Day 1 — Arrival in Srinagar: Welcome to Paradise Your journey into the heart of Kashmir begins the moment you land at Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport, Srinagar. Our smartly dressed representative will be waiting at the arrival gate with a warm smile and a placard bearing your name. You will be transferred comfortably to your pre-booked Deluxe Houseboat on Dal Lake — your floating home for the first two nights. After freshening up, step out onto the houseboat deck and take in your first real look at Dal Lake — the shimmering heart of Kashmir. In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely Shikara ride across the lake, drifting past floating gardens of lotus and water chestnuts, past the famous floating vegetable market, and beneath the snow-dusted peaks of the Zabarwan range. As the sun sets and the mountains turn golden, sip on a cup of Kahwa — Kashmir's traditional saffron and almond green tea — served by your houseboat attendant. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner on board featuring traditional Kashmiri cuisine, including Rogan Josh, Yakhni, and freshly baked Kashmiri Girda bread. Overnight: Deluxe Houseboat, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Day 2 — Srinagar: Mughal Gardens & Old City Wake up to the gentle sound of water lapping against the hull of your houseboat and the distant call of the Azan from a lakeside mosque. After a hearty Kashmiri breakfast of Noon Chai (pink salt tea) with Bakarkhani (crispy Kashmiri bread), your day of exploration begins. Your first stop is the famous Mughal Gardens — masterpieces of Mughal landscape architecture laid out by Emperor Jehangir and his successors in the 17th century. Shalimar Bagh, meaning "Abode of Love," is the grandest of these — a four-terraced garden with carved pavilions, cascading fountains, and rows of ancient chinar trees. Nishat Bagh, the "Garden of Bliss," sits directly on the banks of Dal Lake with twelve terraces rising sharply up the hillside, each representing a sign of the zodiac. Chashme Shahi, the "Royal Spring," is the smallest and oldest of the gardens, centred around a natural spring said to have curative properties. After the gardens, visit the historic Shankaracharya Temple — one of the oldest shrines in Kashmir, dedicated to Lord Shiva and perched on the summit of Shankaracharya Hill at 1,000 feet above the valley floor. The climb is rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the entire Srinagar city, Dal Lake, and the surrounding mountain ranges that few other viewpoints can match. In the afternoon, explore the Old City of Srinagar — a labyrinth of narrow, winding lanes flanked by traditional wooden houses with intricately carved facades. Visit the Jamia Masjid, a magnificent mosque built entirely in wood supported by 378 wooden columns, each made from a single deodar tree trunk. Nearby, the Shah Hamdan Mosque (Khanqah-e-Moula) is another architectural jewel, covered in exquisite papier-mâché work inside and out. End your day at the famous Lal Chowk market for souvenir shopping — pick up authentic Pashmina shawls, Kashmiri walnut wood handicrafts, saffron, and dry fruits. Overnight: Deluxe Houseboat, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Day 3 — Pahalgam: The Valley of Shepherds After breakfast, check out from the houseboat and drive towards Pahalgam (95 km, approximately 2.5 hours), one of Kashmir's most breathtaking destinations. The road winds through saffron fields, rice paddies, and apple orchards before climbing into the pine forests that surround the Lidder Valley. Betaab Valley (named after the 1983 Bollywood blockbuster filmed here) is your first stop — a picture-perfect meadow cradled between dense forests of deodar and pine, with the crystal-clear Lidder River rushing through its centre. The valley is so achingly beautiful that it is easy to understand why generations of Bollywood directors have returned here time and again. Next, visit Aru Valley, about 12 km from Pahalgam town, accessible via a winding road that passes through thick pine forests. Aru is a peaceful hamlet at the start of the Kolahoi Glacier trek route, and the views of the surrounding snow-covered peaks from here are simply stunning. The valley is dotted with wooden shepherd huts, and in summer you will see Gujjar and Bakarwal nomads camping here with their flocks of sheep and herds of horses. