Srinagar, Wular Lake, Razdan Pass, Dawar and Tulail
Gurez valley road trip
Five hours north over the Razdan Pass to a valley of log houses and the Kishanganga river. Four nights up there, including a full day in Tulail.
Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Sinthan Top loop
A week in the meadows most visitors skip. Two quiet valleys in Budgam, the forest at Daksum and the high road over Sinthan Top, ending on a Srinagar houseboat.
Offbeat 6 nights, 7 days Doodhpathri, Yusmarg, Daksum, Sinthan Top and Srinagar
Duration6 nights, 7 days
Best timeJune to October
Start and finishStarts and ends at Srinagar airport
Price from
₹27,499per person
About this trip
This loop is for people who have already seen Gulmarg and Pahalgam, or who would simply rather skip the crowds. Doodhpathri and Yusmarg are both under two hours from Srinagar, yet each still has only a handful of places to stay. You get open meadow, pine forest and cold rivers mostly to yourselves.
From Yusmarg we head south-east to Daksum, a forested valley on the Bringi river, and drive up to Sinthan Top at about 3,750 m on the road towards Kishtwar. On the way back come the springs of Kokernag and the octagonal Mughal tank at Verinag, the traditional source of the Jhelum.
Highlights
- Walks along the Shaliganga at Doodhpathri
- The forest walk to Nilnag lake from Yusmarg
- Charar-e-Sharief shrine on the road between them
- Daksum's pine and fir forest on the Bringi
- The high road over Sinthan Top
- Kokernag springs and the Verinag tank
Day by day
Day 1: Airport to Doodhpathri
We skip the city and drive about 90 minutes south-west to Doodhpathri. Evening on the meadow.
Cottage, DoodhpathriDay 2: Doodhpathri to Yusmarg
A morning walk along the Shaliganga, then about two hours by road via Charar-e-Sharief to Yusmarg.
Guesthouse, YusmargDay 3: Nilnag and the Doodh Ganga
Walk through the forest to Nilnag lake, about an hour each way, and spend the afternoon by the river.
Guesthouse, YusmargDay 4: South to Daksum
Down through Budgam and Anantnag, stopping at the Mughal garden at Achabal, to the forest at Daksum. About four hours.
Guesthouse, DaksumDay 5: Sinthan Top
Climb to Sinthan Top, where snow often lies beside the road into June. Walk the ridge, eat lunch looking towards Kishtwar and return to Daksum.
Guesthouse, DaksumDay 6: Kokernag, Verinag and Srinagar
The springs and garden at Kokernag, the spring tank at Verinag, then back to Srinagar for a houseboat night.
Houseboat, Nigeen LakeDay 7: Departure
Airport drop after breakfast.
What the price covers
Included
- 6 nights: 1 in Doodhpathri, 2 in Yusmarg, 2 in Daksum and 1 on a houseboat
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- Private cab with driver
- Airport pickup and drop
- Packed lunch on the Sinthan Top day
- A local guide for the Nilnag walk
Not included
- Flights
- Pony rides
- Lunches, except on the Sinthan Top day
- Garden entry fees at Achabal, Kokernag and Verinag
- Tips and personal costs
Good to know
- Pace and fitness
- Easy to moderate. Short drives most days and one long mountain road day.
- When to go
- June to October. Exact dates shift a little each year with snow and road openings, so we confirm before you book.
- Make it yours
- Dates, stays, nights and stops can all be changed. Ask and we send a revised plan and price.
Questions about this trip
How basic are the stays?
Simple and clean. Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and Daksum have tourist huts, small guesthouses and a few cottages rather than hotels. We pick rooms with hot water and warm bedding.
When is the Sinthan Top road open?
It usually opens in late May or June and stays open until the first heavy snow, often in November. Snow can sit beside the road well into summer.
Does this work with young children?
Yes. Most drives are short, the walks are easy and can be cut down, and there is plenty of open meadow to run about on.
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