Minimum Cost Guide to Explore Kashmir in 2024

Transportation Costs from Jammu to Srinagar:

1. Tavera/Innova: ₹1100-₹1300 per person.
2. Jammu to Banihal by Bus: ₹250-₹350, Banihal to Srinagar by Train: ₹20.
3. Direct Jammu to Srinagar Bus: ₹350-₹600.

Stay in Srinagar:

1. Dormitory/Hostel: ₹600-₹900 per night.
2. Room (Special): ₹900-₹3000 per night.

Food Costs:

1. Lal Chowk Food Street/Dabas along major Bus Stands: ₹50 per plate (Sabzi and Rice).
2. Other Places (e.g., Gulmarg): ₹70-₹150 per meal, Tea 15-20 cup+loaf/bread biscuit 5-20

Itinerary:

Day 1: Exploring Srinagar

-Route 1 along Dal Lake: Dal Gate, Dal Lake, Shankaracharya Temple, Botanical Garden, Tulip Garden, Chashma Shahi, Parimahal, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Garden, Dachigam National Park, Harwan Garden,

Route 2 Other side of Dal Lake: Hari Parbat, Makhdoom Sahib, Naseem Bagh(Garden full of Chinar Tress) lovingly it’s inside Kashmir University, Dargah Shrine

Other Stuff in Srinagar City: 1. Rajbagh Jehlum River front, SPS Museam, Iqbal Park, Partap Park, Ghanta Ghar, Polo view, stadium, Golf course(these places in city centre not required transport explore on foot) Jamia Masjid Nohatta (lal chowk to nohatta 12 rs fare) on way Baba Demb, Anchar Lake,

• Optimized Route (if no vehicle and wanna explore through public transport Buses/Sumo/Tavera):

1. Dal Gate (lal chowk to dal gate 10 bus fare)
2. Botanical Garden/Tulip Garden (dal gate to tulip/botanical Garden Junction 10-15 bus fare) you can walk upto Chesma Shahi but from here don’t start walking towards Pari Mahal, you will be exhausted.
   3.Come back on main road go to Nishat Bagh (10 fare) (spend most time here)
3. Shalimar Garden (nishat to shalimar Garden 15-20 bus fare)
4. OTHER SIDE OF DAL LAKE (come back to Dal Gate(
5. Kashmir University Naseem Bagh, a Garden Full of Chinar Trees inside KU (Dal gate to University/Dargah 15 bus fare)
6. Dargah (opposite to Kashmir University)
   • SRINAGAR CITY CENTRE
7. Lal Chowk, Paratap Park, Ghanta Ghar, Poloview, Stadium, Golf Course, Chinar Park, Dal Gate, Rajbagh Jehlum River Front, SPS Museum, Iqbal Park
8. Jamia Masjid Nohatta (12 bus fare from lal chowk)

Day 2: Gulmarg

• Reach Parimpora bus stand/mandi.(Dal gate to Mandi 20 bus fare, Jahingir chowk(lal chowk) to Mandi bus fare 12 INR)
• Bus Mandi/Bus stand to Tangmarg: ₹35.
• Tangmarg to Gulmarg by Tavera/Sumo: ₹30-₹40.
• Note: Avoid Baba Reshi Shrine. Spend the day in Gulmarg.

Day 3: Pahalgam (impossible to explore in a day by Public Transport)… If you still wanna go board sumo by 7:00 am at any cost

• Route:
• Srinagar to Anantnag from Sumo Stand KMD Adda Lal Chowk, Taxi Stand 2 near Ghanta Ghar: ₹120.
• Anantnag to Pahalgam by Sumo/Tavera: ₹100. ( Do remember Pahalgam vehicle goes upto village stand but don’t forget to tell Driver that you wanna go Aru valley and Deboard me at main Pahalgam sumo stand.
• In Pahalgam:
• Go to Aru Valley: ₹40.
• Avoid Lidderwat (time constraint), Betaab Valley (optional but time-consuming), Chandanwari (requires own vehicle, Public Transport not plying).
• Stay Cost: (if you are planning a day there)
• Night stay cost: ₹800-₹1000.
• Tent for night: ₹650. (You have to pitch it at your own)
• Installed tent: ₹1000. (He will himself install at some place)
• Return:
• From Pahalgam to Anantnag.
• From Anantnag, take a vehicle or train to Banihal/swalkote Or vehicle Sumo/Tavera direct for Jammu
• From Banihal, travel to Jammu (in late night avoid train have timing do kept confirmed, not running during night time)
• From Sgr to Jammu: Sumo/Tavera from TRC Dal gate @ 1100-1300

If wanna board bus seater(350-500)/sleaper (450 -600rs) from Pantha Chowk, other places for Bus TRC Dal gate(late hour not found) ,  and Batmaloo stand of Sgr.

What we didn’t suggested?

1. Wular lake in bandipora district needs a day though public transport plying

2. Manasbal Lake of Ganderbal District ( for going you have to board a vehicle for Soura first from lal chowk cost 12 rs. From Soura board Bus of Safapora and onway Deboard on seeing lake, ask someone cost 30 rs) come back to sgr in same way. On way you can go to Kheerbhavani temple but Public transport doesn’t goes there, can you walk on foot for almost 3 km

3. Wayil Bridge, Naranagh temple and Sonamarg of Ganderbal District (public transport not plying frequently on this route, you need booking or own vehicle, 1 day exploration)

4. Yousmarg, Chararshareef of Budgam District 1 day needed(transport issue)

5. Doodhpathri of budgam District, own vehicle required.

6. Bangus valley, the most beautiful in whole Kashmir of Kupwara District but no hotels there public transport not goes, required 1-2 days

7. Teethwal Sharda Peeth, Karnah valley, Keran valley,  Taya, Ragni, TeePee, Sadhna Top, Danna of Karnah Valley, Sudhpora extreme LOC border, Lolab Valley(Chandigam), wayne, Ashmargi, Marsarry of Kupwara District not yet developed, weak roads insufficient hotel infrastructure.

8. Kokernag far off place

9. Treks like Gangbal lakes etc

10. Burzahama sites of Sgr far off, Martand Temple Awantipora

For any further queries or clarifications, feel free to connect.