Horse Riding in Srinagar: 15 Tips Before You Hire a Pony

Not in any useful way. Horse riding in Srinagar means a pony ride on a day trip to Gulmarg (about 50 km), Sonamarg (about 80 km) or Pahalgam (about 90 km), where ponies work the meadows from posted stands. Doodhpathri and Yusmarg, 40 to 50 km out, are quieter options. Leave the city by 7 am and you can fit the ride and the drive back into one day.

Gulmarg suits most visitors, because fares are fixed by a government card and the rides run from a one-hour loop to the Khilanmarg meadow high above Gulmarg. Pahalgam is best for forest and river scenery along the Lidder, priced by point. Sonamarg's Thajiwas ride is the most dramatic, climbing to a glacier at about 9,186 ft in 2 to 3 hours return.

The Directorate of Tourism Kashmir card for 2025-26 set Rs 550 return to Children's Park or the Maharaja Palace viewpoint, Rs 1,450 return to Khilanmarg and Rs 2,000 return towards Botapathri, each with an hour of waiting. Extra waiting is Rs 250 an hour. By the hour, the rate is Rs 550 for the first hour and Rs 400 for each hour after. Fares are per pony, not per person. A fresh card was notified on 29 March 2026, so check the current figure on the board or at the Gulmarg prepaid pony counter.

Pahalgam's official Directorate of Tourism card prices rides per pony, return, with an hour of waiting: Dabyan Rs 1,500, Daniwani, Betaab and Old Shikargah Rs 1,850 each, Kani Mull Rs 2,000, and Tuliyan or a full-day package Rs 2,700. Extra waiting is Rs 250 an hour, and local riding is Rs 550 for the first hour and Rs 400 after. Ask which points are open, agree them before you mount and pay at the end. Ignore any Baisaran price while the meadow is closed.

Expect about Rs 500 per pony in the off-season and up to about Rs 1,500 at the May to June peak, return with waiting at the glacier. First quotes in season are often far higher, so counter with the board rate. The ride takes 2 to 3 hours return. The trail is only about 3 km, so fit walkers can do it on foot and save the fare.

No. Baisaran has been closed to visitors since the attack of 22 April 2025, and it was still closed when we checked on 23 October 2026. Aru Valley, Betaab Valley and the lower Pahalgam points are open, but Dabyan was still shut in June 2026, so ask at the stand which upper points are running. Don't pay a handler for a "Baisaran ride" until the Anantnag district administration announces a reopening.