If you are planning to visit Kashmir, then the time from late September to November can show you a different view. During this time, the green leaves of Chinar trees gradually start turning yellow, golden and red and the look of the entire valley changes. J&K Tourism also describes the time between September to November as the autumn season of Kashmir.
This is the reason why the roads of Srinagar, Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens and the surrounding hilly areas look very beautiful in this season. Cold can increase in the morning and night, so it is important to carry warm clothes. If you have only 5 days, then this plan can be made to cover the major tourist places of Kashmir in a short time.
Day 1 – Srinagar and Dal Lake
Instead of rushing around on the first day, explore Srinagar leisurely. After reaching the airport or railway connection, check-in at the hotel and after some rest, you can head towards Naseem Bagh, Mughal Garden or Shalimar-Nishat.
It is a different experience to see the color of Chinar trees especially in the autumn season. According to the official information of Shalimar Garden, the color of Chinar leaves changes during Autumn and Spring, which makes the view of the garden more beautiful.
End the day with a shikara ride at Dal Lake in the evening. It is better to clarify the duration, route and total fare of the ride before boarding the Shikara, as the price may change depending on the route and time.
Day 2 – Gulmarg and Gondola
Next day, leave for Gulmarg early in the morning. Wandering here between the mountains and open plains has its own fun.
Gulmarg Gondola can be experienced if weather and operating conditions are favourable. It is best to check ticket and operating information in advance, as services are subject to change due to mountain weather and operating conditions.
You can find offers for pony rides, ATVs and other activities in Gulmarg. But before buying any package, understand the services included in it and the price. The rates prescribed for various services in Gulmarg are given in the published rate list of J&K Cable Car Corporation.
Day 3 – Pahalgam, Aaru and Betab Valley
Keep Pahalgam on the third day. The experience of roaming here amidst the Lidder river, mountains and greenery is quite different.
If you have time, you can also visit Aaru Valley and Betab Valley. But keep one important thing in mind here – local taxi system may be applicable to travel in some local tourist areas. Therefore, before booking a taxi from outside, make sure to know the local rules and the current rates at the stand.
Don't try to cover too many places in a single day. Spending leisurely time in Pahalgam can be a better part of this trip.
Fourth day – Sonamarg or Dudhpathri
On day four you have two good options.
If you like high mountains, valleys and hilly views then you can go to Sonamarg. According to J&K Tourism, Sonamarg is known as 'Meadow of Gold' and beautiful views of grasslands, lakes and mountains are found here.
If you want a more peaceful and less crowded place then Dudhpathri can also be optioned.
Before leaving on this day, definitely check the weather and road conditions. Weather can change rapidly in hilly areas and local taxi rates may vary depending on the route.
Day 5 – Old Srinagar and Shopping
Do not plan a long journey on the last day. Explore the streets, local markets and major sites of Old Srinagar at your leisure.
If you have time, you can include Jama Masjid, Hazratbal or other local tourist places in your plan. JKTDC's current tourism list includes many historical and religious places in Srinagar.
After this, you can buy things like saffron, dry fruits and pashmina to take back from Kashmir. But while purchasing, definitely check the authenticity, bill and quality. Especially do not buy expensive things like Pashmina just by looking at the low price.
What should be the budget for a 5 day trip?
The cost of Kashmir will depend a lot on your hotel, taxi, food, flight/train and sightseeing activities.
In budget trips, expenses can be reduced by sharing hotels and transport, while taking private taxis and better hotels will increase the budget. For example, a current 4 nights/5 days package offering from JKTDC starts at ₹20,499 for two, while the package price varies depending on group size and amenities.
Therefore, while making a budget for a 5-day trip, it would be better to combine hotel + local transport + food + activities + shopping separately.
Keep these things in mind before going to Kashmir
First of all, book the hotel and necessary tickets in advance. Check availability of activities like Gulmarg Gondola before travelling.
Always carry some cash with you in remote areas. Do not assume that UPI will work everywhere.
Before taking a local taxi, clarify the route and fare and get official or fixed rates where possible.
And most importantly – the weather keeps changing from late September to November, so carry warm clothes, comfortable shoes and necessary items according to the weather.
Overall, if you want to see Kashmir not just from the snow perspective but also from the golden poplars, cool breeze, lakes and autumn colors of the mountains, then this 5 day trip plan can make your trip quite memorable.