Things to Do in Kashmir: From Dal Lake to Hidden Valleys

Kashmir sits in the Himalayas and is famous for its lakes, meadows, snowy mountains, Mughal gardens, and old towns. Srinagar is the cultural heart, while Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, and Gurez each offer their own unique scenery and experiences.

This variety means there are more things to do in Kashmir than most travellers expect. You can enjoy a shikara ride on Dal Lake, stay on a traditional houseboat, take a gondola ride, or visit glacier viewpoints.

This guide shares the valley’s top activities, places to visit, the best seasons, and useful tips.

How Do Kashmir's Activity Zones Differ?

The things to do in Kashmir are not concentrated in a single area. Srinagar covers lake and heritage activities. Gulmarg Valley (56 km from Srinagar) covers skiing and the gondola. Pahalgam (95 km) covers Lidder River rafting and valley walks. Sonamarg (87 km) is where you reach Thajiwas Glacier, Sonmarg. And Gurez Valley, Kashmir (123 km) is the most remote stop, accessible only in summer.

What Are the Top Things to Do in Kashmir?

The top things to do in Kashmir include water activities, exploring heritage sites, high-altitude adventures, sports, and visiting remote areas across the valley.

Here’s a quick look at what you can do:

1. Shikara Ride in Dal Lake
2. House Boat in Kashmir
3. Nigeen Lake Houseboat
4. Mughal Garden Kashmir
5. Downtown Srinagar
6. Gondola Ride Gulmarg
7. Skiing in Gulmarg
8. Thajiwas Glacier, Sonamarg
9. Lidder River Rafting
10. Gurez Valley Kashmir

Shikara Ride in Dal Lake: A Classic Srinagar Experience

A shikara ride on Dal Lake is Srinagar's most popular activity. You can hire these flat-bottomed wooden boats from the Boulevard Road ghat or directly from houseboat owners.

• Short circuit (30 to 60 min): Near the main ghat; covers the flower sellers and lotus beds closest to the shore; the most accessible option for a quick first look at the lake
• Full lake loop (3 to 5 hours): Includes Nehru Park island, Char Chinar island (a small island with four ancient chinar trees), and the floating vegetable markets where Kashmiri farmers sell produce from their shikaras
• Timing: Morning rides before 8am are the calmest and best for photos. Evening rides from 5pm to 7pm have nice light, and you can see more birds near the reeds.
• Booking: Go to the Boulevard Road ghat and check the duration and price before you get on board.

House Boat in Kashmir: Life on the Water

Houseboats in Kashmir are specific to Dal Lake; Kashmiri craftsmen built the original heritage wooden houseboats in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

• Categories: Classified by the J&K Government's Houseboat Owners Association into Luxury, Deluxe (A), and A/B/C categories; the difference is room size, furnishing quality, and service level
• What's included: A sit-out deck facing the lake, furnished interior rooms, meals served on board, and a dedicated shikara for transfers between the houseboat and the main ghat
• The houseboat in Kashmir experience changes throughout the day. Mornings are peaceful, with the lake often still before the wind starts. Afternoons are livelier and more colourful.
• The Shikara Ride in Dal Lake is built into the houseboat experience; your shikara is your transport to and from the ghat for meals, supplies, and excursions

Nigeen Lake Houseboat: A Quieter Side of Srinagar

Staying on a Nigeen Lake houseboat is a quieter option. Nigeen Lake connects to Dal Lake by a narrow waterway and is northwest of Dal Lake, with much less boat traffic.

• Why it's different: Almost no tourist foot traffic from the main boulevard; motorboat activity is minimal; the water is cleaner; bird activity including kingfishers, herons, and egrets is visibly higher
• Who it suits: Guests who want the full houseboat in Kashmir experience but prefer a quieter, more private setting away from the busy Dal Lake main ghat area.
• Most Nigeen Lake houseboats are family-run, often by owners in the business for generations. The hospitality here is known for being especially personal in Srinagar.
• Getting to Nigeen Lake is a bit less convenient than Dal Lake, as the ghat is a short drive from central Srinagar.

