Kashmir Trip 5 Days – Dal Lake, Gulmarg & Pahalgam Tour

🏔️ Kashmir Trip 5 Days – A Memorable Journey of Dal Lake, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam

✨ Kashmir Trip 5 Days – A Place That Is Not Just Seen, But Felt

Some places are such that after reaching there, a person does not just travel, but feels lost somewhere in those beautiful valleys. Kashmir is exactly that kind of place. The snow-covered mountains, peaceful Dal Lake, cold winds, small houses, greenery spread far away, and the shikara moving slowly between all of them… together create a feeling that is probably not easy to explain completely in words.

When the flight was slowly landing towards Srinagar, the snow-covered mountains visible outside the window looked like a movie scene. Everywhere there was only white color spread around, and the small areas between those mountains looked like a painting. At that moment, it was felt for the first time why people call Kashmir heaven.

The flight from Delhi to Srinagar cost around ₹4000 per person. And as soon as we stepped out at Srinagar Airport, the cold air there clearly made us feel that we had entered a completely different world. The temperature was below zero, but even in that cold weather there was a strange kind of peace.

This Kashmir Trip 5 Days was not just about traveling. It was a journey to feel those moments where sometimes snowy mountains were standing in front of our eyes, sometimes the shikara was slowly moving on the peaceful water of Dal Lake, and sometimes the cold air flowing through the valleys of Pahalgam was making the mind completely calm.

1. 🏨 Srinagar Hotel and First Evening Experience in Kashmir Trip 5 Days

After reaching Srinagar, we first moved towards the hotel. A hotel was booked here for three days – Rega Aer Luxury Hotel. The hotel was very good and comfortable. As soon as we entered the room, the first thing we felt was warmth because the whole room had central heating facility. Outside the weather was extremely cold, but inside the room the atmosphere was warm and relaxing.

Looking outside from the room window, small houses and the beauty of Kashmir spread far away could be seen. The view was so peaceful that for some time we just wanted to stand near the window and keep looking outside.

The hotel price was around ₹5000 per day including breakfast for two people. For those coming with family, taking a good hotel felt very important because the cold here is not normal.

That first evening there was only one feeling – finally, we had reached Kashmir.

2. 🚖 Taxi Booking and Meeting Abbas Bhai During Kashmir Trip 5 Days

To travel around Kashmir, taxi is one of the most important things. We booked a taxi for the complete four nights and five days trip. The taxi driver was – Abbas Bhai.

There was simplicity on his face and his way of talking was also very nice. He was going to show us the entire Kashmir – Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and other places too.

The taxi cost was around ₹4000 per day. In Kashmir, the distance between places is quite long. Gulmarg is around 50 kilometers, Sonamarg around 80 to 90 kilometers, and Pahalgam also nearly 90 kilometers away. Because of this, taxi becomes the most important part of the whole trip.

Throughout the journey, Abbas Bhai kept sharing small stories and information which made the travel even easier and enjoyable.

3. ❄️ The Most Beautiful Part of Kashmir Trip 5 Days – Gulmarg

On the first day of Kashmir Trip 5 Days, we left for Gulmarg. This place is located around 50 kilometers from Srinagar and is truly very beautiful.

As the car moved towards Gulmarg, the roads started becoming more beautiful. Snow started appearing on both sides of the road and the air became even colder than before.

The vehicle drops visitors at one point, and from there around 1 kilometer has to be walked to reach the Gondola station. While walking on that path, the feeling of snow, mountains and cold wind all around was probably one of the most beautiful moments of life.

To go higher in Gulmarg, Gondola means cable car is used. There are two phases here.

Phase One – Around 9000 Feet

Phase Two – Around 14000 Feet

It was important to reach early in the morning because there is a lot of crowd here.

When we first reached Phase One, only snow-covered mountains were visible everywhere. Light sunlight had already come out and the weather looked extremely beautiful. People were also doing skiing there. Skiing equipment was kept at many places.

