Hidden Kashmir: Offbeat Places & Untouched Beauty
Starting from
₹19,999
About this Kashmir 7 Nights 8 Days package
Hidden Kashmir: Offbeat Places & Untouched Beauty is a 7-night, 8-day Kashmir group tour, starting at ₹19,999 per person, next departing 23 January 2027.
An 8-day, 7-night group tour across Kashmir's less-visited valleys - Doodhpathri, Yousmarg, Gurez, Bangus and Chatpal - plus Srinagar and a Dal Lake houseboat night. Small group, shared vehicle, fixed departures.
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Kashmir 7 Nights 8 Days itinerary, day by day
Day 1 — Arrival in Srinagar, Dal Lake Houseboat Route: Srinagar Airport → Dal Lake
Arrive at Srinagar Airport (SXR) by midday. You'll be met by our coordinator and transferred to your houseboat on Dal Lake - 20-30 minutes depending on traffic at Ram Munshi Bagh. The group assembles in the afternoon for a briefing on the next seven days: routes, weather windows, what to carry for Gurez, and the rules of the road for the offbeat stretches. Evening shikara ride through the lake's interior channels, past the floating vegetable gardens. Dinner on the houseboat. Early night - tomorrow starts at 6 AM.
Places & Experiences:
Dal Lake shikara ride (shared boat, 1-2 hours)
Houseboat stay with walnut-wood interiors
Group briefing and itinerary walkthrough
Travel Flow: Afternoon arrival → check-in → group briefing → evening shikara → dinner
Overnight: Srinagar (Deluxe houseboat, twin/triple sharing)
Meals: Dinner
Important: This is a group package. Room allocation is on twin/triple sharing basis. Single supplement available at extra cost on request.
Day 2 — Srinagar to Doodhpathri, Overnight in Yousmarg Route: Srinagar → Doodhpathri (approx. 42 km, 1.5 hours) → Yousmarg (approx. 60 km, 2 hours)
Doodhpathri - literally "Valley of Milk" - sits at 2,730 m in Budgam district. The name comes from the milky-white streams that flow through the meadow. It's a local picnic spot, not a tourist circuit stop, so expect mostly Kashmiri families and shepherds rather than tour buses. The meadow is ringed by pine and fir, and the Doodh Ganga stream runs through it. There's a small shrine (Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani) on the ridge above. After lunch at a local dhaba, drive to Yousmarg (2,400 m) - another meadow valley, quieter than Gulmarg, with the Dudh Ganga river running through it. Overnight in a guesthouse or tented camp at Yousmarg.
Places & Experiences:
Doodhpathri meadow and Doodh Ganga stream
Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani shrine (short walk uphill)
Yousmarg meadow and river
Local dhaba lunch (not included)
Travel Flow: Morning drive to Doodhpathri → meadow walk and lunch → afternoon drive to Yousmarg → evening at leisure
Overnight: Yousmarg (guesthouse or tented camp, twin/triple sharing)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: Yousmarg accommodation is basic - guesthouses with limited rooms and shared bathrooms, or alpine tents. Do not expect hotel-standard facilities. Carry a torch and toilet paper.
Day 3 — Yousmarg to Srinagar, Afternoon at Leisure Route: Yousmarg → Srinagar (approx. 50 km, 1.5 hours)
Morning free to walk the Yousmarg meadow or take a short pony ride to the nearby Doodh Ganga source. Drive back to Srinagar by noon. Afternoon is free - use it to visit the Mughal gardens (Nishat, Shalimar) if you haven't seen them, or shop for pashmina and papier-mâché at the Government Arts Emporium. Evening free. Tomorrow is the long drive to Gurez - pack light for the next three days. Leave your main luggage at the Srinagar hotel; carry only a small backpack for Gurez.
Places & Experiences:
Yousmarg morning walk
Mughal gardens (optional, entry ~₹24 per person)
Srinagar handicraft shopping (optional)
Travel Flow: Morning at Yousmarg → drive to Srinagar → afternoon and evening at leisure
Overnight: Srinagar (3-star hotel, twin/triple sharing)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: Pack a separate small bag for the Gurez leg (Days 4-6). Main luggage stays at the Srinagar hotel. Gurez has no ATMs, no card machines and limited mobile connectivity.
