How a Kashmir fixed departure works: set dates, a shared vehicle, twin sharing with a fellow traveller, what the price covers and what you pay on the ground, and when a private trip is the better choice.
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In This Article
- How does a fixed departure work?
- Our current departures
- Day by day: the Snow Getaway 5N6D
- What does the price include?
- What will I still pay in Kashmir?
- Payment and cancellation
- Solo women on a group trip
- Fixed departure or private trip?
- Is a group of strangers right for me?
- Before you book
- Frequently asked questions
Quick Answer: A Kashmir fixed departure is a group trip on set dates: you join other travellers, share a Tempo Traveller and share a twin room with a fellow solo traveller, which keeps the price per person low. Ours run Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, with Sonamarg on the 5-night trip. Gondola tickets, union taxis, ponies and snow gear are paid on the ground.
Travelling alone in Kashmir is easy to arrange privately, but a private car and a single room cost the same whether one person uses them or four. A fixed departure solves that: the vehicle, driver and rooms are shared across a group on the same dates. This guide explains exactly how ours work, what is included, and when a private trip is the better choice.
How does a fixed departure work?
- Set dates. The trip starts and ends on fixed days. You book a seat, not a whole vehicle.
- Shared transport. The group travels together in a Tempo Traveller with one driver, from airport pickup to drop.
- Twin sharing. Rooms are shared with one fellow solo traveller. Ask us about a single room supplement if you prefer your own.
- Fixed itinerary. The days follow a set plan, so everyone sees the same places at the same pace.
- Seats are limited. Our winter departures carry up to 15 travellers.
Our current departures
| Trip | Nights | Places | From (per person) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo Snow Getaway Group Tour 4N5D | 4 | Srinagar, Gulmarg (1 night), Pahalgam | ₹17,400 |
| Solo Snow Getaway Group Tour 5N6D | 5 | Srinagar, Sonamarg day trip, Gulmarg, Pahalgam | ₹19,300 |
| Kashmir Solo Explorer Small-Group Departure | 5 | Srinagar, Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg | ₹17,399 |
The two Snow Getaway trips depart on 16 December 2026 with guaranteed dates. Each package page shows the live price, the day-by-day plan and the hotels.
Related reading: Solo Female Travel in Kashmir: What to Know Before You Go
Day by day: the Snow Getaway 5N6D
| Day | Plan | Night |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Group pickup at Srinagar airport or railway station; 1-hour shikara ride on Dal Lake; dinner with the group | Srinagar |
| 2 | Sonamarg snow day trip along the Sindh river (about 2.5 hours each way), back for the night | Srinagar |
| 3 | Drive to Gulmarg; snow day, gondola or a first ski lesson at own cost | Gulmarg |
| 4 | Drive to Pahalgam via Srinagar and Pampore (about 5 hours with a tea stop) | Pahalgam |
| 5 | Betaab, Aru and Chandanwari by Pahalgam union taxi (own cost), then back to Srinagar | Srinagar |
| 6 | Breakfast and group drop at the airport or railway station | Departure |
The 4N5D trip runs the same route without the Sonamarg day. Both follow road advisories: if snow closes a road, the day changes to what is open.
What does the price include?
- ✓Hotel nights in Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, twin sharing with a fellow solo traveller
- ✓Daily breakfast and dinner
- ✓A 1-hour shikara ride on Dal Lake
- ✓All transfers and sightseeing in the shared group Tempo Traveller
- ✓Group pickup and drop at Srinagar airport or railway station on the tour dates
- ✓Parking, tolls, driver allowance and GST
Related reading: Solo Travel in Kashmir: Complete 2026-27 Planning Guide
What will I still pay in Kashmir?
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Flights or train to Srinagar | Not included |
| Gulmarg gondola tickets | Booked separately; see our gondola guide |
| Pahalgam union taxi | For Betaab Valley, Aru and Chandanwari; fixed local rates paid to the operator |
| Ponies, sledges, ski lessons, snow gear hire | Optional, paid on the spot |
| Lunch, tips and personal spending | Not included |
| Travel insurance | Recommended, not included |
Payment and cancellation
Fixed departures are paid in full at booking to hold the seat, because the group's hotels and vehicle are booked against it. If you cancel 45 or more days before departure, 50% of the price is charged; 30 to 44 days before, 75%; less than 30 days before, the full price. Read the full terms on the package page and our cancellation policy before you pay.
Solo women on a group trip
Women travelling alone join group departures for the same reasons as everyone else: company and a lower price. Rooms are shared with a fellow solo traveller, the group travels together in one vehicle, and our Srinagar team is on WhatsApp throughout. Tell us when you book if you would like to share with another woman, and we will arrange it where the group allows.
Fixed departure or private trip?
| You want... | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest price as a solo traveller | Fixed departure |
| Company on the trip | Fixed departure |
| Your own dates | Private trip |
| Your own room and pace | Private trip, or a fixed departure with a single supplement |
| To travel with children or elderly parents | Private trip |
Prefer your own plan? See our solo trip packages and our guide to solo travel in Kashmir. Women travelling alone may also find our solo female travel safety guide useful.
Book for this trip
Is a group of strangers right for me?
Group trips suit people who are relaxed about shared rooms, happy to keep to a set schedule, and enjoy meeting others. They suit less well if you need a lot of personal time, have specific food or health needs, or want to linger at places the group passes through. Read the day-by-day plan on the package page before booking, and tell us anything that matters to you.
Before you book
- ✓Check that your flight lands before the group pickup on day 1 and leaves after the drop on the last day.
- ✓Pack for winter: thermals, waterproof jacket, gloves and a cap. Snow boots and long coats can be hired at Tangmarg.
- ✓Carry a government photo ID; prepaid SIMs from other states do not work in Jammu and Kashmir, so use a postpaid connection or buy a local SIM with ID.
- ✓Tell us about food preferences and any health conditions.
Seats on fixed departures are limited. Tell us your dates and we will confirm availability and exactly what you pay on the ground.
Check departure seats →Frequently asked questions
What is a fixed departure tour?
A group trip on set dates with a fixed itinerary. Travellers book seats, share a vehicle and usually share rooms, which lowers the price per person.
Can I join a Kashmir group trip alone?
Yes. Our fixed departures are built for solo travellers, with twin sharing arranged between fellow travellers.
Who will I share a room with?
Another solo traveller on the same departure. Tell us your preferences when you book, or ask about a single room supplement.
Is the Gulmarg gondola included?
No. Gondola tickets are booked separately. Union taxis in Pahalgam, ponies and snow gear are also paid on the ground.
How many people are in a group?
Our winter departures take up to 15 travellers in a shared Tempo Traveller.
What happens if snow blocks a road on the trip?
The day's plan is adjusted to what is open, following road advisories. Safety comes first; the driver and our Srinagar team decide on the day.
What is the cancellation policy on a fixed departure?
50% is charged if you cancel 45 or more days before departure, 75% at 30 to 44 days, and 100% within 30 days. Full payment is taken at booking to hold your seat.
Can a woman travelling alone join?
Yes. Tell us if you would like to share a room with another woman and we will arrange it where the group allows.
Is a fixed departure cheaper than a private trip?
Yes, for one person. A private car and room cost the same whether one or four people use them; on a fixed departure those costs are shared.
Planning more than this? Get a full itemised Kashmir quote