From Floating Dreams to Glacial Skies – A Family Trail Through Kashmir

You land in Srinagar, but it feels more like arriving in a dream. Let the mountains greet you as you settle into your handpicked stay quiet, charming, and cradled by nature. No rush today. Just deep breaths and slower steps.

As the evening unfolds, step onto a Shikara, and let the waters of Dal Lake carry you gently into golden hour. The light softens, the sky turns molten, and everything noise, thought, time falls away.

It’s not just a boat ride. It’s your first conversation with Kashmir. Overnight in Srinagar, under skies that feel close enough to touch.

Begin your day on two wheels cycling around Dal Lake, with the early morning mist still rising off the water. Stop by the Mughal Gardens, the seasonal bloom of the Tulip Garden, and the peaceful aura of Hazratbal Mosque, each a soft chapter in Srinagar’s story.

As the sun begins to dip, ascend to the Shankaracharya Temple, where panoramic views of Srinagar spill open beneath you. It’s not just a view it’s perspective. Later, stroll through the lanes of old Srinagar, where stories are woven into every shopfront, every scent, every smile.

Overnight in Srinagar, wrapped in the quiet hum of the city.

Wake up to crisp mountain air and set off towards Gulmarg a meadow straight out of a dream Take the Gondola ride to the 2nd phase where clouds kiss the peaks and the world below feels miles away If you’re up for a challenge trek to Alpather Lake a glacial marvel hidden beyond the slopes

Explore Strawberry Valley where in summers you can pluck and taste Kashmir’s juiciest berries. Feel the rush of an ATV or snowbike ride carving through the vast open landscapes. In the evening, visit Drung Waterfall a spectacle of ice and mist in winter a gushing cascade in summer. Overnight in Gulmarg, where the silent meadows soothes you to sleep.

Head towards Pahalgam driving along the Lidder River which meanders through lush green valleys. Stop at a bat factory in Awantipora where craftsmen carve the finest cricket bats from Kashmiri willow. Visit an organic apple farm (in season) and taste some of the juiciest apples right off the tree

At a trout farm try your hand at catching fresh trout then enjoy a riverside meal of grilled trout with steaming Kashmiri chai. Spend the evening unwinding in the crisp mountain air. Overnight in Pahalgam where silence is only broken by the occasional crackling of a fireplace.

Wake up in Pahalgam, and set out into the deeper folds of Kashmir. Begin your morning in Aru Valley, a serene expanse of rolling meadows, pine-scented air, and rivers that run like lullabies. It’s a place that slows you down without asking.

En route, stop at a local cheese factory tucked away in the hills where rich Himalayan cheeses are crafted with care and tradition. A quiet bite of the land itself.

By afternoon, wander into Betaab Valley, where towering cliffs and gurgling streams surround you with cinematic beauty. Sit by the river.

Let the wind do the talking. Return to Pahalgam for the night, soul full and senses stilled.

Leave Pahalgam behind, but not before a hidden detour a secret river spot, where glacial waters invite you in for a brief, breathtaking dip. Cold, pure, unforgettable. Then onward to Aharbal Falls Kashmir’s own Niagara. Watch the water thunder into the gorge, framed by thick pine forests and the hush of wild nature. It’s not just a waterfall it’s a release.

As you make your way back to Srinagar, stop at the saffron fields of Pampore (seasonal). Sip on saffron-infused kahwa while the fields blush gold around you. Overnight in Srinagar, the day lingering softly behind your eyes.

Set out early for a day trip to Sonamarg, where Kashmir opens into wild, windswept beauty. Ride or walk to the stunning Thajwas Glacier, where the air turns crisp and the snow glows even in summer. If the roads allow, continue to Zoji La Pass a dramatic stretch of high-altitude road where mountains stand like guardians on either side.

Spend time on the meadows of Sonamarg, wide and golden, where time feels slower and skies feel closer.

Return to Srinagar by evening. Roam Lal Chowk, picking out souvenirs and spices, stories and silks. Overnight in Srinagar your bags heavier, your heart fuller.

Wake up before dawn for a centuries-old tradition the floating vegetable market on Dal Lake Watch as vendors barter fresh produce from wooden shikaras a scene untouched by time

Sip on hot kahwa taking in your final moments in Kashmir before heading to the airport carrying the essence of the valley’s beauty culture and warmth with you.