Best Time to Visit Kashmir: Seasons, Weather & Travel Tips

Want to visit Kashmir but are confused about the best time to visit Kashmir? You’re not alone. Kashmir is beautiful all year, but each season gives you a different experience. Some months are perfect for snow fun, others are great for flowers and gardens. This TripzyGo guide will help you pick the best time for your Kashmir trip based on what you want to do.

Best Time to Visit Kashmir

1. Spring (March to May)
2. Summer (June to August)
3. Autumn (September to November)
4. Winter (December to February)

Kashmir looks different in every season. Spring brings flowers, summer is perfect weather, autumn has golden trees, and winter brings snow. Let’s see which is the best season to visit Kashmir for you.

1. Spring Season (March to May)

Spring is when Kashmir becomes truly beautiful. The weather is nice with temperatures between 15°C to 25°C. This is when the famous tulip gardens bloom, and you can see millions of colourful flowers everywhere. April is the best month to visit Kashmir because that’s when the tulip festival happens.

Best Places to Visit in Spring:

Places to explore	Why it’s best	Best timing	What not to miss
Tulip Garden Srinagar	Millions of tulips blooming	April (festival time)	Taking photos, seeing different tulip colours
Dal Lake	Perfect weather for boat rides	Morning or evening	Staying in houseboats, floating markets
Mughal Gardens	Most beautiful gardens	Mid-morning	Nishat Bagh, Shalimar Bagh
Gulmarg	Still some snow for activities	March-April	Cable car rides, walking in meadows
Pahalgam	Nice weather to explore the valleys	Anytime	Horse riding, seeing film locations

Tip: Book your hotel early because lots of people visit during the tulip season. It gets crowded, but the beauty is worth it.

Why Spring is Great: You get the best of both worlds – flowers in the valleys and snow in the mountains. Perfect for taking photos.

Suggested reads: Exploring the Top 12 Wonders of Kashmir in Summers

2. Summer Season (June to August)

Summer in Kashmir is not as hot as other places in India. The temperature stays between 15°C to 30°C, which feels really nice and makes it the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir. This is the busiest time because everyone wants to escape the heat. You can do all outdoor activities easily.

Best Places to Visit in Summer:

Places to explore	Why it’s best	Best timing	What not to miss
Sonamarg	Perfect for trekking	Morning	Glacier visits, pony rides
Gulmarg	Clear mountain views	Morning	Cable car to the top, golf
Pahalgam	Good weather for activities	All day	Betaab Valley, river activities
Yusmarg	Quiet and peaceful	Afternoon	Relaxing walks, picnics
Dachigam Park	See unique and beautiful animals	Early morning	Deer spotting, bird watching

Tips: Bring light sweaters for nights, as it can get cool. Book everything early because this is the busiest time. Great for adventure activities like trekking and river rafting.

Why Summer is Great: Perfect weather for all activities. You can trek, camp, and enjoy water sports. Everything is open and accessible.

3. Autumn Season (September to November)

Autumn in Kashmir is really special, but many people don’t know about it. The weather is cool with temperatures between 10°C to 20°C. The big Chinar trees turn golden and red, making everything look like a painting. Fewer people visit, so you get better deals, making it the best month to go to Kashmir.

Best Places to Visit in Autumn:

Places to explore	Why it’s best	Best timing	What not to miss
Srinagar	Golden Chinar trees everywhere	October-November	Tree-lined roads, autumn photos
Pahalgam	Beautiful golden colour view	Morning	Apple orchards, peaceful walks
Gulmarg	Clear views before winter	Early morning	Mountain views, colourful trees
Sonmarg	Last chance before winter closure	September-October	Final trekking, clear lakes
Local Markets	Shopping time	Evening	Pashmina shawls, carpets, saffron

Tips: Great time for people on a budget as prices are lower. Wear layers because mornings and evenings are cold, but afternoons are nice.

Why Autumn is Great: Amazing colours for photography. Not crowded and cheaper than summer. The weather is still good for sightseeing.

4. Winter Season (December to February)

Winter makes Kashmir look like a fairy tale with snow everywhere. Temperatures can go below 0°C, ranging from -5°C to 10°C. If you love snow and winter sports, this is the best season to travel Kashmir. Gulmarg becomes a skiing paradise.

Best Places to Visit in Winter:

Places to explore	Why it’s best	Best timing	What not to miss
Gulmarg	Best place for skiing	December-February	Skiing, snowboarding, and a cable car in the snow
Srinagar	Frozen Dal Lake	January-February	Walking on a frozen lake, snow-covered boats
Pahalgam	Snow-covered valleys	Morning	Snow trekking, cosy stays
Aharbal Falls	Frozen waterfalls	January	Ice formations, winter photos
Local Villages	Real Kashmir winter life	Anytime	Warming up with kangri, local food

Tips: Bring very warm clothes, waterproof shoes, and gloves. Flights can get delayed due to weather, so be flexible with dates.

Why Winter is Great: Magical snow experience. Perfect for winter sports. See how locals live in winter.

Suggested reads: 15 Best Things to do in Kashmir in 2025

Best Season Based on Travel Type

Different people like different things. Here’s the best season to go Kashmir based on what you want:

1. Love Adventure: Summer (June-August) is best for trekking, camping, and water sports..
2. Want to Save Money: Autumn (September-November) has cheaper prices but still good weather, making it the best time to visit Kashmir for budget travellers.
3. Romantic Trip: Spring (March-May) is the most beautiful with flowers and nice weather.
4. Love Photography: Autumn (September-October) has beautiful golden trees and clear mountain views.
5. Want Snow: Winter (December-February) is perfect for skiing and snow activities.
6. Family Trip: Spring to early summer (April-June) is the safest and best time to visit Kashmir for kids.

Some Tips for Your Kashmir Trip

Here are easy tips to make your trip great:

1. Weather: Kashmir weather changes fast. Always carry extra clothes. Mountains can get cold suddenly.
2. Height: Many places are high up. Drink lots of water and rest if you feel dizzy.
3. Respect: Be respectful to local people and their customs. Learn a bit about their culture.
4. Travel: Book your transport early, especially in busy seasons. Winter roads can be difficult.
5. Stay: Choose hotels that match the season. In winter, make sure they have good heating.
6. Food: Eat at good restaurants. Try local food like Rogan Josh and Kahwa tea, but be careful with street food.
7. Photos: Ask before taking photos of people. Some places don’t allow photos for security reasons.
8. Shopping: Buy Pashmina shawls, carpets, and saffron from official stores to avoid fake products.

Suggested reads: Spiritual Darshan to Amarnath temple in Kashmir 2025

Plan your trip to Kashmir with TripzyGo

Kashmir is beautiful in every season, making the best time to visit Kashmir depend on what you want to do. Each season in Kashmir has its own magic. Spring brings colourful gardens, summer offers perfect weather for everything, autumn paints the valley golden, and winter creates a snowy wonderland. Plan your trip based on the season you choose. Pack the right clothes for the weather. Get ready for one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Whether you go for the tulips or the snow, for adventure or relaxation, Kashmir will give you memories that last forever.

Ready to explore Kashmir? Book your dream trip with TripzyGo’s specially crafted Kashmir tour packages that include the best places, comfortable stays, and expert local guides.