Treks and hikesKashmir Great Lakes trek
Seven alpine lakes and three high passes over about 70 km, from Sonamarg to Naranag. Hard work, and the finest week of walking in Kashmir.
- Where
- Sonamarg to Naranag
- When
- July to mid-September
- Time
- 8 to 9 days
Things to do in Kashmir
Treks, rafting, camping, skiing, saffron fields and a proper wazwan. What each involves, where it happens and when to go.
18 things to do in Kashmir
Some depend on the season, so check the months listed. We arrange guides, permits and tickets where they are needed.
Treks and hikes
Treks and hikesTarsar Marsar trek
A week from Aru to the Tarsar and Sundarsar lakes, with a view down to Marsar from the ridge. Shorter days, and a good first high-altitude trek.
- Where
- Aru, near Pahalgam
- When
- July to September
- Time
- 7 days
Treks and hikesNaranag to Gangbal
A steep climb from the Naranag temples to the twin lakes under Haramukh. Three or four days there and back, and very few other people.
- Where
- Naranag, Ganderbal
- When
- June to September
- Time
- 3 to 4 days
Treks and hikesAlpather lake hike
From the Gondola's first stage at Kongdori, a walk or pony ride up to a lake at close to 3,850 m that stays frozen until early summer.
- Where
- Gulmarg
- When
- July to September
- Time
- Full day
Treks and hikesAru to Lidderwat
Follow the river from Aru through pine forest to the meadow at Lidderwat, about 10 km each way. Long, but never steep, and a good test before a bigger trek.
- Where
- Aru, Pahalgam
- When
- May to October
- Time
- Full day
Rivers and lakesWhite-water rafting
Cold, fast snowmelt on the Sindh near Sonamarg and the Lidder near Pahalgam, with trained guides, helmets and life jackets. The biggest water comes in June.
- Where
- Sindh and Lidder rivers
- When
- May to September
- Time
- 1 to 2 hours
Rivers and lakesTrout fishing
Brown trout in the Lidder, the Sindh and the streams of Gurez. You need a licence from the Fisheries Department, which we arrange along with a local guide.
- Where
- Pahalgam, Sonamarg and Gurez
- When
- April to September
- Time
- Half day
Rivers and lakesA houseboat night
Cedar hulls, carved walnut ceilings and tea brought out to the deck. We book on Nigeen when you want quiet and on Dal when you want to be near the Boulevard.
- Where
- Dal and Nigeen lakes
- When
- All year
- Time
- Overnight
Rivers and lakesFloating market by shikara
Leave the houseboat at about half past five and paddle to the inner lake, where growers sell lotus stem, greens and gourds from one boat to the next. It is all over by seven.
- Where
- Dal Lake, Srinagar
- When
- All year, best May to October
- Time
- 2 hours
Camping and photographyMeadow camping
One or two nights in tents at Aru, Lidderwat or beside the river in Gurez, with a cook, a fire and nobody else around. No trekking experience needed.
- Where
- Aru, Lidderwat and Gurez
- When
- June to September
- Time
- 1 to 2 nights
Camping and photographyPhotography days
A driver who stops when you ask, and a plan built around the light: Dal at dawn, Thajiwas at dusk, chinars in October. Works for big cameras and phones alike.
- Where
- Anywhere in the valley
- When
- All year, best in October
- Time
- Full day
Camping and photographyZoji La and Zero Point
Beyond Sonamarg the road climbs to Zoji La, about 3,528 m, between walls of old snow. Local taxis run to Zero Point on the Ladakh side when the pass is open.
- Where
- Above Sonamarg
- When
- May to October, road permitting
- Time
- Half day
SnowSkiing in Gulmarg
Lessons for first-timers on the lower slopes, and guided off-piste from Apharwat for strong skiers. Skis, boots and clothing can all be rented in Gulmarg.
- Where
- Gulmarg
- When
- Late December to March
- Time
- Half or full day
SnowSnow walks and sledging
No skills needed. Cross the Gulmarg meadow on snowshoes, ride a sledge pulled by a local, or walk out along the Lidder when Pahalgam is white.
- Where
- Gulmarg and Pahalgam
- When
- December to February
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
SnowGulmarg Gondola
Two stages from Gulmarg to Kongdori and on to Apharwat, close to 4,000 m. Book tickets ahead in season and go early, before the wind gets up.
- Where
- Gulmarg
- When
- All year
- Time
- 2 to 4 hours
Food and cultureWazwan dinner
The Kashmiri feast, cooked by a waza: tabak maaz, rista, rogan josh and gushtaba to finish, shared from one trami. Ask and we will find a vegetarian spread too.
- Where
- Srinagar
- When
- All year
- Time
- Evening
Food and cultureSaffron fields at Pampore
A short drive south of Srinagar on the Jammu highway. Watch families pick the flowers at dawn and separate the red stigmas by hand.
- Where
- Pampore
- When
- Late October to mid-November
- Time
- 2 to 3 hours
Food and cultureDowntown on foot
Shah-e-Hamadan on the Jhelum, the deodar pillars of Jamia Masjid, the copper bazaars, and a stop for girda bread and salty pink noon chai.
- Where
- Old city, Srinagar
- When
- All year
- Time
- 3 hours
How it works
Four steps from first message to airport pickup. You deal with the same person throughout.
- 01
Send us a message
Tell us your dates, who is coming and what kind of trip you want. Trek, road trip, snow or the classic circuit, a rough idea is enough.
- 02
Get a plan with one price
Usually within a day you get a day-by-day route, the stays or camps we suggest and a single price listing what is and is not included.
- 03
Shape it and confirm
Swap stops, add a night, change the hotel level. When it looks right, a part payment confirms the rooms, the cab and any trek crew.
- 04
Go
We pick you up at Srinagar airport and stay on WhatsApp throughout. On treks, we keep in touch through your trek leader wherever there is signal.
Add activities to your trip
Tell us what caught your eye. We will check the season, book what needs booking and fit it into your days.
- Call us+91 88512 31637
- WhatsApp+91 88512 31637
- Email[email protected]
- OfficeRambagh, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190009