Our Kashmir tour with Vaishnodevi Darshan begins with your arrival at Jammu Airport. Afterward, drive to Katra, a small town in the Reasi district at the foothills of the Trikuta Mountains, which is home to the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi. Once you arrive, check in to your reserved hotel. Then, enjoy free time for personal activities before dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will then check out from the hotel in Katra and drive to Pahalgam, the second part of your Kashmir tour with Maa Vaishno Devi Darshan. Often referred to as the Valley of Shepherds, Pahalgam lies at the confluence of streams from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River in Jammu & Kashmir. Notably , this premier resort stays cool even in summer, with temperatures rarely exceeding 25 degrees Celsius. Upon your arrival, check in to your hotel and take some time to rest. Finally, enjoy an overnight stay in Pahalgam.

After breakfast, you can either hire a horse or take your own car to explore Pahalgam’s beautiful valleys, where many Bollywood movies have been filmed. First, visit Beetaab Valley, Chandanwari Valley, and Aru Valley, which require a local taxi due to government restrictions on your car. The round trip costs between Rs 1,800 and Rs 2,300, and your driver will assist you with booking. Additionally, you can hire a pony to explore extra sites like Kashmir Valley, Baisaran Valley, and Deaban Valley (optional). Finally, return to the hotel in Pahalgam for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will then drive straight to Srinagar. Upon your arrival, check in and freshen up at the hotel. Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir, sits in the Kashmir Valley along the banks of the Jhelum River, at an elevation of 1,585 meters (5,200 feet). Later in the day, visit the world-famous Mughal Gardens, including Nishat, Shalimar, and Cheshmashahi Gardens. Finally, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, you will then get ready to visit the famous tourist and filmmakers’ destination, Yusmarg. On your way, stop at the shrine of Sufi Saint Baba Sheikh Noor-Ud-Din, also known as Nund Rishi, to enjoy snacks and observe the traditional lifestyle of rural Kashmir. Next, continue to Yusmarg, where you can hire horses to explore Doodhpathri, also known as Doodh Ganga River, and other sites. This stream is fed year-round by glacier waters from the Peer Panchal Mountain Range. Additionally, visit the artificial lake created by the local hydel power station. In the evening, drive back to Srinagar for dinner and an overnight stay.

After an early breakfast, drive to Gulmarg, nestled in a cup-shaped valley of the Pir Panjal Range at an altitude of 2,730 meters (8,957 feet). Originally named Gaurimarg, or “the Fair One,” by shepherds in honor of the Hindu Goddess Parvati, the resort was renamed Gulmarg, meaning “Meadow of Flowers,” by Sultan Yusuf Shah of the Chak Dynasty in the 16th century. Mughal Emperor Jahangir even collected 21 varieties of wildflowers from this area for his garden.

Activities in Gulmarg

Gulmarg is a popular skiing destination. After Indian independence, planners aimed to develop it for winter sports. In 1960, the Indian Department of Tourism invited Rudy Matt to identify a suitable location, and he chose Gulmarg. The Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering was established in 1968 to train ski instructors. Over the next decade, India invested $30 million to transform Gulmarg into a world-class ski destination. By the mid-1980s, heli-skiing was introduced in collaboration with French skier Sylvain Sudan.

Winter in Gulmarg 

According to CNN, Gulmarg is the heartland of winter sports in India and was considered a potential host for the 2010 Commonwealth Winter Games. It has been rated as Asia’s seventh-best ski destination.

The Gulmarg Gondola, located in Jammu & Kashmir, is the world’s second-highest operating cable car, following the closure of the Merida cable car in Venezuela in 2008. It has two phases: the first phase reaches Kongdoori (8,530 feet), while the second phase goes to Afarwat Peak (13,780 feet). Ticket prices are Rs 740 for the first phase and Rs 950 for the second phase, totaling Rs 1,690 per adult.

Purchase your tickets to ascend Kongdoori or Afarwat Peak using this impressive cable car facility. Enjoy activities such as snow sledging and observe the tribal life of the Himalayan Gujjars, or nomadic people. Finally, return to Srinagar for an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, get ready to drive straight to Sonamarg, meaning “Meadow of Gold.” This hill station, located in the Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, is about 80 km northeast of Srinagar and sits at an elevation of 2,800 meters (9,200 feet) above sea level.

En route to Sonamarg, feast your eyes on the breathtaking landscapes of the outer Himalayan range, featuring nomadic life, the Indus River flowing alongside your journey, towering snow-capped peaks, apple orchards, and wildflowers. Don’t miss the Shitkari Bridge, where the famous Bollywood movie *3 Idiots* was filmed, along with many other locations.

Upon arrival in Sonamarg, enjoy local sightseeing, including a visit to the world-famous Thajiwas Glacier, a 1,000-year-old glacier, and a trout fish farm. Note that additional charges apply for horse riding, sledge riding, and other tourist activities.

Later in the evening, return to Srinagar. Upon arrival, check in at a houseboat, a unique and luxurious experience found only in the Kashmir Valley. This stay will surely be memorable. After checking in, you may opt for a shikara ride to explore the beautiful destinations on Dal Lake. Finally, return to the houseboat for dinner and an overnight stay.