The Kashmir Odyssey
This journey into the heart of Kashmir is designed for explorers and seekers of adventure, combining riverside camping, mountain treks, cultural immersion, and serene moments of stillness. The experience blends the timeless charm of Srinagar’s houseboats, the wilderness of pine forests and alpine rivers, and the meditative silence of Qayaam Gah, offering a complete immersion into the beauty of the valley. Expect crisp mornings, starry skies, fragrant gardens, soulful music, rugged treks with views that linger for a lifetime, and the unforgettable thrill of a two-hour trek to the Thajwas Glacier, where alpine meadows, tumbling streams, and towering peaks capture the very soul of Kashmir’s wilderness.
The Journey
Day 1, Arrival in Srinagar (Altitude: 1,585m)
Your journey begins on the shimmering waters of Dal Lake. Upon arrival in Srinagar, you will be transferred to the Sukoon Houseboat, your floating haven for the next two nights. In the evening, drift across the lake in a traditional Shikara, gliding past lotus gardens and reflections of the Zabarwan Hills as the sun dips behind the mountains. High tea is served on the deck, followed by dinner under the soft glow of lantern light. The night is spent on Sukoon, cradled by the gentle rhythm of the lake.
Day 2, Srinagar Old City & Pashmina Heritage
Wake up to the stillness of Dal Lake before setting out on a guided walk through Srinagar’s old city, a living museum of carved wooden facades, bustling bazaars, and timeless shrines. With an expert guide, you’ll step into the history and culture of Kashmir, pausing for a traditional lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit a pashmina dyeing and weaving centre, where centuries-old artistry still breathes life into the valley’s most celebrated fabric. As evening descends, return to Sukoon for high tea on the deck, dinner, and another night afloat on Dal Lake.
Day 3, Trek to Thajwas Glacier & Riverside Camping at Gund (Altitude: 2,000 m)
AAfter an early breakfast, drive for about two hours to Sonmarg, the “Meadow of Gold.” Here begins an invigorating trek through vast, flower-filled meadows, where icy streams weave their way across the grasslands and the towering Thajwas mountain dominates the horizon. Walking alongside rushing waters and alpine pastures, you reach the majestic Thajwas Glacier, a breathtaking spectacle of snow and ice that tumbles dramatically from the high ridges. A picnic lunch is enjoyed amidst this grandeur before you trek back and continue with a short one-hour drive to Gund. Here, your riverside campsite awaits on the banks of the Sind River, embraced by pine forests and mountain silence. The afternoon offers trout fishing or riverside wandering, followed by tea and an evening campfire. Dinner is served beneath a canopy of constellations, with the river as your lullaby for the night.
Day 4, Through the Forests to Qayaam Gah (Altitude: 2,100 m)
At dawn, set out on a forest trek, following trails alive with the scent of pine and the music of mountain streams. Returning to camp for a late breakfast, you then continue by road for two hours to reach Qayaam Gah, a retreat nestled on a ridge overlooking Dal Lake and the Himalayan ranges. The afternoon is for rest and renewal: plunge into a spring-fed black stone pool, let the mountain air refresh your spirit, and as evening arrives, sip high tea before being carried away by the spell of live Sufi music. Dinner is served in the warm glow of this hillside sanctuary.
Day 5, Yoga, Trekking in the Zabarwan Hills & Mughal Gardens
Dawn at Qayaam Gah is a symphony of birdsong and shifting light over the mountains. Begin with bed tea on your veranda, followed by a 45-minute yoga session surrounded by 360° views of the peaks and the lake shimmering below. After a hearty breakfast, set off on a 2–3 hour trek into the Zabarwan Hills (altitude: 3,200 m), where wildflowers paint the meadows and the panoramas unfold with every step. A picnic lunch awaits before descending back to Qayaam Gah. In the afternoon, continue to the legendary Mughal gardens of Shalimar and Pari Mahal, where terraced lawns, cascading fountains, and Persian architecture reveal the grandeur of Kashmir’s royal past. Return in the evening to Qayaam Gah for high tea, a quiet dinner, and your final overnight stay.
Day 6, Departure
The last morning begins with one final yoga session and breakfast, before you bid farewell to Qayaam Gah. A transfer to Srinagar Airport completes the journey, though the songs of the river, the scent of pine forests, and the stillness of the lake remain long after.
Travel Essentials
• Best Season: Mid-May to Mid-October
• Starting Altitude: Srinagar (1,585 m)
• Highest Trekking Point: Zabarwan Hills (approx. 3,200 m)
• Airport: Srinagar (daily flights from Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Bangalore)
• Railway Station: Srinagar (25 km / approx. 1-hour transfer)
This is not just an itinerary but an odyssey into Kashmir’s heart, from bazaars to glaciers, riverside camps to Sufi melodies. Each day flows into the next like the waters of the Sind, carrying you deeper into the valley’s timeless beauty.
Reaching Us - KASHMIR
Nearest Airport: Srinagar, (daily flights from Delhi, Amritsar, Mumbai, Bangalore).
Nearest Railway Station: Udampur railway station 200Kms/ 6hrs the drive from Udampur to Srinagar is breath taking scenery of the lower Himalaya, surrounded by gentle hillside slopes with villages and pine forest.
