Quick Escape 3 Nights / 4 DaysSrinagar · Gulmarg · Pahalgam
Kashmir Quick Getaway
- 1-night deluxe houseboat on Dal Lake with shikara ride
- Full-day Gulmarg excursion with gondola views
From₹11,950per person · twin sharing
The journal
Kashmiri Culture & Food
Wazwan feasts, saffron fields, Sufi shrines and the rhythms of Kashmiri life. Stories on the food, craft and traditions that give the valley its character.
A Food Lover’s Guide to Kashmir — Wazwan & Beyond
Kashmiri cuisine is a story of invasions, trade routes, and a cold climate. Here is your food lover’s guide.
Read
A Beginner’s Guide to Wazwan — Kashmir’s 36-Course Royal Feast
Wazwan is not a meal. It is a ritual — a multi-course feast rooted in Persian and Central Asian tradition, refined over centuries in the kitchens of Kashmiri Wazas (master chefs), and served at every wedding, celebration and important gathering in the valley. For a first-time guest, understanding its structure makes the experience far richer.
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Eating in Kashmir
The valley's cooking is built on patience, saffron and spice, with bread and tea at breakfast and a feast for celebrations. Start with our food guide, read about the ceremonial meal in our wazwan guide and our pages on kahwa and bakeries and food by season. Vegetarians eat well too, and we can arrange vegetarian and Jain meals with notice.
Crafts and shopping
Pashmina and shawls, hand-knotted carpets, papier-mâché and walnut woodwork are the great crafts of the valley, and saffron and dry fruit are its flavours. Buy from workshops and trusted shops, check certification and seals and bargain politely in markets. Our handicrafts shopping guide explains what to look for and how to avoid common traps.
Festivals and etiquette
The festival year mixes traditions, from the spring tulip bloom to the Eids and the Urs of Sufi saints. Dates follow lunar and local calendars, so check them each year, and visit with respect: dress modestly, ask before photographing and follow local advice. Our festivals and culture guide gives the details.
Questions travellers ask
What should I eat in Kashmir?
Try the wazwan feast once, fresh bakery bread with kahwa or salted tea, local trout and the sweets such as phirni. Vegetarian dishes include dum aloo and nadru.
Is Kashmiri food spicy?
It is rich and aromatic rather than very hot. Colour comes from Kashmiri chillies, and most dishes are mild enough for most visitors.
What crafts should I buy?
Pashmina and woollen shawls, papier-mâché, carpets and walnut woodwork, from workshops and trusted shops with certification.
Can you arrange a traditional meal?
Yes, where possible, at a restaurant or a home we trust. Tell us your dates and food needs and we suggest options.
Written by the TDI Holiday Ventures planning desk in Srinagar. Conditions, fares and rules change: confirm anything that affects your booking with us on WhatsApp before you pay.
More guides are published regularly. Browse the full journal.
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- Quick Escape 3 Nights / 4 Days
Popular 4 Nights / 5 DaysSrinagar · Sonmarg · Gulmarg · Pahalgam
Kashmir Classic
- 1-night deluxe houseboat on Dal Lake
- Sonmarg excursion to Thajiwas Glacier
From₹13,800per person · twin sharing
Best Seller 5 Nights / 6 DaysSrinagar · Sonmarg · Gulmarg · Pahalgam
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- 2 nights in Srinagar hotel + 1 night houseboat finale
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In their own words
Real guests. Real Kashmir.
Short video reviews recorded by travellers during and after their trips.
Guest review — Kashmir with TDI 
Guest review — Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam 
Guest review — Sonmarg & more 
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