Fixed departure · 24 Dec 2026 to 3 Jan 2027
New Year in Kashmir from Mumbai, by train.
Eleven days door to door: the Swaraj Express to Jammu, the Vande Bharat into the valley, snow at Gulmarg and Sonamarg, a night in Pahalgam, and the New Year gala dinner in Srinagar. Every cost is listed below, including what you pay IRCTC and the counters directly.
Dates
24 Dec to 3 Jan
Nights
10: 2 on the train, 2 in Jammu, 6 in Kashmir
From
Mumbai, Bandra Terminus
Package price
On request
The trains
The trains, and when each one opens for booking.
Indian Railways lets only authorised agents sell tickets as a business, so you book these on IRCTC with your own account. Booking opens 60 days before each journey, at 8 AM, and holiday trains are often waitlisted soon after. Link Aadhaar to your IRCTC account before the opening day.
| Train | Leaves | Arrives | Booking opens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12471 Swaraj ExpressThu 24 Dec 2026 | Bandra Terminus, 11:00 | Jammu Tawi, 14:32, Fri 25 Dec | Sun 25 Oct 2026from 8 AM |
| 26401 Vande BharatSat 26 Dec 2026 | Jammu Tawi, 06:20 | Srinagar (Nowgam), 11:10 | Tue 27 Oct 2026from 8 AM |
| 26402 Vande BharatFri 1 Jan 2027 | Srinagar (Nowgam), 14:00 | Jammu Tawi, 18:50 | Mon 2 Nov 2026from 8 AM |
| 12472 Swaraj ExpressSat 2 Jan 2027 | Jammu Tawi, about 11:35 | Bandra Terminus, about 16:10, Sun 3 Jan | Tue 3 Nov 2026from 8 AM |
Swaraj Express fare, per adult, each way
| Class | One way | Both ways |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹830 | ₹1,660 |
| AC 3 Economy (3E) | ₹1,985 | ₹3,970 |
| AC 3 Tier (3A) | ₹2,100 | ₹4,200 |
| AC 2 Tier (2A) | ₹2,990 | ₹5,980 |
| AC First Class (1A) | ₹5,040 | ₹10,080 |
Bandra Terminus to Jammu Tawi as IRCTC showed it on 24 October 2026. The return is the same route and distance, so the same fare. IRCTC’s price when you book is the one that counts.
Day by day
Mumbai to Mumbai, 11 days.
- 1
Thu 24 Dec
Leave Mumbai on the Swaraj Express
Train 12471 leaves Bandra Terminus at 11:00. One night on the train.
On the train - 2
Fri 25 Dec
Arrive Jammu
The train reaches Jammu Tawi at 14:32, after the 13:20 Vande Bharat to Srinagar has left, and the road would mean 6 to 8 hours, mostly after dark, which we do not do in winter. Our driver meets the group at the station and takes you to a hotel nearby. Early night: the train tomorrow is at 06:20.
Jammu - 3
Sat 26 Dec
Vande Bharat into the valley
Train 26401 leaves Jammu Tawi at 06:20 and runs through Katra and Banihal, over the Chenab and Anji Khad bridges, to Srinagar at 11:10. Our Kashmir driver meets you at Srinagar station in Nowgam. Check in, then a shikara on Dal Lake in the afternoon if the lake is open.
SrinagarDinner - 4
Sun 27 Dec
Gulmarg in the snow
About 50 km, 1.5 to 2 hours. Snow boots and coats can be hired at Tangmarg on the way up; after snowfall, the last stretch needs snow chains or a local 4x4. The Gondola runs when the weather allows, and phase 2 to Apharwat closes in high wind. Back down to Srinagar before dark.
SrinagarBreakfast, dinner - 5
Mon 28 Dec
Sonamarg
About 80 km, 2.5 to 3 hours along the Sindh. The Z-Morh tunnel, opened in January 2025, keeps the road to Sonamarg open in winter. Much of it is under snow; the road on to Zojila is closed.
SrinagarBreakfast, dinner - 6
Tue 29 Dec
To Pahalgam
About 95 km, 2.5 to 3 hours via Pampore and Anantnag, then an afternoon by the Lidder river.
