Highlight
A particular kind of quiet settles over Srinagar once the snow starts. Shikaras drift across a half frozen Dal Lake, houseboats glow warm against the cold, and your first night here comes with a cup of kahwa and a city gone soft under snowfall.
From there, the valley opens up. Gulmarg, sitting at roughly 2,650 metres, turns into a proper winter playground, meadows buried under snow and a gondola ride lifting you above the clouds. Sonamarg brings you face to face with the Thajiwas Glacier. Pahalgam, the Valley of Shepherds, strings together some of the most photographed landscapes in the country through Aru, Betaab, and Chandanwari.
None of this happens alone. You'll travel with people your own age, share a houseboat, and probably plan your next trip together before this one's over, with a trip captain there to handle the logistics throughout. For a full breakdown of what Chillai Kalan actually means for your travel dates, our Kashmir location page explains it in depth.
Two ways to join. Srinagar to Srinagar starts at Rs 17,499, a shorter 5 night, 6 day trip for anyone flying in directly. Delhi to Delhi, including the sleeper bus both ways, runs 6 nights, 7 days, starting at Rs 21,499 plus GST.
Itinerary
Meet the group at our pickup point in Delhi. Once everyone's checked in, we set off on an AC sleeper bus toward Jammu, the city that marks the gateway to the valley. Settle in, get some rest, and let the miles pass. You'll wake up in Jammu the next morning, one step closer to the mountains.
Arrive in Jammu in the morning and transfer to a tempo traveller for the drive to Srinagar, a journey that takes you from the plains into pine covered hills over the course of the day. Grab breakfast on the way, at your own cost, and settle in for the ride. By evening, you'll reach Dal Lake and join the rest of the group there. Check into your houseboat, drop your bags, and step out for a complimentary one hour Shikara ride as the lake catches the last of the daylight. If you're flying directly into Srinagar, you'll join the group here and have the rest of the day free to explore Dal Lake at your own pace.
After breakfast, head out toward Gulmarg, the Crown of Kashmir, sitting at 2,650 metres above sea level. The drive from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is one of the prettiest stretches of the whole trip, with the valley opening up on either side as you climb. Once there, you can choose to ride the Gulmarg Gondola for sweeping views over the snow line, or take an ATV out to Drung Waterfall from Tangmarg, both at your own cost. Head back to Srinagar for dinner and an overnight stay at your hotel.
Breakfast, then a drive out to Sonamarg, a name that comes from two Kashmiri words, son and marg, meaning gold and meadow. Here, a short trip of about 4 kilometres (on foot or by pony ride, at your own cost) brings you to the Thajiwas Glacier, ice fields framed by pine forest and open sky. Return to Srinagar in the evening for dinner and rest.
After breakfast, set off for Pahalgam, known as the Valley of Shepherds and often called Mini Switzerland for its meadows and pine slopes. On the way, you'll stop at Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, three of the most scenic pockets in the region, each worth the stop for a different reason. Once the sightseeing wraps up, check into your hotel in Pahalgam for dinner and an overnight stay.
Check out after breakfast and head back to Srinagar for a day of local sightseeing. Walk through the Mughal Gardens, including the historic Shalimar Bagh, and visit the Shankaracharya Temple, perched at around 1,000 feet above the city with one of the best views of Srinagar you'll get on this trip. Dinner and overnight stay in Srinagar.
If Srinagar is your endpoint, we'll arrange a cab to drop you at the airport after breakfast. For the rest of the group, it's time to say goodbye to the valley and head to Jammu by road. In the evening, you'll transfer to the sleeper bus for the overnight drive back to Delhi.
Other Info
Reporting and return timings: Delhi departures gather at the meeting point on Day 0, please arrive 30 minutes early at the given time by our Sales Executive. Srinagar joiners meet the group at Dal Lake on Day 1. The return bus reaches Delhi by around 11 AM on Day 7, factor this in if booking onward travel.
Pack and preparation: Winter nights go well below freezing. Carry thermals, a windproof and waterproof outer layer, woollen socks, gloves and snow boots. Layering beats one heavy jacket. Carry a valid photo ID at all times, and withdraw cash before leaving Srinagar since ATMs and card payments get unreliable in Pahalgam and Gulmarg.
