By Via Kashmir travel experts

Kashmir Travel Blog

Honest guides from a Srinagar team: where to go, when to go, what it costs, and the food and traditions that make Kashmir.

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All Kashmir Travel Guide 24 Kashmir Tour Packages 54 Srinagar 16 Gulmarg 8 Pahalgam 4 Sonamarg 2 Gurez Valley 1 Kashmiri Culture & Traditions 10 Kashmiri Food 11 Kashmir Adventure 11

A ski lift climbing a snowy slope through pine forest in Gulmarg

Kashmir Adventure

Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg: Snow Sports on India's Biggest Stage

A tray of spices, dry fruits and nuts with a kahwa jug on a Kashmiri carpet

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Winter Food: What Kashmir Eats When the Snow Falls

3 min read

The dome of a Hindu temple in Srinagar against a pink evening sky

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Herath: The Kashmiri Pandit Shivratri, Walnuts and Winter Rituals

2 min read

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Kashmir Travel Guide

Plan your Kashmir trip: best time to visit, how to reach, budgets, weather, safety and itineraries.

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Snow-covered Gulmarg at dusk with warm lights in the chalets and a rising moon

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Photography: 10 Snow Spots and How to Shoot Them

3 min read

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Photography: 10 Snow Spots and How to Shoot Them

Misty Dal Lake mornings, snow on old Srinagar's bridges, Gulmarg's church and moonlit meadows: where to photograph Kashmir in winter and how to protect your gear.

3 min read

St Mary's Church in Gulmarg with its roof covered in thick snow

Kashmir Travel Guide

Christmas and New Year in Kashmir: A White Christmas in Gulmarg

3 min read

Kashmir Travel Guide

Christmas and New Year in Kashmir: A White Christmas in Gulmarg

Midnight carols at Gulmarg's St Mary's Church, snow on the meadow if you are lucky, and the busiest week of the winter. How to plan Christmas and New Year in Kashmir.

3 min read

A red-roofed hut on a snowy Gulmarg meadow with forested hills behind

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Trip Cost: What a Snow Holiday Really Costs in 2026

3 min read

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Trip Cost: What a Snow Holiday Really Costs in 2026

Winter land costs, the Christmas and New Year premium, snow extras like coats, sledges and ski lessons, and how to get a snow trip at a fair price.

3 min read

A four-wheel-drive vehicle on a snow-covered road through pine forest in Gulmarg

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Safety Tips: Cold, Ice, Avalanches and Heaters

3 min read

Kashmir Travel Guide

Kashmir Winter Safety Tips: Cold, Ice, Avalanches and Heaters

How to stay safe and well in a Kashmir winter: dressing against frostbite, walking on ice, avalanche advisories, safe heating and what to do if you feel unwell at altitude.

3 min read

Kashmir Tour Packages

Honeymoon, family, group and budget Kashmir packages explained, with day-by-day plans and what they include.

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An aerial view of snow-covered chalets and pine forest in Gulmarg

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir Snow Weekend from Delhi: Friday Flight, Gulmarg Saturday

2 min read

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir Snow Weekend from Delhi: Friday Flight, Gulmarg Saturday

Take one day off and swap Delhi's smog for Gulmarg's snow. A 3-night winter long weekend from Delhi NCR, with flights, a Gulmarg overnight, costs and buffer tips.

2 min read

A wooden house under heavy snow in a quiet pine forest in Gulmarg

Kashmir Tour Packages

Your First Snow Trip: Kashmir from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi

3 min read

Kashmir Tour Packages

Your First Snow Trip: Kashmir from Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kochi

Never seen snow? A first-timer's guide for travellers from South India: when to go, how to fly, what to wear coming from a warm city and a 5-night snow plan.

3 min read

A river flowing between snow-covered banks and pine trees near Pahalgam in winter

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir Winter Package 4 Nights 5 Days: Snow Itinerary and Cost

2 min read

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir Winter Package 4 Nights 5 Days: Snow Itinerary and Cost

The classic Kashmir snow holiday in four nights: Srinagar, a night in Gulmarg and Pahalgam or Sonamarg, with costs, what is included and winter tips.

