Kashmir Tourist Places | Kashmir after Pahalgam | Gulmarg | Sonmarg | Kashmir Travel Guide 2026

Kashmir Travel Guide: Tips, Costs, and Itinerary

Shivam travels around Kashmir, sharing transport options, seasonal advice, sightseeing highlights, and approximate costs. He recommends allowing at least five nights. Staying overnight in Sonamarg or Gulmarg can make the trip more memorable, especially if you hope to see snowfall.

Travel tips and approximate costs

• Getting to Srinagar: The video describes traveling from Jammu to Srinagar by bus, train, or shared taxi. Shared transport is quoted at about ₹600–₹700. Travel times are roughly 3 hours by train and 5–7 hours by bus or taxi. Direct flights from Delhi to Srinagar are quoted at around ₹5,000–₹6,000 one way when booked in advance.
• SIM cards: The presenter says prepaid SIM cards from other states may not work in Jammu and Kashmir and recommends checking local requirements. A local SIM with data, calls, and one month of validity is quoted at ₹400–₹450, compared with ₹600–₹700 at the airport.
• What to wear in winter: Bring warm layers, gloves, and boots. The presenter wears three layers and says boots help protect shoes in the snow. Rooms he visits have heaters, but outdoor temperatures can fall well below freezing.
• Best season: Visit from December to mid-March for snow, or April to July for greenery and flowers. Srinagar’s gardens are less colorful in winter, so the video suggests prioritizing one or two gardens then and allowing more time for them in summer.
• Dal Lake: A Shikara ride is presented as a must-do. Quoted prices are approximately ₹300–₹500 for a short ride, ₹700–₹1,000 for a longer general ride, and ₹1,200–₹1,500 for a ride that includes the floating market. Rates vary by route, so compare posted prices and bargain. Shikaras may also stop at floating vendors selling tea, coffee, Kahwa, or snacks.
• Sonamarg: Located about 80 km from Srinagar, Sonamarg is reachable by shared transport quoted at ₹200–₹300 or by private car, with a round trip costing roughly ₹3,500–₹5,000. Snow activities such as ATVs and snowboarding are mentioned. Horse rides to higher snow viewpoints are quoted at about ₹1,200–₹1,500. The presenter recommends considering an overnight stay for the scenery and quiet. During the season shown, hotels with good views and heating cost around ₹5,000–₹7,000, including breakfast and dinner.
• Gulmarg: Described as around 50 km from Srinagar, Gulmarg’s main attraction is the two-phase Gondola. Quoted fares are ₹800 for Phase 1 and ₹1,000 for Phase 2. Arriving early may help avoid queues and provide cleaner snow and clearer photos. Phase 2 is very cold and exposed; the presenter advises against taking very young children there. Skiing, ATV rides, and helicopter tours are also mentioned.
• Hotels and houseboats: Srinagar hotel rooms are quoted at around ₹2,000–₹3,000 per night, sometimes increasing by 20–30% in peak season. Houseboats are quoted at ₹3,000–₹8,000, generally including breakfast and dinner. The presenter recommends choosing a well-reviewed houseboat rather than selecting solely by the lowest price.
• Shopping: Lal Chowk, including Meena Market, is suggested for clothes, shawls, dry fruits, and souvenirs. Prices and quality vary.

Suggested five-night itinerary

The presenter outlines a five-night plan, with an extra night if the budget allows:

1. Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar; visit Shankaracharya Temple, Dal Lake, gardens, and markets.
2. Day 2: Take a day trip to Sonamarg.
3. Day 3: Visit Gulmarg, return to Srinagar, and stay on a houseboat.
4. Day 4: Travel to Pahalgam, stopping at sights along the way.
5. Day 5: Explore Pahalgam and stay overnight; return on Day 6.

If possible, the presenter suggests staying overnight in Sonamarg or Gulmarg rather than visiting only on a day trip.

Budget and safety

The video gives roughly ₹44,000 for a couple as one trip estimate and also mentions a six-night couple package at around ₹43,000. Other package and per-person figures in the subtitles are garbled or contradictory, so treat them as unreliable and confirm current prices. Lunch, Pahalgam local sightseeing, and optional activities such as horse rides can add to the cost.

On safety, the presenter says he felt comfortable during his visit and includes positive comments from other tourists. He also acknowledges lingering uncertainty after the Pahalgam attack and says security had increased. These are personal observations, not a guarantee; check current official travel guidance before going.

Locations, experiences, and speaker

• Locations: Srinagar, Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, Pari Mahal, Shalimar Garden, Nishat Garden, Chashme Shahi, Tulip Garden, Lal Chowk, Sonamarg, Tangmarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam.
• Experiences and products: Shikara rides, houseboats, the Gulmarg Gondola, Kahwa, snow activities, and local SIM cards.
• Speaker: Shivam, the video’s travel presenter. The subtitles refer to a trip-booking agency as “ecrypto.in,” but the exact spelling is unclear.