Kashmir

Kashmir's valley runs on two seasons' worth of magic: spring shikara rides past Dal Lake's floating gardens and the 400-year-old Mughal terraces above it, then winter's transformation of Gulmarg into India's premier ski slope — served by one of the world's highest cable cars. Between them sit pine-valley walks at Pahalgam and autumn's red-gold chinar turn.

Best time to visit

April to June for blooming gardens and lake season; late December to February for snow and skiing at Gulmarg — and late October catches the chinar colour plus the saffron bloom at Pampore.

Worth your days

Top attractions in Kashmir

Dal Lake

Srinagar's floating world — cedar houseboats, shikara water-taxis seating four to six, vegetable gardens that literally float, and a dawn market conducted entirely from boats.

Gulmarg Gondola

One of the world's highest cable cars, climbing in two stages from Gulmarg via Kongdoori to nearly 3,950 m on the Apharwat ridge — ski terrain in winter, wildflower meadow in summer.

Mughal Gardens of Srinagar

Shalimar Bagh (laid out under Emperor Jahangir in 1619) and Nishat Bagh (1633) step down in fountain-fed terraces toward Dal Lake, backed by chinar trees.

Pahalgam

The 'Valley of Shepherds' on the Lidder River — pine-forest pony trails fan out to Betaab Valley and the village of Aru.

Sonamarg

The 'Meadow of Gold' at about 2,700 m — the summer walk to Thajiwas Glacier starts here.

Saffron fields of Pampore

One of the world's few saffron-growing regions — for two weeks from late October the fields turn purple with crocus bloom.

Do it properly

Activities & experiences

• A night aboard a Dal Lake houseboat
• Dawn shikara ride to the floating vegetable market
• Riding both stages of the Gulmarg Gondola
• Skiing or snowboarding at Gulmarg in winter
• Pony trek from Pahalgam to Betaab or Aru valley
• Mughal gardens circuit — Shalimar, Nishat, Chashme Shahi
• Wazwan feast with kahwa tea to finish
• Autumn walk under turning chinar trees