You can do all the things to do in Kashmir from a Nigeen Lake houseboat as you can from Dal Lake, but you’ll start from a quieter and more peaceful spot.

Mughal Garden Kashmir: Terraces, Fountains, and History

The Mughal Garden Kashmir circuit covers three terraced gardens built between 1619 and 1633 on the hillside above Dal Lake, all managed by the Archaeological Survey of India.

• Shalimar Bagh: Built by Emperor Jahangir for Empress Nur Jahan in 1619; four terraces descend toward the lake; the uppermost terrace was a private zenana (women's court); open 9am to 8pm; entry charged
• Nishat Bagh: Built by Asif Khan (Nur Jahan's brother) in 1633; twelve terraces make it the second-largest Mughal garden in Kashmir; the central water channel runs from the hillside spring all the way to the lake
• Chashme Shahi: The smallest of the three; built by Shah Jahan in 1632 around a natural spring; the spring water is considered fresh and potable; overlooks Dal Lake from a higher elevation than the other two

All three Mughal Garden Kashmir sites sit on the same hillside road east of Dal Lake, and you can visit them all in one morning or afternoon.

Downtown Srinagar: Markets, Mosques, and Heritage Streets

Downtown Srinagar is the old city on the west bank of the Jhelum River. It’s Srinagar's most historic part, with lively bazaars, shrines, and a strong local culture.

• Jama Masjid: Built in 1394; one of Kashmir's largest mosques; the prayer hall is supported by 378 wooden deodar pillars; open to all visitors outside prayer times; located in the centre of Downtown Srinagar
• Maharaj Gunj bazaar: The main traditional market lane; sells Kashmiri carpets, Pashmina shawls, dried fruit, and handmade paper products; most active in the morning hours before noon
• Lal Chowk: The main commercial square in Downtown Srinagar, where the old city lanes branch out. The clock tower in the centre is a popular photo spot.
• Khanqah-i-Maulla: A Sufi shrine complex on the right bank of the Jhelum River; one of Kashmir's most significant religious monuments with a historic public hammam attached; a protected monument under ASI

Gondola Ride Gulmarg: The Journey to Apharwat Peak

The Gondola Ride Gulmarg is one of the highest cable car systems in the world, operating in two phases from the Gulmarg Valley base.

• Phase 1: Gulmarg base (2,650m) to Kongdoori station (approx. 3,088m); 10 to 15-minute ride above the meadow and pine forest; operates year-round
• Phase 2: Kongdoori to Apharwat Peak (3,979m); above the treeline; panoramic views including Nanga Parbat (8,126m) and the Himalayan ridge; operates seasonally; check current operational status before visiting at the official J&K Tourism website
• The gondola ride, Gulmarg, is worth doing one of the things to do in Kashmir even if you don’t plan to ski. Phase 1 alone offers a great high-altitude experience suitable for everyone.
• You can’t book tickets in advance. Buy them at the cable car counter in Gulmarg Valley, and try to arrive by 8am during busy months to avoid long lines.

Skiing in Gulmarg: Snow Slopes and Mountain Adventures

Skiing in Gulmarg Valley is India’s top ski activity. The season runs from December to March, with the best conditions in January and February.

• Skiing in Gulmarg cost (2025-2026 season, rates subject to annual revision; verify at the official J&K Tourism website before visiting):
• • Beginner ski package (equipment rental + 1-hour instruction): approximately INR 1,500 to 2,500 per person
  • Daily ski pass for Kongdoori slopes: approximately INR 500 to 1,500 depending on season timing
  • Gondola Phase 2 fare for Apharwat advanced slopes: charged separately as a standard gondola ticket
• Ski equipment rental, ski schools, and instructors are all available at the Gulmarg Valley base; the Ski Patrol is operational during season, and the slopes are divided by difficulty level
• The cost of skiing in Gulmarg, including gondola access and equipment, is among the lowest compared to other ski destinations in Asia.

