Lakes, Meadows & Living Stories – A Family Journey 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.

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. This morning, cycle around the lake, guided not just by your local host but by the rhythm of a city slowly waking up. Pass by mirror-like waters, willow trees swaying, and Kashmiris beginning their day with chai and chatter.

Visit the Mughal gardens, where flowers bloom like poetry. If it’s the season, the Tulip Garden greets you in full color endless rows of delicate, fleeting beauty. Pause at the Hazratbal Mosque, its white dome reflecting in the lake graceful, serene, and full of reverence.

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 On the way back stop by Drung Waterfall a spectacle of ice and mist in winter a gushing cascade in summer Overnight in Srinagar where the city lights reflect on the water creating a magic of their own.

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.

Enjoy a hearty Kashmiri breakfast before heading to the airport. As your flight takes off glance back at the lush valleys and brimming lakes Kashmir is not just a destination but an experience that lingers long after you leave.