The Best Time To Visit Kashmir | Weather & Tourist Places

“Gar Bar-ru-e-ZaminAst; HaminAst, HaminAst, HaminAst.” – Amir Khusro.

If there is heaven on earth, it is here! You must be familiar with this Farsi couplet, and from Amit Trivedi to many known composers have made it even more popular with multiple Bollywood interpretations.

Also, despite being a staple couplet when discussing Kashmir, it is tough to find a better verse describing the scenic beauty of the land.

The gushing rivers, dense forests, pristine lakes, and snowy glaciers will take you to dreamland in a literal aspect. Also, Kashmir, truly a blessing from Mother Nature, offers different kinds of experiences as a complete package for tourists.

From houseboat rides on the Dal Lake to skiing on the slow-covered mountains in Gulmarg, it is sublime. However, the vividness of the tourist attractions here makes it difficult to choose the best time to visit Kashmir.

Across various seasons, you can glide your fingers through the ice-cold water of the Dal Lake while taking a shikara ride, trek to Gadisar Lake, walk up to the Vaishno Devi temple, ski through the snowy mountains, and take back a bag full of memories for a lifetime.

So, the best time to visit Kashmir will depend on the kind of experience you want. For example, the best months to see snowfall in Kashmir are from December to February. Again, March to August is the best time to visit Kashmir if you are traveling with your family, and a wonderful Shikhara ride is all you want. At Dream and Travel, we have created a complete guide on various seasons in Kashmir, climate and tourist places. This will be of great help for your first trip to Kashmir.

What Is The Best Time To Visit Kashmir?

Can there be a best time to visit heaven? I don’t think so. Anytime to visit Jammu and Kashmir, it will welcome you with open arms and offer you the best it has in store. You can visit on the basis of what you want to see. Any season you choose, it will not fail to amaze you with its beauty.

The winter season is the best time to visit Kashmir if you want a snow-covered majestic view. Summer season, on the other hand, is like colorful bliss.

The vibrant flowers would take you to paradise for a ride. If you visit Kashmir just in summer, you will miss out on its beauty in the winter and vice-versa. Visiting Kashmir once is never enough.

The winter season is the busiest, though. It is from the month of October to March. This time is considered to be the best because of the snowfall. It is when snow-capped mountains stand proud as the first ray of the sun falls on them.

It is a heavenly experience indeed. The weather is perfect. The scenic beauty is at its best. What more can you ask for?

Further, this is high time to plan a trip to Kashmir as tourism in Kashmir has set a new record in 2024. The number of tourist footfalls in Kashmir was around 2.95 million in 2024. This is the highest in the last three years.

In 2023, the number of tourists visiting Kashmir was 2.71 million, and in 2022, it was close to 2.67 million. So, there has been a consistent rise.

So, with all roads leading to Kashmir, learn how Kashmir looks and feels across different seasons. Also, let’s explore the best tourist spots.

1. Kashmir During Summer (April To June) | Best Time To Visit Kashmir For Shikara Rides

Weather – Summers in Kashmir are warm, but the evenings can be a bit cold. This is the season if you want to go on a trek or do some adventure sports. It is the summer season when pilgrims go through the risky path to visit the famous Amarnath temple. The temperature normally stays between 15 to 30 degrees, with a maximum of 31 degrees. The lowest range it can reach is from 9 to 15 degrees.

Significance – It is the dream of many newlyweds to visit Kashmir for their honeymoon. Of course, it is the perfect place. The weather is beautiful, and a ride through the Dal Lake in a shikhara can make your day. Can you ask for anything more romantic than this?

Not just a romantic ride, it can be a family trip where they can enjoy the ride on the glassy waters with the backdrop of the majestic mountains.

It is better to go for a morning ride during the prayers. The Shikhara markets are beautiful and a good place for doing some shopping as well. Staying one night on the houseboat can be a delightful experience.

Further, summer is the best time to visit the Tulip Garden in Kashmir. The clear weather conditions also make it ideal for the much-revered Amarnath Yatra. Moreover, the colorful flowers and lush valleys are nothing less than wonders of nature.

