In this post, we will discuss the Best Time to Visit Kashmir.
Kashmir is equally beautiful in all seasons around the year. Unlike mainland India, Kashmir has four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. You will see tourists coming across the world to enjoy every season of Kashmir. Be it the snow in winters, autumn colours, spring bloom or greenery, shimmering lakes and rivers in summer, Kashmir is gorgeous in all the months of the year.
Best time to visit Kashmir on four seasons Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
Spring: For the Spring season-best months are March to April. This is the time when Tulips are in bloom and the tulip garden in Srinagar is thrown open.
Srinagar’s tulip garden is Asia’s largest tulip garden. Tulips last for only a few weeks. If you want to see Kashmir in all blooming and colorful in spring, then this time is best.
In March and April go for the Mahadev trek. Mahadev peak is the highest peak in Srinagar. In these months it has snow on its top and grass in the lower trails. If you want to get the feeling of summit and trekking to the highest peak of Srinagar, then the Mahadev trek is for you.
Places to visit in Spring: Mughal Gardens, Tulip Garden, Botanical Garden, Dachigam National Park etc.
Summer: For Summer Season, Kashmir has everywhere greenery and abundant water. It is the best season to do the world-famous Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Nafran Valley Trek, and Tarsar Marsar Trek.
Unlike winters, the summer season has all the places accessible. You can visit all the places like Sonamarg, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Doodpathri, Srinagar etc.
Best summer treks: Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Tarsar Marsar Trek, Nafran Valley Trek, etc.
Prime summer months are July and August
Autumn: In Autumn, see the breathtaking fall colours. Yellow, golden, crimson, green etc. The Mughal Gardens give an entirely new look like the leaves of chinar are falling having golden color. Visit Dachigam National Park to spot different animal and bird species and the variety of its fall colours.
Best places to visit in Autumn: Mughal Gardens, Botanical Garden, Pari Mahal, Dachigam National Park, Marchoi Valley etc.
Prime Autumn months are mid-October to mid-December
Winter: For Winter, what better than a white valley in snow. It snows everywhere in Kashmir.
Enjoy snow treks and snow walks at Naranag and Pahalgam, learn skiing and snowboarding at Gulmarg.
Snow trekking is quite breathtaking in winters here in Kashmir. Marchoi trek is very much famous and supremely beautiful trek for four days This trek starts from Naranag. Visit an ancient temple ruins of Naranag which has beautiful stone cut designs and hindu gods.
Best Places to visit in Winter: Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Marchoi Trek, Srinagar etc.
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Prime winter months are January and February
Frequently Asked Questions Best time to visit Kashmir
1. What’s the weather in Kashmir in winter.
December to February is winter in Kashmir. The night temperature goes below zero mostly and during the days it hovers around zero degrees Celsius mostly. The harshest part of the winter here in Kashmir is from January to mid-February.
Make sure to bring a couple of layers and warm clothes along with you.
2. Does it snow everywhere in Kashmir?
Yes, it snows everywhere in Kashmir including in Srinagar. However, it’s heavier in hilly areas like Gulmarg etc.
3. Is Gulmarg open in December?
Gulmarg is open in all months including December. It is best visited from December to February for skiing and Gandola ride.
4. Is it good to visit Gulmarg in December?
Yes. Gulmarg receives early snow most of the time so enjoy this breathtaking trip to Gulmarg in December. Also, in December temperatures aren’t as cold as in January and February, so December is quite a good month to come to Kashmir. Spend your Christmas and New year holidays here in Gulmarg.
5. What is the best winter trek in Kashmir?
Marchoi is among all the best winter treks in Kashmir. It starts from Naranag and is for four days. Its trail is easy and has an incredible landscape giving an enticing view of Mount Harmukh.