8 Days in Kashmir: Arijeet’s Family Holiday with Thrillophilia
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PNR: BKDO4QAIOPV
Rating: ★★★★★
Travellers: Arijeet Gandhi, Chaitali Gandhi & Dhritee Gandhi
Trip Duration: 8 Days | 7 Nights
Destination: Kashmir
Trip Date: 21 March 2025 – 28 March 2025
Package Booked: Romantic Escape to Kashmir
“The entire trip was just awesome. Everything went well as per planning. Thrillophilia is definitely recommended. The car and driver both were good. Hotel, food, everything was just perfect.”
Some family holidays are about ticking off landmarks. Others are about finding those stretches of road where the mountains seem to keep getting bigger, lakes suddenly appear between the trees, and every stop feels worth pulling the car over for.
For Arijeet Gandhi, Chaitali Gandhi and their 17-year-old daughter Dhritee, Kashmir delivered plenty of those moments.
Their eight-day journey moved through Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam, combining famous sightseeing with scenic drives and enough time to experience each destination without rushing from one attraction to another. From a Shikara ride on Dal Lake to the snowy landscapes around Gulmarg, from the valleys of Pahalgam to the dramatic scenery of Sonmarg, the family got to see several very different sides of Kashmir.
And according to Arijeet, the journey itself was just as smooth as the scenery.
Srinagar Began With a Shikara Ride
The family landed in Srinagar and started their holiday with one of the experiences most closely associated with the city, a Shikara ride on Dal Lake. The ride offered an easy introduction to Kashmir, with the family gliding across the lake while taking in the surrounding mountains, houseboats and waterfront scenery. Later, they had time to explore the local market before returning to their hotel.
After Srinagar, the family headed towards Gulmarg, where the landscape began to change dramatically.
Known for its sweeping meadows and mountain scenery, Gulmarg offered a completely different setting from Srinagar. The family explored the area and visited places including Drung Waterfall and Strawberry Valley. They also got to experience the famous Gulmarg Gondola, one of the region's most popular attractions, taking them higher into the mountains for expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
The family had enough time to explore Gulmarg beyond the main sightseeing stops too, with options including the Maharani Temple, Baba Reshi Shrine and Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve.
Sonmarg Brought the Big Mountain Views
After returning to Srinagar, the family set out for Sonmarg, often called the "Meadows of Gold".
The drive itself was part of the experience, with the landscape opening into dramatic mountain scenery as they approached the valley. Once there, they could take a horse ride towards Thajiwas Glacier, where the higher-altitude landscape provided some of the most striking views of the trip.
For travellers looking for something more adventurous, Sonmarg also offered the possibility of whitewater rafting on the Sindh River. The family then continued towards Pahalgam, another destination where the scenery became the main attraction.
Pahalgam Was All About Valleys and River Views
Pahalgam gave Arijeet, Chaitali and Dhritee a slower change of pace.
The family had time to relax near the Lidder River before heading out to explore some of the area's most famous valleys. Their sightseeing covered Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari, each offering a different landscape. Aru Valley brought open mountain scenery and green meadows, while Betaab Valley is known for its appearance in Bollywood films and its setting along the river. Chandanwari added another high-altitude stop, with views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains.
Why Arijeet Recommends Thrillophilia for a Kashmir Family Trip
For a family trip through Kashmir, getting the route right matters. The destinations are spread across different parts of the valley, and a comfortable car and dependable driver can make a significant difference when several days involve mountain roads and sightseeing.
That was one of the things Arijeet specifically appreciated.
He found the car and driver good, while the hotels and food also met the family's expectations. More importantly, the entire journey followed the plan they had booked, with the transfers between Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg and Pahalgam organised around the family's sightseeing schedule.
The trip was planned with the help of Yash Soni, Thrillophilia's Kashmir destination expert, bringing together the major destinations while leaving room for the family to experience them at a comfortable pace.
From a morning on Dal Lake to mountain views in Gulmarg, glacier scenery in Sonmarg and the valleys of Pahalgam, the family got a broad introduction to Kashmir without having to manage the logistics themselves.
Arijeet's final verdict was simple:
“Everything went well as per planning.”
And for a family holiday where the journey, accommodation, food and sightseeing all need to come together, sometimes that is exactly what makes a trip feel perfect.
Also Read: Akshay & Hithesh’s 6-Day Kashmir Trip with Thrillophilia
