Overview
Experience the enchanting beauty of Kashmir with this premium 8-day tour covering Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam along with a memorable stay in a traditional Kashmiri houseboat on Dal Lake.
Begin your journey in Srinagar, famous for its lakes, Mughal gardens, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Explore the lush green meadows of Doodhpathri, the snow-covered valleys of Sonamarg, and enjoy the magical Shikara experience on Dal Lake.
Continue towards the scenic beauty of Gulmarg, famous for snow activities and the Gondola cable car ride, before relaxing amidst the peaceful valleys of Pahalgam.
This package perfectly combines valleys, snow landscapes, rivers, glaciers, gardens, mountains, and authentic Kashmiri experiences.
Highlights
- Stay in Traditional Kashmir Houseboat
- Gulmarg Gondola & Snow Experience
- Sonamarg & Zero Point Excursion
- Doodhpathri Meadow Experience
- Pahalgam Valley Sightseeing
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Srinagar Airport, pickup will be provided at 12:00 PM and 02:00 PM on a sharing vehicle basis. Guests arriving outside these timings, or after the final pickup time, must arrange their own transfer to the hotel at their own expense. After check-in, the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
After breakfast at around 8:00 AM, proceed from Srinagar to Doodhpathri, located approximately 45 km away (about 2 hours’ drive). Doodhpathri is known for its beautiful meadows, flowing streams, and peaceful natural surroundings. Upon arrival, enjoy sightseeing and visit the main tourist points in the area. After spending time exploring Doodhpathri, return to Srinagar. At around 3:00 PM, high tea will be served at the hotel in Srinagar. The rest of the day is at leisure for rest or shopping in the local market
After breakfast at around 7:30 AM, proceed from Srinagar to Sonamarg, located approximately 80 km away (about 3 hours’ drive). Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and have lunch. Later, visit Zero Point by sharing vehicle as per time management and weather conditions. You may also visit Thajiwas Glacier. Guests who wish to reach the glacier by horse can do so at their own expense. After sightseeing, return to the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Sonamarg.
After breakfast at 8:00 AM, check out from the hotel in Sonamarg and proceed to Srinagar houseboat (approx. 80 km / 3 hours). On the way, visit Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi Garden. After sightseeing, check in to the houseboat and have lunch. Later, enjoy a Shikara ride on Dal Lake. Dinner will be served at the houseboat. Overnight stay in Srinagar (Houseboat).
After breakfast, check out from the houseboat in Srinagar and proceed to Gulmarg, located approximately 60 km away (about 2 to 3 hours’ drive). Gulmarg is one of the most popular hill stations in Kashmir, known for its scenic beauty and mountain views. Guests may enjoy the Gondola cable car ride (Phase 1 and Phase 2). Gondola tickets must be booked online in advance through the official website www.jammukashmircablecar.com, preferably one month prior to travel. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the surroundings. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Gulmarg.
After breakfast, check out from the hotel in Gulmarg and proceed to Pahalgam, located approximately 140 km away (about 4 hours’ drive). On the way, you will pass through saffron fields and a cricket bat factory; however, guests are advised not to spend excessive time at these stops, as lunch is scheduled at the hotel in Pahalgam. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel, which is generally situated near the main market area. Guests who wish to upgrade their hotel category must inform at the time of booking, and additional charges will apply. After lunch, visit Baisaran Valley (Mini Switzerland), which can be reached only by horse ride (at your own expense). Driver sightseeing is not included. After sightseeing, return to the hotel. Dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
After breakfast at the hotel in Pahalgam, proceed for local sightseeing by union taxi, as outside vehicles are not permitted for sightseeing in this area (charges to be paid directly). Visit the famous Betaab Valley, known for its scenic beauty and lush green surroundings, followed by Aru Valley, a peaceful valley surrounded by mountains and natural landscapes. You will also visit Chandanwari, a popular spot known for its snow views . After completing the sightseeing, return to the hotel. Lunch and dinner will be served at the hotel. Overnight stay in Pahalgam.
After tea and breakfast at 6.am, the tour ends with a drop at Srinagar Airport from Pahalgam. If there is a change in the flight time, the traveler will have to reach Srinagar Airport on his own. The return flight ticket should be booked after 1 pm. It is necessary to reach the airport 3 hours before the flight time and if there is a flight at another time for cheap air tickets, then he/she will have to reach Srinagar Airport at his own expense.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in above mentioned or similar category hotels, will be confirm at the time of booking.
- Complimentary use of the hotels any recreation facility as per hotels terms & conditions. (subject to availability).
- Surface transportation from pick up till drop Srinagar to Srinagar round trip and local sightseeing as per the itinerary by Tempo Traveller / Winger (Non A.C.)
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- 2 mineral water bottles of 1 liter will be provided per person every day.
- In Srinagar, Sonmarg and Pahalgam, meals prepared by our own Maharaj (cook) such as Kathiawadi, Punjabi and Gujarati will be provided.
- In the premium tour, shikara ride at Dal Lake is arranged for 4 passengers for 60 minutes. (Depending on time availability.) The cost per passenger is Rs. 300/-. If due to any reason the shikara ride is not possible, then Rs. 300/- will be refunded.
- In the premium tour, zero point (Sonmarg) sightseeing is arranged by taxi union for 3 hours in a non A.C. Sumo or Tavera, with 6 persons per vehicle. (If time exceeds 3 hours, then the charges have to be paid directly to the taxi union.)
- In our premium tour, we offer Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari sightseeing in a non A.C. sharing vehicle (Tavera or Tata Sumo) with 6 persons per vehicle, for a duration of 3 hours.
- Instead of a 27-seater bus, the travel will be arranged in smaller tempo travellers. In a 12-seater tempo traveller only 10 passengers can be seated, in a 17-seater tempo traveller 12 to 13 passengers, and in a 20-seater tempo traveller or mini bus only 16 to 17 passengers can be seated comfortably. Every passenger will have to sit according to the rotation system.
The Cost Excludes
- 5% GST Extra.
- Any Airfare / Train fare is not included in the package cost.
- Any expenses of personal nature like tips, phone calls, fax, internet, games, sauna, and steam, Jacuzzi, laundry, extra vehicle hire, bar, room heaters, discotheque or any other.
- Pony/horse rides, boat rides, safaris, rafting charges, skiing/skating, and cable car/ropeway rides etc.
- Entrance fees at any monument and guide charges, wherever applicable.
- Additional sightseeing tours and excursions. All major sightseeing will be cover once during sightseeing.
- Vehicle will be allowed up to parking points & last possible points. (Subject to road & gov. conditions).
- Any service not specifically mentioned in the Package Cost Includes column.
- Union vehicle
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