The real magic of Gulmarg was felt after reaching Phase Two.

4. 🏔️ Gulmarg Phase Two – Feeling Like Standing Between Clouds and Mountains

As soon as we reached Phase Two, it felt like the world suddenly changed. The temperature was around -10°. While breathing, the cold air was directly felt inside.

Everywhere there was only white snow and tall mountains visible. The most special thing was that we were standing almost at the same height as those mountains. It felt like standing between clouds and mountains.

Ratan Bhai was also there with us and all of us were simply feeling that beautiful view.

The height of Phase Two is around 14000 feet, so some people may face difficulty in breathing here. But after reaching there, the view visible makes you forget all the tiredness.

There was a small tent where tea and Maggi were available. Sitting between mountains in such cold weather while drinking tea and eating Maggi… that moment was extremely peaceful.

5. 🌲 Peaceful Experience of Sonamarg During Kashmir Trip 5 Days

The next morning, we had breakfast at the hotel. The day started with aloo paratha, apple, curd, pickle and sandwich. Looking at the cold weather outside, hot breakfast felt really good.

After this, we left for Sonamarg.

As soon as we reached Sonamarg, which is around 80 kilometers from Srinagar, the first thing we noticed was its beautiful valley. The color of the houses here, the mountains spread around and the cold air all felt very different.

The most special place in Sonamarg is – Thajiwas Glacier.

The glacier was visible even from far away, and people were using snow bikes and horses to reach there. The cold here was even more intense. The temperature felt around -5°.

The best moment in Sonamarg was when we sat in front of the mountains with Maggi and tea in our hands. Warm tea in hands and snowy mountains in front… maybe this is the real peace of mountain life.

Maggi was ₹50 and tea was ₹20. But at that moment, not the price, but the feeling was more special.

6. 🌆 Lal Chowk of Srinagar and the Changing Atmosphere

By the time we returned from Sonamarg, it was evening, and then we reached Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

This is the same place about which a lot was heard earlier in news reports. But now, a completely different atmosphere was seen here. The markets were lively, people were roaming around, and the environment felt quite normal.

At night, seeing the lights and movement of Lal Chowk felt like Kashmir is now slowly moving towards a new phase.

7. 🛕 Shankaracharya Temple and Pari Mahal in Kashmir Trip 5 Days

On the third day, we went out to explore the local sightseeing of Srinagar.

First, we reached Shankaracharya Temple. After reaching this temple built on a hill, the peace there felt completely different. People from every religion come here, and the environment was very calm.

After this, we reached Pari Mahal.

The most special thing about Pari Mahal is the view of Dal Lake visible from there. When Dal Lake is seen from such height, the whole Srinagar looks extremely beautiful.

As we kept going higher, the views kept changing. Somewhere dry mountains were visible and somewhere valleys spread far away could be seen.

From there, we got the chance to see Dal Lake from above for the first time, and the excitement to visit there by evening kept increasing.

8. 🚣 Dal Lake – The Most Peaceful Moment of Kashmir Trip 5 Days

By evening, finally we reached Dal Lake.

The hotels built beside Dal Lake, the floating houseboats in the lake, and the calm water… everything looked extremely beautiful.

Here, a houseboat was booked for one day – Sun Group Houseboat.

The entire atmosphere inside the houseboat looked like an old royal home. Beautiful wooden decoration, dining hall, and comfortable rooms… everything felt very special.

The room atmosphere was so beautiful that it truly felt like we were living a very special memory.

The houseboat cost was around ₹8000 per day including breakfast and dinner.

9. 🛶 Shikara Ride – The Most Memorable Evening of Kashmir Trip 5 Days

After checking into the houseboat, we left for the Shikara ride.

The feeling of slowly moving forward on the peaceful water of Dal Lake in a Shikara is difficult to explain in words. The water was completely calm and only soft sounds could be heard around.

While sitting in the Shikara, we went till Meena Bazaar. This small market built over the lake was quite a different experience. There were small handicraft shops there.

