9 daysRoad trip
Himachal
Winter Spiti
Delhi → Delhi · Moderate
From
₹15,999
per person · + 5% GST
View trip →
6 days · 5 nightsGroup tourKashmirEasy
Kashmir in Winter
Houseboat nights on Dal Lake, Gulmarg’s snowfields, Sonamarg’s glacier and the valleys of Pahalgam.
Srinagar → SrinagarMeet at Srinagar airport, or the Delhi bus pickup, Day 1 (Day 0 evening for Delhi)
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Where you’re going
The 6-day Kashmir in Winter starts at ₹17,499 per person + 5% GST (Srinagar to Srinagar · triple sharing). Book with ₹5,000 per seat and pay the balance 7 days before you leave.
Overview
Houseboat nights on Dal Lake, Gulmarg’s snowfields, Sonamarg’s glacier and the valleys of Pahalgam.
Six days in the Kashmir valley in winter, starting and ending in Srinagar, or seven from Delhi with an AC sleeper bus to Jammu and back. A night on a Dal Lake houseboat with a shikara ride, day trips to Gulmarg and Sonamarg, a night in Pahalgam by way of Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari, and Srinagar’s Mughal gardens and the Shankaracharya temple to finish.
- A night on a Dal Lake houseboat and an hour-long shikara ride
- Gulmarg at 2,650 m, with the gondola or an ATV to Drung waterfall if you like
- Sonamarg and the walk or pony ride to Thajiwas glacier
- Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari on the way to Pahalgam
- Shalimar Bagh and the Shankaracharya temple above Srinagar
- Kahwa, noon chai and a proper wazwan
- Duration
- 5N / 6D
- Route
- Srinagar → Srinagar
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Max altitude
- 2,895 m
- Meet at
- Srinagar airport, or the Delhi bus pickup, Day 1 (Day 0 evening for Delhi)
Short walks in snow. Winter nights go well below freezing, so dress for real cold.
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Route
Srinagar to Srinagar, 6 days
Highest point 2,895 m.
Itinerary
Day by day
Stays, meals and altitudes are on every day, so nothing important is hidden.
- Delhi optionDay 0
Delhi to Jammu by sleeper bus (Delhi option)
Travellers on the Delhi option meet at the pickup point in the evening and take an AC sleeper bus to Jammu overnight.
- 216 m
- Overnight on the bus
- Day 1 of 6Day 1
Arrive in Srinagar, a night on Dal Lake
Fly into Srinagar and transfer to Dal Lake, or ride up from Jammu by Tempo Traveller on the Delhi option. Check in to the houseboat and take a one-hour shikara ride as the light fades.
- 1,585 m
- Houseboat, Dal Lake
- Dinner
- Day 2 of 6Day 2
Gulmarg day trip
Drive by way of Tangmarg up to Gulmarg at 2,650 m, under deep snow in winter. Ride the gondola, or take an ATV to Drung waterfall from Tangmarg, if you like (at your own cost). Back to Srinagar for the night.
- 2,650 m
- Hotel, Srinagar
- Breakfast + Dinner
- Day 3 of 6Day 3
Sonamarg and Thajiwas glacier
A day out to Sonamarg, the meadow of gold. A walk or pony ride of about 4 km (pony at your own cost) brings you to the Thajiwas glacier. Back to Srinagar in the evening.
- 2,800 m
- Hotel, Srinagar
- Breakfast + Dinner
- Day 4 of 6Day 4
Srinagar to Pahalgam via Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari
Drive to Pahalgam, the valley of shepherds, and see Aru, Betaab valley and Chandanwari in local union cabs, which are included. Night in Pahalgam.
- 2,895 m
- Hotel, Pahalgam
- Breakfast + Dinner
- Day 5 of 6Day 5
Back to Srinagar: Mughal gardens and Shankaracharya
Return to Srinagar for Shalimar Bagh and the Mughal gardens, and climb to the Shankaracharya temple for one of the best views over the city.
- 1,585 m
- Hotel, Srinagar
- Breakfast + Dinner
- Day 6 of 6Day 6
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Srinagar airport. On the Delhi option, drive to Jammu and board the overnight sleeper bus, reaching Delhi around 11 AM the next day.
