The shape of this journey
Five days built around a bloom that lasts barely three weeks: the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in its full colour, almond and cherry blossom in the villages, and the valley green before the summer crowds.
What makes it worth it
- Asia’s largest tulip garden at peak bloom
- Almond and cherry blossom in the villages around Srinagar
- Gulmarg's meadow waking up, without the summer rush
- Daffodils along the Nishat lakefront
- Cool, clear spring light and low-season rates
- Timed to the week — we track the bloom
Day by day
Day 1 · Arrive Srinagar · Dal Lake
Airport pickup, houseboat check-in and an evening shikara with the Zabarwan hills greening behind.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Dinner · Travel: Airport transfer · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 2 · Tulip Garden at opening time
Through the Tulip Garden gates early, before the afternoon coaches, then Nishat and Shalimar with the daffodils out.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · 20 min · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 3 · Blossom villages and the old city
Almond and cherry blossom in the Budgam and Pulwama villages with a local guide, then the old city craft lanes.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: Local · 1.5 hrs total · Altitude: 1,585 m
Day 4 · Gulmarg or Pahalgam
A day up to Gulmarg for the meadow at the start of the season, or south to Pahalgam and the Lidder running high with snowmelt.
Stay: Houseboat, Dal Lake · Meals: Breakfast, dinner · Travel: 2–2.5 hrs each way · Altitude: 2,130–2,730 m
Day 5 · Departure
A last morning for photographs and the airport drop.
Meals: Breakfast · Travel: Airport transfer · Altitude: 1,585 m
What is included
- 4 nights houseboat or hotel
- Daily breakfast and dinner
- Private vehicle with driver throughout
- Tulip Garden entry tickets
- One blossom-village excursion with a local guide
- All tolls, parking and driver allowance
- Airport transfers and 24×7 on-ground support
- Not included: Airfare to Srinagar
- Not included: Lunch and beverages
- Not included: Pony rides and optional activities
- Not included: Other garden and monument entry tickets
- Not included: Personal expenses, tips and insurance
No hidden charges on the road: driver allowance, tolls, parking and fuel are inside your quotation.
We do not publish rates.
Hotel and transport costs move with the season, the week and availability. Send your dates and we come back with an itemised written quote within a few working hours.