Connectivity: Prepaid numbers from outside Jammu and Kashmir get barred in the valley. Postpaid connections work fine, and Jio and Airtel offer the most reliable coverage across Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam. Wifi will be provided on accommodation
Chillai Kalan: Travelling between 21 December and 31 January puts you in Chillai Kalan, the harshest and snowiest 40 days of the Kashmiri winter, and the season locals consider its true heart. It's followed by the milder Chillai Khurd and Chillai Bachha. Dress for real cold in this window.
Road closures: The Jammu-Srinagar highway, especially the Qazigund to Banihal stretch, can shut for a while during heavy snow. It's routine winter travel here, not an emergency, and our team adjusts routes as needed. Flying into Srinagar directly avoids this risk entirely, and we support both options.
Union taxis: Local taxi unions control the routes to Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, so outside vehicles hand over to union cabs on these stretches. It's already covered in your package cost, nothing extra to pay on the spot.
Activities to try: The Gulmarg Gondola toward Apharwat Peak, beginner skiing and snowboarding on the Gulmarg slopes, an ATV ride to Drung Waterfall, a pony ride to Thajiwas Glacier, and a sunset Shikara ride on Dal Lake.
Food to try: Noon chai and girda or bakarkhani for breakfast, harissa if you can catch it (a winter only specialty), a proper Wazwan spread with rogan josh, yakhni, gushtaba and tabak maaz, and kahwa to end the day.
If your dates land near December 31st specifically, the Kashmir Backpacking New Year Special runs a dedicated batch built around a Srinagar bonfire and countdown that night, worth checking before locking in a standard winter date instead.- Five nights of stay: one night on a houseboat at Dal Lake, three nights in a 3 star hotel in Srinagar, and one night in a 3 star hotel in Pahalgam
- Five breakfasts (Day 2 to Day 6) and five dinners (Day 1 to Day 5)
- AC sleeper bus from Delhi to Jammu and back (for travellers starting and ending in Delhi)
- Airport pickup and drop in Srinagar (for travellers flying in and out directly)
- Comfortable tempo traveller or Urbania transport across Kashmir for local sightseeing and transfers
- One hour complimentary Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Union cab charges for Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari
- A trip captain with the group for the entire trip
- Driver charges, toll tax and parking charges
- A medical kit on hand throughout the journey
- Any food or drink not part of the fixed meal plan, including alcohol, mineral water, and meals or snacks taken on the highway
- Personal expenses such as tips, monument entry fees, camera charges, laundry or phone bills
- Optional activities and rides at their own cost, including the Gulmarg Gondola, ATV rides to Drung Waterfall, and pony rides at Thajiwas Glacier
- Costs that come up because of landslides, road closures or other events outside anyone's control, to be settled directly by the traveller if they occur
- 5% GST, applied additionally on the package price
No Refund shall be made with respect to the initial booking amount for any cancellations. However,
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 75% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of the trip cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In the case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain activities may be cancelled and in such cases, the operator will try his best to provide an alternate feasible activity. However, no refund will be provided for the same.
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Testimonials
Smit Nagar
Kashmir with The Travel Story was an amazing experience. The team managed everything professionally, and the vibe of the group made the trip even better. Strangers turned into great friends, and the memories will last a long time. Definitely recommend TTS if you want a hassle-free trip with good people and great experiences.
Winter Kashmir Backpacking
21 February, 2026
Mansi Dang
I had experienced my trip to Kashmir with the wonderful batch of “The Travel Story The best hosts with the wonderful team and most importantly the people around (12 stranger turned family) Recommending you all “TTS” for the best experience and getting the wonderful fam
Winter Kashmir Backpacking
20 December, 2025
Abhishek Sahani
Amazing trip to Kashmir! Returned home with a lot of good memories. Pick up and drop from SXR airport was smooth. Hotels were nice. Our tour operator Mr Krish Pawar was very nice, courteous and respectful and helped me with my stay when I had fallen sick in Pahalgam due to mountain sickness. I really appreciate the effort because it's not easy handling so many people in a group trip. Overall, I really have not much to complain about because as humans we all are fallible. Great job! Cheers!
Winter Kashmir Backpacking
27 December, 2025
Sejal Davra
My recent trip to Kashmir with TTS was fantastic, all thanks to Captain Umar. TTS made everything easy and comfortable – the stay was cozy, and the food was delicious. Captain Umar's guidance and friendliness stood out during the trip. He went above and beyond, sharing valuable insights and making us feel welcomed. His presence at the Gondola exit, reminded me of a caring father.
Winter Kashmir Backpacking
28 December, 2024