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in Pahalgam town. Optional pony rides are available (at own cost) along the banks of the Lidder River. The trout fishing in the Lidder is world-famous — if you are a fishing enthusiast, your guide can arrange a permit. Overnight: Hotel in Pahalgam (3-star). Day 4 — Return to Srinagar: Dal Lake & Floating Market Rise early (ideally by 6:00 AM) for one of the most unique experiences Kashmir has to offer — the Floating Vegetable Market on Dal Lake. Hundreds of wooden Shikara boats loaded with fresh vegetables — lotus stems, water chestnuts, leafy greens, tomatoes, and radishes grown on the famous floating gardens (called Raadh) — converge on the lake before dawn to conduct a lively, floating wholesale market. It is a centuries-old tradition that has continued unchanged, and witnessing it from your own Shikara is unforgettable. After breakfast, drive back to Srinagar and check in to your hotel. Spend the afternoon visiting the Hazratbal Shrine — Kashmir's most revered Islamic shrine, housing a relic believed to be a hair of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), set in a stunning white marble mosque directly on the northern shores of Dal Lake. Visit a local Papier-Mâché workshop to watch artisans at work — this ancient Kashmiri craft, brought to the valley by Persian craftsmen in the 15th century, involves moulding paper pulp into decorative objects that are then hand-painted with intricate floral and geometric designs. You can purchase directly from the artisan at workshop prices. In the evening, take a final sunset Shikara ride — watching the Zabarwan mountains glow crimson, the houseboats reflected perfectly in the still water, and the call to prayer echoing across the lake. Overnight: Hotel in Srinagar (3-star). Day 5 — Departure: Farewell from Paradise After a leisurely breakfast, complete your packing and check out. Your guide will transfer you to Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport for your onward flight, your bags heavier with Kashmiri handicrafts, your phone full of photographs, and your heart full of memories that will last a lifetime. Tour ends. Safe travels!

Day 1 — Arrival Srinagar → Drive to Gulmarg Land at Srinagar Airport and meet your Kashmir With Us representative. After a brief stop at a local Kashmiri restaurant for lunch, begin the scenic 56 km drive to Gulmarg — the "Meadow of Flowers." The road climbs steadily through apple orchards, pine forests, and small Kashmiri villages with their distinctive wooden houses and corrugated iron roofs before opening up into the vast, snow-covered bowl that is Gulmarg in winter. Check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the afternoon simply absorbing the magical atmosphere. The air at 2,650 metres is sharp and clean, and the silence — broken only by the distant whoosh of skiers and the sound of snow crunching underfoot — is deeply refreshing. In the evening, gather around a warm kangri (traditional Kashmiri fire pot) and enjoy Kashmiri Harissa — a slow-cooked meat porridge that is the valley's ultimate winter comfort food. Overnight: Hotel in Gulmarg (3-star, snow view). Day 2 — Gulmarg: Gondola Ride & Snow Activities This is the day you have been waiting for. After an early breakfast, make your way to the Gulmarg Gondola — Asia's highest and longest cable car, which ascends to the summit of Apharwat Peak in two spectacular phases. Phase 1 takes you from Gulmarg (2,650 m) up to Kongdori (3,080 m). From here, the views across the Gulmarg meadow below and the surrounding Himalayan peaks already feel extraordinary. Spend some time here before boarding Phase 2. Phase 2 continues the ascent to Apharwat Peak at a breathtaking 3,980 metres (13,058 feet) above sea level. Step out of the cable car at the summit and you are standing on the roof of accessible Kashmir, surrounded by a pure white wilderness of permanent snow and ice. The crown jewel of the view from here is Nanga Parbat — the ninth-highest mountain in the world at 8,126 metres — rising in all its terrifying majesty on the northern horizon. On clear days, you can also see the Karakoram ranges stretching towards K2. Spend the rest of the day enjoying snow activities at Kongdori. Skiing and snowboarding are available for all skill levels — beginners can take lessons from certified ski instructors at the Gulmarg Ski School, while experienced skiers can tackle the challenging off-piste runs on Apharwat. For non-skiers, snow sledging, snowshoeing, snow tubing, and simply playing in the deep powder are equally thrilling. A horse ride across the snow-covered Gulmarg meadow at sunset is one of Kashmir's most romantic experiences. Overnight: Hotel in Gulmarg. Day 3 — Gulmarg → Srinagar → Sonmarg After breakfast, check out from your Gulmarg hotel and drive back towards Srinagar — but only briefly, as you continue on to Sonmarg (87 km from Srinagar, approximately 2.5 hours), the "Meadow of Gold." The drive to Sonmarg is one of the most dramatic in Kashmir, ascending through increasingly narrow gorges carved by the Sindh River before suddenly opening up into the wide, flat valley of Sonmarg at 2,740 metres. At Sonmarg, hire ponies (own cost, strongly recommended) for the 5 km ride to the Thajiwas Glacier — a living, moving river of ice that descends from the peaks above. Walking on the glacier edge, feeling the cold emanating from its blue-green ice, and looking up at the