Best Time to Visit Kashmir: Month-by-Month Guide

Quick answer

For most travellers the best time to visit Kashmir is April to June, when Srinagar sits at 20–30°C, the gardens are in bloom and every road is open. September to November is the quieter second window, with clear skies and golden chinars. Come between late December and February only if you want snow, mainly in Gulmarg.

Month-by-month at a glance

Jan7°Fair
Feb9°Fair
Mar15°Good
Apr20°Best
May25°Best
Jun30°Best
Jul31°Fair
Aug30°Good
Sep28°Best
Oct23°Best
Nov16°Good
Dec10°Fair

BestGoodFairAvoidTemperatures are average daily highs (°C).

Kashmir weather, crowds and what to expect

Monthly weather, crowds and our verdict
Month	High / Low	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
JanuaryFair	7° / -2°	50 mm	low	Chillai Kalan cold; snow in Gulmarg, quiet Srinagar
FebruaryFair	9° / 0°	70 mm	low	Skiing season; frequent snow and power cuts
MarchGood	15° / 4°	110 mm	medium	Almond blossom; tulips from late March
AprilBest	20° / 7°	95 mm	high	Tulip Garden in early April; spring greens
MayBest	25° / 11°	65 mm	high	All roads open; snow still at Apharwat
JuneBest	30° / 15°	35 mm	high	School-holiday peak; book early
JulyFair	31° / 18°	60 mm	high	Amarnath Yatra busies Pahalgam and Sonamarg
AugustGood	30° / 17°	60 mm	medium	Warm, green; Yatra traffic until mid-August
SeptemberBest	28° / 12°	30 mm	medium	Dry, clear, fewer crowds
OctoberBest	23° / 6°	25 mm	medium	Chinars turn; saffron blooms late month
NovemberGood	16° / 1°	20 mm	low	Copper chinars, cold nights, low prices
DecemberFair	10° / -2°	30 mm	medium	First snow; Christmas rush in Gulmarg

Long-term monthly averages. Individual years vary — check a forecast in the week before you travel.

Festivals and events in Kashmir

Late March to mid-April
Tulip Festival, Srinagar
About four weeks at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden; adult entry was about ₹75 in 2026.
March
Badamwari almond blossom
The almond orchard below Hari Parbat flowers a few weeks before the tulips.
May or June (Jyeshtha Ashtami)
Kheer Bhawani Mela
Kashmiri Pandit festival at Tulmul, Ganderbal; heavy crowds and security on the day.
July to August
Amarnath Yatra
Pahalgam and Sonamarg fill with pilgrims; road convoys and extra checkpoints.
Late October to mid-November
Chinar and saffron season
Chinars turn red-gold; saffron flowers at Pampore for about two weeks.
21 December to 31 January
Chillai Kalan
The 40 harshest days of winter; best snow in Gulmarg, frozen pipes in Srinagar.

When is the best time to visit Kashmir?

Kashmir has four proper seasons, and each suits a different trip. Spring (March to May) brings almond blossom, then tulips, then green meadows. Summer (June to August) is the warmest and busiest, with school-holiday crowds from Delhi, Mumbai and Gujarat. Autumn (September to November) is the photographer's season: dry air, cold nights and chinar trees turning copper. Winter (December to February) is for snow, skiing and houseboats warmed by a bukhari stove.

The table uses Srinagar (about 1,585 m). Gulmarg and Pahalgam run 6–10°C colder, so pack a fleece even in June. For snow timing, see the best time to visit Gulmarg.

Which dates need planning around?

Late March to mid-April: the Tulip Garden opens for about four weeks. In 2026 it opened on 16 March after a warm spell; the 2027 dates are usually announced only a few weeks ahead.
July and August: the Amarnath Yatra passes through Pahalgam and Sonamarg (Baltal). Expect convoy timings, heavy security and full hotels in both towns. Srinagar and Gulmarg are far less affected.
21 December to 31 January: Chillai Kalan, the 40 coldest days. The edges of Dal Lake can freeze and power cuts are routine.

How do prices change by season?

A 5-night land package that starts around ₹17,000 per person in November can cost 30–50% more in May–June and over Christmas–New Year, when houseboats and Gulmarg hotels sell out. The Kashmir trip cost page breaks this down line by line.

Book April–June and late-December trips six to eight weeks ahead. Flights into Srinagar fill faster than hotels, and late fares from Delhi can double.

Which month suits which traveller?

Families with children and parents: April to June, or September.
Honeymooners: October and early November for colour and quiet, or January for snow.
Photographers: late October to mid-November for chinars and the saffron bloom at Pampore.
Skiers: January and February in Gulmarg.

Shape the route with our list of things to do in Kashmir, then pick a base from the where to stay guide.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to visit Kashmir right now?

Srinagar, Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam receive large numbers of domestic tourists and have a heavy security presence. Some meadows and trails near Pahalgam have been closed for periods since the April 2025 attack at Baisaran, so check current advisories, follow police and taxi-union guidance on the day, and tell your hotel where you are heading.

When can I see snow in Kashmir?

Reliable snow in Gulmarg runs from late December to early March, deepest in January and February. Sonamarg and Pahalgam get snow too, though roads beyond them may close. In April and May you will still find snow at Apharwat, reached by Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2, and around Thajiwas Glacier in Sonamarg, but not in Srinagar.

Is July a good month for a Kashmir trip?

July is warm and dry in Srinagar, around 30°C by day, and the meadows are at their greenest. The catch is the Amarnath Yatra: Pahalgam and Sonamarg fill up, traffic moves in convoys and security checks slow everything. If you go in July, base yourself in Srinagar and Gulmarg and keep the Pahalgam night flexible.

What is the cheapest time to visit Kashmir?

November, February and early March are usually the cheapest months. Houseboats and hotels discount heavily and Delhi–Srinagar return fares often drop below ₹9,000. The trade-off is cold, with Srinagar nights below zero, shorter days, and the chance that Gondola Phase 2 or the Sonamarg road closes after fresh snow.

How many days do I need in Kashmir?

Five nights covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam at a comfortable pace, with one night on a houseboat. Add a sixth night if you want a separate day for Sonamarg or Doodhpathri. Shorter trips work, but every extra base adds two to four hours of driving, so avoid changing hotels every night.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.