★★★★★
“We'd been to Ladakh and Kerala, but nothing prepared us for Sikkim. The itinerary felt like it was written by someone who truly loves this place — because it was.”
Priya & Kiran Nair
Bangalore, India
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Customised, never off-the-shelf
Dedicated planner
One expert, start to finish
Srinagar houseboats, Gulmarg gondolas, Pahalgam meadows and the long road to Ladakh. We run private circuits across Kashmir Valley and Jammu region with on-ground partners, end-to-end planning from Srinagar arrival.
Why visit
Four reasons we keep coming back to Jammu & Kashmir
Houseboats on Dal Lake
Cedar-wood Kashmiri houseboats with carved interiors, anchored on Dal and Nigeen lakes since the 19th century. Breakfast on the veranda watching shikara vendors paddle past. Stay one night minimum — most guests wish they'd stayed three.
Gulmarg gondola and meadows
Asia's highest cable car climbs to 3,980m at Apharwat Peak. In winter it's a serious ski destination; in summer it's alpine meadows, wildflowers and the Kongdoor walk. Snow in season — gondola Stage 2 typically December-April.
Pahalgam, Aru and Betaab valleys
Pahalgam at 2,200m is the calmest of the Kashmir hill towns. From Pahalgam you reach Aru Valley, Betaab Valley (named for the Bollywood film) and Chandanwari for the Amarnath base. Pony rides, river walks, pine forests.
Saffron, apples and the markets
Kashmir produces over 90% of India's saffron and apples that rival any in the world. Pampore saffron fields bloom October-November; Sopore apple orchards through autumn. Markets in Srinagar's old city sell Pashmina shawls, walnut wood carving, papier-mâché — all GI-protected crafts.
Best time to visit
When to come — month by month
Kashmir has three distinct seasons: spring-summer (April-October), autumn (October-November) and winter (December-March). Each gives a completely different trip. Spring and summer are the warm-weather classic. Autumn is the photographer's window with chinar trees turning red. Winter brings snow, working ski slopes at Gulmarg and frozen Dal Lake mornings — but many areas close.
Best
Good
Shoulder
Avoid
Jan
Snow Gulmarg. Ski season. Cold but clear days.
Feb
Coldest. Best snow at Gulmarg.
Mar
Transitioning. Tulip Garden mid-March to early April.
Apr
Tulip Garden bloom. Mild, sunny.
May
Spring perfect. All valleys accessible.
Jun
Peak summer. Best for Sonamarg and Pahalgam.
Jul
Warm. Sometimes monsoon-affected in Jammu region.
Aug
Amarnath Yatra ends; pilgrim crowds easing.
Sep
Post-summer calm. Saffron crocuses opening.
Oct
Chinar trees turn red. Photographers favourite.
Nov
Cool, clear. Saffron harvest at Pampore.
Dec
Snow at high passes. Gulmarg ski season opens.
Our recommendation
April-June is the classic Kashmir window — warm days, all valleys open, gardens in full bloom. September-October for autumn colour and quieter trips. December-February if you specifically want snow and Gulmarg skiing. Avoid the Amarnath Yatra dates (typically late June through August) unless you're on pilgrimage — the Pahalgam-Sonamarg corridor sees heavy security checks and accommodation pressure.
How to reach
Getting there
Srinagar is the main entry for Kashmir Valley. Jammu is the rail head for the broader region.
By air
Srinagar International Airport (SXR) handles direct flights from Delhi (90 min), Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, SpiceJet all operate. Tight security at SXR — arrive 2.5 hours early, expect three layers of screening. Jammu Airport (IXJ) is the alternative if heading to Vaishno Devi or Patnitop first. Pre-paid taxi counter outside both airports with fixed rates. From Srinagar airport to Dal Lake is 30 minutes / ₹600 in pre-paid taxi.
By rail
Jammu Tawi (JAT) is the rail head — Rajdhani from Delhi (10 hours), Vande Bharat (8 hours). The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla rail link is under construction in sections; once fully operational it'll bring trains to Srinagar directly. Currently the train goes to Banihal (south end of Kashmir Valley) and you take a taxi to Srinagar (110 km / 3 hours through Jawahar Tunnel).
By road
The Jammu-Srinagar highway (NH44) is the only road artery — 270 km / 7-8 hours through the Jawahar Tunnel. Heavy traffic, sometimes closes in winter snowfall and during VVIP movements. The Mughal Road (Shopian-Poonch) is a scenic alternative open April-November. Inside Kashmir, Srinagar-Gulmarg is 1.5 hours, Srinagar-Pahalgam 2.5 hours, Srinagar-Sonamarg 2.5 hours. Leh requires the Zoji La pass (open May-October) and is a full-day drive from Srinagar.
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Towns & villages
View all 0 →Towns & villages we love
Places we send travellers again and again
Traveller reviews
What our travellers say
★★★★★
“The permit process alone would have put us off. They handled everything — inner line, protected area, Nathu La. We just showed up.”
David & Sarah Whitmore
London, United Kingdom
★★★★★
“Second trip with We Care. First Gangtok, now North Sikkim. Same warmth, same attention to detail. Already planning the third.”
Rohan Mehta
Mumbai, India
Popular itineraries
Sample journeys we run
Starting points, not templates. Every itinerary gets rebuilt around your dates, pace and interests.
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Typical budget
What it costs
Kashmir pricing has two big variables — houseboat tier (huge range from budget to deluxe) and season (peak May-July and Christmas-January at 30-40% premium). Pricing below is per person on twin-sharing, INR, excluding flights.