2 min read

The road along a lake in Srinagar on a quiet winter morning, with snow on the banks

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir in Winter for Senior Citizens: A Comfortable Snow Holiday

3 min read

Kashmir Tour Packages

Kashmir in Winter for Senior Citizens: A Comfortable Snow Holiday

How older travellers can enjoy Kashmir's snow in comfort: heated stays, gentle itineraries, altitude advice, avoiding icy paths and a relaxed 5-night plan.

3 min read

Srinagar

Dal Lake, houseboats, Mughal gardens, the old city and the best things to do in Srinagar.

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A boat moored at the frozen edge of Dal Lake with snowy banks and bare poplar trees in winter light

Srinagar

Houseboat Stay in Winter: Is It Warm Enough on Dal Lake?

3 min read

Srinagar

Houseboat Stay in Winter: Is It Warm Enough on Dal Lake?

A snowy night on a Srinagar houseboat is unforgettable if the boat is warm. How houseboats are heated, what to ask before booking and when to choose a hotel instead.

3 min read

Srinagar

Does Dal Lake Freeze? Ice, Cold Waves and Seeing It Safely

2 min read

Srinagar

Does Dal Lake Freeze? Ice, Cold Waves and Seeing It Safely

Dal Lake freezes partly in hard cold spells, and fully only in rare historic winters. When it happens, what it looks like and why you should never walk on the ice.

2 min read

Srinagar

Shikara Vendors on Dal Lake: What to Buy and How to Bargain

3 min read

Srinagar

Shikara Vendors on Dal Lake: What to Buy and How to Bargain

Floating shops will paddle up to your shikara selling kahwa, saffron, flowers, fruit, jewellery and crafts. What is worth buying, fair prices and how to say no politely.

3 min read

Srinagar

Srinagar's Wooden Architecture: Carved Balconies, Lattice and Quake-Proof Walls

3 min read

Srinagar

Srinagar's Wooden Architecture: Carved Balconies, Lattice and Quake-Proof Walls

Old Srinagar is a museum of wood: brick-and-timber houses, carved balconies, lattice windows and ceilings fitted without nails. What to look for on a walk.

3 min read

Gulmarg

Gulmarg Gondola, skiing, snow, meadows and how to plan a trip to Gulmarg in any season.

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Gulmarg

Where to Stay in Gulmarg in Winter: Heated Hotels and Smart Choices

2 min read

Gulmarg

Where to Stay in Gulmarg in Winter: Heated Hotels and Smart Choices

Choosing a Gulmarg stay for snow season: on the meadow or in Tangmarg, what heating to ask about, ski-in convenience, budgets and booking for Christmas and ski weekends.

2 min read

Gulmarg

Gulmarg Gondola in Winter: Phase 1, Phase 2, Wind Closures and Tickets

3 min read

Gulmarg

Gulmarg Gondola in Winter: Phase 1, Phase 2, Wind Closures and Tickets

How the Gulmarg Gondola works in snow season: what you see from each phase, why phase 2 often closes, booking only on the official site and tips for skiers and sightseers.

3 min read

Gulmarg

Learn to Ski in Gulmarg: Beginner Lessons, IISM Courses and Costs

3 min read

Gulmarg

Learn to Ski in Gulmarg: Beginner Lessons, IISM Courses and Costs

Never skied? Gulmarg has gentle nursery slopes, private instructors and government courses. How to choose a lesson, what it costs, what to rent and what to expect.

3 min read

Gulmarg

Gulmarg in Winter: Snow, Skiing, the Gondola and Where to Begin

3 min read

Gulmarg

Gulmarg in Winter: Snow, Skiing, the Gondola and Where to Begin

Gulmarg is India's best-known ski resort and Kashmir's snow capital. What it is like from December to March, what to do, how to get there and how to plan your days.

3 min read

Pahalgam

Betaab Valley, Aru, the Lidder river and what is open in 2026: a complete Pahalgam guide.

