We presume that you land at Srinagar during morning hours. You will be received at the airport by our representative. We welcome you in Kashmir, known to be ‘heaven on earth’.

Situated in the northern most part of India, the valley of Kashmir is said to be the ‘paradise on earth’. The serene beauty and the tranquility of the place is what make it so special. Tourism is one of the main pillars of the economy of Kashmir with a large population involved in tourism-related activities. Srinagar, the summer capital of the Jammu and Kashmir state is famous for its lakes and houseboats, while Kashmir as a whole, known for its scenic natural beauty and rich cuisine is popular among tourists. The Dal Lake houseboats are one of the other major attractions of Kashmir. Another major tourist attraction is the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar. Tourists can also enjoy scenic lake rides in the boats known as Shikaras. Some other popular tourist destinations in Kashmir include Sonmarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The Amarnath Cave, the abode of Lord Shiva which is a major Hindu pilgrimage center, is located in Kashmir.

Immediately after warm reception, you will be driven to Sonmarg. About three hrs of journey, that presents a spectacular facet of the countryside & is full with scenic landscape, reach Sonmarg. You will be transferred to the pre-booked hotel. Check in at the hotel, relax a bit, have lunch and proceed for sightseeing of Somarg. Sonmarg (Golden Meadows), lies at the very head of Sindhu Valley at the height of 5300 metres, is surrounded by mountainous pine forests. Actually Sonmarg is a natural & panoramic wonderland. The prime tourist attraction of Sonamrg is to have a pony ride to visit Thajiwas Glacier where snow remains round the year. Sonmarg is known as Gateway of Leh – Ladakh.

Having explored sumptuous natural beauty of Sonmarg, return to hotel for overnight stay.

Have scrumptious breakfast in Sonmarg hotel and depart for Srinagar. On arrival at Srinagar, you will be transferred to pre-booked houseboat. Relax and spend noon in leisure. Late afternoon, you will be having ‘shikara’ (small cruise boat) ride. During the course of enjoying shikara ride, visit Floating Gardens, Lotus Gardens and Kaboter Khana (Pigeon Palace) inside the Dal Lake. After returning to houseboat, enjoy delicious dinner on-board and have overnight stay therein.

Exploration of Gulmarg will be a day tour, starting from and ending at Srinagar. Having enjoyed scrumptious breakfast in the houseboat, proceed to Gulmarg. Gulmarg (“Meadow of Flowers”) is known for its unparallel natural beauty and hence emerges as most beautiful summer/winter destination in the valley. One can have a Gondola ride (Cable Car) from Gulmarg to Khilanmarg (altitude 3100 mtrs) to have a real panoramic view of snowcapped great Himalayan range round the year. From here you can see Nanga Parvat (altitude 8137 Mtrs) as well. You can enjoy a pony ride to cozily enjoy natural beauty or have a ride till Apharwat peak which leads to the Alpather Lake, a picturesque alpine lake that remains frozen until late June. Another tourist attraction of Gulmarg is 18-hole golf courses. A number of tourists flock this region to enjoy a game of golf and escape the summer heat. Built in 1920 by the British, present day golf course is designed by Ranjit Nanda. Seven Springs are seven natural water streams with lot of mesmerizing natural beauty all around.

After exploring and enjoying breathtakingly beautiful beauty of Gulmarg, return back to Srinagar for dinner and overnight stay in houseboat.

After hearty breakfast in the houseboat, proceed to for Pahalgam. Pahalgam is 87 km away from Srinagar and it takes approx 2 hrs to reach there. Pahalgam is known as the ‘Valley of Shepherds’. Pahalgam is a scenic and beautiful valley that is a favorite base for various treks and expeditions in the region. Surrounded by 12 high snow-capped peaks, Pahalgam is also a base for the annual pilgrimages to the cave shrine of Amarnath. On the way to Pahalgam, visit the Saffron Fields of Pampore, Awantipura Ruins (1100 years old Temple of Lord Vishnu built by the King Awantivarman) & enjoy the beautiful countryside life.

Upon arrival at Pahalgam, check in at the hotel and post-lunch proceed for exploring and enjoying various tourist destinations like Debayan, Shikargah & Baisaran (Pine forests dot this meadow which presents a picturesque view) by pony-ride. After finishing full day sightseeing, then proceed to Pahalgam hotel for overnight stay.

The day has been kept reserved for leisurely sightseeing of Chandanwari, Behtab Valley & Aru. Having delicious breakfast in Pahalgam hotel, proceed on for further expedition on jeep. But as per your liking and interest, you can spend the whole day either in hotel or have leisurely walk around instead of above mentioned sightseeing tour. Overnight stay has been planned in Pahalgam hotel.

