Travel My Country · IISM-certified ski instructors · IRF-rated raft guides · paragliding tandem with insurance · +91-700 66 88 931
Kashmir is the only destination in India where you can ski Apharwat in the morning and raft the Lidder in the afternoon. This Kashmir adventure tour package is built for guests who don’t want a slow shikara trip — they want their gear on, their helmets buckled, and their afternoons earned. We’ve curated the activities by season — winter is skiing, summer is rafting, spring is paragliding, autumn is trekking — and every element is operated by certified professionals, not local fixers who happen to own equipment.
What makes adventure in Kashmir different from other Indian hill stations is the range. Gulmarg sits at 2,650 metres and receives consistent snowfall from December through March — it’s the highest ski resort in Asia with a functioning gondola. The Lidder River drops 300 metres across its 16-km rafting stretch, producing Grade III rapids that are technically challenging without being genuinely dangerous. Paragliding from Astanmarg gives you a bird’s eye view of the entire Kashmir Valley with the Pir Panjal range on one side and the Great Himalayas on the other. No other destination in India combines all four of these in a 96-hour window.
Adventure Activities by Season
- December–March: Skiing Gulmarg, snow-trekking Doodhpathri, ice fishing Manasbal
- April–May: Paragliding Sanasar (J&K side), Lidder rafting, Tulip half-marathon
- June–September: Rafting Lidder, ATV Gulmarg, paragliding, mountain biking, treks
- October–November: Last rafting window, autumn treks, hot-air balloon
Winter Adventure Itinerary (5N/6D)
The winter itinerary is built around Gulmarg’s ski season, which runs from late December through early March depending on snowfall. We time the ski days at Phase II (Apharwat, 4,200m) for when the snow has settled — usually 3–5 days after a fresh snowfall — rather than immediately after a dump when powder is ungroomed and visibility is low. Your IISM-certified ski instructor is allocated for the full two ski days, not handed off to a helper.
- Day 1: SXR pickup → Srinagar houseboat (with woodstove)
- Day 2: Drive to Gulmarg → ski gear fitting at Kongdoori → afternoon beginner lesson on Kongdoori green runs
- Day 3: Full day skiing Phase II — Apharwat blue runs with instructor; gondola included
- Day 4: Skiing Day 2 — back-bowl off-piste with senior guide (intermediate+ only) or continued blue runs for improvers
- Day 5: Drive to Pahalgam → snow-trek Aru → night Pahalgam
- Day 6: Pahalgam → SXR drop
Summer Adventure Itinerary (5N/6D)
The summer version substitutes skiing for water and air activities. The Lidder River rafting on Day 3 is the centrepiece — a 16-km run from Pahalgam town to Hajan village, through the Sheshnag gorge and past the confluence with the Sheshnag stream. The water temperature in June is 12–14°C, which means a wetsuit is optional but shorts are not recommended. June and July are the best months for volume — snowmelt keeps the river running full and the rapids punchy. By September the river drops and Grade III sections become Grade II, which is easier but still enjoyable.
- Day 1: SXR → Houseboat → Hot-air balloon at Boulevard (sunrise next morning option)
- Day 2: Drive Gulmarg → ATV ride across meadow → Phase I + II gondola → night Gulmarg
- Day 3: Drive to Pahalgam → Lidder river rafting (16 km / Grade III) → night Pahalgam
- Day 4: Aru → Lidderwat trek (one-day return, 10 km moderate) → night Pahalgam
- Day 5: Pahalgam → drive Sonamarg → Thajiwas Glacier short trek → night Srinagar
- Day 6: Optional paragliding at Astanmarg → SXR drop
2026 Adventure Activity Rates
| Activity | Rate (per person) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Ski lesson + gear (beginner half-day) | ₹3,200 | 3 hr |
| Ski full day with instructor | ₹5,500 | 6 hr |
| Apharwat back-bowl off-piste | ₹4,500 | 4 hr |
| ATV Gulmarg meadow ride | ₹1,500 | 30 min |
| Lidder river rafting (16 km) | ₹1,200 | 2 hr |
| Paragliding tandem (Astanmarg) | ₹2,500 | 15 min flight |
| Hot-air balloon Boulevard (sunrise) | ₹4,800 | 45 min |
| Mountain bike rental + trail | ₹1,800 | half day |
Adventure Package Cost
| Group size | Winter 5N/6D | Summer 5N/6D |
|---|---|---|
| 2 pax | ₹38,500 | ₹34,000 |
| 4 pax | ₹32,500 | ₹28,500 |
| 6 pax | ₹29,500 | ₹26,500 |
Package includes accommodation (hotel or houseboat as per itinerary), all activity fees listed in the itinerary, transport throughout, and daily breakfast. Activity fees are per person and include all equipment, instructor where specified, and safety gear. Personal trekking insurance is not included — we strongly recommend an adventure-specific policy (Asego Adventure Plus or Tata AIG Adventure) before departure.
