Kashmir · 7 Nights / 8 Days
Kashmir & Vaishno Devi
The complete North India pilgrimage and mountain holiday: Mata Vaishno Devi darshan in Katra, followed by Srinagar, a Dal Lake houseboat stay, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and the Lidder river in Pahalgam.
Duration
7 nights / 8 days
Route
Jammu → Katra → Srinagar → Gulmarg → Sonamarg → Pahalgam → Srinagar
Best months
All year (Mar–Oct for blooming valleys, Dec–Feb for snow across Gulmarg)
Price
from ₹15,950 per person
Planned and run by the Falcon Trails team
Local team in Srinagar · private cab · itemised quote before you pay
Day by day
The whole itinerary, nothing withheld.
- 1
Jammu Arrival · Transfer to Katra & Vaishno Devi Darshan
Arrival at Jammu Tawi Railway Station or Jammu Airport. Private transfer to Katra (approx. 1.5–2 hours). Check-in at hotel, collect your mandatory RFID yatra card, and proceed for Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan darshan via walking trek, pony, battery cab, or Sanjichhat helicopter.
Hotel in KatraDinner
Holy Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Bhawan nestled in the sacred Trikuta mountains
- 2
Katra to Srinagar · Scenic Mountain Highway & Houseboat Check-in
Post breakfast, drive from Katra through the Chenani-Nashri and Banihal Qazigund tunnels into the lush Kashmir Valley (approx. 6–7 hours, or board the morning Vande Bharat train). Arrive in Srinagar and check into a traditional carved cedarwood houseboat on Dal Lake. Enjoy a sunset shikara ride across the serene waters.
Deluxe Houseboat, Dal LakeBreakfast & dinner
Sunset colors reflecting over hand-carved heritage houseboats on Dal Lake
- 3
Srinagar Local Sightseeing & Mughal Gardens
Breakfast on the houseboat deck. Explore the royal Mughal heritage terraced gardens: Nishat Bagh (Garden of Bliss), Shalimar Bagh, Pari Mahal atop the Zabarwan ridge, and the historic white marble Hazratbal Shrine. Evening at leisure exploring the floating lake markets or Lal Chowk craft emporiums.
Hotel in SrinagarBreakfast & dinner
Dal Lake and the historic Char Chinar island against the Zabarwan mountain range
- 4
Gulmarg Day Excursion · Meadow of Flowers
Full-day excursion to Gulmarg (approx. 2 hours). Ride the world’s highest cable car, the Gulmarg Gondola (Phase 1 to Kongdoori and Phase 2 to Apharwat Peak at 3,950 m). Enjoy snow sports, alpine walks through pine forests, and visit the historic St. Mary’s Church. Return to Srinagar in the evening.
Hotel in SrinagarBreakfast & dinner
Vast alpine meadows and towering snow summits in Gulmarg
- 5
Sonamarg Day Excursion · Meadow of Gold
Scenic drive along the rushing Sindh River into Sonamarg. Marvel at towering Himalayan cliffs and hanging glaciers. Hire a local union pony or cab to the renowned Thajiwas Glacier or drive up towards Zero Point on the Zojila pass route. Return to Srinagar for dinner.
Hotel in SrinagarBreakfast & dinner
The majestic Thajiwas Glacier and alpine meadows in Sonamarg
- 6
Srinagar to Pahalgam · Valley of Shepherds
Drive southeast through the saffron fields of Pampore, historic Awantipora temple ruins, and apple orchards along the sparkling Lidder River to Pahalgam. Check into your river resort and spend the afternoon listening to the crystal waters flowing past pine forests.
Hotel or Resort in PahalgamBreakfast & dinner
Peaceful riverside stay along the sparkling Lidder River in Pahalgam
- 7
Pahalgam Local Sightseeing · Return to Srinagar
Morning excursion to Aru Valley, Betaab Valley, and Chandanwari (starting point of Amarnath Yatra) via local union cab. Walk across emerald meadows and pine valleys, then drive back to Srinagar for your final evening of Kashmiri kahwa and souvenir shopping.
Hotel in SrinagarBreakfast & dinner
Betaab Valley and pine-flanked mountain streams in Pahalgam
- 8
Srinagar Airport Drop · Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar International Airport (SXR) for your return flight, carrying the divine blessings of Mata Vaishno Devi and cherished memories of the Kashmir paradise.
Breakfast
What’s included
- Private vehicle (Innova / Sedan / Tempo Traveller based on group size) for the entire 8-day tour
- 1 night hotel accommodation in Katra
- 1 night stay in an authentic Deluxe Houseboat on Dal Lake
- 5 nights hotel stays in Srinagar and Pahalgam
- Daily breakfast and dinner at all hotels and houseboat (MAP plan)
- Complimentary 1-hour Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- RFID yatra card registration assistance in Katra
- Driver allowances, toll taxes, state road taxes, parking fees, and fuel charges
Not included
- Airfare or railway tickets to Jammu / from Srinagar
- Vaishno Devi helicopter, battery car, pony, or palki charges
- Gulmarg Gondola tickets (must be booked online in advance)
- Local union cabs in Pahalgam (Aru, Betaab, Chandanwari) and Sonamarg (Zero Point / Thajiwas)
- Monument and garden entrance tickets
- Lunch, snacks, adventure activities, and personal expenses
We list exclusions plainly rather than burying them. If something here matters to you, ask — most can be added to the quote.
A Small Promise from Us
When you book this tour with Falcon Trails, we plant a native tree in Kashmir in your party’s name as our contribution towards preserving the natural beauty of the valley for future generations.
Honest Travel Advisory
Who this Kashmir & Vaishno Devi itinerary is NOT for
- •Vaishno Devi Darshan Climb: The Banganga to Bhawan trek is 13 km each way. For elderly parents or young children, book helicopter tickets well in advance via the official Shrine Board website, or hire licensed battery cabs or ponies at Katra.
- •Gulmarg Gondola Booking: Gondola tickets should be pre-booked online on the official J&K Cable Car website 3–4 weeks prior. On-cabin tatkal tickets are available on weekday mornings (8:30–10:00 AM) with strict quota limits.
- •Local Taxi Union Regulations: Per local district transport rules in J&K, private outside cabs are not permitted for internal valley circuits at Pahalgam (Aru/Betaab/Chandanwari) and Sonamarg (Zero Point/Thajiwas). Regulated union cabs are hired on the spot.
If any of these apply to your party, speak to us and we will adapt the route.
Visual Highlights
Scenes from this route
Places on this itinerary: Jammu, Katra, Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam. Photos by Wikimedia Commons contributors; see photo credits.
Before you book
Questions on this itinerary.
Can this tour start from Katra Railway Station?
Yes. If you arrive via the Vande Bharat Express or direct train at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra (SVDK), our chauffeur receives you directly outside the Katra station exit.
How long is the drive from Katra to Srinagar?
The road journey via the modern NH44 expressway and tunnels takes approximately 6 to 7 hours with comfort and tea stops. Alternatively, you can take the morning Vande Bharat train directly into the Kashmir Valley.
Is this itinerary comfortable for senior citizens?
Yes. We provide comfortable private vehicles, pace the travel with an overnight stay in Katra before driving to Kashmir, and leave afternoons unhurried.
Customise this trip
This is the template. Yours will be different.
Add a night, swap a hotel category, start from a different city, travel with fifteen people instead of two. Tell us what changes and we rebuild the itinerary and the quote around it.
Every quote comes from our own team, from the planner who will actually run your trip.