Kashmir Family Tour Packages

How to choose a family package

Family trips go wrong when they try to do too much. The five packages below differ mainly in length and in how many nights are spent in each place, and the right one depends on the ages in the group, how long you can be away and how much driving the slowest traveller can enjoy. As a rule, count one night in Srinagar, one in Gulmarg and one in Pahalgam as the minimum for a first visit, and add nights where you want rest or a second activity.

The five packages at a glance

Prices are the lowest cell in each package's own table, for two travellers sharing, from Srinagar; they fall for four and six travellers and change with hotel tier and season. Flights, lunches, the Gulmarg gondola tickets and local pony rides are paid separately, as each package page states.

What works for children

• A shikara ride on Dal Lake, calm and safe even for young children.
• Garden walks, where the lawns and water channels let children run.
• Meadow days in Pahalgam, with picnics and short pony rides on open trails.
• The lower gondola in Gulmarg, a short ride with a big view.
• Snow play in winter, with sledging near the base.

What works for grandparents

Older travellers do best with a vehicle that is easy to step into, ground-floor or lift-served rooms, short drives and rest breaks. Tell us about any mobility limits, medicines or heart or breathing conditions in advance, and we choose the pace and the places accordingly. Avoid the highest and steepest excursions unless the doctor agrees, and keep a spare day in case anyone is tired. Our senior citizen packages show how a slower trip is arranged.

Choosing the season for a family

May to September is the most reliable window, with open valleys and mild weather, and September and October are calmer, with colour and fewer people. Winter gives children snow but needs warm clothing, flexible plans and patience with closures. Our best time to visit Kashmir and family trip guide explain the trade-offs.

Rooms, food and the small things

Ask for family rooms or adjoining rooms, heating in cold months and meals on site. Tell us about vegetarian, Jain or children's food needs in advance. Pack layers, a rain jacket, wet wipes, snacks and any regular medicines, and keep a light blanket in the car for sleepy children. Our packing list covers the rest.

A sample family plan

A five-night family trip might spend two nights in Srinagar, including a houseboat night and a shikara ride, one night in Gulmarg with the lower gondola, one in Pahalgam with a gentle valley morning and a final night in Srinagar for shopping and rest. Each day has one main activity and a long break, with a spare hour for the unexpected. If you want a day for Sonmarg, the Explorer and Summer Special add it.

If it rains

Weather is part of any mountain trip. If rain keeps you in, have a plan: a long lunch with local dishes, a visit to a craft workshop, a shikara ride between showers or a game and a book in a warm room. Move the outdoor day to the next morning, since mornings are often clear. Keep one spare day in the plan so that a wet day costs you nothing.

Safety and health with children

Keep children close near water and on steps, use sunscreen at altitude and make sure everyone drinks water. Carry a basic first-aid kit, regular medicines, a thermometer and hand sanitiser. Choose bottled water and freshly cooked food, and avoid long drives straight after a flight. If a child feels unwell at altitude, rest and descend, and do not push on.

Booking tips for families

Book early for May to August and for school holidays, since family rooms and larger vehicles are limited. Tell us the ages of the children, any food needs and any mobility limits, and we choose the rooms and the vehicle. Ask for a written quote that lists what is included, and keep copies of IDs and bookings on your phone and in a paper folder.

A day in the life of a family trip

A good family day starts with a late breakfast and a short, easy outing, such as a morning in a garden or by the lake. After lunch, everyone rests, since children and grandparents both tire in the afternoon, and then a second, lighter activity fills the late afternoon, such as a walk by the river or a shikara ride at sunset. Dinner is early, and bedtime is early too. Planning in this rhythm keeps everyone happy and means that nobody is overtired on the second or third day.

Choosing hotels for a family

Look for hotels with family rooms or adjoining rooms, reliable heating from October to March, meals on site and a ground-floor or lift-served option for older guests. A resort with a lawn gives children space; a houseboat is an adventure they remember, but involves a boat crossing and steps, so check that everyone is comfortable with it. Our hotel guides for Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam explain how to choose.

Getting around with children and elders

A private car with a driver is the easiest way for a family, with a vehicle that is easy to step into and seat belts for children. Drives are short, but roads are winding, so keep a bag of snacks and water in the car, ask the driver to stop when someone feels unwell and carry travel sickness remedies if needed. For a larger family, see our Innova and Tempo Traveller pages.

What families say they enjoy most

Most families name the shikara ride, the houseboat night, the meadows and snow as the highlights, and often a slow lunch in a garden or by a river. Few name the gondola queue, which is why we suggest going early. Children love animals and water, and grandparents love the gardens, the tea and the pace. A plan that gives each of them one favourite thing a day tends to work.

Planning around school holidays

School holidays, especially May and June and the autumn break, are the busiest times, and family rooms and larger vehicles sell out first. Book two to three months ahead, tell us your dates early and consider a shoulder week if your dates are flexible. If you can travel in September or October, the weather is mild and the valley is calmer.

How we plan

We plan around the slowest traveller in the group, state clearly what is included and what is paid on the spot and keep a margin for weather. Tell us the ages, the dates and any needs and we send a written quote. We confirm hotels and vehicles in writing before you pay.