Gulmarg

Set at an altitude of 2,730 metres in the Pir Panjal range, Gulmarg is one of Kashmir's most iconic hill destinations and a leading skiing hub in India. Its landscape shifts dramatically with the seasons — snow-draped slopes in winter and open meadows scattered with wildflowers come summer, framed throughout by deep ravines and dense forested valleys.
Gulmarg is home to the world's second-highest cable car ride, the Gondola, which carries visitors up toward Apharwat Peak for sweeping mountain views. It's also a serious training ground for winter sports: the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering is based here, offering structured courses in trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and snowboarding, alongside several private operators providing similar facilities. Long celebrated for its natural beauty, Gulmarg has also served as a filming location for numerous Bollywood productions and remains a favourite destination for honeymooners.

Dal Lake sits at the heart of the Srinagar experience — a shimmering stretch of water framed by the Himalayas, floating gardens, and a way of life that has changed little over generations. A ride through its calm waters aboard a traditional, colourfully decorated Shikara offers close-up views of houseboats, hillside reflections, and the lake's floating vegetable markets, best seen in the early morning hours.
For visitors wanting to stay directly on the water, a night aboard a houseboat such as Suroor Houseboat adds an authentic layer to the trip — carved wooden interiors, warm Kashmiri hospitality, and the rare experience of falling asleep on Dal Lake itself. Whether travelling as a couple, a family, or on a honeymoon, the combination of the Shikara ride and a lakeside stay captures much of what makes Srinagar special.

About 80 km northeast of Srinagar, at an elevation of roughly 2,730 metres, Sonmarg is one of Kashmir's most striking high-altitude destinations — a meeting point of snow-fed meadows, glacial lakes, and towering peaks. The town takes its character from the surrounding glaciers, including the Kolhoi and Machoi glaciers, and is ringed by peaks such as Kolhoi, Amarnath, Machoi, and Sirbal, making it a natural draw for trekkers and mountaineers.
Sonmarg also serves as the starting point for the well-known Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, which winds past a chain of alpine lakes including Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar, and Krishnasar. Closer to town, the Thajiwas range offers a fir-covered spur popular for camping, along with views of cascading waterfalls and the Thajiwas Glacier itself.
In winter, heavy snowfall regularly cuts off road access via the highway, and the town transforms into a quiet, snow-covered landscape. Come summer, it becomes a base camp for a range of treks — from the Nichinai Pass and Baltal Valley to the more demanding Zoji La Pass — making Sonmarg a destination equally suited to relaxed sightseeing and serious high-altitude adventure.

Located in the Anantnag district, about 90 km from Srinagar, Pahalgam sits along the banks of the Lidder River and is one of Kashmir's most visited hill stations — known for its rugged terrain, green meadows, and snow-capped backdrop. The village of Aru, just outside town, serves as the starting point for the popular Kolahoi Glacier trek, while nearby Sheshnag Lake offers another scenic detour for trekkers. The Lidder River's long stretches are also a favourite among visitors who enjoy trout fishing.
A short 6 km from the main town lies Baisaran, often called "mini Switzerland" for its open meadows and forested surroundings — a popular spot for picnics, short walks, pony rides, and activities like zorbing. Pahalgam gained further fame as the filming location for the Bollywood film Betaab, and the valley where it was shot is now known as Betaab Valley.
The region is also closely tied to the Amarnath Yatra, with Chandanwari serving as its traditional base camp, and winter visitors can try glacier sledging in the surrounding hills. For those interested in local produce, nearby Pampore is well known for its authentic Kashmiri saffron.

Overlooking the waters of Dal Lake, Shalimar Bagh is the largest of Srinagar's three Mughal gardens, alongside Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi. Built in 1619 by Emperor Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan, the garden is often referred to as the "crown of Srinagar" and remains one of the finest examples of Mughal landscaping in India.
Terraced across multiple levels, the garden is known for its chini khanas — arched niches set behind cascading waterfalls, once lit from behind with lamps — as well as its rows of towering chinar trees. The name "Shalimar," meaning "Abode of Love," reflects the garden's original purpose, and it has also been known historically as Faiz Baksh and Farah Baksh. With its carefully trimmed lawns, flowing water channels, and Mughal-era pavilions, Shalimar Bagh continues to draw visitors from across the world as a showcase of Mughal horticultural craftsmanship.