Day 4 — Srinagar to Gurez Valley via Razdan Pass Route: Srinagar → Bandipora → Razdan Pass (3,300 m) → Dawar (Gurez) — approx. 125 km, 5–6 hours
This is the long day. Leave Srinagar by 6 AM. The road goes north through Bandipora, then climbs to Razdan Pass (3,300 m) - the gateway to Gurez. The pass is open roughly May to October; it closes with the first heavy snow and stays shut until spring. Beyond the pass, the landscape changes completely: the Kishanganga (Neelum) river runs through a narrow valley, and the villages - Dawar, Tulail, Burnai - are mostly Dard-Shin communities with their own language and culture. Gurez is a border valley; the Line of Control is close. You'll pass army checkpoints - carry your ID. Arrive by afternoon. Evening walk along the Kishanganga river.
Places & Experiences:
Razdan Pass (3,300 m) - photo stop
Kishanganga (Neelum) river
Dawar village, Gurez's main settlement
Dard-Shin culture and wooden mosques
Travel Flow: Early morning departure → Bandipora → Razdan Pass → descent into Gurez → Dawar → evening river walk
Overnight: Dawar, Gurez (guesthouse or tented camp, twin/triple sharing)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: Razdan Pass is open only May–October. Check road status before departure - landslides and snow can close it without notice. Gurez has limited accommodation; we book guesthouses in advance. Mobile connectivity is patchy - BSNL works in Dawar, Jio/Airtel mostly don't. Carry cash.
Day 5 — Gurez: Tulail Valley and Habba Khatoon Peak Route: Dawar → Tulail Valley → Dawar
Full day in Gurez. Drive up the Tulail valley - the road follows the Kishanganga through villages like Burnai, Badugam and Tulail. This is the quieter side of Gurez, with fewer army posts and more shepherds. The Habba Khatoon peak (named after the 16th-century Kashmiri poetess) rises above Dawar - a sharp, pyramid-shaped mountain that's the valley's most recognisable landmark. You can walk to the base if you have the energy, or photograph it from Dawar. Visit the wooden mosque at Dawar and the old fort ruins if you're interested in local history. Return to Dawar by evening.
Places & Experiences:
Tulail Valley (Burnai, Badugam, Tulail villages)
Habba Khatoon peak (viewpoint and short walk)
Dawar wooden mosque
Kishanganga riverbank
Travel Flow: Morning drive up Tulail → village stops → return to Dawar → evening at leisure
Overnight: Dawar, Gurez (guesthouse or tented camp)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: Tulail road is narrow and unpaved in stretches. Not suitable for large vehicles - we use local jeeps. Army checkpoints en route; carry ID. Do not photograph military installations.
Day 6 — Gurez to Srinagar via Razdan Pass Route: Dawar → Razdan Pass → Bandipora → Srinagar — approx. 125 km, 5–6 hours
Retrace the route over Razdan Pass back to Srinagar. Leave early - the pass is best crossed before afternoon, when cloud and rain can reduce visibility. Stop at the pass for photos if the weather is clear. Arrive in Srinagar by late afternoon. Evening free - rest, or take a final shikara ride on Dal Lake. Tomorrow is the Bangus Valley day trip.
Places & Experiences:
Razdan Pass (return crossing)
Bandipora town (lunch stop)
Travel Flow: Early morning departure from Gurez → Razdan Pass → Bandipora → Srinagar → evening at leisure
Overnight: Srinagar (3-star hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: If Razdan Pass closes due to landslide or snow, the return to Srinagar may be delayed by a day. Keep a buffer day if you have a flight out.
Day 7 — Bangus Valley Day Trip and Chatpal Route: Srinagar → Handwara → Bangus Valley (approx. 130 km, 4 hours) → Chatpal (approx. 40 km, 1.5 hours) → Srinagar
Bangus Valley is a high-altitude meadow in Kupwara district, sitting at 3,000-3,500 m. It's divided into two bowls - Bodh Bangus and Lokut Bangus - and is reached via a rough road from Handwara through Reshwari and Zachaldara. The last stretch is unpaved and bumpy; we use local jeeps. Bangus is grazing land for Gujjar and Bakarwal shepherds in summer - you'll see flocks, not tour groups. On the way back, stop at Chatpal in Anantnag district - a small, quiet meadow with a stream, recently promoted by J&K Tourism as an offbeat destination. Return to Srinagar by evening.
