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5N/6DKashmir, Jammu & Kashmir

Kashmir Winter Backpacking (5N/6D)

A winter group trip through snow-covered Kashmir, Srinagar to Srinagar: a houseboat night on Dal Lake, the Gulmarg gondola (Phase 1 included), the frozen Drung waterfall, two nights in Pahalgam and Srinagar's shrines and markets, led by a Trip Captain.

Duration
5 Nights / 6 Days
Departs from
Srinagar
Departures
On request
Transport
Srinagar to Srinagar, all local travel by Tempo Traveller, SUV or sedan depending on group size
Stay
5 nights on triple or dual sharing – Srinagar (1 night houseboat, 1 night hotel), Gulmarg (1 night) and Pahalgam (2 nights)
Meals
5 breakfasts and 5 dinners

Trip overview

A winter group trip through snow-covered Kashmir, Srinagar to Srinagar: a houseboat night on Dal Lake, the Gulmarg gondola (Phase 1 included), the frozen Drung waterfall, two nights in Pahalgam and Srinagar's shrines and markets, led by a Trip Captain.

Trip highlights

  • Houseboat night on Dal Lake
  • Shikara ride
  • Gulmarg Gondola – Phase 1
  • Drung Waterfall
  • Pahalgam – Aru, Betaab & Chandanwari
  • Shankaracharya Temple
  • Hazratbal & Jama Masjid

Day-wise itinerary

Download itinerary
  1. 1
    Day 1Arrive Srinagar+
    • Dal Lake
    • Airport pickup on sharing basis (arrivals before 12 noon) and drive to Dal Lake
    • Check in at the houseboat and freshen up
    • Visit the Mughal gardens on the banks of Dal Lake: Nishat Bagh, the 'Garden of Pleasure', and Shalimar Bagh
    • Shikara ride on Dal Lake at sunset
    • Dinner and overnight on the houseboat

    Meals: DinnerNight: Srinagar (houseboat)

  2. 2
    Day 2Srinagar to Gulmarg+
    • Gondola Ride
    • After breakfast, drive to Gulmarg, home to one of the world's highest golf courses and Kashmir's main ski slopes
    • Check in at the hotel and take some time to rest
    • Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ride (included), among the highest cable cars in Asia, with wide views of the snow peaks
    • Evening free to enjoy the snow around the meadow

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Gulmarg

  3. 3
    Day 3Gulmarg to Pahalgam via Drung Waterfall+
    • After breakfast, begin the drive towards Pahalgam
    • Stop at Drung Waterfall near Tangmarg, which freezes into a wall of ice in winter
    • Reach Pahalgam, check in at the hotel and relax
    • Evening walk around the town and along the Lidder river

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Pahalgam

  4. 4
    Day 4Explore Pahalgam+
    • Aru, Betaab & Chandanwari
    • After breakfast, a full day around Pahalgam
    • Betaab Valley, a wide meadow ringed by snow peaks, and Aru Valley, a quiet village meadow further up
    • Chandanwari, known for its snow bridge and as the starting point of the Amarnath route
    • Snow activities such as sledging are available here and payable directly

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Pahalgam

  5. 5
    Day 5Back to Srinagar+
    • Shrines & Markets
    • After breakfast, drive back to Srinagar
    • Shankaracharya Temple on Takht-e-Suleiman hill, with a view over the whole Kashmir valley
    • Pari Mahal, Hazratbal Shrine on the lake shore and the old city's Jama Masjid
    • Evening by Dal Lake; try Kashmiri Wazwan in the local market or go café hopping (on your own)

    Meals: Breakfast & DinnerNight: Srinagar

  6. 6
    Day 6Departure+
    • Breakfast at the hotel and check-out
    • Drop at Srinagar airport on sharing basis

    Meals: Breakfast

Important travel notes

  • All sightseeing depends on weather, road conditions and available time; the Trip Captain may change the order when needed.
  • A booking advance of ₹2,000 per person confirms your seat. You can pay the advance or the full amount online; the balance is due before departure.
  • Each batch has 20 seats, so we recommend booking early, especially for weekends and holidays.
  • Before departure we add all travellers to a WhatsApp group with the Trip Captain, boarding point and timings.
  • Carry a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar / Driving Licence / Passport) for every traveller.

