Spending 5 days in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, is an experience that you will never forget. Located on the banks of the Jhelum River and surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, Srinagar is a paradise with its lush green gardens, beautiful lakes, and snow-capped mountains. From houseboats on Dal Lake to cable car rides up to Gulmarg, there are plenty of activities to keep you occupied during your five-day stay in this picturesque city. In this article, we’ll take a look at how you can spend your 5 days in Srinagar and explore some of the best places in the city.

2. Day 1: Arrival in Srinagar

Start your 5-day trip to Srinagar by exploring the Dal Lake area. Take a shikara ride around the lake and admire its beauty from the comfort of a boat. You can also visit the Mughal Gardens like Shalimar Bagh or Nishat Bagh which are located near the lake. Afterward, head to the old city area where you can explore some of Srinagar’s most famous mosques like Jama Masjid and Khanqah-e-Moula. Spend some time shopping at the local bazaars and pick up some Traditional Kashmiri Handicrafts or souvenirs as a memento of your trip.

3. Day 2: Srinagar – Sonamarg

After having a delicious breakfast, be ready for a drive to Sonmarg which is about 80 km (3 hours) away from Srinagar. On your way there, you can stop at some of the scenic spots like Nagin Lake or Nilnag Lake which offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Once you reach Sonmarg, enjoy trekking on one of its many trails or simply take in the breathtaking views from Thajiwas glacier. You can also go for horse riding or river rafting here before returning back to Srinagar for dinner and overnight stay.

4. Day 3: Sonamarg – Gulmarg

On day 3, get ready to explore Gulmarg which is about 124 km (3 hours) away from Sonamarg. Here, you can indulge in activities like skiing, snowboarding or even golfing at Gulmarg Golf Course which is Asia’s highest golf course! You can also take a cable car ride up to Khilanmarg peak for panoramic views of Gulmarg valley and nearby mountain peaks. Don’t forget to try out some local delicacies like Gushtaba (meatballs in yogurt gravy) while you’re here!

5. Day 4: Gulmarg – Pahalgam

On day 4, head to Pahalgam which is about 142 km (4 hours) away from Gulmarg. Pahalgam is known for its breathtaking natural beauty with lush green meadows and snow-capped mountains all around it. You can go for a leisurely stroll along Lidder River or take a pony ride up to Betaab Valley where Bollywood movie Betaab was shot! You can also visit Aru Valley where you can enjoy some trout fishing or simply take in the stunning views of snow-covered mountains from here before heading back to Pahalgam for dinner and overnight stay.

6. Day 5: Pahalgam – Srinagar

On your last day in Jammu & Kashmir, make sure that you visit Chandanwari which is just 16 km away from Pahalgam and is known for its beautiful meadows and pine forests around it. Afterward, drive back to Srinagar which is about 90 km (2 hours) away from Pahalgam and spend some time exploring its old city area before catching your flight back home!

7. Things to Do in Srinagar

Srinagar offers plenty of activities for visitors who want to explore this beautiful city over five days. Some of these activities include taking a shikara ride around Dal Lake, visiting Mughal Gardens like Shalimar Bagh or Nishat Bagh, exploring local bazaars for traditional Kashmiri handicrafts or souvenirs, trekking at Sonmarg or skiing/snowboarding at Gulmarg etc.

8. Where to Stay in Srinagar

There are plenty of accommodation options available in Srinagar ranging from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses depending on your budget and preferences. Some popular hotels in Srinagar include Houseboat New Golden Star Deluxe Houseboat, Hotel Broadway Inn & Suites etc., whereas if you’re looking for something more budget friendly then there are plenty of guesthouses available too such as Hotel Welcome Inn Guest House etc..

9. What to Eat in Srinagar

As far as food goes, there are plenty of restaurants offering both local Kashmiri cuisine as well as international dishes so no matter what type of food you’re craving there’s something for everyone! Some popular dishes that you must try while visiting Srinagar include Gushtaba (meatballs cooked in yogurt gravy), Nadru Yakhni (lotus stem cooked with yogurt), Modur Pulav (sweet rice dish), Haakh (collard greens cooked with spices) etc..

10. Shopping in Srinagar h2 >
No trip to Srinagar is complete without doing some shopping! The city has plenty of markets selling traditional Kashmiri handicrafts such as carpets, shawls, papier mache items etc., so make sure that you pick up something unique as a souvenir from your trip!

Conclusion

Srinagar is an amazing destination with its lush green gardens, beautiful lakes and snow-capped mountains all around it! From shikara rides around Dal Lake to skiing/snowboarding at Gulmarg and exploring local bazaars for traditional handicrafts – there’s something here for everyone! With five days at hand one can easily explore this mesmerizing city so make sure that when planning your next vacation – don’t forget about this amazing destination called ‘Srinagar’!

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