Kashmir Wild Walking
Suggested Itinerary
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10 Days From C$3,961
Overview
The very sound of Kashmir brings to mind a whiff of adventure and a nostalgic nod towards a golden age of travel. Back on the tourist map, this centuries old holiday destination offers some of the most pristine and unspoiled trekking anywhere on the continent, where you can trek through primal forest and across remote Himalayan mountain passes, before relaxing aboard one of Kashmir’s fabled houseboats. Ideal for couples or groups of friends alike, this spectacular private journey represents ...
The very sound of Kashmir brings to mind a whiff of adventure and a nostalgic nod towards a golden age of travel. Back on the tourist map, this centuries old holiday destination offers some of the most pristine and unspoiled trekking anywhere on the continent, where you can trek through primal forest and across remote Himalayan mountain passes, before relaxing aboard one of Kashmir’s fabled houseboats. Ideal for couples or groups of friends alike, this spectacular private journey represents a chance to rediscover some of the most beautiful landscapes in the Himalayas, as you journey from Delhi to Srinagar. See the stunning Mughal Gardens, overgrown Hariparbat Fort and bustling old town of Srinagar. Then spend four superb days trekking and camping through the Lidr Valley and across the breathtaking Sonomus Pass. Spending your time split between mountain camps and traditional Kashmir houseboats, you’ll trek through forests of cedar and pines and head up to the shores of Lake Tarsel, before climbing over the high Sonomus Pass and back down into the Sind Valley. The end of the trek then affords an opportunity to relax aboard a houseboat and float along Dal Lake before the flight back to Delhi.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
- Relax aboard a traditional Kashmir houseboat on the beautiful Dal Lake
- Trek in the foothills of the Himalayas and through the beautiful Lidr Valley
- Camp amongst the mountain landscapes of the Sonomus Pass
- Enjoy the unhurried pace of Kashmir’s summer capital
- Explore the famous Mughal Gardens and fascinating old city of Srinagar
- Discover the famous floating Dal lake flower and vegetable market by boat
Suggested Itinerary
This is a suggested itinerary. Our experts have all travelled widely in the region and will be happy to tailor any of our itineraries to suit your tastes, or build a trip from scratch.
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day will be free to relax or go for local walks or sightseeing.
DAY 2: DELHI - SRINAGAR
DAY 2: DELHI - SRINAGAR
After breakfast you will be picked up from your hotel and driven back to the airport for your flight to Srinagar. On arrival at Srinagar you will be met and transferred by both car and shikara (water taxi) to your houseboat. The rest of the day will be free for you to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
DAY 3: SRINAGAR
DAY 3: SRINAGAR
This morning you will board a shikara to the floating vegetable market where you'll be able to paddle around watching the action and pick up some snacks from Mr Delicious. Then it is onto the Shalimar Gardens. Enjoy a walk among the fountains, flower beds and mighty chinar trees, to the black marble pavilion. Next you will be guided through Old Srinagar. Walk through the narrow streets, stopping off at forts, mosques, temples and tombs as well as visiting the various craftsmen through who's bazaars you'll pass.
DAY 4: SRINAGAR - ARU
DAY 4: SRINAGAR - ARU
After breakfast you will drive to Aru, where the first night's camp will be located. You will have excellent facilities with mattresses, dining, shower and kitchen tents, as well as a separate toilet tent. What time you leave, and what stops you choose to make along the way (there are some nice sites at Avantipur) will dictate the day - the drive without stops takes about 3 hours - but you should have time for a couple of short walks to help get your legs in shape for the next few days.
DAY 5: ARU - LIDR WAT
DAY 5: ARU - LIDR WAT
After a relaxed breakfast you will trek for only four hours as you acclimatise yourselves to the mountains. It is a stunning walk that takes you through forests of cedar, spruce and pines to Lidr Wat where you will camp between two rivers. En route you will meet local shepherds and be able to take a peek inside their homes. After lunch at the camp you can go for a further 2-hour walk up the Lidr Valley.