Having delicious breakfast in Pahalgam hotel, depart for Srinagar. On arrival at Srinagar, you will be transferred to pre-booked houseboat. A full day leisurely sightseeing has been planned. Having relaxed for a while, move for exploring historical monuments and majestic gardens. First visit Shalimar Bag, a garden built by Mughal ruler Jahangir for his wife Nur Jahan. The sprawling garden, bisected by a canal that is decorated with polished stones. The water is supplied into the canal from Harwan. The four terraces, rising one above the other, offer opportunity to behold sweeping vistas over gardens and lakes. The fourth terrace, by far the best, was once reserved for royal ladies. Thereafter, visit Chashma Shahi garden that attracts lot of tourists as it offers a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. This garden was laid out by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in 1632 AD. Within a walking distance from Chashme Shahi is another historical monument cum garden- Pari Mahal. Pari Mahal was a Buddhist monastery. During Islamic rule in Delhi, it was first converted into a royal observatory by Dara Shikoh, eldest son of Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, and then flanked by a spacious garden on the spur of a mountain overlooking the Dal. Another famous garden worth watching in Srinagar is Nishat Bag (the Garden of Bliss). Nishat Bag, laid down by Nur Jahan’s father Asif Khan in 1633 AD on the banks of Dal Lake, had 12 terraces rising one above the other but the lower terraces those stretched down to Dal Lake no longer exist now, , having been cut off by the modern road. As a result, the garden is now left with only nine terraces.

After visiting these historical as well as cool places, return to your houseboat to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay therein.

After early morning breakfast in the houseboat, check-out and our representative will meet you and give transfer to Srinagar airport to board the flight for your onward destination.

Srinagar is capital city of Kashmir, a north Indian state that is situated in the Pir Panjal range of the snow-capped Himalayas. Kashmir name has been derived from the name of Saint Kashyap. Srinagar (meaning in Sanskrit the city of prosperity, opulence and harmonious development), located in the lap of mighty Himalayas, enthrals the tourists with its expanses of placid lakes, rapid rivers, rolling meadows, immaculate flowering gardens, and the chinar (maple) tree that reflects the changing seasons from the fresh green of spring to the russets of autumn that are shed for winter - tugs at the eyes and heart-strings of the beholder. Mughal ruler Jahangir termed Kashmir and its capital Srinagar as paradise on earth. A large number of tourists flock to Srinagar to get enchanted with this fairy tale of mirror like lakes, tumbling rivers and verdant meadows. A houseboat on a placid lake ringed by flowering trees is by far one of the most attractive choices for accommodation, setting the tone and pace for a visit to this ethereal city.

Sonmarg , located at a hefty altitude of 2,740 m above sea level, literally means 'Meadow of Gold'. The picturesque natural beauty of the region brought this name to Sonmarg. Sonmarg, a town surrounded by breathtaking glaciers and serene lakes, is a snow covered beautiful flower-laden meadow in the majestic Himalayan mountain region. Sonmarg in the Kashmir valley is the gateway to Ladakh and situated just before the Zojii La pass. Located at 87 km from Srinagar, the place is renowned for trekking and hiking trails. The snow clad peaks in the Himalaya and the undulated hilly mountainous regions are perfectly suitable for all types of trekking expeditions. Sonmarg is the base camp for many trekking expeditions. The major treks passing through various mountain lakes such as Gangabal, Vishansar, Gadsar, Satsar and Kishansar has its base at Sonmarg. The trekking routes offer all types of challenges, from mild to most hard. The pleasant climate with mild summer and cold winter make this place an ideal location for trekkers to explore the natural beauty and challenging treks.

A famous tourist destination of Kashmir and merely 57 kms from Srinagar, Gulmarg, literally meaning “Meadows of Flower” has been a resort for the kings like Yousuf Shah Chak and Jahangir who used to visit frequently. The ancient name of Gulmarg was "Gaurimarg", the name of Lord Shiva's wife. Yousuf Shah Chak changed its name to Gulmarg, meaning the place of roses. During the early part of the 20th century the famous Central Asian explorer Sir Marc Aurel Stein (1862–1943), made his home here in a tent between his expeditions. It was a favourite summer holiday destination for the British stationed in India. Gulmarg has attracted millions of tourists throughout its existence with the scenic beauty of the Himalayan Mountains in the back drop. One of the main attractions in Gulmarg is the Gulmarg Gondola, the Highest Cable Car in the world. Tourists can enjoy horse Riding and can go riding to the magnificent “Strawberry Valley” , Leopards Valley and ride up to “Kongdori” to see the frozen lake of “Al- Pathar”. Gulmarg in winter is a magnificent experience, fully covered in a white blanket of Snow which turns it into a skiers paradise. The natural slopes here are untouched and prove to be a challenge to ace skiers! Besides the scenic side to Gulmarg, winter time in Gulmarg is a season of festivities with celebrations of “White Christmas” and New Year parties.

