Best Time to Visit Kashmir
Best Time to Visit Kashmir
Kashmir is a world-renowned travel destination, attracting tourists from all around the globe. The valley welcomes travellers throughout the year. From Spring to winter, you will always see a considerable amount of visitors in the region.
When we plan, the first question that comes to mind is regarding the best time for Kashmir tours. Summer, lasting from May to September. is generally the peak season for Kashmir tourism. Winter sees plenty of adventure buffs, interested in snowfall.
Needless to say, the best time to visit Srinagar depends on your preferences and choices. For a fun family trip, people often come in summer to spend some quality time. They enjoy various city tours and explore outdoor activities. However, you also see families taking part in snow sports in Kashmir in cold months.
Irrespective of the timing of your arrival, the Kashmir Valley welcomes you with open arms. The lush green meadows, serene rivers, and lakes, snow-clad mountains adorn the region. This is more or less the general description of Kashmir. Winter is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall everything is covered with snow it looks magical and cozy.
Every season has its charm and uniqueness. You must be aware about the climatic conditions that prevail during a particular season of the year. Different activities are available at different times. You should not follow any trends and decide for yourself.
In this blog, we have provided a piece of detailed information about each season, from temperature to tips to follow. With words, we will paint a mental picture of how Kashmir looks each month. Only after reading it thoroughly, can you make an informed decision of when to visit the valley. Have a glance!
Best Seasons to Visit Kashmir
01. Kashmir in Summer (June-September)
Summer is undoubtedly one of the excellent seasons and it is best time to visit Kashmir with family. The balmy month starts in June and lasts till September.
Meadows undergo a drastic transformation during this time of the year as they turn lush and filled with vibrant wildflowers. The water in the lakes is crystal clear. Snowfall has completely stopped, even in the alpine regions.
Most of the tourist attractions of Kashmir are crowded with huge number of tourists. People often prefer to come here in summer and explore the valley as places get accessible and everything is open to the public. The particular month for the ideal Kashmir trip is July. With chances of light rainfall, it exists as a time, perfect for sightseeing and outdoor adventures.
Weather and Temperature: Kashmir in Summer temperatures typically range between 15°C to 30°C at daytime. Nights are comparatively cooler with mercury levels around 10°C. The weather is comfortable with warm days. Sun shines brightly in the clear skies of the valley.
Activities to Do: Summer offers different activities in abundance. In the capital city of Srinagar, Start from the Shikara ride at the Dal or Nigeen Lake. Dal Lake has many nearby attractions like Char Chinar, Mughal gardens, Pari Mahal, floating vegetable market, etc.
In this Kashmir trip in Summer, move towards the stunning towns of the valley. The first one on the go would be Pahalgam with its flourishing valley. The Aru Valley is the base camp of the popular Tarsar Marsar trek. You can enjoy river rafting and pony rides here.
More on the list includes Gulmarg where Strawberry Valley is unmissable. Sonmarg is an ideal location for trekkers as the sought-after Kashmir Great Lakes trek starts from Shitkadi. Camping near some of the most calming lakes in the country is breathtaking.
A shopping spree in local markets of Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, etc. Purchase Pashmina Shawls, carpets, spices, dry fruits.
Tips: Tourism in Kashmir in summer is at its apex. Make sure you have booked hotels, transport, activities in advance etc. It avoids last-minute hustle and unnecessary panic.
Since the season offers a mix of climatic conditions, carry clothes that are suitable for both warm and cold atmospheres. Pack some cotton T-shirts, light sweaters, boots, gloves, etc. Don’t forget an umbrella and a full-body raincoat
02. Kashmir in Autumn (October-November)
Autumn sees a transitional phase from summer to winter. Though the season is short-lived, it is the best time to visit Kashmir for a peaceful trip.
The golden season ranges from October to November. Certain changes are seen in the ambiance as the air becomes crisp and cold. You see the grounds as a carpet of brown leaves. It feels soothing to walk barefoot. Autumn in Kashmir looks more beautiful everything turns golden brown which looks magical.
Evenings of August receive occasional showers, but as we approach further to autumn, the chances of rainfall become fewer. By late November, it starts snowing in higher-altitude passes and glaciers.
It is also the harvesting season in Kashmir as different locally cultivated crops are ready. Fruits like apples and walnuts are hand-picked in the orchards. You can visit there to have a taste and bring some back home.
Since the peak season has ended now, nature lovers visit Kashmir to spend some time in the lap of Mother Earth. Tourist attractions are mostly crowd-free and less busy. The off-season results in huge discounts on hotels and transportation.
Weather and temperature: Autumn temperatures vary from 10°C to 25°C. It does drop at night, making them colder yet tolerable. Weather remains gentle with bright sun most of the time. The days are nice and warm making it an ideal place for outdoor exploration.