Budget
₹22,000 – ₹32,000
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
- 3-star hotels in Srinagar + Gulmarg + Pahalgam
- Standard houseboat (1 night) — 3-star tier
- Private Innova or Etios throughout
- Breakfasts only
- Gulmarg gondola Stage 1 included
- Shikara ride 1 hour
Works for couples and families on first Kashmir trip.
Most bookedMid-range
₹38,000 – ₹55,000
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
- 4-star hotels in main bases
- Deluxe houseboat (Sukoon or equivalent, 2 nights)
- Private Innova Crysta or Scorpio
- All breakfasts + 3 dinners (welcome on houseboat, Kashmiri Wazwan once, farewell)
- Gondola Stage 1 + 2 at Gulmarg
- 2-hour shikara + Tulip Garden entry (April only)
- Saffron field visit at Pampore (October-November)
Where most families and couples settle. Best value tier.
Premium
₹70,000 and up
per person · twin sharing · excl. flights
- Vivanta Dal View Srinagar, Khyber Gulmarg, Pahalgam Hotel
- Sukoon Houseboat or Khyber Houseboat (premium tier)
- Private luxury vehicle + back-up
- All meals at venue + curated Wazwan
- Helicopter Pahalgam to Srinagar option (₹15,000 per person)
- Dedicated guide throughout
- Spa at Khyber Gulmarg
Honeymoons and anniversaries. Khyber Gulmarg in snow is unforgettable.
What's not included
What isn't included: Srinagar flights (₹6,000-15,000 round-trip from most Indian cities, higher in peak), Gulmarg gondola tickets (Stage 1 ₹740, Stage 2 ₹1,090 if not in package), pony rides (₹500-1,500 depending on route), helicopter to Vaishno Devi if added (₹3,500), Amarnath Yatra registration (separate). Saffron and pashmina shopping — budget ₹3,000-10,000 per person if buying. Tulip Garden (₹50 entry, March-April only).
Permit guide
Permits we handle for you
Kashmir does not require Inner Line Permits for Indian nationals. Foreign nationals can visit Srinagar and most of Kashmir Valley without PAP, but Ladakh districts have separate permit requirements. Recent travel advisories should be checked before booking.
Indian National
All Indian passport / Aadhaar holdersWhere: No permit required for Kashmir Valley, Jammu region or Vaishno Devi.
Documents needed
- Aadhaar or passport for hotel check-in
- Itinerary copy for road checks
Foreign National
All non-Indian passportsWhere: Srinagar / Kashmir Valley open without permit. Hotels register with Foreigners Registration Office automatically. For Ladakh districts beyond Leh, Inner Line Permit needed (we arrange).
Documents needed
- Passport + Indian visa
- Two photos
- Itinerary with hotel confirmations
How the process works
Standard practice: send us passport and visa scans 7 days before arrival, we coordinate with hotels who handle foreigners-registration. For Ladakh extension, ILP issued in Leh on arrival or in advance through us. We strongly recommend checking the MEA travel advisories at travel.mea.gov.in within a week of departure — situations change.
Food & culture
What you're walking into in Jammu & Kashmir
Kashmir Valley is predominantly Muslim with deep Sufi traditions — shrines of Hazratbal, Charar-e-Sharief, Khanqah-e-Moula are central to local spiritual life. Hindu Pandit culture is recovering after the 1990s displacement. Jammu region is Hindu-majority with strong Dogra heritage. Buddhist culture is concentrated in Ladakh (separate Union Territory since 2019). The famous Kashmiri hospitality — kahwa tea offered to every guest, the Wazwan multi-course feast for occasions — runs across communities.
Eat this
Wazwan
The 36-course Kashmiri feast served at weddings and special occasions — Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Tabak Maaz, Gushtaba, Rista, Methi Maaz and more. Restaurants serve abbreviated versions (8-12 courses). Mughal Darbar in Srinagar and Ahdoos do proper Wazwan.
Rogan Josh
The signature Kashmiri lamb curry — slow-cooked with Kashmiri chillies, dry ginger, fennel. Colour comes from Kashmiri ratan jot (alkanet) and chilli, not tomato. Best at Mughal Darbar.
Kahwa
Saffron-and-almond green tea — the everyday Kashmiri beverage. Brewed with cardamom and cinnamon. Sweetened with rock sugar. Served before, during and after every meal. Pampore's kahwa with Kashmir's own saffron is the gold standard.
Goshtaba and Rista
Two of the seven core meatballs of Wazwan. Goshtaba is large, white, in yogurt gravy. Rista is smaller, red, in chilli-saffron gravy. The two together signal the feast is at full strength.
Harissa
Slow-cooked mutton paste, traditional Srinagar winter breakfast. Served piping hot with kulcha (round bread). Specialty shops in Srinagar's old city open at 5am — find one near Khankah Moula.
Modur Pulav
Sweet rice with nuts, dried fruits and saffron — served at the start of Wazwan and on celebrations. Lighter than biryani, distinct from Mughlai sweet rice.
Customs & etiquette
Modest dress is essential — Kashmir is more conservative than other Indian destinations, particularly in mosques and old-city areas. Cover shoulders, knees, and consider a scarf when visiting shrines. Take shoes off at mosques and Sufi shrines. Photography of women generally requires permission. Friday afternoon is prayer time at mosques — Jamia Masjid closes to tourists. Alcohol is officially limited — sold only at licensed hotel bars in Srinagar, not at restaurants or stores. The Kashmiri greeting is 'asalam-o-alaikum' returned with 'walaikum salam'. Tipping is appreciated: ₹200-300 per day for drivers, ₹100-200 for guides. Houseboat staff appreciate ₹500-800 for a 2-3 night stay. Bargaining is expected at handicraft shops — start at 60% of the quoted price.
Frequently asked