NG TV NEWS | TRAVEL SPECIAL
KASHMIR FOR FOUR: A PRACTICAL ONE-WEEK BUDGET PLAN
KOLKATA | SEPTEMBER 1, 2026
A week in Kashmir can be planned comfortably for four travellers without turning the trip into an expensive luxury holiday. For a Kolkata-based group, a realistic 6-night/7-day mid-range budget is approximately ₹1.35 lakh–₹1.60 lakh for four people, including return flights, accommodation, local transport, food and selected sightseeing expenses. Actual costs will vary according to travel dates and hotel availability. Current flight listings show Kolkata–Srinagar return fares around ₹16,000–₹20,000 per person on several September dates, while accommodation and ground costs vary considerably by destination.
PROPOSED 7-DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 — Srinagar: Arrival, hotel check-in, Dal Lake and Shikara ride.
Day 2 — Srinagar: Mughal Gardens, Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh and local sightseeing.
Day 3 — Gulmarg: Full-day excursion, including the Gondola as an optional paid activity.
Day 4 — Pahalgam: Transfer to Pahalgam with time for scenic stops.
Day 5 — Pahalgam: Explore Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and surrounding areas, subject to local transport rules.
Day 6 — Sonamarg: Day excursion and return to Srinagar.
Day 7 — Srinagar: Breakfast, shopping and airport transfer.
This route follows the broad sequence recommended by Jammu & Kashmir Tourism, which lists Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg and other valley destinations among its suggested itineraries.
ESTIMATED BUDGET FOR 4 PEOPLE
Expense| Approx. Budget
Return flights Kolkata–Srinagar| ₹65,000–₹75,000
Hotels, 6 nights| ₹30,000–₹40,000
Private cab/local transport| ₹18,000–₹25,000
Food| ₹12,000–₹16,000
Shikara & sightseeing| ₹4,000–₹7,000
Gondola/activities| ₹6,000–₹10,000
Miscellaneous/emergency buffer| ₹5,000–₹7,000
Estimated Total| ₹1.40–₹1.80 lakh
Budget accommodation in Kashmir can start around ₹2,000–₹3,500 per room, while good three-star properties commonly fall around ₹3,500–₹6,000, although prices rise during busy periods. A private vehicle is particularly practical for four people, with current indicative estimates placing a seven-day private cab around ₹12,000–₹18,000 in some budget arrangements.
Travellers should keep an additional ₹10,000–₹15,000 contingency amount for four people for shopping, extra meals, weather-related changes or optional activities.
NG TV NEWS TRAVEL DESK
For a comfortable seven-day Kashmir holiday, ₹1.5 lakh is a sensible planning figure for four people from Kolkata, while ₹1.75 lakh or more provides greater flexibility. Flight prices should be checked before booking, as they can change rapidly.
Budget smart, travel comfortably and leave room for the unexpected.