seracs and crevasses above is an experience that never loses its power, no matter how many times you visit. Sonmarg is also a famous fishing destination — the Sindh River here is one of the best brown trout fishing rivers in South Asia. Even if you are not a fisherman, watching the trout dart through the crystal-clear water is mesmerizing. Drive back to Srinagar in the evening and check in to your hotel by the lake. Overnight: Hotel in Srinagar (3-star). Day 4 — Srinagar: Dal Lake Houseboat & Floating Market Today you move to a Deluxe Houseboat on Dal Lake for a true Kashmiri experience. Start the day with an early morning Shikara ride to the Floating Vegetable Market — an extraordinary sight of hundreds of boats loaded with fresh produce conducting a floating wholesale market in the pre-dawn darkness, illuminated only by lanterns and the first pale light of dawn. After breakfast on the houseboat, visit the Mughal Gardens — Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi — three of the most beautiful formal gardens in all of South Asia. Spend the afternoon exploring the Old City, visiting the Jamia Masjid and the Shah Hamdan Mosque. In the evening, take a leisurely sunset Shikara ride as the mountains turn gold, then pink, then deep purple. Overnight: Deluxe Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 5 — Pahalgam Day Trip Drive to Pahalgam (95 km, 2.5 hours) for a full-day excursion. Visit Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, and the Chandanwari snowfield (16 km from Pahalgam) — the starting point of the famous Amarnath Yatra pilgrimage. Even outside the pilgrimage season, Chandanwari offers some of the most dramatic scenery in the region, with a natural amphitheatre of snow-covered peaks surrounding a wide, flat snowfield through which the Lidder River flows. Return to Srinagar in the evening for a farewell dinner at a rooftop restaurant overlooking Dal Lake — the perfect way to savour your last night in paradise. Overnight: Houseboat, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Day 6 — Departure A final Kashmiri breakfast of Noon Chai and Lavasa bread on the houseboat deck. Check out and transfer to Srinagar Airport. As the plane climbs and the valley of Kashmir appears below — the silver ribbon of Dal Lake, the emerald green of the paddy fields, the snow-capped peaks all around — you will feel what every visitor feels leaving Kashmir: a deep, almost physical ache to return. Tour ends.

Day 1 — Arrival: A Fairytale Beginning Your honeymoon in paradise begins the moment you land in Srinagar. Your Kashmir With Us representative will greet you at the airport with a bouquet of fresh Kashmiri flowers — the valley is famous for its roses, narcissus, and tulips, and the fragrance alone tells you this is no ordinary destination. Transfer to your Premium Luxury Houseboat on Dal Lake — your home for the first two nights. These legendary floating mansions, many of them family-owned and maintained across multiple generations, are a world unto themselves: richly carved walnut wood panels, hand-embroidered curtains, Persian carpets underfoot, and a private sun deck overlooking the lake. You will be warmly received by the houseboat family with traditional Kahwa tea and fresh dry fruits. In the evening, a specially arranged romantic Shikara ride — decorated with fresh flowers and floating candles — takes you out onto the still, golden water as the sun sets behind the Pir Panjal range. Your private Shikara-wala will navigate you through the quieter parts of the lake, far from the tourist Shikara routes, to places where you have the water entirely to yourselves. Return to the houseboat for a candlelight dinner on the upper deck — rose petals, fairy lights reflected in the water below, and a menu of Kashmiri specialties prepared fresh by your houseboat chef. Overnight: Premium Luxury Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 2 — Romantic Srinagar: Gardens & Crafts Begin the morning with breakfast served in bed — a Kashmiri tradition that your houseboat staff will observe with genuine warmth. After a relaxed start, take a private Shikara to the Floating Lotus Garden — a section of the lake where lotus flowers bloom in extraordinary abundance during summer, their pink blossoms spread across the water as far as the eye can see. Visit the Mughal Gardens hand-in-hand — Shalimar Bagh, where the ancient chinar trees cast dappled light on fountains that have been playing for four centuries, and Nishat Bagh, where the terraced lawns descend directly to the lakeside for stunning views. These gardens are arguably the most romantic settings in all of India and were built specifically as places of love and pleasure by the Mughal emperors. In the afternoon, visit a Pashmina weaving studio — watch master craftsmen weave the world's finest wool on handlooms, and choose a pair of authentic Pashmina shawls as a keepsake of your honeymoon. A