Trails, Tales & Tribal Valleys – Kashmir for the Wanderer

Your adventure begins in Srinagar as you head straight for Pahalgam following the scenic Lidder River route. Along the way visit a family-run bat factory in Awantipora where artisans handcraft Kashmiri willow cricket bats Stop at an organic apple farm and taste fresh apple juice before enjoying a fresh trout meal at a hidden riverside farm.

Drive towards Aru Valley where the river hums a soothing tune and wooden homes stand as testaments to Kashmiri life. Relaxed evening sipping Kahwa with the locals.

Overnight in Aru Valley, a peaceful rest after your long travels.

Wake to the sound of birds and the soft gurgle of a stream nearby. Have a quiet breakfast outdoors, where the morning feels untouched. Then set off on horseback to Lidderwat, the base camp for some of Kashmir’s most legendary treks Mt. Kolahoi, Tarsar, and Marsar Lakes. The trail winds through forests of deodar and fir, with the Lidder River weaving alongside you like an old friend.

Every turn offers a view, a silence, a breath. Return to Aru Valley by evening, where the light fades gently, and the mountains stand still watching, like they always have.

Overnight in Aru, with a night filled with stars.

Start your morning with a visit to a Himalayan cheese factory, where local artisans craft unique flavours using age-old techniques and fresh mountain milk. Taste the valley one slice at a time. Then bid farewell to Aru Valley and begin your journey toward the quiet charm of Yousmarg. On the way, stop at the majestic Aharbal Falls. While the cascade stuns with its force, the real secret lies downstream a secluded spot where you can slip into glacial waters for a refreshing dip that wakes up every sense.

By evening, reach Yousmarg, a place far from crowds and closer to peace. No noise. No rush. Just meadows, forests, and space to breathe. As night falls, lie under a sky untouched by city lights, where stars spill freely across the heavens.

Overnight in Yousmarg, where the world feels far away and that’s exactly the point.

Begin your day with a trek through the quiet meadows of Yousmarg, where soft trails lead you through pine-fringed pastures and the only sound is the wind whispering through the grass. With hardly another traveler in sight, this is Kashmir as it once was untouched, unhurried, and full of wonder.

On the way to Gulmarg, stop at the saffron fields of Pampore, where the valley blooms in gold and purple during the season. Then witness the timeless artistry of Kanihama shawl weaving, where master craftsmen thread generations into every piece of Pashmina. Before you reach your final stop, take a breath at Drung Waterfalls a stunning cascade that turns to shimmering ice in winter, yet always feels alive.

Arrive in Gulmarg by evening, where the meadows welcome you once more this time, under a different sky. Overnight in Gulmarg, wrapped in wool and wonder.

Wake early and rise even higher—board the Gulmarg Gondola before the world catches up. As you reach the second phase, the mountains open up in a hush that feels sacred. From here, begin your trek to Alpather Lake—a high-altitude mirror that stays frozen through winter, and shimmers in solitude the rest of the year. The silence here isn’t empty it’s full. Return to Gulmarg, where the meadows wait to be explored once more this time on the back of an ATV, roaring through green fields and wild trails.

Leave Gulmarg behind and make your way back to Srinagar, the city where your journey first began. As the day winds down, step once more onto a Shikara on Dal Lake this time with the quiet knowing that comes after adventure. Let the water carry you gently, as the sky turns golden and the city reflects in ripples.

It’s not just a ride it’s a slow, graceful goodbye. Overnight in Srinagar, heart full and horizon wide.

Set out on a day trip to Doodhpathri the “Valley of Milk,” where nature flows as freely as the stream that cuts through its endless meadows. Surrounded by towering pines and wide-open skies, the valley stretches far beyond what the eye can hold. Sheep graze peacefully, a few shepherds dot the hills, and the silence is only broken by the gentle rush of water and the occasional birdsong.

It’s a place that feels untouched a hidden gem in plain sight. Return to Srinagar by evening, where the journey takes a delicious turn. Roam the streets and savour authentic Kashmiri cuisine from steaming Rogan Josh to crisp Nadru chips and warm bowls of harissa.

Overnight in Srinagar, cradled by taste and memory.

Rise before dawn and glide through the floating vegetable market on Dal Lake where locals still trade produce through an ancient barter system With the morning mist still hanging over the water begin the long but rewarding drive to Gurez Valley

Cross Wular Lake the largest freshwater lake in India and climb over Razdan Pass where the views stretch as far as the eye can see As you descend into Gurez follow the Kishanganga River where villages with traditional wooden homes appear like a forgotten dream

This is a land few have seen where the mountains hold secrets and the air is thick with stories Overnight in Gurez where the night sky glows brighter than ever.

Venture even deeper into Tulail Valley where life moves to the rhythm of the river and Habba Khatoon Peak stands as a silent guardian over the land Visit remote villages where warm smiles and cups of butter tea await you Here away from the world’s noise you’ll find a Kashmir untouched by time

Experience the culture of Kashmir in the Shina Tribal Museum Return to Gurez for the night carrying the weight of a place that feels almost mythical

Leave Gurez behind, but let its wild beauty travel with you. As you journey back, the landscape shifts rolling pastures give way to towering peaks, and the rivers that have quietly witnessed centuries seem to nod goodbye. Each turn of the road feels like a memory being gently folded away.

Arrive in Srinagar, where the city greets you like an old friend. There’s comfort in its chaos, beauty in its stillness. Spend one last evening soaking it all in a quiet sunset over Dal Lake, reflections dancing on the water, and a feeling that something has changed within you.

End the day with authentic Kashmiri flavours from the street simple, soulful, unforgettable. Overnight in Srinagar, heart full, journey complete.

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.