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Pahalgam

Pahalgam in Winter: Snow on the Lidder and How to Plan It

3 min read

Pahalgam

Pahalgam in Winter: Snow on the Lidder and How to Plan It

Snow-heavy pines, a half-frozen river and very few crowds. What Pahalgam is like from December to February, what is open, road access and where to stay warm.

3 min read

Pahalgam

Aru and Betaab Valleys: How to Visit Pahalgam's Two Open Meadows

3 min read

Pahalgam

Aru and Betaab Valleys: How to Visit Pahalgam's Two Open Meadows

With Chandanwari and Baisaran on the closure list, Aru and Betaab are Pahalgam's star day out. Distances, union taxis, what to do in each valley and the best time to go.

3 min read

Pahalgam

Pahalgam in 2026: What Is Open, What Is Closed, What to Do Instead

3 min read

Pahalgam

Pahalgam in 2026: What Is Open, What Is Closed, What to Do Instead

Visiting Pahalgam this year? A clear, sourced summary of which places are open, which are on the district closure list, and how to plan a great two days anyway.

3 min read

Pahalgam

Pahalgam Travel Guide: The Lidder Valley, Done Properly

3 min read

Pahalgam

Pahalgam Travel Guide: The Lidder Valley, Done Properly

Pine forests, a roaring river and valleys you reach by union taxi. How to get to Pahalgam, what is open in 2026, where to stay and how many nights to spend.

3 min read

Sonamarg

Thajiwas Glacier, the Sindh valley, Zojila and pony rides from Sonamarg, the meadow of gold.

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Sonamarg

Sonamarg in Winter: Now Open All Year Through the Z-Morh Tunnel

3 min read

Sonamarg

Sonamarg in Winter: Now Open All Year Through the Z-Morh Tunnel

Sonamarg used to shut for winter. Since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in January 2025, the "meadow of gold" has become a snowfield you can drive to. What to expect.

3 min read

Sonamarg

Sonamarg Travel Guide: Thajiwas Glacier, the Sindh Valley and the Road to Zojila

3 min read

Sonamarg

Sonamarg Travel Guide: Thajiwas Glacier, the Sindh Valley and the Road to Zojila

The meadow of gold, now reachable year-round thanks to the Z-Morh tunnel. How to visit Sonamarg, reach Thajiwas Glacier, and what to know about Zojila and treks.

3 min read

Gurez Valley

Habba Khatoon peak, Dawar, Tulail and the Kishanganga: travelling to remote Gurez.

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Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley in 2026: Is It Open, and How Would You Get There?

3 min read

Gurez Valley

Gurez Valley in 2026: Is It Open, and How Would You Get There?

One of Kashmir's most beautiful and remote valleys, close to the Line of Control. An honest look at its 2026 status, the Razdan Pass route, permits and seasons.

3 min read

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Pheran, kangri, Kashmiri weddings, crafts, festivals, music and everyday life in the valley.

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Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Herath: The Kashmiri Pandit Shivratri, Walnuts and Winter Rituals

2 min read

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Herath: The Kashmiri Pandit Shivratri, Walnuts and Winter Rituals

Herath is the most important festival of Kashmiri Pandits, celebrated at the end of winter with Vatuk puja, soaked walnuts and family feasts. Its meaning and 2027 dates.

2 min read

A snow-covered mosque complex among the rooftops of Srinagar on a misty winter day

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

The Kashmiri Hamam: Heated Stone Floors That Beat the Chillai Kalan

3 min read

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

The Kashmiri Hamam: Heated Stone Floors That Beat the Chillai Kalan

Long before radiators, Kashmir warmed its mosques and homes with the hamam, a stone floor heated by fire from below. How it works, its history and its modern comeback.

3 min read

The carved wooden facade of Khanqah-e-Moula shrine in Srinagar at dusk

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Sufi Shrines of Srinagar: Khanqah-e-Moula, Makhdoom Sahib and Beyond

2 min read

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Sufi Shrines of Srinagar: Khanqah-e-Moula, Makhdoom Sahib and Beyond

Kashmir's Sufi heritage lives in its shrines: carved wooden halls, hilltop sanctuaries and centuries of devotion. Where to go and how to visit respectfully.