Places & Experiences:
Bangus Valley (Bodh Bangus and Lokut Bangus meadows)
Gujjar and Bakarwal shepherd settlements (seasonal)
Chatpal meadow and stream
Handwara town en route
Travel Flow: Early morning drive → Handwara → Bangus Valley → lunch (packed) → Chatpal → return to Srinagar
Overnight: Srinagar (3-star hotel)
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Important: Bangus Valley road is rough and unpaved for the last 20 km. Not suitable for sedans - we use SUVs or local jeeps. The valley is best visited June-September; it's snowbound in winter. Carry a packed lunch - there are no restaurants in Bangus.
Day 8 — Departure from Srinagar Route: Srinagar → Srinagar Airport
Check out after breakfast and transfer to SXR. Most flights leave before noon. If your flight is later, add a quick visit to Jama Masjid or Khanqah-e-Moula in the old city. Pack saffron and pashmina in checked luggage - security sometimes questions large quantities in hand baggage.
Places & Experiences:
Jama Masjid (optional)
Khanqah-e-Moula (optional)
Travel Flow: Morning checkout → airport transfer
Overnight: None
Meals: Breakfast
What's included in this Kashmir 7 Nights 8 Days package
- Accommodation: 4 nights Srinagar (1 houseboat + 3 hotel), 1 night Yousmarg (guesthouse/camp), 2 nights Gurez (guesthouse/camp) - on twin/triple sharing basis
- Meals: Breakfast and dinner on all days (starting with dinner on Day 1, ending with breakfast on Day 8)
- Transfers: Shared AC vehicle (Tempo Traveller or SUV) for all road transfers and sightseeing as per itinerary
- Local jeeps for Bangus Valley and Tulail Valley (where roads are unpaved)
- Inner Line Permits for Gurez Valley (arranged by us)
- Driver-cum-coordinator for the entire trip
- All toll taxes, parking, driver allowance and fuel
- 24/7 on-ground coordinator in Srinagar
Not included
- Airfare / train tickets to/from Srinagar
- Lunches on all days
- All applicable taxes (GST, etc.)
- Entry tickets to Mughal gardens (~₹24 per person per garden)
- Pony rides, shikara rides beyond the included one, or any adventure activity
- Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, tips, shopping)
- Travel insurance
- Medical expenses
- Any services not specifically mentioned under inclusions
Pickup & drop details
Srinagar to Srinagar
What to bring
Things to Pack:
Best Time to Travel:
Cancellation & refund policy
Cancellation, Amendment & Refund Policy
1. Booking Confirmation & Advance Payment
A booking shall be considered confirmed only upon receipt of the required advance payment. The company reserves the right to release unconfirmed bookings without prior notice. All payments made towards booking confirmation are subject to the cancellation terms mentioned below.
2. Cancellation Policy
All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing via email or official communication channels. Cancellation charges will be calculated based on the total package cost and the date on which the written cancellation request is received by the company.
Cancellation Charges
| Cancellation Period | Retention Charges |
| More than 60 days prior to arrival | 25% of total package cost |
| Between 30–60 days prior to arrival | 50% of total package cost |
| Between 15–29 days prior to arrival | 75% of total package cost |
| Within 14 days prior to arrival / No Show | 100% retention |
3. Non-Refundable Components
The following components shall be strictly non-refundable once confirmed:
- Flight/train tickets (if applicable)
- Visa fees
- Permit charges
- Peak season hotel bookings
- Houseboat bookings during high season
- Adventure/activity tickets
- Any special event or festive season supplement
- Service fees, processing fees, and convenience charges
The company reserves the right to deduct supplier-imposed cancellation charges in addition to the above retention charges wherever applicable.
