Best Time To Visit Srinagar
Overview
Srinagar is the city where you can see the timeless heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. It is also the summer capital of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Being one of the oldest cities of valleys, it is the first one that you explore in your trip. Well, you can take a Kashmir trip only to explore Srinagar. The city has so much to offer. From Mughal gardens that were constructed hundreds of years ago to serene Lakes that present you endless opportunities of fun and enjoyment. Then, there are markets to walk around where you interact with locals and get to know the place in a better way. There are various opportunities you can do here that are strictly Srinagar-specific.
Now coming to the best time to visit Kashmir, it is safe to say that there is no particular time when it would be the ultimate best. It is completely on the places you wish to visit, activities you want to experience and other aspects. However, you will always find it with travellers. With Cliffhangers India, there are many Srinagar tour packages that we offer along with food tours too. You will be in the best hands and we guarantee you a memorable trip to the capital city.
Below, we have mentioned necessary details about every season of the year so that you can choose accordingly and there are some tips too. Take a look!
Srinagar Special Tours
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Best Seasons To Visit Srinagar
Summer In Srinagar
Summer is the peak time for Srinagar tourism. The primary reason for it are the excelnet weather conditions that prevail in the city. With the sun shining brightly in the valley, the temperature hovers between 20-30 degrees during the daytime. It does drop at nights but insignificantly. The routes are completely accessible with absolutely no snow seen on them. The lakes which were frozen in winters have melted completely.
One of the best places to visit during this time of the year is the epic Dal Lake. enjoy the Shikara rides that are hugely popular here. Next, it has houseboats where you must spend a night or two as you wake up to a stunning view in the morning. Next we have the Mughal Gardens like Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh and Chashme Shahi garden. They are open to the public. You can have picnics here and go for strolls and nature walks in the parks.
Winter In Srinagar
There are pros and cons of visiting Srinagar in winters. It started getting cold even during daytime from Last November onwards. The actual winters start from December and last till February. The temperature goes subzero and is in minus most of the time from -10 to -15 degree celsius sometimes. The entire city turns into a winter wonderland with thick layers of snow covering the entire capital city. Due to drop in the mercury level, even the iconic Dal Lake is frozen and Shikulara rides do not operate during this time.
Coming to the advantages of Kashmir in winters, it is a quiet time here in Srinagar with less crowd. You can enjoy some tranquillity here by exploring the streets. The snow-laden mountains are a treat to watch as they look heavenly. You can do winter sports like skiing, snowboarding, sledging, snow mobile etc. Since not many people come here in the freezing climate, you get pretty good deals on hotels, transport etc.
Autumn In Srinagar
In the months of fall, lasting from September till last October, you can surely visit Srinagar. It may not be the peak time but you will definitely see a bunch of people exploring the city. The temperature is comfortable. Ranging between 15-20 degree celsius. It does drop in the evening so pack accordingly. As far as you see, there are brown and golden leaves falling on the ground making a soothing carpet to walk on. Different shades of hues cover the entire region. Autumn in Srinagar is the most magical time for sunrise and sunset.
This is the time when different crops are harvested as fruits have ripened. You can visit the walnut and apple orchards and relish the nut and apple juice. Many festivals are celebrated too like Navratri and Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi etc. where big feats are cooked and in this way, you can be a part of the ancient traditions of Kashmir. Some other activities include Shikara rides at Dal or Nigeen Lake, paragliding, shopping, photography etc.
Spring In Srinagar
With winter finally coming to end, Spring in Srinagar begins in the bloomy month of March and lasts till last April. With weather getting warmer, the temperature fluctuates between 15 to 25 degree celsius. Though days are clearer and sun is out, nights still get cold. Snow has melted by now, making the routes clear. However, you might see some on the sides of roads. Now that the climatic conditions are not extreme, you see the entire landscape of Srinagar filled with arrayed or vibrant flowers like Tulips, Daffodils and more. The places that are generally shut down in winters become accessible. You can visit the Mughal Gardens like Nishat Bagh and Shalimar Bagh.
The highlight of Spring is the Tulip Festival celebrated at Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden. It is celebrated for a month, mostly between mid-march to mid-april. Different varieties of Tulips are showcased in the festival and people from all over the world visit Srinagar solely for this purpose.
Things To Know Before You Go To Srinagar
- Before you go to Srinagar, make sure you have booked everything in advance, especially if you are going to be there in the peak season. Booking tickets, hotels and transportation in advance gives you the benefit of time and money. Srinagar taxi service would be the best option for transportation.