Thajiwas Glacier, Sonamarg: A Walk to the Ice Fields

Thajiwas Glacier, Sonmarg, is approximately 3 km from the Sonamarg bazaar and accessible either by pony or on foot.

• By pony: Ponies are hired from the bazaar end; the ride covers the approach trail and brings you to the glacier viewing area; the pony handlers are licensed by the Forest Department
• On foot: A 45-minute walk on a clearly marked and well-maintained trail; the path is moderate gradient and manageable for most visitors; snow can appear on the trail from early October onward
• At the viewing area, the Thajiwas Glacier Sonmarg ice extends visibly down the valley floor; the surrounding Himalayan ridge is fully visible on clear days; the best conditions are in the morning before cloud build-up
• Season: May to October; Sonamarg road closes from November; confirm road status at the official J&K Tourism website before visiting in shoulder months

Lidder River Rafting: Rapids in the Pahalgam Valley

Lidder River rafting is based in Pahalgam on the river that flows from the Kolahoi Glacier through the Pahalgam valley.

• Beginner route (7 km): Grade 1 to 2 rapids; suitable for first-time rafters including families with older children; covers the most scenic section of the Lidder valley
• Best season: July to September when post-monsoon snowmelt from the Kolahoi Glacier creates the strongest water flow; the river is calmer but accessible from May
• Booking: Lidder River rafting operators are based at the river access point near Pahalgam town; ask your Pahalgam hotel or the Pahalgam Hotel Association for verified operator recommendations; there is no central booking system

Gurez Valley Kashmir: A Remote Himalayan Landscape

Gurez Valley Kashmir is approximately 150 km from Srinagar through the Bandipora district, on the banks of the Kishanganga River.

• The Dard-Shina community: The valley is home to one of the oldest ethnic groups in the Kashmir region; the architecture (traditional timber houses with ornate wooden carvings), the Shina language, and the customs here are entirely distinct from the main valley
• Access: The road from Srinagar passes through Razdan Pass (3,556m); the journey takes 5 to 6 hours; Gurez Valley Kashmir is accessible from June to October and closes completely in winter due to snowfall at the pass
• Permit: Certain areas of Gurez Valley Kashmir near the Line of Control require an Inner Line Permit for Indian nationals; confirm current requirements with the Bandipora District Commissioner's office (bandipora.nic.in) before finalising travel dates
• Gurez Valley, Kashmir, has very limited accommodation; a few guesthouses operate in the main Dawar village; book ahead as options are limited

What Should You Know Before Planning Your Activities?

Knowing a few practical things before finalising your itinerary will save time on the ground for all the things to do in Kashmir in this guide.

• Gondola Ride Gulmarg Phase 2 has no advance booking; arrive at the Gulmarg cable car counter by 8am in peak season (May to August and January to February)
• Gurez Valley Kashmir requires an Inner Line Permit for LoC-adjacent areas; apply through the Bandipora District Commissioner's office before travel
• Lidder River rafting operators are not centralised; ask your Pahalgam property for verified recommendations from the Pahalgam Hotel Association
• House Boat in Kashmir bookings should be made through the Houseboat Owners Association of Kashmir or directly at the official website of J&K Tourism
• Thajiwas Glacier Sonmarg is only accessible May to October; confirm road access status before planning a visit in October
• Skiing in Gulmarg cost rates are updated seasonally; always verify current rates at the official J&K Tourism website before finalising a Gulmarg ski visit

Final Takeaway

The things to do in Kashmir covered in this guide span every type of experience the valley offers. A Shikara ride on Dal Lake and a houseboat stay on Kashmir or Nigeen Lake cover the city and water experience. A gondola ride in Gulmarg and skiing in Gulmarg cover the high-altitude activity zone. Lidder River rafting and Thajiwas Glacier in Sonmarg add active outdoor options. And Gurez Valley, Kashmir, adds a remote, culturally distinct corner of the valley that most visitors miss entirely.

If you want a Kashmir itinerary that covers all these activities in the right order and season, Holiday Tribe's travel advisors can plan every detail.