Most questions we get about Kashmir come down to one thing: when should we go? It matters more here than in almost any other Indian destination, because the valley changes completely between seasons — not just in temperature, but in what is open, what is reachable and what the landscape looks like.
There is no single best month. There is a best month for what you want.
Spring: March to early May
The almond and cherry blossoms come out in late March, and the Srinagar tulip garden opens for a few weeks in April — usually the first half, though the exact dates shift with the weather each year.
Days are cool and clear, the gardens are at their best, and there is still snow on the higher slopes at Gulmarg without the winter crowds. This is our favourite window for photographs.
- Tulip garden open for roughly three weeks in April
- Blossoms across Srinagar in late March
- Snow still visible at Gulmarg and Sonmarg
- Book early — April is one of the busiest months
Summer: June to August
The meadows are fully open. Gulmarg is green, Sonmarg is reachable, Pahalgam's valleys are at their most walkable and the Amarnath yatra route operates. Temperatures sit comfortably in the low twenties.
This is peak family season, which means higher hotel rates and busier viewpoints. If you want the classic postcard Kashmir with everything accessible, this is when to come.
Autumn: September to November
The chinar trees turn in late October and the valley goes gold and rust for about three weeks. It is quieter than summer, the light is excellent and the air is crisp without being cold.
Underrated, in our view. If you are flexible on dates and want fewer people around, late October is the sweet spot.
Winter: December to February
Snow arrives at Gulmarg from late December, and January is the most reliable month for it. Skiing, snowboarding and the Apharwat slopes are the draw, and Srinagar under snow is a different city entirely.
Be realistic about the cold — nights drop below freezing, and roads to Gulmarg or Sonmarg occasionally close for a few hours after heavy snowfall. Houseboats are heated but still chilly. We build a buffer day into winter itineraries for exactly this reason.
- January is the most dependable month for snow
- Sonmarg is usually cut off through deep winter
- Expect occasional road closures after heavy snow
- Lowest hotel rates of the year outside the New Year week
So which should you pick?
For blossoms and tulips, go in April. For open meadows and full access, June or July. For colour and calm, late October. For snow, January.
If you tell us what you want out of the trip rather than which dates you have, we can usually suggest a better week than the one you were planning.
Published 04 Mar 2025