- Pack all the essentials that you may need there. Start with your clothes. Always pack some thermals and woollen jackets as weather is very unpredictable in Srinagar and temperature always dips down at nights making them colder. In summer, carry some cotton clothes as well.
- Carry necessary documents like ID proofs, VISA, Passport(if you are a foreigner), driving licence. Keep some cash as ATMs are sparse. Other essentials include a medical kit, torch, portable charger, power bank, snacks, water bottle etc.
- When visiting in winters, be updated about current weather road conditions as they often face temporary closures due to heavy snowfall.
- In Srinagar, always purchase architectures and souvenirs from authentic shops as never heritage to bargain as they are often overpriced especially for tourists.
- Wherever you go, respect the local culture. Remove your shoes or slippers before going in Temples, Masjids etc. Cover your head with a scarf at Mosques. Don’t click pictures where it is prohibited.
Best Occasions To Visit Srinagar
Best Time To Visit Srinagar With Family
The best time to visit Srinagar with family would be in summers, in months like May or June. It is the time of vacation for everyone and you should definitely come to Kashmir this summer holiday. The weather is nice and comfortable and so many activities are there to experience with your loved ones. Start with the Shikara rides at Dal lake. Choose a bigger boat that can accommodate everyone in your family and enjoy the ferry that takes you to some stunning locations with trees and mountains in view. You can also enjoy paragliding that is accessible in a park near the banks of the lakes. Visit the Mughal gardens to have a family picnic where you can spend some quality time with each other.
Shop together in the local markets here where you can buy dry-fruits, spices to take back home. When you visit with your family, you often get discounts on hotels and transport.
Best Time To Visit Srinagar For Snowfall
Snowfall is experienced in winters when the temperature drops in minus. Hence, the best time to visit Srinagar for snowfall is from December to February. During these months, there are high chances that you will catch a live snowfall. In winter, there are so many things to do. Starting from skiing, Kashmir has world-class slopes, uninterrupted for kilometres. More winter activities include snowboarding, sledding and snowmobiling. These activities are only possible when the climate is freezing as the snow that is seen, sticks to the ground. You will see occasional dust even in November but it melts away in the sun.
Visiting Srinagar in winter is an ideal decision if you are looking for your first snowfall experience but there are some downsides to this too. Before starting the journey, remain updated about the forecast so that you are not stuck in some unnecessary traffic.
Best Time To Visit Srinagar For Senior Citinzens
When travelling with a senior citizen, avoid the peak seasons like the summer or winter. During these time periods, an immense crowd can be seen as that can be very overwhelming. Winters possess some extreme weather conditions and exploring in snow can be a real challenge for someone of old age.
The best time to visit Srinagar for senior citizens would be in spring and autumn. In these months, the tourist attractions are less crowded and they can comfortably take their time to explore. The weather is enjoyable too and easily tolerable for sightseeing and outdoor activities.
Some senior-friendly activities that can be enjoyed in Kashmir are gentle Shikara rides at Dal or Nigeen Lake, visiting the Mughal Gardens and strolls in the park, shopping and interacting with locals at the nearby markets etc. Visit the Shankaracharya Temple for a spiritual tour. Cabs and taxi service in Kashmir are easily available from your hotel to these places.
Best Time To Visit Srinagar For Tulip Season
Spring is the blooming season in Kashmir when the entire region is filled with arrays of tulip flowers, enhancing the overall beauty of the region. The best time to visit Srinagar for Tulip season is from Last March till last April. And the most famous place to visit is Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, located in the capital city of Srinagar itself. It is situated at the foothills of the Zabarwan range. Spread in 74 acres, it is one of the biggest Tulip gardens in Asia. It was opened in 2007 and since then has been home to about 1.5 million tulips of 48 varieties. There are so many colours, sizes seen.
Other than tulip, there are many more flowers like daffodils, hyacinths, ranunculus and pansies. The highlight of tulip season is the month-long Tulip Festival in which endless varieties of Tulips are showcased here, promoting the tourism and floriculture of Srinagar and Kashmir.
FAQ's
What is the best month to visit Srinagar?
The best month to visit Srinagar is from April till October. With moderate weather, you can go on city tours and explore different tourist attractions. Enjoy many activities like trekking, paragliding, shikara rides, shopping, photography etc.
Which month is best for a Kashmir trip?
It completely depends on your preference but generally summer is one of the most-visited seasons in Kashmir. Due to clarity of routes and tolerable weather, you can plan one of your holidays in the balmy climate of summer. For skiing, sledging, snowboarding and snowfall. Pick winters for the Kashmir trip plan.
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