D01
Arrive Srinagar
Srinagar · 1,585 mMet at the airport and driven to the Boulevard — about thirty minutes. The rest of the day is deliberately empty: a shikara out onto Dal Lake at sunset, and nothing else scheduled.
Meals: Dinner

A short, unhurried trip built around the lake and a private dinner on deck.
The plan
For people with five days who would rather do two things beautifully than six things quickly. A heritage houseboat suite, a guide for the gardens and the old city, and one candlelit dinner on the deck.
Gulmarg and Pahalgam as day trips, with a car that waits wherever you decide to stop.
D01
Met at the airport and driven to the Boulevard — about thirty minutes. The rest of the day is deliberately empty: a shikara out onto Dal Lake at sunset, and nothing else scheduled.
Meals: Dinner
D02
The Mughal gardens — Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi — stepping down towards the lake, then Hazratbal and the wooden Khanqah-e-Moula in the old city. Evening free at Lal Chowk or the Polo View market.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
D03
Ninety minutes up through Tangmarg to the meadow at 2,650 m. The Gondola runs in two stages — we aim to be in the queue early, because the second stage is capped daily and closes for wind.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
D04
Two and a half hours out, stopping at the saffron fields at Pampore and a cricket-bat workshop on the way. Betaab Valley and the Lidder river, then back to Srinagar for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
D05
Transfer to the airport with enough time for the two security checks Srinagar requires. If your flight is late, we'll hold the room or arrange somewhere to leave bags.
Meals: Breakfast
2 nights · Srinagar
Heritage houseboat suite, Nigeen Lake
2 nights · Srinagar
5-star lake-view hotel
Photos

Tour amenities
Met at arrivals and driven back for departure. No hunting for a prepaid taxi counter.
Your own cab for the whole trip, not a shared coach. Stop where you like, for as long as you like.
Hotels and houseboats we inspect ourselves at the start of every season.
Both meals at your stay. Lunches are left free so you can eat where the day takes you.
An hour on the water at sunset, included rather than sold to you on the day.
Garden tickets, Gondola bookings and local vehicle charges handled in advance.
A real person on WhatsApp for the whole trip, not a ticketing system.
One candlelit evening on the houseboat deck, arranged with the kitchen in advance.
One treatment each at the hotel spa, booked around your itinerary rather than squeezed in.
A guide with you through the gardens and the old city, not just a driver who waits outside.
Same trip, different length

Zoji La · 3,528 m
Or, more precisely, 434 kilometres of it — Srinagar to Leh, over the pass that decides whether the road is open at all.