Kashmir Calling: 10 Experiences Worth Adding to Your Itinerary

Kashmir has a way of living up to the hype the moment you land. Snow dusted peaks ring the valley, poplar lined roads lead into saffron fields, and Srinagar's waterways move at the pace of a rowed paddle rather than a car horn. If you're mapping out things to do in Kashmir for the first time, the sheer number of valleys, meadows, and lakes can feel overwhelming. So instead of a generic checklist, here are ten specific experiences worth building your itinerary around.

1. Glide Across Dal Lake on a Traditional Shikara

No trip to Srinagar feels complete without a Shikara ride in Kashmir, and it's usually the first thing visitors do after checking in. These low, cushioned wooden boats drift past floating vegetable markets, lotus beds, and the Mughal gardens lining the shore. Early morning rides are quieter and cooler, with vendors selling saffron and dry fruits paddling alongside. A sunset ride, on the other hand, turns the water gold as the surrounding hills catch the last light.

2. Spend a Night on Dal Lake in a Houseboat

Pair the boat ride with a stay in a houseboat in Kashmir — ornately carved cedar rooms floating right on Dal Lake Kashmir, often with a small sitting deck built onto the front. Most houseboats include home cooked Kashmiri meals, and staying overnight lets you watch the lake shift from busy daytime traffic to near total stillness after dark. It's less a hotel substitute than a genuinely different way to experience the city.

3. Ride the Gulmarg Gondola to Apharwat Peak

The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest cable car systems in the world, and it's worth the trip even outside ski season. The first stage lifts you to Kongdoori; the second climbs further to Apharwat Peak at over 13,000 feet, where snow lingers for much of the year. On a clear day, the views stretch across the Pir Panjal range — bring a jacket even in summer, since the temperature drop at the top is significant.

4. Explore Gulmarg's Meadows and Ski Slopes

Beyond the gondola, there's a longer list of things to do in Gulmarg depending on the season. Winters bring genuine skiing and snowboarding on slopes that rival established European resorts, while summer turns the same hillsides into open meadows used for golf and short pony treks. St. Mary's Church, a small stone chapel from the colonial era, sits quietly at the edge of the meadow and makes for an easy add on stop.

5. Wander Betaab Valley and Aru Valley in Pahalgam

Pahalgam earns its reputation as a base camp for some of Kashmir's prettiest side valleys. Among the best things to do in Pahalgam is a half day trip to Betaab Valley, a pine covered gorge named after a Bollywood film shot there, followed by Aru Valley, a quieter meadow village that also serves as a trailhead for longer treks. Both are reachable by local taxi and pair well into a single day.

6. Take on a Multi Day Kashmir Trek

For travelers who want more than a day trip, a proper Kashmir trek opens up terrain most visitors never see. The Kashmir Great Lakes trek is the standout route — a roughly week long walk connecting a string of alpine lakes through meadows and high passes, typically done between July and September. Shorter treks around Sonamarg and Aru also work well for less experienced hikers who still want a taste of the high altitude scenery.

7. Walk Through the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar

Srinagar's Mughal era gardens Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi — were laid out along the same terraced, water channel design centuries ago, and they still function as public parks today. Nishat Bagh in particular backs directly onto Dal Lake, so the garden's fountains and the lake's shoreline blend into one long view. Visiting one or two in the late afternoon avoids the midday heat and crowds.

8. Sample Wazwan, Kashmir's Signature Feast

Food deserves its own line item here. Wazwan is a multi course Kashmiri meal built around slow cooked meat dishes like rogan josh and yakhni, traditionally served at weddings but increasingly available at Srinagar restaurants for visitors. Pair it with a cup of kahwa, a lightly spiced green tea served with almonds, which locals drink throughout the day regardless of the season.

9. Ride a Pony to Thajiwas Glacier Near Sonamarg

Sonamarg, roughly two hours from Srinagar, is the jumping off point for Thajiwas Glacier, reachable by a short pony ride or walk depending on how much time you have. The glacier sits against a backdrop of jagged peaks and is usually snow covered even in early summer, making it a manageable way to get close to genuine high altitude scenery without committing to a full trek.

10. Browse Srinagar's Old City and Craft Workshops

Downtown Srinagar's old city rewards a slower pace — narrow lanes, wooden mosques, and small workshops where artisans still hand carve walnut wood furniture or weave pashmina shawls on traditional looms. It's a good counterpoint to the valley's natural scenery and one of the better places to buy souvenirs directly from the people making them, rather than at a tourist focused shop.

Practical Notes for Your Trip

• Best season: April to October covers most activities; ski season in Gulmarg runs roughly December to March.
• Getting around: Srinagar airport is the main gateway; hired cars or shared taxis cover Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg as day trips.
• Altitude: Gulmarg's upper gondola stage and high altitude treks sit well above 10,000 feet — pace yourself on your first day.
• Booking ahead: Houseboats and gondola tickets get booked out fast in peak season (May–July and the winter snow months).

Plan Your Kashmir Itinerary Today

Kashmir doesn't need ten separate trips to feel complete most of these experiences fit comfortably into a five or six day loop through Srinagar, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam. What matters more is booking the parts that fill up fastest, particularly houseboats and gondola slots, well ahead of your travel dates. Start locking in your stays and activities now so you're not choosing from what's left once you land in the valley.