4. Amendment / Rescheduling Policy
Any amendment, modification, postponement, or rescheduling request must be submitted in writing and shall be subject to availability and supplier approval. The company does not guarantee acceptance of amendment requests after booking confirmation. Any fare difference, seasonal surcharge, hotel rate revision, transport cost escalation, or supplier-imposed amendment fee shall be payable additionally by the client/agent. Amendments requested within 30 days of arrival may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking at the sole discretion of the company.
5. No Show Policy
Failure of the guest/client to arrive, utilize booked services, or join the tour on the scheduled date without prior written intimation shall be treated as a “No Show”.
In such cases:
- 100% of the total booking amount shall be forfeited
- No refund, amendment, or credit note shall be applicable
- Unused services, early departures, or missed sightseeing tours shall not qualify for any refund.
6. Force Majeure / Unforeseen Circumstances
Poise Travel and Tourism shall not be held liable for any cancellation, delay, alteration, loss, or additional expense arising due to circumstances beyond the company’s control, including but not limited to:
- Natural disasters
- Floods, snowfall, landslides, road blockages
- Political unrest, strikes, curfews
- Flight cancellations or operational disruptions
- Pandemic-related restrictions
- Government orders or travel advisories
Under such circumstances:
- Refunds, if any, shall strictly depend upon recoveries received from hotels, transporters, and other suppliers.
- Administrative, processing, and operational charges shall remain non-refundable.
- The company reserves the absolute right to alter itineraries in the interest of guest safety and operational feasibility.
7. Refund Policy
Eligible refunds, if any, shall be processed within 30–45 working days from the date of cancellation confirmation. Refund timelines are subject to receipt of funds from respective suppliers/vendors. Refunds shall be processed only through the original payment mode unless otherwise agreed in writing. Bank charges, payment gateway fees, foreign exchange fluctuations, and transaction charges shall be deducted from the refundable amount.
8. Pricing & Supplier Protection Clause
All package rates are dynamic and subject to availability at the time of confirmation. In case of sudden supplier tariff revisions, fuel hikes, government taxes, or hotel policy changes, the company reserves the right to revise package pricing prior to final confirmation. Confirmed bookings shall remain protected unless impacted by force majeure or supplier default.
9. Jurisdiction
Any dispute arising in relation to bookings, payments, or services shall be subject to the jurisdiction of courts located in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir only.
10. Hotel Damage & Liability Clause
Any loss, damage, breakage, theft, or misuse of hotel/houseboat property caused by guests shall be the sole responsibility of the guest and/or the booking agent. Charges imposed by the hotel/houseboat management for damages, excessive cleaning, missing items, or misconduct must be settled directly by the guest or agent before check-out. Poise Travel and Tourism shall not be held liable for disputes arising between guests and hotel management regarding damages or conduct. The company reserves the right to recover any unpaid damage charges from the booking agent in case the guest departs without settlement.
11. Guest Conduct Policy
Guests are expected to maintain respectful and lawful behavior throughout the tour. Any misconduct including but not limited to:
- Abuse towards staff/drivers/hotel employees
- Illegal activities
- Consumption of prohibited substances
- Damage to public or private property
- Disturbance to other guests
May result in immediate termination of services without any refund. Any fines, penalties, legal consequences, or damages arising due to guest behavior shall be borne entirely by the guest and/or (b2b) booking agent. The company reserves the right to deny services to intoxicated, abusive, or disruptive guests if deemed necessary for operational safety.
12. Payment Default Clause
All payments must be cleared within the agreed timeline prior to guest arrival unless otherwise approved in writing. Failure to clear pending dues may result in:
- Release of hotel bookings
- Suspension of services
- Denial of check-in/check-out assistance
- Cancellation of transport arrangements without further liability on the company.
In case of delayed payments:
- The company reserves the right to levy interest/late payment charges.
- Any supplier penalties arising due to delayed payment shall be recoverable from the booking agent/client.
- Vouchers and confirmations issued prior to full payment shall remain provisional until payment realization.
13. Peak Season / Blackout Cancellation Policy
The following periods shall be treated as Peak Season / Blackout Dates:
- Christmas & New Year
- Eid Holidays
- Long weekends
- National holidays
- Heavy snowfall periods
- Festival dates
- Any dates specifically notified by the company
During these periods:
- Hotel bookings, transport services, and houseboats may carry stricter cancellation terms imposed by suppliers.
