Hnin Thiri Wai’s Winter Escape to Kashmir: A 4-Day Journey Through Snowy Valleys with Thrillophilia
Thrillophilia Verified Booking
PNR: BKD67QP4OZI
Rating: ★★★★★
Travellers: Hnin Thiri Wai & Phyo Ko Ko
Trip Duration: 4 Days | 3 Nights
Destination: Kashmir
Trip Date: 31 January 2025 – 3 February 2025
Package Booked: Highlights of Kashmir
“Kashmir is truly a paradise on Earth. I had the most incredible time exploring its natural beauty.”
Some places look beautiful in photographs, and then there are places that completely change character when winter arrives. Kashmir belongs firmly in the second category.
For Hnin Thiri Wai and Phyo Ko Ko, a four-day escape to Kashmir meant trading familiar city views for snow-covered mountains, frozen landscapes, Mughal gardens and the calm waters of Dal Lake. Their short itinerary covered some of the valley's best-known destinations, but it was the winter setting that gave the entire trip a different atmosphere.
What made the experience particularly memorable for Hnin was not just the scenery. The trip combined carefully chosen stays, local sightseeing and a guide who could add context to the places they were seeing. As she put it, the hotels were in beautiful locations, the staff were welcoming, and their guide Umer, knew Kashmir inside out.
Here are some of the highlights that made this four-day winter escape so special.
Pahalgam Opened the Trip With Three Beautiful Valleys
The adventure began almost immediately after landing in Srinagar.
Instead of spending the first night in the city, Hnin and Phyo Ko Ko headed straight towards Pahalgam, where the mountains and valleys provided their first introduction to Kashmir.
Their sightseeing covered Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and Chandanwari. Aru Valley brought wide mountain views and open landscapes, while Betaab Valley offered a more intimate setting with streams and snow-covered surroundings. Chandanwari added another dramatic change in scenery, with its glacial landscape and mountain backdrop.
The couple explored the three valleys before returning to Pahalgam for the night. It was a strong start to a trip where the landscape would keep changing with every destination.
Srinagar Brought Gardens, Dal Lake and a Shikara Ride
The next day, the couple travelled back to Srinagar for a mix of gardens, temples and one of the city's most iconic experiences.
They visited the Mughal Gardens, including Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, known for their carefully designed terraces and views towards the surrounding mountains. They also visited Shankaracharya Temple before heading towards Dal Lake.
Then came the Shikara ride.
Gliding across Dal Lake with the Himalayan ranges surrounding the water offered a much slower way to experience Srinagar. The lake's houseboats and mountain views created a completely different setting from the valleys of Pahalgam.
For Hnin, the winter atmosphere made the experience even more striking. Snow-covered landscapes appeared throughout the journey, turning familiar Kashmir landmarks into something that looked almost like a postcard.
Gulmarg Was the Snowy Finale
The final full day was reserved for Gulmarg, one of Kashmir's most popular mountain destinations.
The couple travelled to the Gulmarg Union Cab Stand before making their way towards the Gulmarg Gondola. The cable car took them upwards over the mountain landscape, with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and peaks opening up as they climbed.
After experiencing Gulmarg, they returned to Srinagar for their final night, staying at a houseboat before their departure the following morning. It was a fitting way to end a trip that had moved from Pahalgam's valleys to Srinagar's lake and finally into the mountains of Gulmarg.
Why Hnin Recommends Thrillophilia for a Kashmir Trip
For Hnin, the trip was about more than simply reaching Kashmir's famous viewpoints. She specifically appreciated the suggestions provided by the Thrillophilia team on which places to visit and which activities to include, helping them make the most of a short four-day itinerary.
The accommodation was another highlight. She found the hotels to be in beautiful locations with incredible views, while the staff were welcoming throughout the stay.
Their local guide, Umer, also made a strong impression. According to Hnin, he knew the region extremely well and explained the history, culture and hidden gems of Kashmir, adding context to the places they visited rather than simply taking them from one attraction to another.
The trip was coordinated through Satyam Jaiswal, Thrillophilia's sales owner for the booking, with the itinerary bringing together Pahalgam, Srinagar and Gulmarg in just four days.
And then there was the winter scenery.
Snow-covered landscapes, mountain valleys, Dal Lake and Gulmarg's high-altitude views gave the couple exactly the kind of Kashmir experience they had hoped for. Hnin also appreciated the warmth of the local people, describing the hospitality throughout the trip as welcoming and helpful.
Her recommendation was clear:
“I would highly recommend Thrillophilia to anyone planning a trip to Kashmir.”
Four days may not sound like enough time to discover Kashmir, but Hnin and Phyo Ko Ko managed to fit in three valleys, Mughal gardens, Dal Lake, a Shikara ride, Gulmarg and the Gondola while still experiencing the destination at a comfortable pace.
And in winter, Kashmir made sure every one of those stops looked a little more magical.