‣ Things To Do In Kashmir In Summer

River rafting
Paragliding
Shikhara ride
Trekking and camping
Horse riding

‣ Things to Keep in Mind Before Visiting

The price of hotels can be high during this season, and booking in advance is a necessary precaution. Further, summer is the best season if you want to stay in a houseboat. You can contact the Kashmir Houseboat Group at + 91 99 06 00 11 22 to explore the best accommodation options.

Check the weather before packing and carry light woolen clothes as it can be a bit chilly in the evening.

‣ Places To Visit In Kashmir During Summer

Kashmir in summer is radiant and these are the places you can visit.

Srinagar
Dal Lake
Pahalgam
Gulmarg
Yusmarg
Aru

2. Kashmir During Monsoon (July To September)

Weather- This is an off-season in Kashmir. During this time, the temperature ranges from 13 degrees to 17 degrees. The weather is warm but cools off as soon as the cloud covers the sky and starts pouring down. This is the best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir if you want to see the lush green valley.

Significance- The weather is amazing during the monsoons and a key factor for visiting during this time. The valley gets covered in green pine trees and offers a very beautiful view for tourists.

‣ Why Visit Kashmir In Monsoon

As it is considered off-season, this time offers the best hotel deals. The rates are relatively cheap, and you can get the best of everything. This is the time if you want to see the rawness of nature. Picking apples is one of the main attractions of the season.

‣ Things To Do In Monsoon In Kashmir

If you prefer solitude and want an immersive experience, visit Kashmir during the monsoon. Further, these are the activities you can do during the rainy season.

Attend Gurez festival
Pony ride
Trekking
Heritage Walk in Old Srinagar
Golfing
Bird watching

‣ Places To Visit In Kashmir During Monsoon

Are you planning a trip to Kashmir in the monsoon season? Don’t miss a visit to these places.

Betaab Valley
Doodhpathri
Gurez Valley

‣ Things To Keep In Mind Before Visiting Kashmir In The Monsoon

Avoid mountains during the monsoon season. Also, power outage is a concern in Kashmir during the downpour.

3. Kashmir During Winter(October To Mid-March)

Weather- The best time to visit Jammu and Kashmir is during winter. This is the peak season. Winter is considered to begin in the month of October, but the actual winter begins in December.

Fresh snowfall marks the beginning of winter, and it continues till the end of March. The goes from zero to sub-zero. But the extreme climate condition does not stop the tourists. This is the best time for people who particularly enjoy the Winter Wonderland.

Significance- Visiting Kashmir during winter is like visiting paradise. The snow-capped mountains call for tourists. Gulmarg and Sonmarg look like enchanted fairylands during this time.

Why Visit Kashmir In Winter

Visiting Kashmir during winter is like visiting paradise. The snow-capped mountains call for tourists. Gulmarg and Sonmarg look like enchanted fairylands during this time.

The temperature in Jammu is less cold if compared with Srinagar. This can get a little uncomfortable for the tourists, but that will never stop them from visiting Paradise. The Pir-Pinjal Range becomes majestic at this time.

Winter to-do list

Trekking
Cable car rides
Snowboarding
Sledding
Mountain biking
Paragliding
River rafting
Skiing

Places To Visit In Kashmir In Winter

The chilly air, snow covering the pine trees, and frozen lakes make Kashmir heavenly in winter. These are the places you must visit in Kashmir in winter.

Shankaracharya Hill
Betaab Valley
Gurez Valley
Zoji La Pass

Things To Keep In Mind Before Visiting

Again pre-booking is recommended as it is the best time to visit. The temperature can be a challenging factor, so packing accordingly is advised. Certain activities are not possible during this time, like Shikhara rides and visiting Mughal Gardens, but it offers a wide range of winter activities.

Last But Not The Least

As mentioned above, there can be no best time to visit paradise, there are challenges every tourist faces when they travel. So make sure you plan the trip according to your convenience, as Kashmir will not disappoint you at any time of your visit. So plan a trip and get the experience of your lifetime. It is called the heaven of Earth for a reason.