Local guides to the valley's best destinations
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A remote valley on the Kishanganga river, about five hours north of Srinagar over the Razdan Pass, known for log-wood villages and the pyramid-shaped Habba Khatoon peak. Open roughly May to October; see our Gurez Valley tour package.
Two quiet meadows within 1.5 hours of Srinagar, good for picnics, pony rides and families who want space without a long drive. Several of our 7–8 day trips include them.
If you're travelling by train or visiting Mata Vaishno Devi, these are natural first stops. See our Jammu Kashmir tour packages.
The four classic destinations sit in different directions from Srinagar, so most travellers use the city as a base. Gulmarg and Sonamarg work as day trips; Pahalgam is better with one or two nights, because its side valleys take most of a day. A first trip of five or six nights covers all four comfortably.
Seasons matter too: Sonamarg and Gurez are at their best from May to October, Gulmarg is the place for snow from December to March, and Srinagar's gardens peak with the tulips in April.
| From | To | Distance (approx.) | Drive time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Gulmarg | about 50 km | 1.5–2 hours |
| Srinagar | Sonamarg | about 80 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| Srinagar | Pahalgam | about 95 km | 2.5–3 hours |
| Srinagar | Doodhpathri | about 42 km | 1.5 hours |
| Srinagar | Yusmarg | about 47 km | 1.5 hours |
| Gulmarg | Pahalgam | about 140 km | 4–4.5 hours |
| Gulmarg | Sonamarg | about 130 km | 4 hours |
| Pahalgam | Sonamarg | about 175 km | 5 hours |
| Jammu | Srinagar | about 250 km | 7–9 hours by road |
| Srinagar | Gurez (Dawar) | about 125 km | 4.5–5 hours |
Planning the order? Read our Kashmir itinerary guide and things to do in Kashmir.
Local guides to Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens, old Srinagar, Gurez, Doodhpathri, Yusmarg and more.
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Read the guide: Offbeat Places in Kashmir: 8 Quiet Valleys Beyond the Usual Circuit →