PahalgamBreakfast, dinner - 7
Wed 30 Dec
Pahalgam valleys, back to Srinagar
Betaab and Aru by the local union taxi where the roads are open; outside cars may not go into the side valleys. Back to Srinagar in daylight, because black ice forms on the roads as the light goes.
SrinagarBreakfast, dinner - 8
Thu 31 Dec
Srinagar, and the New Year gala dinner
A slow day: the old city in winter, kahwa in a warm room, and rest before the evening. The New Year’s Eve gala dinner is at the hotel.
SrinagarBreakfast, gala dinner - 9
Fri 1 Jan
Vande Bharat back to Jammu
An easy morning, then Srinagar station for train 26402 at 14:00, reaching Jammu Tawi at 18:50. Our driver takes you to the hotel.
JammuBreakfast - 10
Sat 2 Jan
Swaraj Express to Mumbai
Train 12472 leaves Jammu Tawi at about 11:35. One night on the train.
On the train - 11
Sun 3 Jan
Arrive Mumbai
Bandra Terminus at about 16:10.
Every cost, per person
What the whole trip costs, line by line.
Twin sharing, per seat. The trains are in AC 3 Tier (3A); swap in another class from the fare table above. Optional costs are listed, but left out of the total.
Paid to Falcon Trails: the package
One payment to us covers these.
Jammu hotel near the station, 2 nights
per person, twin sharing (25 Dec and 1 Jan)
Quoted on requestJammu station transfers, 4 trips
per person
Quoted on requestHotels in Kashmir: Srinagar 5 nights, Pahalgam 1 night
per person, twin sharing, breakfast and dinner
Quoted on requestNew Year’s Eve gala dinner, Srinagar
per person, 31 Dec
Quoted on requestGroup vehicle with driver, 7 days in Kashmir
per person; a Force Urbania up to 17 guests, a 25-seat coach up to 25, a 30-seat AC bus up to 30. Station pickups, sightseeing and transfers, 26 Dec to 1 Jan. The price stays the same as the group grows.
Quoted on request
Paid to IRCTC: the trains
You book these yourself on IRCTC.
Swaraj Express, Mumbai to Jammu and back
per person, AC 3 Tier both ways; other classes in the fare table
₹4,200Vande Bharat, Jammu to Srinagar and back
per person, both ways
Quoted on request
Paid on the spot
Public prices, paid at the counter or to the operator. No margin from us.
Shikara on Dal Lake, 1 hour
per person, the boat rate shared by four, paid to the boatman
Quoted on requestSnow chains or local 4x4 from Tangmarg
per person, only if it has snowed
Quoted on requestPahalgam union taxi: Betaab and AruOptional
per person, where the roads are open
Quoted on requestGulmarg Gondola, phase 1 and 2Optional
per person, at the counter, weather permitting
Quoted on requestSnow boots and coat hire, TangmargOptional
per person, for the day
Quoted on request
Lines quoted on request are still being confirmed with the hotels and operators. This page is updated as each one is fixed; WhatsApp us to be told first.
Reserve a seat
How the group works.
- 1
Book your own trains, and meet us in Jammu
Indian Railways lets only authorised agents sell tickets, so you book your trains on IRCTC. The package starts at Jammu Tawi railway station on Fri 25 December. Our pickup meets the Swaraj Express (12471) when it arrives at 14:32. Coming on another train? Send us your PNR and we plan your pickup around it.
- 2
Reserve with ₹500 a seat, paid online
Your seat is confirmed when the seat advance is paid, in the order payments arrive. It counts towards your package price. Up to 10 seats per booking.
- 3
The seat advance is non-refundable if you cancel
If you cancel for any reason, including a train ticket that stays waitlisted, the advance is kept. If Falcon Trails cancels the departure, every advance is refunded in full.
- 4
The vehicle grows with the group
A Force Urbania for up to 17 guests, then a 25-seat coach up to 25, and a 30-seat AC bus up to 30. 30 seats at most. The price per seat does not change.
Loading seats…
Online seat reservations could not be loaded just now. Message us on WhatsApp and we will hold your place in the queue.
