Trivilio vs MakeMyTrip for Kashmir — An Honest Comparison (2026)

The Honest Version of This Comparison

I run Trivilio. I am writing this comparison. You should know that upfront.

But I also think you deserve a genuinely useful answer rather than a piece of promotional content dressed as an objective comparison. So I am going to try to be honest about what MakeMyTrip does well, what it does not, where Trivilio wins, where the choice genuinely depends on who you are as a traveller, and who should book which.

If MakeMyTrip is the better option for you, I will tell you.

What Each Company Actually Is

MakeMyTrip is India's largest online travel platform. Founded in 2000, it handles flights, hotels, holiday packages, buses, trains, and car rentals across India and internationally. For Kashmir specifically, MMT sells packages as an aggregator — meaning it lists packages put together by various third-party tour operators and hotels, plus its own curated packages, all accessible through one platform. It is a marketplace at scale.

Trivilio is a Kashmir-only specialist travel company. Founded by me — Aamir — after a decade in the corporate world, with the specific goal of curating premium and offbeat Kashmir experiences for travellers who want more than a standard package. We do one destination. We do it in depth.

These are fundamentally different models. Understanding the difference is the key to this comparison.

Side-by-Side Comparison

What MakeMyTrip Does Well

I want to be genuinely fair here.

Scale and convenience: If you want to book a Kashmir trip in 20 minutes with a credit card, MakeMyTrip gives you that. The platform is well-built, the booking process is smooth, and the sheer number of listed options means there is something at almost every price point.

Flight + hotel bundling: MMT's combination deals on flights and hotel packages can produce genuine savings, particularly for price-sensitive travellers who want a no-fuss booking experience.

Brand confidence: For travellers who are nervous about sending money to a smaller travel company, the MMT brand provides psychological comfort. They are a publicly listed company with significant customer support infrastructure.

Standard circuit packages: If you want a 5-night Srinagar–Gulmarg–Pahalgam itinerary and are not particular about which specific hotels, MMT's listed packages cover this reliably.

User reviews at scale: MMT has thousands of reviews for Kashmir hotels. This is useful information, even if the review quality varies.

Where MakeMyTrip Falls Short for Kashmir

The aggregator problem: MMT does not build your Kashmir trip. It lists packages built by third-party operators. When you book a "MakeMyTrip Kashmir package," you are actually booking from one of dozens of operators who have listed on the platform. Quality varies enormously between these operators, and the platform cannot verify ground experience on your behalf.

No physical inspection: MMT has not walked through the houseboat you are about to stay in. It lists properties based on self-declared categories and aggregated user ratings. The gap between a 4-star-rated houseboat on the platform and the reality of that houseboat on arrival can be significant.

Call centre support in crisis: When your driver does not show up in Srinagar, or the houseboat is not what you expected, or the Sonamarg road has closed, you will call MakeMyTrip's support number. You will speak to an agent in a call centre who has never been to Kashmir and is working from a script. They can initiate a refund or a complaint. They cannot call the supplier directly and fix things.

Fixed itineraries: MMT's packages are fixed formats. The 5-night Srinagar package is the 5-night Srinagar package for everyone. If you want to add Doodhpathri, swap Sonamarg for Gurez, add a cooking class, or arrange a private Wazwan dinner at a specific houseboat — you cannot do this through an MMT booking.

No Kashmir depth: MMT's team writes package descriptions; they do not curate Kashmir knowledge. You will not get advice from an MMT booking about which side of the houseboat to request, which Gulmarg meadow walk to take at Phase 1, or which specific stall in the Dal Lake market sells the best Nun Chai. This knowledge does not exist in the platform.

Hidden variables: The listed package price often excludes things you will need — activity fees (gondola tickets are not included in most packages), meals beyond breakfast, some local transfers. The final cost of an MMT Kashmir trip is higher than the listed package price.

What Trivilio Does Well

Kashmir depth, specifically: I have been visiting, studying and curating Kashmir for years. Every houseboat I recommend I have personally stayed in or inspected. Every driver in our network I have worked with and vetted. When I recommend the Aru Valley over Betaab on a Thursday afternoon in October because the light is better, that is not content generated from a database — it is specific knowledge.

Real personalisation: When you call or message me, you tell me who you are, who you are travelling with, what matters to you, and what your budget is. I build the itinerary from that information. Not from a dropdown menu.

