Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Arrival at SrinagarAll Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai begin at Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir resting on the banks of River Jhelum.
Anciently described as the ‘City of Sri (Goddess Lakshmi)’ and the ‘City of Surya (Sun)’, Srinagar is nicknamed ‘the Venice of the Orient’ for its superlative network of placid lakes and leisurely drifting boats.
The greenery-laden mountains topped by the towering silvery peaks mirror themselves majestically in the lakes and you watch this panorama in awe. The resplendent Mughal Gardens, mystic Hindu and Muslim shrines and delectable spices-loaded cuisines promise you the best moments of life.
As you arrive in the city by road or air, our tour representative would escort you from the designated pick up point to the booked accommodation in a houseboat on Dal Lake.
Deserved to be called ‘the Jewel in the Crown of Kashmir’, the lake is nature’s special craft and has a long shoreline dotted with the iconic cultural heritage of Kashmir. Moored to its banks are the intricately-carved houseboats which astonish the guests with luxury and space consisting of bedrooms, lounges, dining areas and balconies.
Take time to absorb the excitement of staying on the lake and get ready for an unforgettable evening.
You would be taken on a stirring shikara ride to explore the wonders of Dal Lake. Built with deodar wood and painted with bright colours, shikaras takes you back to the royal age of Mughals. Seating with cushions and upholstery, beautiful canopies and sorts of embellishments make them an exclusive ride.
As the oars splashing the tranquil water create soulful melodies, you soak yourself in the dramatic vistas like floating gardens adorned with lotuses and vegetables, floral shikaras carrying multi-hued flowers, enchanting mountain sceneries and breathtaking sunset views.
Get back to the houseboat and enjoy a memorable night stay. The heat from kangris, the Kashmiri heaters, would keep you comfortable.
Overnight stay in houseboat.
Have your breakfast and leave with us for half day sightseeing of Srinagar’s exotic vistas.
Kashmir tours from Mumbai are incomplete without exploring the captivating Mughal Gardens that would be the highlight of this sightseeing trip.
Located on the banks of Dal, these gardens have lofty mountains as their spectacular backdrop.
Start the trip with Shalimar Bagh (open from 09:00 a.m.-07:00 p.m.; closed on Friday; entry fee INR 10), the largest of all the gardens in the city. Originally built in the 2nd century, it used to be a royal cottage surrounded by a garden named Shalimar which means ‘the abode of love’.
It was in the early 17th century that the Mughal Emperor Jahangir got it rebuilt in the popular Persian Garden style called Chahar Bagh. Known for its tall chinar trees, flower beds, terraced lawns, pools, water channels and fountains, the garden would leave you impressed.
Next, we would visit Nishat Bagh (open from 09:30 a.m.-05:00 p.m.; closed on Friday; entry fee INR 10), the ‘Garden of Joy’, which was built in the year 1633. The grandeur of the park is as spellbinding as that of Shalimar Bagh, with pools, fountains, flower beds and rows of chinar and cypress trees. A distinctive feature is the presence of 12 terraced lawns representing the zodiac signs.
The next destination is Chashme Shahi (open from 09:30 a.m.-05:00 p.m.; closed on Friday; entry fee INR 10), the Mughal Garden built at the orders of Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632. Named after and built around a spring, the garden is often tagged as the most beautiful of all. Consisting of lawns, waterfalls, fountains and a variety of vegetations, the park has its main attraction in the form of spring with sweet and cool water. It is believed that the water has medicinal properties.
After this wonderful sightseeing, you would be transferred to the next destination of Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai, Gulmarg, popularly called the Meadow of Flowers.
A town with paradisiacal beauty, Gulmarg turns from a valley of wild flowers in summers to a snow-loaded heaven in winters. Founded as a resort during the Mughal rule, the place impressed the British who developed it as a summer resort and a golfing destination.
Today, it is at the heart of winter sports in India, promising adventurous sports like skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, mountaineering, snow-trekking and more. Snow-covered mountains as well as lakes, temples and the world-class Gondola ride(to Kungdoor and Affarwat Point) are the other attractions.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure on your own. A great idea would be to visit the Gulmarg Golf Course(open from 08:30 a.m.-10:00 p.m.; entry fee INR 800/1200 for Indians/foreigners).
At the height of 2,650 m., this 18-hole course is counted among the world’s highest golf course and has a 100-year old history. Khilanmarg, a pristine valley with breathtaking views of Himalayan peaks like Nanga Parbat, is another good suggestion.
During spring, the valley comes alive with multihued blooms. Alpather Lake is another stupendous attraction near Gulmarg. During winters it remains frozen and serves as a skating ground. During summers (between July-September), it is full of crystal clear water. (Kindly note that since Alpather lake is quite close to LOC, special permits are required at some of the places.)
You may also visit St. Mary’s Church (open from 10:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m.), which is more than 110 years old and is known for its wood work and Victorian Architecture. Maharani Temple (open from 06:00 a.m.-09:00 p.m.), built by the Dogra rulers in 1915 and dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, and Baba Reshi Shrine (open from 09:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m.), dating back to the 15th century in lovely Persian and Mughal architectural styles, are other notable attractions.
Get back to the hotel in the evening for the night stay.
After you finish your breakfast, we take you for the most exciting activity of Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai. Gulmarg Gondola, popular as the world’s second highest ropeway cable car ride, is ready to take you to some great heights. And what you see below is absolute bliss.
The extravagant views of the snow-covered mountain sceneries decorated with pines would leave you speechless.Occasionally you may see shepherds with their sheeps grazing on the green pastures(in summers).
