Jammu Kashmir Itinerary by Rail – 8 Nights 9 Days with Vaishno Devi

Jammu Kashmir itinerary: Trip Overview

This Jammu and Srinagar tour package uses the new railway through the mountains, so the hardest drive of a Jammu and Kashmir trip becomes the most memorable part.

You start in Jammu, the City of Temples, spend a day on the Vaishno Devi yatra, then ride the train over the Chenab Bridge into the valley. Old Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and a night in Pahalgam follow, and you finish on a Dal Lake houseboat.

It's a good fit for family, friends/group travellers and includes comfortable stays, daily breakfast and dinner, and a private cab with an experienced local driver throughout. Want to know more about where you're going? Read our Srinagar travel guide, Gulmarg travel guide, Pahalgam travel guide, Sonamarg travel guide.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Jammu – City of Temples – and Drive to Katra

• Pickup from Jammu airport or Jammu Tawi railway station.
• Visit the Raghunath Temple complex and the Bawe Wali Mata temple in Bahu Fort, overlooking the Tawi River.
• Drive about 1.5 hours to Katra. Dinner and overnight in Katra.

Day 02: Mata Vaishno Devi Darshan

• Start the 13 km yatra from Katra on foot or by pony (own cost). Battery cars and the Bhawan–Bhairon ropeway cover parts of the route.
• Our team helps with registration and timings so you reach the Bhawan without stress.
• Return to Katra in the evening. Dinner and overnight in Katra.

Day 03: Katra to Srinagar by Train over the Chenab Bridge

• Board the morning train from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station; the journey takes about 3 hours.
• Cross the Chenab Rail Bridge, the world's highest railway arch bridge, and the Anji Khad bridge.
• Pickup at Srinagar station. Evening at leisure by Dal Lake; dinner and overnight in Srinagar.

Day 04: Old Srinagar Heritage Walk and Craft Workshops

• If you arrive today, we pick you up from the airport or railway station first.
• Walk the old city: the wooden Khanqah-e-Moula shrine on the Jhelum, the Jamia Masjid and the stone Pather Masjid, then Hari Parbat fort.
• Visit a papier-mâché or walnut-wood workshop and watch the artisans at work. Dinner and overnight in Srinagar.

Day 05: Srinagar to Gulmarg Day Trip

• After breakfast, it's about a 2-hour drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg, the 'meadow of flowers'.
• Ride the Gulmarg Gondola (own cost) and enjoy snow in winter or golf and meadow walks in summer.
• Drive back from Gulmarg to Srinagar in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 06: Srinagar to Sonamarg Day Trip

• Drive along the Sindh River from Srinagar to Sonamarg, the 'meadow of gold'.
• Take an optional pony ride to Thajiwas Glacier (own cost).
• Return to Srinagar in the evening for dinner and overnight.

Day 07: Srinagar to Pahalgam Transfer and Sightseeing

• Check out after breakfast and drive to Pahalgam.
• Enjoy the Lidder riverside and apple orchards; optional pony ride to Baisaran (own cost).
• Check in, dinner and overnight in Pahalgam.

Day 08: Pahalgam to Srinagar Transfer and Sightseeing

• Visit Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari by local union taxi (own cost).
• Drive back to Srinagar in the afternoon.
• Enjoy a complimentary 1-hour Shikara ride on Dal Lake, then dinner and overnight on a houseboat.

Day 09: Srinagar Airport or Railway Station Departure

• After breakfast, check out from your hotel or houseboat by 11 AM.
• Transfer to Srinagar airport or railway station with wonderful memories.

What's Included in This 8 Nights 9 Days Package

• Accommodation: Deluxe Hotel
• 2 Nights of Accommodation in Katra
• 4 Nights of Accommodation in Srinagar
• 1 Night of Accommodation in Pahalgam
• 1 Night of Accommodation in a Deluxe Houseboat

Transportation and Meals

How to Book This Kashmir Tour Package

Send us your dates and group size with the form on this page or on WhatsApp. We'll check hotel availability and send your final Kashmir tour itinerary with prices, usually within a few hours. A small advance confirms your trip to Kashmir package, and the balance is paid before or on arrival, as written in your confirmation.

We're a local travel agency in Kashmir, part of Travel Wiki Kashmir since 2015, and this is one of 52 Kashmir tour packages our own team plans and runs. Unlike a booking portal or a distant Kashmir tours and travels desk, we're on the ground if plans need to change.

Like all our Jammu and Kashmir tour packages, this Jammu Kashmir package can start from Jammu airport, Jammu Tawi railway station or Katra, and end in Srinagar or back in Jammu. Comparing Kashmir holiday packages? Look at what's included as well as the price: hotel names, meals, the vehicle and what's charged extra. See every option on our Kashmir tour packages page.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Policies

The itinerary may change because of weather, road or local conditions. Please carry a government photo ID for every traveller.

Read our terms and conditions and cancellation policy before booking, and see our Kashmir trip cost guide for extra costs to budget for.

Official information: J&K Cable Car Corporation (official Gulmarg Gondola bookings)

Last updated: 9 Nov 2026