Activities to Do: The most unmissable thing to do in autumn is explore different orchards. Enjoy fresh apples and go apple picking in orchards near Sopore and Pulwama. Pampore saffron fields radiate the perfect golden tone of the Kashmir valley. Attend the fairs and festivals as you get a blend of both the Muslim holiday of Eid and the Kashmiri Pandit festival of Navreh.
03. Kashmir in Winter (December-February)
A thick blanket of snow covers Kashmir in winter. From December till February, every corner of the valley including towns receive heavy snowfall. The alpine lakes freeze and trails are closed.
Even though the temperature is subzero, you will still see plenty of visitors in the town. Walking in a winter wonderland, they continue to explore the valley and around.
Even though you can visit most of the tourist attractions of Kashmir, Gulmarg must be the first one on the itinerary. Gulmarg is often referred to as the “Heartland of Winter Sports,”. It provides fantastic chances for snowboarding and skiing. Asia’s highest ski slopes are accessible via the Gulmarg Gondola, the highest cable car ride in Asia. This has different slopes such as Apharwat Slope, Kongdoori, and Mary’s Shoulder.
Weather and Temperature: The temperature ranges between 10°C to -2°C. In January, the coldest month of winter, it fluctuates at around -15°C at night, making you shiver. Days are frosty too with snow breezes and live snowfall.
Activities to Do: Winter is the best time to visit Kashmir for snow adventures like skiing, snowboarding, sledging, snowmobiling, etc. Near the ski slopes, you can easily get the equipment on rental at a low price. Skiing destinations like Gulmarg and Sonmarg offer week long courses for beginners. Experienced skiers can try heli-skiing, backcountry skiing etc. When the famous Dal Lake freezes the visitors can enjoy the unique show of a winter Shikara ride.
Try the famous local cuisine-Wazwan which is a multicourse feast, Gushtaba, or meatballs in yoghourt gravy, and hot Kahwa tea are great wintertime treats from Kashmir. It is the best way to start your mornings in Kashmir.
Tips: Since it is the peak season in Gulmarg, make your hotel and transport bookings in advance. Contact your hotel about the heating arrangement in your room before booking it. A heater is very necessary to combat the cold. Carry enough thick thermals, windproof jackets, beanies, gloves, warm socks, boots etc. make sure to drink plenty of water or warm water to stay hydrated throughout your journey. It is advisable to hire a local driver as he would be having a good experience to drive in the sicky snow and make sure the cars must have chains installed.
04. Kashmir in Spring (March-May)
As the winter terminates, we enter into the blooming season of spring. Starting from March onwards, it lasts till the first week of May.
After the extreme weather of January and February, the season experiences a gentle climate. However, high-altitude regions still receive snowfall. The intensity has subsided.
As you see around, vibrant flowers dot the entire valley. The blooming buds of apple and cherry fill orchards. Different Mughal gardens in Kashmir restore their eternal beauty as the parks are green and colourful again. The panoramic views are a treat to the eyes.
Different tourist attractions like Shalimar Garden, Betaab Valley, and Thajiwas Glacier reopen for the public. Frozen lakes start melting off and water-based activities are accessible again.
Don’t forget to add Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in your itinerary. Here, the Tulip festival is celebrated in spring itself. You can also visit the Badamwari garden, Shalimar garden, Nishat garden, etc.
One of the best times to visit Kashmir is now. You can plan the much-awaited trip to Kashmir in spring as the valley has regained life after a stagnant winter.
Weather and Temperature: In this season, Kashmir experiences temperatures spanning from 9°C to 15°C in the evening. It doesn’t exceed 20°C during the day. Even though it is spring, it still feels chilly, especially at night. Days are mostly clear.
Activities to Do: A Shikara ride on the iconic Dal Lake, surrounded by Chinar trees, is a must-do thing. Spend atleast one night on a houseboat for a magical experience. You can also enjoy the ferry at the tranquil Nigeen Lake. Other recreational activities include photography, bird watching, etc.
Tips: Since it is still cold and sun is rarely out, you must pack enough layers of woollen clothes like thermals, jackets, gloves etc. Booking your accommodation in advance will save you some money.
Best Time to Attend Special Events
01. Best Time to Visit Kashmir for Snowfall
If seeing the gorgeous locations of Kashmir in movies is inspiring you to visit this heavenly destination then, one suggestion would be to choose the winter season. In the winter season, Kashmir looks like an ethereal beauty as the entire region is covered with white snow. The winter season in Kashmir starts in November and continues till mid-March. In some places, the winter season extends till the end of March or the start of April.
The temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius in Kashmir in the winter season. This leads to freezing conditions in the whole of Kashmir. The lakes are frozen, the mountain peaks are layered with snow, and the complete environment looks quite calm but, the buzzing life is seen amongst places where winter sports are a popular thing. For instance, places such as Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonmarg, etc., are lively due to tourists flocking in the winter season to witness heavy snowfall and play their favorite winter sports. Thus, the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall is the winter season.
If you are on a romantic vacation then, the heavenly view of the snowfall would surely turn on your feelings. Making snowmen, throwing snowballs, etc., would bring out your inner child and strengthen your relationship.
Apart from witnessing heavy snowfall and playing winter sports, the one thing that you would surely love about Kashmir is its delectable dishes served in the winter season.
02. Best Time to Visit Kashmir for Honeymoon
Kashmir has created its niche as a romantic destination for couples. Newlywed couples generally prefer mountainous regions for their honeymoon and among them, Kashmir honeymoon package is their first preference for vacation. The best season to visit Kashmir for honeymoon would be the summer season.
During the summer season, the eternal glory of Kashmir is at its peak. The colourful blooming flowers bring a delightful touch to your relationship. To evoke this romantic feeling, Kashmir is full of exquisite gardens such as Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, etc. An evening walk through these gardens would ignite love between you and your partner.
Shikhara Ride on the Dal Lake, or staying in houseboats are other ways through which you and your partner can spend some quality time. You can enjoy these activities only if you visit Kashmir in the summer season as during the winter season, the lakes in Kashmir get frozen.
If you and your partner are fitness enthusiasts then, the other option that would bring you and your partner closer is trekking. Trekking would give a closer view of the valleys and also give some quality time for you and your partner.
The heavenly view of Kashmir during the winter season is another season in which you can enjoy its majestic environment and soak yourself romantically in the delightful atmosphere of Kashmir.
03. Best Time to Visit Kashmir with Family
A vacation with family becomes special irrespective of the season in which you are going. But, considering that the weather should be suitable for everyone present in the family before deciding to go on a vacation, the summer season is the best time to visit Kashmir with family.
During the summer season, there is a summer holiday in schools and even colleges have breaks hence, the summer season is the best time for Kashmir Trip.
The summer season in Kashmir is packed with tourists as the weather is quite warm and pleasant. The families can go together to explore places such as Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Yusmarg, etc. They can even undertake fun activities such as Gondola cable car riding, river rafting, photography, walking beside the river, outdoor camping, fishing, etc. Such activities are not only refreshing but also strengthen the bond among family members.
The summer season is also the time when the route to one of the most famous Hindu pilgrimage centres, Amarnath Yatra is opened to the public. Hence, you can use the months of May to August as the time for spiritual awakening.
The other seasons are equally worth to visit Kashmir. Whether it’s the blooming and blossoming months of March and April the quiet environment of Kashmir in the autumn season or the majestic views of Kashmir in the winter season.
04. Best Time to visit for Tulip Season in Kashmir
Who doesn’t like to see blooming flowers? Colorful and blooming flowers provide a soothing effect on the mind and soul. The spring season in Kashmir which includes the month of March and April, looks beautiful as there are blossoming floral species all around.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, the capital city of Kashmir, becomes a key attraction in the spring season. As the name suggests, the Tulip Garden is famous for displaying a wide variety of tulips which are in numerous colors. There are around 1.5 million tulips to be found in this garden, which looks majestic.
The best time to see colorful tulips in Kashmir is during the spring season. During March, the tulip starts to bloom. In the first week of April till the third week of April, the tulips are at their full glory and hence, it becomes a thing of appreciation.
Tourists flock to the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar, the largest tulip garden in Asia, to see this natural beauty. The garden is open in March and April and then, is closed in the other months for the general public.
There is a Tulip Festival that is organized every year in April. Tourists from different places visit Kashmir in this blooming period to appreciate the utmost glory of nature. The Tulip Garden is near the Dal Lake hence, the beauty of the whole region elevates to a supreme level, attracting visitors all around the world.
05. Best Time To Visit Kashmir For Specific Interests
Nature Enthusiasts: Kashmir is bestowed with the best of Himalayan flora and fauna. You will find the best of wildlife here along with the best of migratory animals living in the pastures and forests of Kashmir. Nature enthusiasts visit Kashmir all across the year. However, summer is the perfect time to take Kashmir Trip for your nature walks and wildlife sightings. Dachigam is the best place in Kashmir which is ideal for nature enthusiasts. You can enjoy the serene walk along with the sighting of different birds and animals.
Adventure Seekers: The best time for adventure seekers to visit Kashmri depends upon the activity you are interested in. For all the snow adventures like snowboarding, skiing, ice skating, snowmobile, etc the ideal time is from December to February. This is the winter season in Kashmir.
