Introduction In the 17th century, the Mughal emperors made Kashmir their summer retreat, escaping the heat of the plains for the valley's cool air. Along the shores of Dal Lake, they created a series of terraced pleasure gardens, with water cascading down stone channels, fountains playing beneath chinar trees, and views across the lake to the mountains. Four centuries later, the Mughal Gardens of Srinagar remain among the most beautiful places in Kashmir. This guide explains

Introduction Follow the Sindh River northeast from Srinagar, and the valley gradually narrows into a world of glaciers, pine forests, and wide alpine meadows. This is Sonamarg, the "Meadow of Gold", named for the way its grasslands glow in the evening sun. It is the gateway to the Thajiwas Glacier and the last major stop before the Zojila Pass to Ladakh. This guide covers how to reach the glacier, what else to do, how the local taxi and pony system works, which spots are open

Introduction Pahalgam, the "Valley of Shepherds", sits where the Lidder River tumbles out of the high Himalayas through pine forests and green meadows. It is one of Kashmir's most loved destinations and a base for exploring the beautiful Betaab Valley and Aru Valley. This Pahalgam travel guide explains what to see, how the local taxi system works, which spots are currently open, how long to stay, and how to plan your visit as part of a Kashmir holiday. Pahalgam at a Glance De

Introduction A ride on the Gulmarg Gondola is the highlight of most Kashmir holidays. In two stages, the cable car lifts you from the flower meadows of Gulmarg through pine forests to the high slopes of Apharwat, with sweeping views across the Himalayas. It is often described as one of the highest cable cars in the world. But the Gondola can be confusing to plan: there are two phases, tickets are sold only online, and weather can close the upper section at short notice. This

Introduction Most visitors to Srinagar spend their time on Dal Lake, and with good reason: a houseboat stay and a shikara ride are unforgettable. But Kashmir's summer capital offers much more. Behind the lake lie Mughal terraced gardens, centuries-old wooden shrines, a medieval old city along the Jhelum River, lively bazaars and one of India's great food traditions. Here are 15 of the best things to do in Srinagar beyond Dal Lake, chosen by the D Asia Travels team for interna

Introduction Delhi is the gateway to North India and to Kashmir, and most international travelers spend at least a night or two in the capital. But Delhi's weather ranges from mild, sunny winter days to scorching 40°C+ summers, heavy monsoon rain, and dense winter fog. Knowing what to expect makes a big difference to your trip. This guide explains the best time to visit Delhi, month by month, with practical tips for coping with the summer heat, winter fog and air quality, and

Introduction In Kashmir, autumn has its own name: Harud. As the summer crowds leave, Srinagar's great chinar trees turn from green to gold, orange, and deep red; Pampore's saffron fields bloom purple; and the apple orchards hang heavy with fruit. The skies are at their clearest, the air is crisp, and the valleys glow in golden light. For many of our guests, Kashmir in autumn is the most beautiful time of year. This guide explains when to see chinar trees at their best, how to

Introduction For a few short weeks every spring, the foothills above Dal Lake burst into color. Row upon row of red, yellow, pink, purple, and white tulips stretch towards the Zabarwan mountains in the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, widely regarded as Asia's largest tulip garden. Tulip season is one of the most beautiful times to visit Kashmir, and it fills up fast. This guide covers when the garden opens, when to catch peak bloom, timings and tickets, tips for your vis

Sun, sand and ancient temples Dreaming of a beach honeymoon in South India that offers more than just sand? Tamil Nadu's long Coromandel Coast pairs golden beaches with 1,300-year-old shore temples, French colonial streets and wild, empty shores where two seas meet. From the sunset-lit Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram to the cafés of Pondicherry and the ghost town of Dhanushkodi, this guide covers Tamil Nadu's most romantic beach destinations, a ready-made 7-day route, the best

Introduction Imagine waking up on a houseboat to snow drifting onto Dal Lake, then riding a cable car above the clouds to the slopes of Apharwat Peak. Kashmir in winter is pure magic: a snow-covered wonderland of pine forests, frozen streams and cozy wood-paneled rooms warmed by traditional kangri fire pots. For international travelers, especially those from countries that never see snow, a winter trip to Kashmir is often the highlight of their India holiday. This guide cover

