Best time to visit Kashmir

Kashmir has four distinct seasons. Spring (late March to April) brings almond blossom and the Tulip Garden; May and June are warm, green and busy; July and August are pleasant but coincide with the Amarnath Yatra, when Pahalgam and Sonamarg fill with pilgrims and security. September to November is clear and quieter, with red chinars and the saffron harvest. December to March is snow season: Gulmarg becomes a ski resort and Chillai Kalan (21 December to 31 January) is the coldest spell.

Seasons in Kashmir

Winter, Dec–Feb: Chillai Kalan's sub-zero nights and snow in Gulmarg and Sonamarg; Gulmarg's ski season is in full swing. In season: Sonamarg, Gulmarg.
Spring, Mar–Apr: Almond blossom, then the Tulip Garden in the first half of April; snow lingers on Gulmarg's upper slopes. In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.
Summer, May–Aug: Warm, clear days of 20–30°C; Pahalgam and Sonamarg are lush and the Amarnath Yatra runs in July–August. In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.
Autumn, Sep–Nov: Settled weather, red chinars, the apple harvest and saffron flowers in late October. In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.

Peak, shoulder and off season in Kashmir

Peak season, Apr–Jun: Tulip season and Indian school holidays; book houseboats and the Gulmarg gondola early.
Shoulder season, Mar, Jul–Oct, Dec: Good weather with thinner crowds; Christmas–New Year fills Gulmarg, and yatra convoys affect Pahalgam in July–August.
Off season, Jan–Feb, Nov: Cold and quiet with low prices, except for skiers in Gulmarg.

Kashmir in January

Winter · Off season

Chillai Kalan, the coldest spell, runs to 31 January: sub-zero nights, frozen lake edges and frequent power cuts. Gulmarg's ski season is in full swing; snow can delay flights and close the roads for a day or two.

In season: Sonamarg, Gulmarg.

Kashmir in February

Winter · Off season

Still deep winter, with good snow in Gulmarg and Sonamarg (now reachable year-round through the Z-Morh tunnel). The Khelo India winter games are sometimes held in Gulmarg.

In season: Sonamarg, Gulmarg.

Kashmir in March

Spring · Shoulder season

The thaw begins: almond blossom at Badamwari early in the month and the Tulip Garden opening late in the month. Navroz on the 21st. Skiing continues on the upper slopes.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Gulmarg.

Kashmir in April

Spring · Peak season

Peak tulip season in the first half of the month, with spring gardens and green meadows. Snow lingers at Gulmarg's Phase 2; showers are common.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Pahalgam.

Kashmir in May

Summer · Peak season

Clear, warm days of about 20–25°C; Pahalgam and Sonamarg are open and lush, and the Zojila road usually reopens. Indian school holidays push prices up from mid-May.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.

Kashmir in June

Summer · Peak season

Peak summer, crowded with domestic travellers; book houseboats and the gondola early. Rafting is at its best on the Lidder and Sindh. The Kheer Bhawani mela at Tulmul falls in May or June.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.

Kashmir in July

Summer · Shoulder season

Warm in Srinagar (up to about 30°C) and pleasant higher up. The Amarnath Yatra brings security convoys and pilgrim crowds to Pahalgam and Sonamarg; some areas are reserved for yatris.

In season: Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg.

Kashmir in August

Summer · Shoulder season

The yatra ends on Raksha Bandhan. Meadows are green and the high-altitude treks are open; occasional heavy showers.

In season: Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg.

Kashmir in September

Autumn · Shoulder season

Settled weather, clear skies and thinner crowds — one of the best months. Apple orchards fill up for the harvest.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.

Kashmir in October

Autumn · Shoulder season

Autumn: the chinars turn red and gold, the apple harvest continues and saffron flowers around Pampore in the last week of the month. Cool nights; Navratri crowds at Katra.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar, Doodhpathri, Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Pahalgam.

Kashmir in November

Autumn · Off season

Late autumn and the saffron harvest. Cold, clear and quiet; the first snow can fall at Gulmarg, and Zojila usually closes later in the month.

In season: Katra (Vaishno Devi), Srinagar.

Kashmir in December

Winter · Shoulder season

Snow arrives in Gulmarg and Sonamarg and often Srinagar; Chillai Kalan begins on 21 December. Christmas and New Year fill Gulmarg, and the ski season opens.

In season: Sonamarg, Gulmarg.