Why Kashmir, India?
Kashmir is one of those places that lives in the imagination long before you get there — and then it's exactly what the imagination promised. Chinar trees turning red in autumn, houseboats on Dal Lake, meadows above Pahalgam where the Lidder river runs turquoise, Gulmarg's gondola climbing to 3,900 m, and the world's finest saffron and pashmina coming from the villages you drive through. Since 2020 the Valley has opened up to tourism again in a big way and we've been running it consistently. Handled properly, it's still one of India's most beautiful trips.
Highlights
Srinagar
Dal Lake shikaras, Mughal gardens (Nishat, Shalimar, Chashme Shahi), Old City wooden mosques
Gulmarg
Gondola Phase 1 & 2 (3,979 m), meadow walks in summer, skiing in winter
Pahalgam
Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, Lidder river, base for Amarnath yatra
Sonamarg
"Meadow of gold," glacier walks, Thajiwas
Yusmarg
Quieter alpine meadow south of Srinagar
Doodhpathri
The "valley of milk," recently opened up for tourism
Saffron fields of Pampore
Oct–Nov bloom
Hazratbal & Jamia Masjid
Srinagar's sacred sites
Ideal For
Plan this trip your way
Every EternaLink trip is built from scratch for your group. What that means in practice:
First conversation is free. No commitment, no pressure.
Quick Tips
- April–June for tulips and gardens; September–November for chinar autumn and saffron; December–February for snow
- Two nights Srinagar (including houseboat) + Pahalgam + Gulmarg is the tight 6-day loop
- Add Sonamarg or Yusmarg for 8 days
Experiences we can build in
Overnight in a heritage houseboat on Dal or Nigeen Lake
Sunrise shikara through the floating vegetable market
Kashmiri wazwan feast at a family home (36-course tradition; we do a shorter set)
Pashmina and papier-mâché workshop with the artisans who supply the exports
Gondola to Apharwat Peak — snow year-round at Phase 2
Good to know
Visa
For international guests, India e-Visa; Indian passport holders — not required.
Currency
INR. Carry cash for smaller villages; cards work in Srinagar.
Language
Kashmiri; Urdu; English and Hindi widely spoken in tourism.
Getting there
Direct flights to Srinagar from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru (~1.5–3 hrs).
Ground rules
Kashmir is safe for tourism; we monitor conditions and adjust in the rare case of local disruption.