For trekkers, mountaineering, and water sports enthusiasts, summer is the only best time for Kashmir Adventure activities. Enjoy the best of these activities in Kashmir.
Cultural Enthusiasts: Kashmir is an ancient place that boasts of traditional culture, art, and architecture. It attracts a lot of tourists interested in cultural activities. The best highlight of all of the Kashmir’s art and culture is done by going for Srinagar Heritage Walk. This walk goes via ancient markets of old Srinagar city with old bazaars, the buildings full of local architecture, and the age-old food lie the wazwan cuisines.
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Considerations for Choosing the Right Time to Visit Kashmir
Weather Preferences: Kashmir has four seasons in total. So before coming to this valley, you must know in which weather you are traveling and if the weather is suitable for you. Any snow enthusiast will definitely love to visit Kashmir in the winter months. If you love flowers and bloom, then come in April. The best meadows and greenery you will find in the summer months. Further, if you love colours and are a fan of the fall season then come in October and November.
The winter months are the coldest months with the temperature going as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius or more. Summer days have temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius. Spring has the most pleasant weather with the breeze blowing around and the sun shining delightfully.
Activities & Interests: Choose winter months for your snow adventures like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc. Kashmir receives plenty of snowfall during the winter months. So you will see enough snowfall for your snow activities. For those into trekking and mountaineering, summer months are the best months to visit Kashmir. During the summer months, the weather is suitable for trekking, all the mountain passes are accessible, and open along the remote areas are also accessible.
Crowd Levels: If you are someone who loves to see crowds around then do come in the peak tourist season. The highest flow of tourists happens in peak season. In Kashmir, the peak season months are from March to May & from October to November. During these months, the hotels are booked, and the rates are higher than normal. You will have to secure the booking of hotels way in advance. Rest of the months you will see less crowd and you can enjoy the best of serenity in Kashmir. However, you will see a lot of crowds in winter in Gulmarg, particularly on Christmas and New Year.
Another way to avoid crowds is to visit offbeat places in Kashmir. These places lure less crowds.
Budget Considerations: If you are budget-conscious, then avoid coming in peak season. Also, avoid booking rooms in Gulmarg during the winter months. You can book the hotel in Srinagar and from there do the day tour to Gulmarg. Further, there are plenty of homestay and budget hotels in Kashmir, you can stay there to enjoy your vacation. Also, you can travel by locl shared cabs if you want to save some money on your travel to Kashmir.
Special Events & Festivals: The biggest tourist event in Kashmir is the Tulip Festival which happens from March to April. Kashmir holds Asia’s largest tulip garden which is celebrated by making different programs happen in the garden when the tourists flow this garden. This is the time when Kashmir receives the greatest flow of tourists.
Another event re Christmas and New Year. This is the time when Gulmarg receives most of the tourists and the entire Gulmarg gets fully booked.
Things to Know Before You Go to Kashmir
Traveling to a destination needs a bit of preparation so that one doesn’t feel directionless. Hence, a list is mentioned below of the things you need to do before going to Kashmir.
Carry Cash:You need to carry the required amount of cash. This is because internet services wouldn’t be available at offbeat destinations.
Warm Clothes: Throughout the year, Kashmir has mild to moderate weather. Even if you go to Kashmir in the summer season, you would feel cold at night. To counter freezing temperatures in Kashmir, you need to carry a good amount of warm clothes such as a jacket, socks, shawl, muffler, etc.
Comfortable Shoes: Generally, one needs to wear comfortable shoes while traveling and this becomes all the more important when it comes to mountainous regions.
Power Bank:Traveling for longer hours could drain your phone battery. At far-off destinations in Kashmir, you won’t find electricity hours throughout the day thus, you need to carry a power bank with you.
Necessary Documents: You need to carry identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, driver’s license, etc.,
FAQ's
Which month is best for Kashmir visit?
What is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall?
What is the best time to visit Gulmarg?
Which is the best time to visit Kashmir?
Is it safe to go to Kashmir now?
Is October a good time to visit Kashmir?
The month of October sees a transitional phase in terms of season. This means that October experiences almost the end of the autumn season and the start of the winter season. The temperature in this month is around 15 to 16 degrees Celsius. You can visit Kashmir in October as the environment is quite peaceful.
Is there snow in Kashmir in August?
How many days are required to visit Kashmir?
Which is off-season in Kashmir?
Is December a good time to visit Kashmir?
The month of December equates to the winter season in Kashmir. During December, the temperatures drop below zero degrees Celsius which is quite harsh for the people. But still, people visit Kashmir in this season as heavy snowfall provides a heavenly view of the entire landscape. Moreover, this month is even famous for winter sports such as skiing, heliskiing, etc. Kashmir in december is very cold and very harsh.
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