genuine Pashmina shawl, woven from the fleece of the Changthangi goat at altitudes above 4,000 metres, is soft enough to pass through a finger ring and warm enough to withstand a Himalayan winter. Special couple spa session in the afternoon featuring traditional Kashmiri herbal treatments using local mountain herbs, saffron, and walnut oil. Overnight: Premium Luxury Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 3 — Gulmarg: Snow & Romance After breakfast, check out and drive to snow-covered Gulmarg (56 km, 2 hours). Check in to your hotel and spend the morning at leisure — walking through the meadow in the snow, breathing the crisp mountain air, and simply enjoying being away from the world together. Afternoon: board the Gulmarg Gondola together to Apharwat Peak (3,980 m) for views that will leave you genuinely speechless — Nanga Parbat rising from the horizon like a white pyramid, the Karakoram ranges beyond, and the entire Kashmir Valley spread below you like a painting. On the way back down, stop at Kongdori for a private horse ride through the snow-covered meadows — a truly cinematic experience with no other tourists in sight. In the evening, gather around a bonfire arranged exclusively for you by the hotel in a private courtyard. Hot chocolate, Harissa, and the sound of traditional Kashmiri Sufiana Kalam music playing softly — there is nowhere more romantic in India on a cold winter night. Overnight: Premium Hotel, Gulmarg. Day 4 — Yusmarg: Kashmir's Hidden Secret Today you visit one of Kashmir's most beautiful and least-known destinations: Yusmarg — the "Meadow of Jesus," a stunning alpine meadow in the Budgam district, approximately 47 km from Srinagar. Unlike Gulmarg or Pahalgam, Yusmarg is almost entirely undiscovered by mass tourism, meaning you will often have entire stretches of meadow entirely to yourselves. The drive to Yusmarg is itself a delight — winding through dense forests of pine and fir, past clear mountain streams, and through the charming village of Charar-e-Sharief, home to the shrine of Sheikh Nooruddin — one of Kashmir's most beloved Sufi saints. The shrine was tragically burned in 1995 but has been beautifully rebuilt and is worth a brief respectful visit. At Yusmarg (2,400 m), the meadow opens up dramatically — a vast green bowl (or white in winter) ringed by snow-capped peaks and dense conifer forests. Pony rides through the meadow and down to the Doodhganga River — a milky-white stream named for the colour of its glacial water — are the highlight of the visit. A private picnic lunch in the meadow is arranged by your Kashmir With Us team, with traditional Kashmiri Wazwan dishes packed in insulated containers. Overnight: Hotel in Srinagar. Day 5 — Pahalgam: Valley of Shepherds Drive to Pahalgam (95 km, 2.5 hours) for a full day in one of Kashmir's most celebrated valleys. Visit Betaab Valley for couple photography amidst pine forests and the rushing Lidder River — the valley has been used as a backdrop for countless Bollywood films and is every bit as beautiful in reality as on screen. Continue to Aru Valley for sweeping mountain views and a gentle walk through wildflower meadows. In the afternoon, enjoy an optional trout fishing experience on the Lidder River (arranged by the hotel at own cost) — the river is stocked with magnificent Kashmir brown trout, and even simply sitting beside the rushing river in the pine forest is deeply therapeutic. Return to Pahalgam town for a private candlelight dinner arranged by the hotel on the banks of the Lidder River — fairy lights strung between the pine trees, the sound of the river, and the stars above visible with extraordinary clarity at this altitude. Overnight: Hotel in Pahalgam. Day 6 — Return to Srinagar: Shopping & Farewell Drive back to Srinagar. Spend the morning exploring the famous Kashmiri craft emporiums of Boulevard Road and Residency Road for authentic souvenirs — Pashmina shawls, Sozni and Aari embroidered fabrics, hand-knotted Kashmiri carpets (some of which take a single weaver an entire year to complete), walnut wood furniture and carvings, papier-mâché boxes and decorations, and of course Kashmiri saffron and dry fruits to take home. A final Shikara ride in the afternoon as the sun begins to lower and the lake turns to liquid gold. A farewell dinner at one of Srinagar's finest rooftop restaurants overlooking Dal Lake, with live Kashmiri Sufiana music performed exclusively for the two of you. Overnight: Luxury Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 7 — Departure Your last morning in paradise. Breakfast on the houseboat deck as the early mist rises from Dal Lake and the mountains emerge slowly from the clouds. Check out and transfer to Srinagar Airport. Kashmir does not let go easily — as the valley disappears below the clouds, most honeymooners find themselves already planning when to come back. Tour ends. May your love be as enduring as the Himalayas.

