- Stay in Srinagar and visit Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam as day trips.
- 5 to 6 days is the sweet spot for a first Kashmir trip.
- Spend one night in Pahalgam if you have 6 days or more.
- Add Katra at the start if you want Vaishno Devi darshan.
Planning a Kashmir trip itinerary comes down to one question: how many nights do you have? Once you know that, the rest falls into place.
In this guide you'll find the exact day-by-day plans our Kashmir team builds for guests every week, from a quick 3-day escape to a relaxed 8-day tour.
We'll also show you where to sleep each night, and why.
Why should you use Srinagar as your base?
Because Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Doodhpathri are all within about three hours of Srinagar, just in different directions.
Driving directly between hill stations wastes half a day each time. The easiest Kashmir travel itinerary is to stay in Srinagar and do each place as a day trip. The one exception is Pahalgam, where a night in the valley is worth it.
| From | To | Distance (approx.) | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Gulmarg | 50 km | 1.5 – 2 hrs |
| Srinagar | Sonamarg | 80 km | 2.5 – 3 hrs |
| Srinagar | Pahalgam | 95 km | 2.5 – 3 hrs |
| Srinagar | Doodhpathri | 42 km | 1.5 hrs |
| Gulmarg | Pahalgam | 140 km | 4 – 4.5 hrs |
| Gulmarg | Sonamarg | 135 km | 4 hrs |
| Sonamarg | Pahalgam | 170 km | 5 hrs |
| Jammu | Srinagar | 250 km | 6 – 8 hrs |
| Katra | Srinagar | 240 km | 6 – 7 hrs (train: about 3 hrs) |
What's the best 3-day Kashmir itinerary?
See Gulmarg and Pahalgam, then finish in Srinagar.
- Day 1: Srinagar to Gulmarg day trip
- Day 2: Srinagar to Pahalgam day trip
- Day 3: Srinagar sightseeing and departure
This is exactly what our 2-night Kashmir tour package covers.
What's the best 4-day Kashmir itinerary?
Add a full day in Srinagar itself.
- Day 1: Srinagar local sightseeing and Dal Lake
- Day 2: Gulmarg day trip
- Day 3: Pahalgam day trip
- Day 4: Departure
What's the best 5-day Kashmir itinerary?
Add Sonamarg, the glacier valley.
- Day 1: Srinagar local sightseeing
- Day 2: Sonamarg day trip
- Day 3: Gulmarg day trip
- Day 4: Pahalgam day trip
- Day 5: Departure
What should a 6 to 8-day Kashmir tour itinerary include?
A night in Pahalgam and a houseboat night on Dal Lake.
With six days, stay in Pahalgam so you can see Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari properly, then return to Srinagar for a houseboat night. With seven days, add a day trip to Doodhpathri. With eight, keep a full free day on Dal Lake.
Our 5 nights 6 days Kashmir tour package follows this plan.
How do you add Vaishno Devi to a Jammu and Kashmir itinerary?
Start in Katra, then travel to Srinagar on day 2.
Do Mata Vaishno Devi darshan on day 1, take the highway or train to Srinagar on day 2, then follow the 5-day plan above. That's a complete Jammu Kashmir itinerary in a week. Read our Jammu to Kashmir trip guide for the route, and register for the yatra on the official Shrine Board website.
What's next?
Pick the plan that fits your dates, then compare our Kashmir tour packages or ask us to tailor one for you.
Have a question about planning your trip? Message us on WhatsApp or contact our Kashmir team for a free itinerary.
