Srinagar is the warm-up act for Kashmir. This 6-day private circuit strings together top sights like Nishat Bagh and Shalimar on day one, then rewards you with a houseboat night on Dal Lake or Nigeen Lake plus an included shikara ride. What I like most is the logistics: you get air-conditioned transport with WiFi and a restroom onboard, and your driver also acts as an in-person guide for the trip.

One consideration: the itinerary includes major regions, but several big-ticket add-ons are not covered (think Gulmarg gondola and optional valley and zero-point excursions), so you’ll want to budget for choices. Also, winter or poor weather can affect plans, since the tour requires good conditions.

Quick hits before you book

• Private, driver-led routing that keeps the long-distance travel organized for you.
• Shikara ride is included (1 hour), not a last-minute upsell.
• Houseboat transfer on Day 5 so you can wake up near the lake area.
• Gulmarg add-ons cost extra (gondola and possible snow options are not included).
• Plenty of optional activity choices at Sonmarg and Pahalgam where you pay on the day.
• Food is covered with 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners, but lunch is on your own.

How this 6-day Kashmir loop works (and what you’re actually paying for)

This package is priced at $249.34 per person for about 6 days in Srinagar and the surrounding regions: Gulmarg, Sonmarg, and Pahalgam. You’re paying mostly for transportation, timing, and basics—an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi onboard, restroom access, driver allowance, and all fees and taxes (as stated).

I like the way the tour is built for first-time visitors who don’t want to stitch together transport between mountain towns. Your driver and an in-person guide handle day-to-day movement, and you get 5 breakfasts plus 5 dinners, which removes one of the biggest daily budget headaches in Kashmir.

Here’s the trade-off: the tour does not include a bunch of the experiences people often come to Kashmir specifically for, such as Gulmarg gondola tickets and some excursions at Pahalgam (valley trips) and Sonmarg (Thajwas glacier walking/horse time). If you want a do-everything trip, you’ll pay extra—just not through the package.

A small but useful detail: your day starts at 10:00 am, and the itinerary spans long drives (often 6–7 hours on paper). That means you’ll enjoy this most if you’re okay with being “in transit” as part of seeing Kashmir.

Day 1 in Srinagar: Mughal gardens and an easy start

Your Day 1 begins with pickup from Srinagar and a local sightseeing run focused on the Mughal gardens—specifically Nishat Bagh and Shalimar (the itinerary lists Nishat Bagh, and mentions Shalimar as well). These gardens are a classic Kashmir entry point because they teach you the region’s style of beauty: water, symmetry, and careful planting.

What you’ll like here is the pacing. It’s not the “rush to the next viewpoint” feeling you get with some fast tours; it’s a guided introduction that fits well into a first day. Garden admission is listed as free for this stop, so your money goes into the basics you actually need rather than entry tickets.

The practical side: bring light layers. Even when the day feels mild in Srinagar, the gardens can feel cooler with shade and breeze. And if you care about photos, give yourself time to pause between viewpoints instead of trying to walk the whole garden like a treadmill.

Day 2 to Gulmarg: flower meadows, mountain air, and gondola budgeting

After breakfast, you head toward Gulmarg on the Pir Panjal Range. Gulmarg is described as the Meadow of Flowers, and that name makes sense when you’re there in the right season—wide open views, big skies, and that sense of altitude that sharpens everything.

The itinerary lists this as a long day (about 6 hours total), so the main “experience” is the combination of road time plus time in Gulmarg. Where you need to plan ahead is what’s included vs. what’s optional.

Gulmarg’s biggest add-on is the gondola. The tour notes gondola tickets are not included, and gives a reference cost of 1820 for both phases. It also mentions possible guide charges up to 900 max at Gulmarg and snow jeep at Tangmarg if you go that route (max cost 2000 per cab). That doesn’t mean you must do any of those. It means you should decide your priorities early so you aren’t surprised later.

My advice: if you want the high views without fighting for transport, gondola is usually the cleanest way to do it. If you’re traveling on a tighter budget, you can still enjoy Gulmarg without stacking every extra activity.

Day 3 to Sonmarg: the Thajwas glacier choice (walk or horse)

You drive from breakfast to Sonmarg, passing through towns like Kangan, Mammar, and Gagangir on the way (as listed in the route description). Sonmarg’s “workout plan” is the 3-hour walk or horseback trip to the Thajwas glacier, but here’s the key: it’s on your own cost.

This day can be excellent if you like a bit of effort. A glacier day is not about comfort; it’s about earning views. If you choose the horseback option, you’re buying an easier route to the same general destination. If you choose the walk, you’re paying with energy, but you often get more freedom to stop and take photos.

The itinerary also notes the Thajwas glacier time is part of the day’s plan, but it doesn’t list included tickets. So assume you’ll pay when you’re there. If you’re sensitive to long hours outdoors, plan for rest breaks and pace yourself early rather than saving energy for the last hour.

One more note: mountain weather changes fast. Dress like it’s going to get cooler, even if the morning feels fine. A light jacket beats a perfect plan.

Day 4 to Pahalgam: shepherd valley, saffron, and Awantipora ruins

Pahalgam is called the Valley of Shepherds, and the route is built to make the ride interesting, not just the endpoint. On the way, you’ll see saffron fields, bat factories, and Awantipora ruins (all mentioned as part of the journey). That’s a big reason I like this circuit: it’s not only “view, photo, move on.” You also get a sense of local craft and historic sites along the way.