During this time, we also tried Kahwa. Hot Kahwa felt really good in that cold weather.

As evening was getting darker, the lights of the lake started looking even more beautiful. The Shikara was slowly moving back towards the houseboat, and the mind was feeling completely peaceful.

10. 🌄 The Last Beautiful Stop of Kashmir Trip 5 Days – Pahalgam

In the last part of the Kashmir trip, we reached Pahalgam.

Here, we stayed at Snow Creek Hotel which was quite budget-friendly and clean. The rooms were comfortable and the hotel atmosphere was also good.

In Pahalgam, a separate taxi has to be hired to visit ABC Valley because only union taxis operate there.

ABC Valley Means:

• Aru Valley
• Betaab Valley
• Chandanwari

11. 🌿 Aru Valley – Peaceful and Extremely Beautiful

First, we reached Aru Valley.

The valleys here felt completely different from other places.

The open fields spread far away, mountains, and light cold wind… everything was extremely peaceful.

Javed Bhai was guiding us here. He told us that people can come here freely for travel and the atmosphere is completely safe.

In Aru Valley, the greenery looks most beautiful between March and June. Standing there and watching the valleys spread far away was a very peaceful experience.

12. 🎬 Betaab Valley – Beauty Like Movies

After this, we reached Betaab Valley.

Abbas Bhai told us that earlier its name was Hangan Valley. Later, after the shooting of the movie “Betaab” here, its name was changed.

There was a little less snow here, but still the whole atmosphere looked extremely beautiful. Mountains were visible at a distance and cold wind was continuously blowing.

13. ❄️ Chandanwari and the Emotions of the Last Day

After reaching Chandanwari, it was felt that this journey was now slowly coming to an end.

During the whole journey, every place had its own different feeling –

🔹 Gulmarg’s Snow
🔹 Sonamarg’s Cold Valleys
🔹 Peace of Dal Lake
🔹 Greenery of Pahalgam

Every place left something special in the heart.

14. 🍲 Food and Stay Experience During Kashmir Trip 5 Days

Throughout the trip, the food and stay experience was very good.

Breakfast Included:

🔹 Aloo Paratha
🔹 Apple
🔹 Curd
🔹 Pickle
🔹 Sandwich

The taste of Kahwa at Dal Lake and the experience of eating Maggi between the mountains remained the most memorable.

Comfortable stay was received at both hotels and the houseboat.

15. 💰 Total Cost of Kashmir Trip 5 Days

The total cost of the complete four nights and five days trip was around ₹20,000 per person.

The total expense for two people was around ₹40,000.

This Included:

🔹 Srinagar Hotel
🔹 Pahalgam Hotel
🔹 One Day Houseboat
🔹 Taxi

Apart From This:

🔹 Gondola Ticket Around ₹1800–₹2000 Per Person
🔹 Activity Charges Separate

16. 📌 Important Things Related to Kashmir Trip 5 Days

🔹 Only postpaid SIM cards work here.
🔹 Prepaid SIM cards may stop working after reaching the airport or Jammu.
🔹 January to March is the best time to see snow.
🔹 Between March and June, the greenery and gardens look the most beautiful.

17. ❤️ Final Feeling – Kashmir Trip 5 Days Is Not Just a Trip, It Is a Memory

When the last day of this journey was ending and the time to return was getting closer, a strange kind of peace was being felt.

Kashmir is not just the name of mountains, snow and lakes. It is the name of those moments where a person feels a little lighter from inside. Where the cold winds remove the tiredness of the mind. Where the peace of Dal Lake makes you forget the rush of the world for some time.

The snow of Gulmarg, the valleys of Sonamarg, the beauty of Pahalgam and the evenings of Dal Lake… all these do not stay only in photographs, they stay in memories.

And maybe that is the reason why even after returning from Kashmir, one part of a person still remains there somewhere between those mountains.

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📖 References
👉 Travel Experience & Real Information
👉 Post-Based Information