Pahalgam is not a merely a hill-station. It’s a recreation resort. It’s like going into the lap of nature to do many things - one of the best - that "do-nothing". You want to have a romantic trip with your beloved, want to get together with you family, and have what they call a 'quality' family time, you want to do those little interesting things with the family and kids, like take a pony ride, just picnic next to a beautiful river, just lie down under the sun next to your 'hut' with fresh breeze blowing, and read a book, or have a game of cards, go to a cosy market and have a cup of coffee, or eat normal not-cooked-at-home food, or shop some of the exquisite of Kashmiri handicraft. Well, that's what Pahalgam is known for. The new resurrected Pahalgam is a little more commercialized, albeit with the same pristine beauty. The Amarnath Cave, the abode of Lord Shiva which is a major Hindu pilgrimage center, is located in Kashmir. Pahalgam is the base to begin journey to Amarnath.

• Accommodation in the mentioned hotels on double sharing.

• Daily breakfast basis on all places.

• Total Meals: 09 (Breakfast-06; Lunch-00; Dinner-03).

• Total night stays: 06 (Srinagar-03; Sonmarg-01; Pahalgam-02).

• Well-appointed upgraded air-conditioned rooms at all places.

• Along with breakfast at all places, 03 dinners in Srinagar houseboat.

• Monument entrance charges.

• Gondola ride in Gulmarg.

• Pony ride in Pahalgam.

• Shikara ride in Dal Lake in Srinagar.

• English speaking & destination-specific guides at all destinations for mentioned sightseeing tour.

• Meet & assist at the airport on arrival & departure.

• Sightseeing tours as mentioned in the itinerary.

• Air-conditioned private car for the whole sightseeing tour.

• Driver for the whole tour.

• All prevailing taxes like luxury tax, service tax etc.

• All transfers, city tours, excursions & drives by air-conditioned transport.

• Interstate road tax, toll tax, parking charges, driver’s wages, fuel charges etc.

• Shikara ride in Dal Lake.
• Gondola ride in Sonmarg.
• Pony ride in Pahalgam.
• Houseboat stay in Srinagar.

• Stay in houseboat in Dal Lake of Srinagar.
• Shikara ride and canoeing.
• Watch extravagant bonanza of natural beauty while doing Gondola ride in Gulmarg.
• Explore higher peaks at Pahalgam on a pony.
• Golfing at Gulmarg a special experience.
• Viewing exceptional beauty of various meadows of Kashir, like Gulmarg & Sonmarg while paragliding.

Srinagar:Shawls( Kani, Pashmina), Carpets, Walnut Wood Carving, Papier Mache and Dry Fruits.
Sonmarg: Saffron, Walnuts, Crewel Embroidered Cloth and Stone Jewelry.
Gulmarg: Pashmina Shawls & Wraps, Silk Carpets, Walnut Wood Knick Knacks, Papier-Mâché Handicrafts and Stone Jewelry, Loose Tea.
Pahalgam: : Kashmiri Carpets, Wicker-Work, Pashmina Shawls, Kashmiri Handicrafts, Pheran (Kashmiri Woolen Poncho) and Kashmiri Golden Apples.

Srinagar: Dum Aloo, Rogan Josh, Yakhni, Kashur Khyon, Kosher Tamoul , gogji razmah, roghni chamman, nadir-haa &, Haak saa.

• Prices mentioned are per person on double/ twin sharing basis.

• Any airfares, international or domestic, are not included.

• Additional conditions may apply, please enquire for further details.

• Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes.

• Additional levies, government charges & other applicable fees, including additional taxes and surcharges on flight routing, may apply and are beyond our control.

• Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.

• Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.

• Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or through normal bank transfer into our accounts.

• These prices are a guide to the best price and are subject to change without notice.

• Prices are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases, please enquire for further details.

• Please provide your passport details to Optima Travels Private Limited at least one month before travelling. Please note that if you do not provide your passport details, you may be denied entry to any Indian National Parks that are visited along this itinerary, or you may be charged a fee by the local government as passport details are now a requirement for entry into all national parks in India.

• Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.

• In India normally the check in time in hotels is 02:00 PM and check out time in hotels is 10:00 AM.

• Normally the package cost includes breakfast at all locations but in case of the destinations where availability of restaurants outside hotel not possible, we provide meals there and mention that in inclusions.

• The normal check in - check out time of the hotels are 1200 hours and if your arrival time does not suit this we can arrange activities for you on the first day or pre-book the hotel from the previous night on additional charge and as per your request. Normally it takes 1 hour to come out of the airport from the time of arrival.