Pony Ride Kashmir

Pony Ride in Kashmir

TDI Holiday Ventures offers pony ride experiences in Kashmir, a traditional and enjoyable way to explore the valley's beautiful meadows and trails. Pony rides are especially popular in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg.

Where to Enjoy Pony Rides

Gulmarg offers pony rides through its vast meadows to attractions like Alpather Lake and Apharwat Peak. Pahalgam has pony trails leading to Chandanwari and Kolahoi Glacier (Baisaran Valley was reported closed in April 2026, so we confirm access). Sonmarg offers pony rides to Thajiwas Glacier.

The Experience

Guided by local ponywallahs, you can enjoy a leisurely ride through some of Kashmir's most scenic landscapes. Pony rides are suitable for all ages and fitness levels, making them a perfect family activity.

Duration and Pricing

Pony rides can be booked for durations ranging from 1 hour to full-day excursions. Rates vary based on the route and duration.

Book Your Pony Ride

Experience the charm of Kashmir on horseback. Contact TDI Holiday Ventures for pony ride bookings.

How does a pony ride work in Kashmir?

Local handlers, the ponywallahs, lead the pony on foot for the whole ride, so you do not steer. You mount with a hand or from a block, hold the saddle with both hands and sit back on downhill stretches. The pony walks, and it does not gallop. Paths can be steep, rocky or muddy, and a hill pony is steadier on them than most visitors are on foot. A ride can last from an hour to a full day, as our page says.

Which routes are there, and what are they like?

Baisaran Valley needs a note. It was reported closed in April 2026, and we confirm access for your dates before we put it into any plan.

Who is a pony ride for, and who should skip it?

It suits children, older travellers, tired legs and groups of mixed fitness. Skip it, or check first, if you have a back, hip or knee problem, if you are pregnant, if you are afraid of animals or if you cannot sit upright for long, because the saddle is hard and the ride is bumpy. The weight limit depends on the pony and the trail, so tell us each rider's weight and age, and the handler decides on the day. Children ride with a handler at the head and an adult close by.

What do you pay, and where?

Pony rides are not in our package prices. Our package pages list the Thajiwas Glacier and Baisaran rides as extras paid directly. At several hill stations the rates follow a local rate card that can change, so we give you the current figure for your route before the ride. Ask whether the price covers the whole route, the return and the waiting time, and agree it before you mount. A tip for the handler is common but optional.

How do we fit a pony ride into the day?

We place it on the day you already visit that hill station, early in the day, with an hour of slack. A ride after a long drive tires you, and a ride before the gondola in Gulmarg can run late. In Pahalgam we pair it with Aru and Betaab by car, and in Sonmarg with the glacier trip. Rain turns trails to mud, and then a ride can be shorter or stopped, so we keep a fallback such as the Gulmarg gondola or a garden visit.

How do you look after the pony and yourself?

• Look at the pony before you mount. It should stand steadily with a well-fitted saddle and no sores. Ask for another pony if it looks unwell.
• Do not overload a pony. If you are heavy or carrying a heavy bag, say so and take a second pony.
• Wear closed shoes with grip, long trousers, a jacket and sun protection, and a helmet if one is offered.
• Keep bags small and across your body, and hold the saddle with both hands on steep stretches.
• Let the handler set the pace. Downhill is the hard part for the animal.

Which months suit pony rides?

Gulmarg and Sonmarg rides run mostly from May to October, when the trails are open and the meadows are green. In winter trails close or fill with snow, and rides may be limited, so ask us. July and August bring showers and mud, and autumn mornings are cold. Our guides to when to visit Gulmarg and when to visit Pahalgam show the seasons. For a whole trip with children, see our Kashmir family tour page.