Officially known as the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, this Government of Jammu & Kashmir-owned park opened in 2007 under its earlier name, the Model Floriculture Centre. Spread across roughly thirty hectares at the foothills of the Zabarwan Range — between the Pir Panjal and Great Himalayan ranges — the garden is laid out across seven terraces and offers views of Dal Lake below.
While tulips dominate the garden with around sixty varieties, the park also features hyacinths, daffodils, and ranunculus in significant numbers. Each spring, the garden hosts the Tulip Festival to coincide with peak bloom, an event that has grown into one of the region's key tourism draws — in 2014, it was recognised as the second-largest tulip garden in the world. Alongside the flowers, the festival features stalls selling local handicrafts and clothing, along with traditional and contemporary musical performances that add to the festive atmosphere.

Srinagar's collection of Mughal Gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi — remains among the city's most visited attractions, prized for their terraced layouts, cascading fountains, and views over the Kashmir Valley. Each garden carries its own character: Nishat Bagh for its scale and lake views, Shalimar Bagh for its historic grandeur, and Chashme Shahi for its natural spring and more intimate setting.
Together, the gardens offer a peaceful, unhurried way to spend a day in Srinagar, well suited to couples, families, and anyone drawn to landscaped gardens and Mughal-era architecture. Many visitors pair a day of garden sightseeing with a houseboat stay on Dal Lake, such as at Suroor Houseboat, rounding out the Srinagar experience with a night on the water.

Around 47 km from Srinagar, Yusmarg remains one of Kashmir's quieter, less-visited hill stations — valued precisely because its landscape hasn't been overrun by tourism. Improved road connectivity has made the meadow more accessible in recent years, though it still retains the calm, undisturbed character that draws visitors looking to get away from busier destinations.
The area is dotted with maple forests and open meadows, making it a good base for longer treks into more remote terrain. With its quiet setting and scenic views, Yusmarg is often described as one of Kashmir's more romantic destinations, and its relatively untouched greenery makes it a favourite among trekkers looking for a peaceful, less-crowded alternative to Kashmir's better-known hill stations.

Perched atop Shankaracharya Hill overlooking Srinagar, the Shankaracharya Temple is one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also known as the Jyesteshwara Temple, it takes its name from the philosopher Adi Shankaracharya, believed to have visited the site around ten centuries ago. According to tradition, it was here that he attained spiritual enlightenment, later going on to establish the four Hindu monastic centres associated with the philosophy of Advaita, or non-dualism.
Built on a solid rock base, the temple sits on a high octagonal platform reached by a climb of around 243 steps. The effort is rewarded at the top with sweeping views over the Srinagar valley and Dal Lake below. Along with pilgrims, the temple is frequently visited by tourists en route to the Amarnath Yatra, making it a popular stop for both spiritual and scenic reasons.

Tucked away in the north of the Kashmir Valley, Gurez Valley remains one of the region's most untouched destinations — a remote stretch of land defined by the Kishanganga River, traditional wooden villages, and towering Himalayan peaks on either side. Its relative isolation, due in part to limited road access and seasonal closures, has kept the valley largely free of heavy tourism, making it a rewarding detour for travellers looking for Kashmir's quieter side.
Many itineraries pair a visit to Gurez with time in Srinagar, combining a day at the Mughal Gardens — Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, and Chashme Shahi — with the valley's crystal-clear river views and mountain scenery. A stay on Dal Lake, such as at Suroor Houseboat, is a popular way to close out the trip, rounding off a journey that moves from Srinagar's landscaped gardens to one of Kashmir's most remote and scenic valleys.