DAY 6: LIDR WAT - TARSEL LAKE
DAY 6: LIDR WAT - TARSEL LAKE
Today things get a little tougher as you walk for around 6 hours towards the stunning 3,800m Tarsel Lake. You will leave the forested areas soon after breakfast and head out onto the open mountains, with peaks and valleys surrounding you. Setting off in good time, you should reach your camp at Khamwaz in time for lunch. It is possible, if you would like to take an extended route, to walk to the beautiful turquoise, glacial lake getting in to camp later in the afternoon for tea.
DAY 7: TARSEL LAKE - SONOMUS
DAY 7: TARSEL LAKE - SONOMUS
Today will arguably be the most stunning day of the trek as you climb up to 3950m to cross the Sonomus Pass. After the pass you will have a picnic lunch in a spectacular spot before descending on towards the tree line. You should reach your final camp above a beautiful stream at Sonomus after about 6 hours. You'll have tea then some time to relax and enjoy this wonderful spot.
DAY 8: SONOMUS - SRINAGAR
DAY 8: SONOMUS - SRINAGAR
After breakfast you will carry on down through the forests, as the Sind Valley opens out, to the road-head at Symbol. On the way you will have a picnic lunch and hopefully cool off in a sparkling mountain stream before finishing the trek. Transfer to a jeep for a 2.5 hour drive to Srinagar, which you should reach by mid-afternoon. Once here you will transfer to a shikara (water taxi) to paddle round to your houseboat. Dinner will be on the houseboat.
DAY 9: SRINAGAR
DAY 9: SRINAGAR
Morning at leisure to relax and enjoy your houseboat. Late afternoon, just as the sun is setting, enjoy an hour Shikara ride on the Dal Lake. From the open lake where uninterrupted views stretched away beyond the wooden houseboats and forested foothills to the snow-capped peaks beyond, you'll drift silently into the narrow waterways.
DAY 10: SRINAGAR - DELHI
DAY 10: SRINAGAR - DELHI
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your flight to Delhi were your tour ends.
SUGGESTED ACCOMMODATION
The Claridges, Delhi
The Claridges has been a veritable treasure in Lutyens Delhi since the 1950's. Amidst the rush of new modernity, the soul of The Claridges lives on. Refurbished, redesigned and revitalized, the hotel now offers guests an experience that is new and yet so familiar. The hotel is also in an excellent location just a short auto ride from Khan Market and not much further to Connaught Place. Under current management, the hotel has a blend of tradition and modernity. Leading designers of international repute have helped enhance the heritage and elegance of this four star hotel. There are 132 different rooms and suites, all designed with an elegant blend of 19th century character and contemporary style. Wine and dine to your heart's content in the Dhaba, inspired by rustic Punjabi villages; the Jade, serving Chinese-Cantonese cuisine; Sevilla, for all your tapas needs; Pickwicks, a multicuisine buffet that is always open; Ye Old Bakery, where the corn pudding is a must try; or the Aura, a romantic, dimly lit bar. There is also a refreshing outdoor pool, indoor gym and relaxing spa to enjoy at the end of a busy day.
Royal Houseboat, Srinagar
Situated on a quiet corner of Dal Lake, with wonderful views out over a lotus field, picturesque houseboats and the mountains beyond, besides Sukoon this is probably the most luxurious group of houseboats in Kashmir. Consisting of seven houseboats, ranging in size from the mega seven-bedroom supper boat, the Shalimar Palace, to the two-bedroom Pigeon Deluxe, they are spacious, for the most part exquisitely carved, each coming with the their own housekeeper/butler. The boats are quite close together with a busy walkway in front, so they're great if you're looking for an authentic Kashmir experience, but not so perfect if privacy is what you're after. But all in all a very good option.
Hotel Rating
Hotel Rating
Accommodation listed here is intended as a guide only, to give you a taste of what we can do. Our experts can tailor any aspect of this itinerary and accommodation to suit your budget and tastes.
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This itinerary is aimed to give you an idea of what we can offer. The price shown above is per person, based on two people travelling outside of peak periods. As this itinerary is only a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit your interests and budget, your final price may differ.
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Shalmali is our Indian Subcontinent expert, who has travelled extensively in the region.
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