Safety and Certified Operators
Every activity on this package is run through certified and licensed operators. Our ski instructors hold IISM (Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering) certification — the government body that regulates ski instruction in India, based at Gulmarg. Our rafting guides are IRF (International Rafting Federation) rated. Paragliding is conducted by J&K government-licensed tandem pilots with mandatory passenger insurance included in the activity fee. We do not sub-contract to unlicensed operators regardless of price pressure — this is non-negotiable.
All participants are briefed on activity-specific safety protocols before departure. For skiing, this includes fall technique and how to use the drag lift safely. For rafting, this covers the flip drill, self-rescue swimming position, and what to do if separated from the raft. Helmets and life jackets are compulsory on all water activities — no exceptions regardless of swimming ability.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve never skied — can I learn in 2 days at Gulmarg?
Yes, beginners reach comfortable green-run level by Day 2. With our IISM-certified instructors, you’ll be linking turns by the second afternoon. Don’t expect Phase II off-piste in 2 days — that’s intermediate territory. Guests who have done at least one ski trip before can target the blue runs at Phase II from Day 1. For complete beginners, Day 1 is Kongdoori (the meadow below the gondola), Day 2 graduates to Phase I or II depending on progress.
Is Lidder river rafting safe for non-swimmers?
Yes for the standard 16 km Grade II–III stretch. Life jackets and helmets are compulsory. Non-swimmers must declare; we adjust raft seating so they are in the centre with experienced paddlers on the outer seats. Children under 12 are only placed on Grade II easier sections. The river guide monitors water levels daily — if levels are too high (which can happen after heavy rain), we postpone or move to a calmer stretch.
What’s the best month for adventure activities?
Late January–February for skiing (deepest snow, most consistent powder). June–September for rafting and paragliding (best water levels and thermals). October for trekking (golden autumn, clear skies, light crowds). June is the single best month for combining rafting (peak flow), trekking (meadows in full bloom), and paragliding (strong thermals).
Do I need adventure travel insurance?
Strongly recommended. Asego Adventure Plus and Tata AIG Adventure both cover skiing and rafting — standard travel insurance policies typically exclude “adventure activities” in their fine print. Buy before travel. Paragliding passenger insurance is included in the tandem fee, but this covers only the flight itself — not hospital transport or medical treatment afterwards.
Can children join the adventure package?
Yes, with age-appropriate activity selection. Children aged 6–12 can ski on green runs with a dedicated children’s instructor, join Grade II rafting sections, and do ATV rides. Paragliding requires a minimum age of 14 and weight of 35 kg for tandem flights. Children under 12 are not taken on Phase II of the Gulmarg Gondola (4,200m) due to altitude risk. We customise the activity mix for families — contact us to discuss your specific group.
Build Your Kashmir Adventure Trip
WhatsApp +91-700 66 88 931. Tell us your travel dates, skill level, and preferred activities and we’ll put together a customised package. We don’t charge more for private departures on this package — just contact us at least 7 days before your intended travel date.
See also: Skiing in Gulmarg · Lidder rafting · Paragliding · Great Lakes trek · Cab service