Day 1 — Arrival Srinagar: The First Breath of Paradise Touch down at Srinagar Airport and step into air that smells of pine, mountain water, and something indefinable that every Kashmiri will tell you is the valley itself. Your Kashmir With Us team will receive you and transfer you to your Deluxe Houseboat on Dal Lake. The rest of Day 1 is deliberately left free — not for a packed schedule of sightseeing, but for you to simply arrive in Kashmir. Sit on the houseboat deck. Watch the kingfishers skim across the water. Let a Shikara-wala sell you lotus flowers from his boat. Drink Kahwa as the sun sets and the mountains change colour through the whole spectrum from gold to crimson to purple. Let Kashmir begin to work its particular magic on you before the real exploration begins tomorrow. Overnight: Deluxe Houseboat, Dal Lake, Srinagar. Day 2 — Srinagar Deep Dive: City, Shrines & Crafts Begin with the Floating Vegetable Market at dawn — rise at 5:30 AM for a Shikara ride into the heart of Dal Lake where the floating market is already in full swing, hundreds of boat-laden farmers trading produce in the pale morning light. It is one of the world's great market scenes and remarkably few tourists ever see it because so few are willing to wake early enough. After breakfast, spend a full morning in the Old City — properly, on foot, in the lanes. Visit the Jamia Masjid, the Shah Hamdan Mosque, and the ancient Rozabal Shrine. Walk through the old Maharaj Bazaar — a covered market of extraordinary age selling spices, dried fruits, traditional Kashmiri sweets (Shufta, Phirni), and handwoven textiles at prices far better than the tourist shops on Boulevard Road. Afternoon: visit the Mughal Gardens — Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh, and Chashme Shahi. In the late afternoon, visit the Hazratbal Shrine on the lakefront — Kashmir's holiest Islamic site, housed in a stunning white marble mosque. The reflection of the white mosque in the lake at sunset is one of the valley's signature images. Evening: a cultural dinner at a traditional Kashmiri home — arranged by your guide — where you will experience authentic Wazwan, the great Kashmiri feast of up to 36 courses served on a communal mat, cooked by a Waza (master chef) over a wood fire. A Wazwan feast is one of the most important cultural experiences Kashmir has to offer and is rarely arranged for tourists. Overnight: Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 3 — Doodhpathri: The Valley of Milk A full day excursion to Doodhpathri (42 km from Srinagar, approximately 1.5 hours) — one of Kashmir's most beautiful and least-visited meadows. Drive through the Budgam district, passing through fertile agricultural plains before climbing into the pine forests that surround the meadow. Doodhpathri sits in a natural bowl at 2,730 metres, rimmed by dense conifer forests and presided over by a semi-circle of snow-capped peaks. The meadow is traversed by the milky-white streams that give it its name — so cold they seem to steam in the morning air, running over smooth white stones with a sound that makes the whole valley feel like a place out of a fairytale. Spend several hours simply walking through the meadow, following the streams to their source, climbing to viewpoints above the treeline for panoramic views, and sitting in the silence. Pack a picnic lunch (arranged by your guide) and eat beside one of the streams. This is Kashmir at its most pure and undisturbed — no large hotels, no tourist buses, just the meadow, the mountains, the wildflowers, and the milky streams. Return to Srinagar in the late afternoon. Overnight: Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 4 — Gulmarg: The World on White Drive to Gulmarg (56 km, 2 hours) and check in to your hotel. Spend the morning on the Gulmarg Gondola — ascending in two phases to Apharwat Peak at 3,980 metres for views that redefine the word "spectacular." Nanga Parbat, the Karakoram ranges, the entire Kashmir Valley — spread below you in a silence broken only by the wind. Afternoon: if visiting in winter (December–March), spend the afternoon skiing or snowboarding on Apharwat's legendary powder runs — Gulmarg is consistently ranked among Asia's top 5 ski resorts for its depth and quality of snow. If visiting in summer, explore the vast Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve on foot or horseback — 180 square kilometres of alpine meadow and forest home to Himalayan brown bears, leopards, red foxes, and over 100 species of birds including the magnificent Himalayan monal pheasant. Visit the St. Mary's Church in Gulmarg — a beautiful colonial-era church built by the British in 1895, surrounded by ancient deodar trees, one of the most evocative remnants of the valley's colonial history. Play a round at the Gulmarg Golf Course — one of the world's highest at 2,650 