Experience Kashmir & get a first hand experience of the lifestyle, culture, heritage of Kashmir. This will be balanced by the magical experience of trekking through secluded forests to lakes and meadows. All of this while keeping the safety of the guests and the sanctity of nature in mind.

After arrival at Srinagar Airport, transfer to your stay for the night, in a Kashmiri boutique homestay run by a local family. On arrival, enjoy a hot cup of Kahwa along with Kashmiri local snacks such as Lotus stem fritters, etc.

Travel Time

Airport Transfer / 10 KM, 30-40 Minutes

Meals

Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Nature hikes/Wildlife/History

Today, we will explore the forest of Dachigam national park at the foothills of the Zabarwan mountain range. Hiking through the forest is quite easy. This dense forest is famous for Kashmiri stag, Grey Langur, Long Tail Marmot, Black bear and diverse species of birds including Babbler, black bulbul, wall creeper, Wagtail. Other than Dachigam, we will explore the ruins of Harwan Buddhist archaeological site and monastery. It gives a panoramic view of the city of Srinagar. This place is rarely visited even by locals.

Travel Time

Day Trip / 40 KM, 1-1.5 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Culture/Heritage/Cuisine/Arts & Crafts

Kashmir is famous for arts & crafts like handmade rugs, Paper mache, wooden handicraft with intricate carving, cane handicraft, Pashmina, embroidery work on handloom, stone craft. Time stands still in the old city of Srinagar. We will explore the centuries old monuments of Jamia Masjid, Khanka-e-moula, Pathar masjid, Dastageer Sahib masjid. All these monuments are famous for their history as well as the display of arts & crafts mentioned above. Further, we will see the whole process of making Kashmiri handmade rugs, paper cache, wooden handicrafts.

Travel Time

Day Trip / 35 KM, 1-1.5 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Culture/Offbeat place/Leisure

Kashmiris are famous for their love of a vast spread of breads. Local bread makers called Kandur are present in every locality. We will visit and get to know the process of bread making in a local style. Today, we will visit Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Hill (This can be made optional/leisure afternoon/shopping/etc.) In the evening, we will visit Ashtang Marg, again a perfect lesser known place to watch a stunning sunset with a bird’s eye view of Dal lake, Srinagar and Zabarwan mountain range.

Travel Time

Day Trip / 70 KM, 2.5-3 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Heritage/Offbeat place/Camping

Chatpal is a completely offbeat place in the south district of Kashmir. Surrounded by dense deodar forest, it is a place straight out of a fairytale! Srinagar to Chatpal distance is around 2.5 hours. On the way, there are three archaeological sites of ancient monuments from the 8th Century era. True architectural marvels indeed! These monuments are quite massive in spite of the destruction that reduced it to 1/3 of its original glory. The plan is to camp in Chatpal, close to the river, away from the hustle & bustle, spend time birdwatching, taking a stroll on the meadows, visiting the quaint villages.

Travel Time

Travel / 85 KM, 2-2.5 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Offbeat place

Daksum is yet another offbeat gem in South Kashmir which connects Kishtwar region of Kashmir with Himachal Pradesh via Sinthan top/pass. The drive from Daksum to Sinthan top is through a canopy of dense forest with hairpin bends giving way to panoramic view. On the way, we can see the mud huts of nomadic tribes of Kashmir, the Bakarwals and the Gujjars. This drive is best done before sunset time as the sunset from the top is worth experiencing!

Travel Time

Travel / 120 KM, 3.5 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day: Heritage

Drive from Daksum to Aru. Visit various Mughal gardens on the way like Kokernag, Achabal. Rest of the day is free to spend leisurely. We will go on a leisurely walk in the evening. Briefing about the trek.

Travel Time

Travel / 90 KM, 2.5 hour in total

Meals

Breakfast, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Trek from Aru to Lidderwat

Travel Time

Trek / 5 KM, 5-6 hour / Alt gain: 2500m to 2800m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Trek from Lidderwat to Shekwas

Travel Time:

Trek / 7 KM, 5-6 hour / Alt gain: 2800m to 3400m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch. Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Trek from Shekwas to Tarsar

Travel Time

Trek / 5 KM, 4 Hours / Alt gain: 3400m to 3800m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch. Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Trek from Tarsar to Sunders via Tarsar Pass

Travel Time:

Trek / 5 KM, 5-6 hours / Alt gain: 3800m to 3950m via 4005m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch. Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Trek from Sundersar to Homes via Marsar Lake

Travel Time:

Trek / 9 KM, 7 hours / Alt loss: 3950m to 3440m via 4012m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch. Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Traditional stay/Folk music/Cuisine

Trek from Homes to Aru road head. Drive from Aru to Srinagar. Stay in a traditional, luxury houseboat. A Kashmiri folk music/Sufi music performance by local artists with signature Kashmiri instruments like Rabab will be arranged at the houseboat.

Travel Time

Trek / 13 KM, 7 hours / Alt loss: 3440m to 2450m

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch. Evening Snacks, Dinner

Theme of the day

Offbeat local experience

Last but definitely not the least, a visit to the morning vegetable/flower market on Shikara in the middle of the Dal lake gives a peek into the olden times of Kashmir, where trading used to happen mainly by Shikara/waterways. A vibrant site to behold on a cold, crisp morning! Departure to Srinagar Airport by afternoon.

Travel Time

Airport Transfer / 10 KM, 30-45 Minutes

Meals

Breakfast/Brunch