WhatsApp usThe full terms are in our cancellation and refund policy.
In the package
- Hotel near Jammu Tawi station on 25 Dec and 1 Jan
- Five nights in Srinagar and one in Pahalgam, twin sharing, breakfast and dinner
- The New Year’s Eve gala dinner on 31 Dec
- Station pickups and drops in Jammu and at Srinagar (Nowgam)
- The group vehicle with driver, 26 Dec to 1 Jan: a Force Urbania, or a 25-seat coach or 30-seat AC bus as the group grows
- One coordinator on WhatsApp from Mumbai to Mumbai
Not in the package
- Train tickets: you book them on IRCTC, and we tell you exactly which trains and when booking opens
- Gulmarg Gondola tickets, the Pahalgam union taxi and snow gear hire (prices in the cost table)
- Lunches, and meals on the trains
- Anything not in the itinerary: ponies, sledges, ski lessons, shopping
Before you commit
Who this departure is not for
- •Short on leave: Four of the eleven days are on trains. If you have five or six days, fly to Srinagar instead and we start the trip there.
- •Anyone who cannot sit 27 hours on a train: The Swaraj Express takes about 27 and a half hours each way. Older parents with back or knee trouble may be better off flying.
- •New Year in Gulmarg: The gala dinner is in Srinagar, because the train home leaves Srinagar at 14:00 on 1 January and fresh snow on the Gulmarg road could make you miss it.
- •Anyone who hates the cold: Chillai Kalan, the coldest forty days, begins around 21 December. Nights are below zero and the days are short.
Before you book
Questions on this departure.
How do I reserve a seat?
Pay the ₹500 seat advance for each seat online on this page. Your seat is confirmed the moment the payment goes through, in the order advances are paid, and the ₹500 counts towards your package price.
What if I cancel?
The ₹500 seat advance is not refunded if you cancel, whatever the reason, including a train ticket that stays waitlisted. If Falcon Trails cancels the departure, every seat advance is refunded in full.
Which vehicle will the group travel in?
A Force Urbania for up to 17 guests. If more join, a 25-seat coach, and from 26 guests a 30-seat AC bus. The price per seat stays the same. After fresh snow the bigger vehicles may have to stop at Tangmarg, and the group goes up the last stretch to Gulmarg by local 4x4.
Do you book the train tickets?
No. Indian Railways lets only authorised agents sell tickets as a business, so you book on IRCTC with your own account. We send the train numbers, dates and classes, and the day each one opens for booking.
When can I book the trains?
Sixty days before each journey, from 8 AM: the Swaraj Express on 24 Dec opens on Sun 25 Oct, the Vande Bharat on 26 Dec on Tue 27 Oct, the Vande Bharat on 1 Jan on Mon 2 Nov, and the Swaraj Express on 2 Jan on Tue 3 Nov. On the opening day IRCTC gives Aadhaar-verified accounts the first hours, so link Aadhaar to your IRCTC account beforehand.
What if my Swaraj Express ticket is waitlisted?
A fully waitlisted e-ticket is cancelled and refunded when the chart is prepared, and you cannot board on it. The package starts at Jammu Tawi, so any train that gets you to Jammu by the evening of 25 December works.
Why stay a night in Jammu each way?
The Swaraj Express reaches Jammu at 14:32, after the 13:20 Vande Bharat to Srinagar has left, and the road takes 6 to 8 hours, much of it after dark in winter. On the way back, the Vande Bharat reaches Jammu at 18:50, after the Swaraj Express has gone.
Can we fly instead?
Yes. Direct flights from Mumbai to Srinagar take about 3 hours. Tell us and we start the package in Srinagar, without the Jammu nights and station transfers.
Where is the gala dinner?
At the group’s hotel in Srinagar on 31 December. The hotel is named here once it is confirmed.
More on the rail route in our train to Srinagar guide, and on the season in Kashmir in winter.
Questions first?
New Year in Kashmir from Mumbai, by train (10 nights).
Ask anything before you reserve: trains, rooms, food, travelling with parents or children. We reply on WhatsApp, or call +91 96222 10290.