The Pahalgam transfer is listed as about 7 hours. That’s a long day, but it’s also where Kashmir starts to feel more varied—fields, ruins, and then the valley itself.

Now for the budget reality again. The tour notes trips to Beetab Valley / Aru Valley / Chandanwari Valley are not included, and mentions a Union Taxi cost reference of 2500 (on your own payment basis). If you want those valleys, you’ll either budget for taxis or keep your day lighter.

My practical suggestion: pick one or two valley outings rather than trying to do every option. Otherwise your “scenery time” shrinks and your “car time” grows, and not in the fun way.

Day 5 in Srinagar: houseboat stay and a real shikara ride

Day 5 is the pivot back to Srinagar. The plan is to wrap up remaining sightseeing from Pahalgam, then transfer you directly to a houseboat on Dal Lake / Nigeen Lake. This is where the trip starts to feel different from a typical day-tour loop.

The package includes a 1-hour shikara ride, and that’s one of the best values in the whole itinerary because you’re not paying separately for the boat time. I like shikara rides because they give you a slower pace—water movement, quiet corners, and a different angle on the lake edges than you get from roads.

A small planning tip: since your ride time is fixed to the package schedule, build in a little buffer for getting ready. You’ll enjoy it more if you aren’t rushing through dressing, charging your phone, and trying to find the right layer in the same 5 minutes.

Day 6: airport transfer with breakfast on your side

On Day 6, you eat breakfast and then get escorted to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey. It’s a clean finish: no extra sight list, no last-minute scrambling to reach a different part of town.

If you’re planning flights, aim for a realistic buffer on your side. Even though the tour handles the escort, mountain traffic can still do its own thing. The good news is the day is simple, so you’re less likely to lose time chasing activities.

Price and logistics: where value is strong and where extras appear

Overall, I think this package offers solid value if your main goal is reliable transport + organized sightseeing + a houseboat experience. The included features hit the practical boxes: air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi onboard, restroom on board, driver allowance, and meals (5 breakfasts and 5 dinners). That combination matters in Kashmir because you can otherwise burn time and money just figuring out where to eat and how to move.

But it’s not a fully all-in-one “pay once” deal. The tour explicitly lists several non-included items that can change the total cost fast:

• Gulmarg gondola tickets (reference cost: 1820 for both phases)
• Trips to valleys in Pahalgam via Union Taxi (reference: 2500)
• Zero Point by cab or ponies (reference max cost: 4000–6000)
• Tangmarg snow jeep (max cost reference: 2000 per cab)
• Guide charges at Gulmarg (max 900)
• Flight, lunch, GST, mineral water/soft drinks, tips/gratuities, and personal expenses

So my recommendation is to treat the quoted price as your base, then decide ahead of time what you want to “upgrade” with. If you care most about higher views in Gulmarg, budget for the gondola. If you care most about glacier time, budget for Thajwas glacier choices. If you’re chasing Zero Point, that’s a separate cost.

One more detail I appreciate: confirmation is said to come within 48 hours of booking, depending on availability. That gives you a reasonable planning window once you’re booked.

Who should book this Kashmir package

This works well for:

• First-time Kashmir visitors who want transport handled and don’t want to build a route.
• Couples and families who value meals included and an easy houseboat transition on Day 5.
• Travelers who prefer a private group setup, where it’s only your group on the activity.

From the notes shared by people who used this agency, I also see a pattern: the coordination quality matters. One trip credited a coordinator named Yasir for organizing a smooth, memorable Kashmir circuit, and another mentioned a driver named Wasim as friendly and helpful while making arrangements. That lines up with what you should expect from a driver-led, guide-supported route: the relationship with the driver can make the day feel calm even when the roads are long.

Should you book this Exotic Kashmir package?

Book it if you want a structured 6-day itinerary with included dinners and breakfasts, organized transport, and a houseboat + shikara experience that doesn’t force you to chase every activity separately. It’s especially good if you’d rather spend your energy enjoying Kashmir than solving logistics between towns.

Skip or rethink it if your dream itinerary is fully “everything included” with no add-on expenses. Because gondola, specific valley excursions, and Zero Point are on your own budget, this is best for travelers who want the base plan but also enjoy choosing a few upgrades.

If you’re flexible and practical—comfortable with long drive days and ready to plan for optional costs—this package can be a good way to see a lot of Kashmir without the headache.

FAQ

How long is the Exotic Kashmir package?

It’s listed as 6 days (approx.).

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 10:00 am.

Is pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered.

What’s included in the tour price?

Included are an air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, private transportation, restroom on board, all fees and taxes (as stated), driver allowance, a 1-hour shikara ride, an in-person guide (also the driver), and 5 breakfasts plus 5 dinners.

Are flights included?

No. Flight is not included.

Are meals included?

Yes. Breakfast (5) and Dinner (5) are included, while lunch is not included.

Is the Gulmarg gondola included?

No. Gondola tickets at Gulmarg are not included. A reference cost is given as 1820 for both phases.

Is the Thajwas glacier trip included in Sonmarg?

The itinerary mentions a 3-hour walk or horseback trip to the Thajwas glacier, and it is listed as on your own cost.

What’s the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. If you cancel 2–6 days before the experience, you get a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 2 days before, there’s no refund. The tour also notes it requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor weather you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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