What's included

  • Transport: Srinagar to Srinagar, all local travel by Tempo Traveller, SUV or sedan depending on group size
  • Stay: 5 nights on triple or dual sharing – Srinagar (1 night houseboat, 1 night hotel), Gulmarg (1 night) and Pahalgam (2 nights)
  • Meals: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners
  • Activities: Gulmarg Gondola Phase 1 ride and a shikara ride in Srinagar
  • Airport pickup and drop on sharing basis
  • Trip Captain throughout the trip
  • Experienced local drivers for mountain roads
  • Driver allowance, tolls, parking and state taxes
  • Basic medical kit

Not included

  • 5% GST
  • Flights or train tickets to and from the starting point
  • Lunch and any meals not listed under inclusions
  • Gondola tickets, pony rides, sledging, snow activities and other optional activities, unless listed under inclusions
  • Local union cabs for Aru, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari in Pahalgam, and for Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg, unless listed under inclusions
  • Entry tickets to gardens and monuments
  • Room heaters where the hotel charges for them
  • Travel insurance, tips, porterage, laundry and other personal expenses
  • Costs arising from bad weather, snowfall, road closures, landslides or anything else outside our control
  • Anything not listed under inclusions

Dates & prices

Triple sharing (3 per room)

₹19,999

per person + 5% GST

Double sharing (2 per room)

₹21,999

per person + 5% GST

No fixed dates open right now

We run this trip on request for groups. Ask us for the next batch or a private departure.

Ask for dates

Things to carry

  • Valid government photo ID
  • Comfortable walking / trekking shoes
  • Warm layers or jacket (mountain evenings get cold)
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Sunglasses, cap and sunscreen
  • Personal medicines
  • Reusable water bottle
  • Power bank and charger
  • Toiletries and personal essentials
  • Small backpack for day trips

Cancellation policy

  • The booking amount / advance is non-refundable in any case.
  • 30 or more days before departure: 80% refund (excluding the advance).
  • 15–29 days before departure: 50% refund (excluding the advance).
  • 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund (excluding the advance).
  • Less than 7 days before departure: no refund.
  • No-shows and late arrivals: no refund.
  • If Aquilla Hikes cancels or reschedules for unavoidable reasons, you get another date or a trip of equal value (no cash refund). Rescheduling credit is valid for 12 months.
Full policy

Important instructions

  • Carry a valid government photo ID.
  • The balance must be cleared before boarding.
  • Itineraries may change due to weather, road conditions or local restrictions.
  • Follow your Trip Captain's instructions — their decision on safety is final.
  • AC is switched off on hill roads for safety.
Terms & conditions

Questions about this trip

What is the price of the Kashmir Winter Backpacking (5N/6D)?+

Triple sharing (3 per room): ₹19,999; Double sharing (2 per room): ₹21,999 per person. 5% GST is extra. A booking advance of ₹2,000 per person confirms your seat.

Where is the pickup / boarding point?+

Departure from Srinagar. Exact boarding details, vehicle number and your Trip Captain's contact are shared in the trip WhatsApp group a day before departure.

What stay and meals are included?+

Stay: 5 nights on triple or dual sharing – Srinagar (1 night houseboat, 1 night hotel), Gulmarg (1 night) and Pahalgam (2 nights). Meals: 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners. See the full inclusions list on this page.

How will we travel?+

By Srinagar to Srinagar, all local travel by Tempo Traveller, SUV or sedan depending on group size, as per the itinerary. AC is switched off on hill roads for safety.

Can I join solo?+

Yes — book a single seat on quad or triple sharing and you'll share with fellow travellers from the group.

What if I need to cancel?+

The booking amount / advance is non-refundable in any case. 30 or more days before departure: 80% refund (excluding the advance). 15–29 days before departure: 50% refund (excluding the advance). 7–14 days before departure: 25% refund (excluding the advance). Less than 7 days before departure: no refund.

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