You would be riding the cable car for the Phase I from Gulmarg to Kungdoor (opens from 10 a.m.-05:00 p.m.; ticket cost is INR 740 per head for adults and also for children between 3-10 years; free for children below 3). If the time allows, you may opt for Phase 2 from Kungdoor to Affarwat (opens from 10 a.m.-03:00 p.m.; ticket cost is INR 950 per head for adults and also for children between 3-10 years; free for children below 3).
After this thrilling experience, get back to the hotel for packing.
Next, we would drive you to Pahalgam, popularly called the Valley of Shepherds and a favourite among Bollywood filmmakers.
Resting on the bank of River Lidder, the town is painted in green with saffron fields adding their own vibrant shade.
Pine and conifer forests here are home to musk deer, rhesus macaque, brown bear, leopards and several other wild animals, apart from birds like monal and blue rock pigeon.
River rafting, trekking, hiking, angling, camping and many other adventures make it a popular destination among adventure loving daredevils as well.
On arrival, check in at the booked hotel and take some rest. For the remaining day, you are free to explore the place at leisure.
Among the best places you may explore is Aru Valley (about 10 km., entry fee INR 25).
Blessed with wildflower meadows and dense forests, the valley has untouched majesty that compels visitors to spend hours discovering its charm. Don’t miss pony rides and getting clicked in traditional Kashmiri dresses.
Another good option is Baisaran Hills (about 7 km.), another unspoiled paradise with lush green pastures, thick pine canopies and snow-capped mountains in the background. Drenched in the sheer beauty is the bowl-shaped 18-hole Pahalgam Golf Course (opens from 10:00 a.m.-04:00 p.m.; fee is INR 1,200 for walk-in guests).
You may also visit the Mamleshwar Temple which has a spring with amazingly pure water.
Other noteworthy attractions are Deer Park, Lavender Park and Lidder Amusement Park (closed on Friday; entry fee INR 100/25 for adults/children).
At last, retire to your hotel for the overnight stay.
Start the day with breakfast and get ready for some great excursions near Pahalgam.
You may visit these places on your own or include them in Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai with price.
The first place is the picturesque Betaab Valley (about 15 km., entry fee INR 100), named after a popular Bollywood movie shot here. Luxuriantly green meadows carpet the entire valley, while the colourful flowers act as the embellishments.
Elegantly rowed pine, willow, walnut and deodar trees cover the slopes and then there are hoary Himalayan peaks gazing back at you. The streams washing the valley have such crystal clear water that it is safe for direct drinking. It is among the most divine places in Kashmir to enjoy snowfall during winters.
Must-do things include camping, horse riding, trekking and photography.
Next, you can visit Chandanwari (about 16 km.), the starting point of the famous annual Amarnath Yatra.
The picturesque trail from Pahalgam, with Lidder flowing by your side all the way, leads to this pretty place. If you visit the place when the snow starts to melt, you would be enchanted to see a number of waterfalls.
Drive back to Pahalgam, where you may visit the leftover tourist attractions from the previous day or indulge in shopping at the local markets. Return to the hotel and enjoy the night stay.
Bid farewell to Pahalgam as we move back to Srinagar on the 5th day of Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai.
On the way, stop at Awantipore (about 56 km. from Pahalgam) and visit the remarkable temples ruins of the place (open from 09:00 a.m.-05:00 p.m.; entry fee INR 15/200 for Indian and SAARC tourists/others.
Built in the 9th century by King Avantivarman, the two temples flaunt Indo-Greek Architecture and are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. The first one is Avantiswami dedicated to Lord Vishnu while the second one named Avantisvara is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Destroyed by earthquakes and invasions by Afghan rulers, the temples in the ruin state still hold value. It is indeed a great experience to explore the pillars, sculptures and other highlights here.
Leave Awantipora and stop at one of the many factories in the region that manufacture the top-class willow bats. You may like to purchase one. Continue the journey to Srinagar and check in at the booked hotel.
Take some rest before we take you to Shankaracharya Temple (open from 08:00 a.m.-08:00 p.m.; cars allowed only till 05:00 p.m.), located on the Gopadari hilltop. While it is believed to date back to 200 BC, some argue that it existed even in 2500 BC. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it has octagonal base and towers. One may climb about 250 stairs to reach the temple which offers some stunning views of the entire region.
In the evening, you may visit other tourist attractions on your own or indulge into shopping. One of the best places to visit is Hari Parbat, which is believed to have grown from a sacred pebble as per the Hindu Mythology. It houses a number of attractions like forts, temples and Sufi shrines.Hazratbal Mosque on the bank of Dal Lake is a beautiful white marble structure with unbelievable peace and spirituality. It houses a relic in the form of Prophet Muhammad’s hair.Pari Mahal (open from 09:30 a.m.-05:30 p.m.; entry fee INR 10) is a monuments surrounded by a seven-terraced garden.
Tulip Garden, Kheer Bhawani Temple and Nigeen Lake are other top places.
At last, return to your hotel for the night stay.
Finish your breakfast and join us on an excursion to Sonamarg, the ‘Meadow of Gold’, which is one of the best place is India to enjoy snow and snow activities. Washed by River Sindh, the place is inhabited by only about 400 locals and is relatively less-crowded.
Historically, it was a part of the famous Silk Route. White water rafting, camping, trout fishing and trekking to the high-altitude alpine lakes like Krishnasar, Vishansar, Gadsar and Gangabal are the popular activities here.
One of the top attractions of Sonamarg is Thajiwas Glacier that can be accessed on foot or pony or by a local taxi. The white carpet of snow covers every nook and corner of this place and you are simply bowled-over by the place’s extraordinary splendour. You can enjoy sledging here.
Baltal valley and Zojila Pass are other attractions you may visit depending on the time available.
Get back to Srinagar and stay overnight in the hotel.
After breakfast, our tour representative would help you transfer to the airport or any other point from where you begin the journey back to home. Kashmir tour packages from Mumbai end here.