- 1,585 m
- Breakfast
What’s included
- 5 nights: 1 on a Dal Lake houseboat, 3 in a 3-star hotel in Srinagar, 1 in a 3-star hotel in Pahalgam
- 5 breakfasts and 5 dinners
- Srinagar airport pickup and drop (Srinagar option)
- AC sleeper bus Delhi–Jammu–Delhi (Delhi option)
- Tempo Traveller or Urbania for transfers and sightseeing
- A one-hour shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Union cab charges for Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari
- A trip captain with the group throughout
- Driver charges, tolls and parking
- A medical kit on the trip
Not included
- Flights or trains to Srinagar
- Lunches, snacks, bottled water and drinks
- Gulmarg gondola, ATV and pony rides, and other activities
- Entry fees, tips, laundry and personal spends
- Costs from snow closures, landslides or other events beyond our control
- 5% GST, added to the package price
Things to carry
- Thermals and a windproof, waterproof outer layer
- Woollen socks, gloves and a cap
- Snow boots, or rent them in Gulmarg
- Sunglasses and sunscreen for the snow
- A valid photo ID at all times
- Cash: ATMs and cards are unreliable in Gulmarg and Pahalgam
- A postpaid SIM (prepaid numbers from outside J&K do not work)
- Power bank and personal medicines
Ready when you are
Book Kashmir in Winter
From ₹17,499 per person, + 5% GST · Srinagar to Srinagar · triple sharing.
Book with ₹5,000 per seat; the balance is due 7 days before you leave.
Good to know
Before you book
The practical answers travellers ask us on WhatsApp, in one place.
When to go
- 21 December to 31 January (Chillai Kalan) is the heart of winter, with the most snow.
- November and February are milder, with snow on the higher slopes.
- Pack for nights well below freezing.
Phones and cash
- Bring a postpaid SIM; prepaid numbers from outside J&K are barred.
- Withdraw cash in Srinagar; ATMs and cards are unreliable in Gulmarg and Pahalgam.
- Hotels have Wi-Fi.
Flying in or the Delhi bus
- Srinagar option: airport pickup on Day 1 and drop on Day 6.
- Delhi option: AC sleeper bus to Jammu on Day 0 and back after Day 6.
- Heavy snow can shut the Jammu–Srinagar highway for a while; flying avoids it.
Reviews
What travellers say about Gear & Adventure
5.0
★★★★★
3 Google reviews
- ★★★★★
“If you’ve ever dreamed of Spiti Valley, do yourself a favor and go with Gear & Adventure. We chose the tempo traveller option and loved every second. The driver was experienced, the guides knew the history of every village, and the itinerary was just the right pace. We stopped at Chicham Bridge, explored ancient monasteries, and even got to taste authentic Tibetan food. The stay in Kaza was cozy with hot meals ready after a long day. I felt safe, inspired, and amazed throughout. This company truly delivers an adventure while keeping comfort in mind. Five stars without a doubt!”
Sanjay Singh Chauhan, Google Local GuideGoogle review · Spiti trip - ★★★★★
“Experience was great. Hospitality was also good. The gears were also in good condition. Bike’s condition is also great. Our trip leader Ranjit is a great guy with very helpful nature. He helped a lot throughout our trip.”
Kshitiz SharmaGoogle review · Spiti trip - ★★★★★
“Best experience travelling with them, I enjoyed each and every moment. The best bikes, the best stays, the best travel company.”
Siddarth VGoogle review · Spiti trip
Questions
Questions, answered
Getting there
- Nearest airport: Srinagar (SXR)
- Nearest station: Jammu Tawi (JAT)
- Fly into Srinagar to join on Day 1, or take the Delhi option with an AC sleeper bus to Jammu on the evening of Day 0. The return bus reaches Delhi around 11 AM the day after Day 6.
When is there the most snow?
Late December through January. The 40 days from 21 December to 31 January, called Chillai Kalan, are the coldest and snowiest of the Kashmiri winter. November and early December bring the first snow on the higher slopes.
Should I take the Delhi option or fly to Srinagar?
Flying in is quicker and avoids the Jammu–Srinagar highway, which can close for a while in heavy snow. The Delhi option adds an AC sleeper bus each way and costs more because it includes that travel.
Will my phone work?
Prepaid numbers from outside Jammu & Kashmir do not work in the valley. Postpaid connections do, with Jio and Airtel the most reliable.
What if the highway closes because of snow?
It is routine in winter. The team adjusts the route and timings, and anyone flying in is not affected. Any extra costs from closures are settled on the spot.
Are the union cabs in Pahalgam extra?
No. Local unions run the cabs to Aru, Betaab and Chandanwari, and those charges are included.
