Five days is enough to see the Kashmir Valley at a relaxed pace, if you choose one or two bases instead of moving every day. This plan starts in Srinagar, adds one mountain base and leaves room for the weather.
Days 1 and 2: Srinagar and Dal Lake
Start on the water. An early shikara ride on Dal Lake is the calmest part of the city, before the boats fill up. Agree the fare with the boatman before you set off. In the afternoon, visit the Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, which are laid out in terraces above the lake.
Day 3: Old Srinagar
Spend a morning in the old city around Jamia Masjid and the narrow lanes near the Jhelum river. Local shops sell shawls, papier-mache and dried fruit. Ask before photographing people or religious sites.
Day 4: Gulmarg or Sonamarg
Take a day trip to a mountain base. Gulmarg has high meadows and, in season, a gondola to higher slopes. Sonamarg, a meadow town in the Sindh valley, suits a quieter day. Check road and weather conditions before you leave, because mountain roads can close.
Day 5: Pahalgam or a slow final day
Pahalgam, on the Lidder river, is a good last stop for forest walks and river views. If the road is closed or conditions are poor, spend the last day back in Srinagar instead.
Current access
Several places in the Valley have been closed since April 2025, and they are reopening in phases. District orders updated in July 2026 still listed Baisaran and Chandanwari near Pahalgam among places closed until 31 December 2026. The UK government currently advises against all travel to Jammu & Kashmir except to and within Jammu city; international readers should check their own government’s advice and their insurance.
Planning notes
Check current advisories before you travel and keep one flexible day for weather and transport. Avoid packing too many bases into a short trip. For seasonal and regional detail, see the Kashmir Valley guide, or the Jammu & Kashmir overview.
Sources and image credit
Featured photo: shikaras on Dal Lake, Srinagar, by Amjed Wani via Pexels (Pexels License). A stock image, not the author’s own.
Access, permits and transport can change at short notice. Confirm with official sources close to your travel dates.