- Certain bookings may become completely non-refundable immediately after confirmation.
- Advance payments during blackout periods may be non-transferable and non-adjustable.
- The company reserves the right to apply special cancellation policies for peak dates irrespective of the standard cancellation policy mentioned above.
14. Kashmir Weather / Snowfall Disclaimer
Kashmir is a weather-sensitive destination and operations may be affected due to:
- Snowfall
- Landslides
- Road closures
- Avalanches
- Traffic restrictions
- Flight disruptions
- Government-imposed movement restrictions
Poise Travel and Tourism shall not be responsible for:
- Non-availability of sightseeing
- Gondola closure
- Missed flights/trains
- Route diversions
- Hotel changes caused by weather conditions
- Delay or cancellation of activities due to snowfall or road blockage
Additional expenses arising due to:
- Extra hotel nights
- Alternative transport
- Route changes
- Vehicle chain charges during snow
- Flight rescheduling
Shall be borne directly by the guest/client. No refund shall be applicable for unused services caused due to weather conditions or government restrictions beyond operational control.
15. Supplier Substitution Clause
In case any confirmed hotel, houseboat, or transport provider becomes unavailable due to operational reasons, overbooking, weather conditions, maintenance, or force majeure, the company reserves the right to provide a similar category alternative without prior liability. Every effort shall be made to maintain service standards and comfort levels.
16. B2B Confidentiality Clause
All contracted rates, quotations, and pricing shared with agents/partners are strictly confidential and intended solely for B2B business use. Redistribution of net rates directly to suppliers, competitors, or unauthorized third parties is strictly prohibited. The company reserves the right to terminate business relationships in case of rate misuse or breach of confidentiality.
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"Gurez is a border valley and the Line of Control is close, but tourist areas - Dawar, Tulail - are safe and patrolled by the army. Indian nationals need an Inner Line Permit, which we arrange. Foreign nationals need additional clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which takes 4-6 weeks. Carry your ID at all times. Do not photograph military installations."
"Basic. Gurez has guesthouses and tented camps in Dawar with shared bathrooms, limited electricity and no room service. Yousmarg has similar guesthouses or alpine tents. Do not expect hotel-standard facilities. Carry a torch, toilet paper and a power bank. Upgrades are not available - this is the reality of offbeat Kashmir."
"Razdan Pass is open roughly May to October. It closes with the first heavy snow and stays shut until spring. Landslides can close it for 1–2 days even in summer. If the pass closes during your trip, the itinerary may be delayed by a day. We recommend keeping a buffer day before your return flight. We monitor road status daily and adjust the itinerary if needed."
"In Gurez, only BSNL works (patchy), and Jio/Airtel mostly don't. In Bangus, there is no connectivity at all. There are no ATMs in Gurez or Bangus - carry enough cash for the entire trip. Srinagar and Bandipora have reliable ATMs and 4G."
"June and September are the best months - Razdan Pass is open, meadows are green, and roads are relatively stable. July-August is monsoon with rain and landslides. October is possible but the pass may close by late October. The package does not operate November-May."
"Yes, but amendments must be submitted in writing and are subject to availability and supplier approval - they are not guaranteed. Any fare difference, seasonal surcharge, hotel rate revision, transport cost escalation, or supplier amendment fee is payable additionally. Amendments requested within 30 days of arrival may be treated as a cancellation and rebooking at our sole discretion."
"Kashmir is a weather-sensitive destination. If snowfall, landslides, road closures or government restrictions disrupt the itinerary, we will alter routes or substitute services in the interest of safety, but no refund is applicable for unused services. Additional expenses - extra hotel nights, alternative transport, route changes, snow chain charges - are borne directly by the guest. Refunds, if any, depend strictly on recoveries received from hotels and suppliers."
"Cancellation charges are calculated on the total package cost: more than 60 days before arrival - 25% retention; 30-60 days - 50%; 15-29 days - 75%; within 14 days or no-show - 100% retention. Certain components (permits, peak-season hotel and houseboat bookings, activity tickets) are non-refundable once confirmed. Eligible refunds are processed within 30-45 working days, subject to supplier recoveries, and are made via the original payment mode."