Introduction Kashmir is a year-round destination, but each season paints the valley in a completely different way. Spring brings a million tulips, summer turns the meadows green, autumn sets the chinar trees ablaze, and winter covers Gulmarg in snow. So when is the best time to visit Kashmir? It depends on what you want to see. This month-by-month guide covers the weather, temperatures, highlights, and crowds in every season, with tips for combining Kashmir with Delhi, to hel

Introduction Finding a holiday that delights young children, keeps teenagers off their phones, and is gentle enough for grandparents is no easy task. A Kashmir family holiday with a short stay in Delhi ticks all the boxes. Children love the snow, pony rides, and cable cars; parents enjoy the scenery and calm; and grandparents can relax on a houseboat or in a garden while the family explores. This relaxed 8-day Delhi and Kashmir itinerary is designed for families traveling tog

Introduction Floating on a carved wooden houseboat as the sun sets over the Himalayas. Sharing kahwa tea on a shikara as mist rises from Dal Lake. Watching snow fall over the meadows of Gulmarg. It is no surprise that Kashmir is often called India's most romantic honeymoon destination. For couples flying in from overseas, the easiest route to Kashmir is through Delhi, and a short stopover there adds a colorful contrast to the valley's calm. In this guide, we share how to plan

Ooty is the classic choice for couples who want a little of everything: colonial charm, famous sights, and endless green tea hills. Founded as a British summer retreat, it still has stone churches, cottage gardens and grand old hotels with fireplaces. Romantic things to do in Ooty Ride the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway toy train through tunnels, forests and tea gardens. Take a sunrise drive to Doddabetta Peak, the highest point in the Nilgiris. Row a boat together on

Introduction One of the first questions travelers ask when planning a Kashmir holiday is: how many days in Kashmir is enough, and where should I stay each night? Delhi, Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam each have a different character, and splitting your nights well is the difference between a rushed trip and a relaxed one. In this guide, our travel experts at D Asia Travels explain how many nights to spend in each place, when to stay overnight and when a day trip is enough, wit

A honeymoon with mist, sea breeze, and a thousand years of romance Picture waking up to tea-scented mist in the Nilgiri Hills, watching the sun set over a 1,300-year-old shore temple, and ending the day with candlelight in a French colonial villa. That is a honeymoon in Tamil Nadu, South India's most diverse state. Most couples assume they must choose between mountains, beaches and culture. Our Tamil Nadu honeymoon packages let you have all three in a single trip, with short

Introduction What if you could see the Taj Mahal at sunrise and float across a Himalayan lake on a shikara on the same holiday? This 10-day North India itinerary brings together three unforgettable experiences: the Mughal monuments and bazaars of Delhi, the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, and the snow-capped valleys of Kashmir. It is the perfect first trip to India for travelers who want both culture and nature. You will spend four days on the classic Delhi–Agra rou

Introduction For most international travelers, the journey to Kashmir begins in Delhi. India's capital is the main gateway to the Kashmir Valley, and the route from Delhi to Srinagar has never been easier. You can fly in about 1.5 hours, take the new Vande Bharat train through the Himalayas, or drive one of India's most dramatic mountain highways. In this guide, we compare every option for traveling from Delhi to Srinagar, including flight times, the latest train connections,

Introduction Few journeys in India offer a contrast as striking as this one. In a single week, you can wander the Mughal monuments and spice-scented lanes of Delhi, then fly north to wake up on a houseboat on Dal Lake, ringed by the snow-capped Himalayas. This 7-day Delhi and Kashmir itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without rushing. You will spend two days exploring India's capital, then four days in the Kashmir Valley covering Srin

As the sun sets on Karthigai Deepam, a hush falls over the crowds gathered around the sacred Arunachala hill in Tiruvannamalai. Then, as the deities appear at the temple below, a giant flame bursts into life on the summit, and several lakh voices cry out, "Arunachala Shiva!" The fire can be seen for many kilometers, and it is one of the most spectacular festival moments in India. Karthigai Deepam 2026 Date Karthigai Deepam 2026 falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026, in the Tamil