotels in Gulmarg. Khyber is a great upscale option to put up in this area as well. We returned back to Srinagar because the next day we were slated to visit Pahalgam.

Day 3- Pahalgam

After having a satiating breakfast in the hotel, we set out for Pahalgam. It’s a 2.5-hour ride from Srinagar, which is lined with Apple trees and lush green landscapes. Many vendors were selling cherries on the roadside, so we got ourselves 2 boxes to snack on. We passed the Lidder River while entering Pahalgam. You need to rent a smaller vehicle to take you around Pahalgam. The rent starts from 3000 INR and it covers Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and Chandanwari. Our first stop was Betaab Valley. This is named after a Bollywood movie named Betaab. Post that we headed to Aru Valley. It was a beautiful spot nestled among the lush green valleys. We spent an amazing time eating cherries and taking a lazy stroll in the neighborhood area.

After relaxing and unwinding in the serene surroundings of Pahalgam, we returned to Srinagar. The next day we were supposed to start on our trip to Leh.

Guys, I hope you liked the itinerary and if this helps you a bit, I would be very happy.

Let me know when are you planning your visit.