On-ground response: If something goes wrong during your trip, you WhatsApp me directly. I am not in a call centre — I am in communication with the people on the ground in Kashmir. Most problems that guests encounter can be fixed within 2–4 hours when there is a direct line to the right person.

Offbeat and premium Kashmir: The standard circuit (Srinagar–Gulmarg–Pahalgam) is one version of Kashmir. Gurez Valley, Bangus Valley, Lolab Valley, Yusmarg, the Doodhpathri meadow, the Great Lakes Trek, a private Wazwan dinner on a specific houseboat — these are the experiences that make a Kashmir trip extraordinary rather than adequate. We do these.

Transparent pricing: What I quote you is what you pay. I do not mark up hotels for platform margin and then discount during sale season. The price reflects the actual cost of the trip with our service.

Price Comparison — The Real Picture

MakeMyTrip frequently runs promotions and sale prices that can make listed packages look very attractive. Here is how to think about the actual comparison:

MMT listed price often excludes:

• Gondola tickets at Gulmarg (₹840–₹1,540 per person)
• Activity fees (rafting, ATV, pony rides)
• Meals beyond breakfast at most properties
• Tips for drivers and guides
• Some local transfers (particularly within destinations)

Trivilio pricing is all-in for the package elements we specify. When I quote a transport-inclusive price, the transport is included. When I specify meals included, those meals are included.

The comparison that matters: An MMT 5-night Kashmir package listed at ₹18,000 per person, when you add the actual activity costs, additional meals, and internal transfers, may end up at ₹24,000–₹28,000 per person. A Trivilio 5-night package quoted at ₹24,000 per person may have more included and more carefully chosen suppliers — at roughly the same final cost.

Compare final cost, not listed price.

Who Should Book Through MakeMyTrip

Be honest with yourself about whether you are this traveller:

• You want the fastest possible booking with the least possible engagement
• You are price-sensitive above all else and will do your own research on every supplier
• You want a standard Srinagar–Gulmarg–Pahalgam itinerary with no customisation
• You are comfortable with call centre support if something goes wrong
• You are confident in evaluating hotel and houseboat quality from online reviews

If you are this traveller, MakeMyTrip works for Kashmir. You will have a reasonable experience.

Who Should Book Through Trivilio

• You want a specific, personalised itinerary — not a fixed template
• You are travelling for a significant occasion (honeymoon, anniversary, family milestone)
• You want someone in Kashmir who can reach your supplier directly if something goes wrong
• You are interested in offbeat Kashmir — beyond the standard circuit
• You want premium or luxury accommodation that has been physically verified
• You want the person you spoke to before the trip to be reachable during the trip
• You are willing to pay fairly for someone's expertise and relationships rather than a platform commission

The Question That Decides It

Ask yourself: "What do I do if the houseboat is not what I expected when I arrive at 8 PM?"

With MakeMyTrip: You call the support number, explain the situation to an agent, begin a complaint process, and hope something resolves by morning.

With Trivilio: You WhatsApp me. I call the houseboat owner, whom I know personally. Within an hour you are either in an improved room on the same boat or I am arranging your transfer to an alternative property I can vouch for.

That difference is the core of what you are choosing between. It is not about brand size. It is about what happens when something does not go to plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Trivilio more expensive than MakeMyTrip? Not necessarily when you compare total trip cost. MMT listed prices frequently exclude activity fees and some meal costs. When comparing like-for-like inclusions, Trivilio is comparable to MMT's premium packages and more expensive than their budget offerings.

Can MakeMyTrip do customised Kashmir itineraries? Yes, to a limited extent — you can request modifications to standard packages. The depth of customisation available through a specialist is greater.

Is it safe to book a Kashmir trip with a smaller company? Safety of the booking depends on how you pay (use UPI, NEFT or card — get a written confirmation) and whether the company is verifiable (check reviews, check their social media presence, call and speak to a real person before paying). Trivilio guests are welcome to video call before booking.

Does MakeMyTrip have a physical team in Kashmir? MMT has franchise partners and third-party operator relationships in Kashmir. They do not have their own ground staff in the valley.

How do I contact Trivilio? WhatsApp or call: +91 88991 33899. You will reach our Srinagar team directly — they report to Aamir in real time.