metres, a stunning 18-hole course with views of snow-covered peaks from every tee. Overnight: Hotel in Gulmarg. Day 5 — Sonmarg: Where Gold Meets Ice Drive from Gulmarg back towards Srinagar and continue on to Sonmarg (87 km from Srinagar, approximately 2.5 hours). The drive to Sonmarg is a journey through increasingly dramatic mountain scenery — the Sindh Valley narrows into deep gorges where the river roars between vertical walls of rock, waterfalls cascade from heights of hundreds of metres, and the road occasionally tunnels through the mountainside before emerging into another spectacular view. At Sonmarg (2,740 m), hire ponies for the 5 km ride to Thajiwas Glacier — riding through forests of silver birch and alpine meadows, crossing wooden bridges over rushing streams, before arriving at the edge of the glacier itself. The glacier descends from a bowl of peaks and is larger than it first appears — the ice at its edges is an extraordinary pale blue-green colour, marked by hundreds of years of compressed snowfall. On the way back from the glacier, stop at the Zero Point — the last point on the Srinagar-Leh Highway before the road closes for winter, at the foot of the Zoji La Pass. From here, the view back down the Sindh Valley and forward towards the barren high-altitude landscape beyond Zoji La is breathtaking in the truest sense of the word. Drive back to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight: Hotel in Srinagar. Day 6 — Pahalgam: Rivers, Meadows & Mountains Full day in Pahalgam (95 km, 2.5 hours). This is the longest and most immersive day of the itinerary — designed for those who want to go beyond the standard tourist circuit of Betaab Valley and actually experience Pahalgam as the extraordinary natural environment it is. Begin at Chandanwari (16 km from Pahalgam) — the snowfield that serves as the starting point of the Amarnath Yatra. Even outside the pilgrimage season, Chandanwari is dramatic: a natural amphitheatre of peaks surrounding a wide snowfield through which the Lidder River cuts a green channel. Snow is usually present here year-round. Drive back through Pahalgam town and continue to Aru Valley (12 km). Aru is quieter and wilder than Betaab Valley — a proper mountain village, with wooden houses and livestock pens, at the end of a road that turns to track. This is the starting point of the Kolahoi Glacier trek and the Tarsar-Marsar trek — two of Kashmir's finest. Even if you are not trekking, the walk through Aru village and up to the first ridge above it takes about an hour and rewards with extraordinary views. Finish at Betaab Valley for the classic Pahalgam photographs — the Lidder River in the foreground, the pine forest in the middle distance, and the snow peaks behind. Trout fishing in the Lidder (own cost), pony rides, and white-water rafting (seasonal) are all available. Return to Srinagar by evening. Overnight: Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 7 — Srinagar Slow Day: Markets, Monasteries & the Lake Your penultimate day is a slower, more contemplative exploration of Srinagar — the aspects of the city that most tourists miss in their rush between the major sights. Begin at the Shankaracharya Temple at sunrise — climbing the 243 steps to the summit in the early morning quiet, when the mist is still lying in the valley below and the peaks are catching the first gold of dawn, is one of Kashmir's great quiet experiences. Spend the late morning in the famous Sufiana Kalam tradition — attending a music session at one of Srinagar's cultural centres where musicians perform classical Kashmiri Sufi devotional music on traditional instruments: the santoor, the saz-e-Kashmir, and the tabla. This music, which has its roots in the Sufi tradition brought to Kashmir by the great saints of the 14th and 15th centuries, is one of the valley's most profound gifts to Indian culture. Afternoon: final craft shopping — visit a genuine hand-knotted carpet workshop (not a tourist showroom, but an actual family workshop) to see how Kashmiri carpets are made and to purchase directly at workshop prices. The finest Kashmiri carpets use between 200 and 900 knots per square inch and can take a single master weaver more than a year to complete. Final sunset Shikara ride. Overnight: Houseboat, Dal Lake. Day 8 — Departure: Until We Meet Again After a final breakfast on the houseboat, check out and transfer to Srinagar Airport. As you leave, your guide will give you a small packet of Kashmiri saffron — the most expensive spice in the world, grown only in the Pampore fields of Kashmir — as a parting gift from the valley. It is a tradition at Kashmir With Us. Take it home, add it to a cup of hot milk with honey on a winter evening, close your eyes, and you will be back in Kashmir instantly. Tour ends. Safe travels, and thank you for choosing Kashmir With Us.