2 min read

The white dome of Hazratbal shrine above lakeside houses at dawn, Srinagar

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Festivals of Kashmir: Eid, Urs, Navreh, the Tulip Festival and More

3 min read

Kashmiri Culture & Traditions

Festivals of Kashmir: Eid, Urs, Navreh, the Tulip Festival and More

Religious festivals, shrine celebrations and seasonal events across the year. What happens at each, when it usually falls and how visitors can join respectfully.

3 min read

Kashmiri Food

Wazwan, rogan josh, kahwa, noon chai, bakery breads and where to eat in Kashmir.

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Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Winter Food: What Kashmir Eats When the Snow Falls

3 min read

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Winter Food: What Kashmir Eats When the Snow Falls

Harissa at dawn, sun-dried vegetables stored since autumn, dried fish, noon chai and kahwa: the dishes that get Kashmir through winter, and where to try them.

3 min read

Flatbread frying in a pan at a food stall in Srinagar

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Street Food: Tujji, Nadru Monje, Masala Tschot and More

2 min read

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Street Food: Tujji, Nadru Monje, Masala Tschot and More

Barbecue lanes, lotus stem fritters, spicy chickpea snacks and warm bakery treats. A guide to Srinagar's street food, where to find it and how to eat safely.

2 min read

Snow-covered rooftops of old Srinagar along the Jhelum, where harissa shops open at dawn in winter

Kashmiri Food

Harissa: Srinagar's Winter Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

3 min read

Kashmiri Food

Harissa: Srinagar's Winter Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

Slow-cooked overnight and sold from dawn in old Srinagar's shops, harissa is Kashmir's most beloved winter dish. What it is, when to eat it and how to enjoy it.

3 min read

Dried Kashmiri red chillies in a metal pot in Srinagar

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Vegetarian Food: Haak, Nadru, Dum Aloo and More

2 min read

Kashmiri Food

Kashmiri Vegetarian Food: Haak, Nadru, Dum Aloo and More

Kashmir is famous for lamb, but its vegetarian cooking is just as distinctive. The dishes to order, what makes them Kashmiri and how to eat well as a vegetarian.

2 min read

Kashmir Adventure

Skiing, rafting, trout fishing, snowmobiles, horse riding, golf and more: adventure activities in Kashmir and what is open in 2026.

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Kashmir Adventure

Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg: Snow Sports on India's Biggest Stage

2 min read

Kashmir Adventure

Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg: Snow Sports on India's Biggest Stage

Gulmarg hosts the snow events of the Khelo India Winter Games: alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, ski mountaineering and snowboarding. What happens, when and how to watch.

2 min read

A kingfisher perched on a bare branch against a pale sky in Srinagar

Kashmir Adventure

Bird Watching in Kashmir: Hokersar, Wular and the Lakes of Srinagar

3 min read

Kashmir Adventure

Bird Watching in Kashmir: Hokersar, Wular and the Lakes of Srinagar

Migratory ducks and geese in winter, kingfishers on the Dal and Himalayan birds in the forests. Where and when to watch birds in Kashmir, and what to bring.

3 min read

A hiker walking along a forest path among tall pine trees in Pahalgam

Kashmir Adventure

Trekking in Kashmir in 2026: What Is Closed and What You Can Do Instead

3 min read

Kashmir Adventure

Trekking in Kashmir in 2026: What Is Closed and What You Can Do Instead

Kashmir's famous treks are on the closure list this year. An honest update on the trekking ban, how to check for changes and the walks and activities you can still enjoy.

3 min read

Two canoes on the dark water of a lake in Srinagar, seen from above

Kashmir Adventure

Water Sports on Dal Lake: Kayaking, Canoeing and Lake Activities

3 min read

Kashmir Adventure

Water Sports on Dal Lake: Kayaking, Canoeing and Lake Activities

Beyond the shikara: kayaking, canoeing and other activities on Srinagar's lakes, the water sports festival that put Dal on the map and what visitors can realistically book.

3 min read

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