Best Time to Visit Kashmir
The short answer
The best time to visit Kashmir is September and October for clear, dry sightseeing weather (October has 3.4 rain days on average, the fewest of the year), April for the Tulip Garden, and December to February for snow and skiing in Gulmarg. June to August is peak season, with Srinagar highs of 28.5°C–30°C, and July and August are the Amarnath Yatra months.
By Suhail Bhat, Founder of Poise Travel & Tourism, a J&K Tourism-registered agency in Srinagar. Last updated .
Kashmir weather month by month
Average daily high and low in Srinagar (1,585 m), and days with rain or snow, from the 1991–2020 IMD normals on Wikipedia. Rates are how our trip cost calculator prices hotels and cars that month.
| Month | High / low (°C) | Rain or snow days | Rates | What the month is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7.1° / −1.9° | 8.5 | Higher in Gulmarg | The coldest month. Snow covers Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg; Gulmarg ski season. |
| February | 10.5° / 0.7° | 9.9 | Higher in Gulmarg | Snow and skiing continue in Gulmarg; still freezing at night. |
| March | 15.5° / 4.3° | 11 | Standard | The most rain of the year (104.6 mm). Snow melts in the valley; Tulip Garden season starts. |
| April | 20.6° / 7.9° | 11.1 | Highest | Tulip Garden season and spring blossom in Srinagar. |
| May | 24.7° / 11.2° | 10.9 | Highest | Warm days and long evenings. Sonamarg's road to Zero Point usually reopens. |
| June | 28.5° / 15° | 8.2 | Standard | Green meadows in Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. Peak season begins. |
| July | 30° / 18.4° | 9.2 | Standard | The warmest month. Amarnath Yatra; peak season. |
| August | 29.7° / 17.8° | 8.9 | Standard | Amarnath Yatra; peak season, still warm. |
| September | 27.6° / 13.1° | 5.5 | Lowest | Dry, clear days as autumn begins. |
| October | 23° / 6.2° | 3.4 | Standard | The driest month. Chinar trees turn gold and red. |
| November | 15.9° / 1.2° | 3.7 | Standard | Cold nights and chinar colour into the month. Quieter than summer. |
| December | 9.9° / −1.6° | 4.6 | Higher in Gulmarg | Winter begins. Snow in the hill resorts and Gulmarg ski season. |
Is spring (March to May) a good time to visit Kashmir?
Yes, for flowers. Srinagar warms from 15.5°C in March to 24.7°C in May, and the Tulip Garden on the banks of Dal Lake opens in this window, in March or April. March also brings the most rain of the year, 104.6 mm, and April and May are when hotel and car rates are highest. Sonamarg's road to Zero Point is usually still closed until May.
More on the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden.
What is Kashmir like in summer (June to August)?
Warm, green and busy: this is peak season. Srinagar averages 30°C by day and 18.4°C at night in July, while Pahalgam (2200 m), Gulmarg (2650 m) and Sonamarg (2730 m) stay cooler. The Amarnath Yatra runs in July and August, so book early if your dates overlap.
Planning the pilgrimage? See our Amarnath Yatra guide and the Amarnath Temple on Wikipedia.
Why do people say autumn (September to November) is the best season?
It is the driest stretch of the year: 5.5 rain days in September, 3.4 in October and 3.7 in November. The chinar trees turn gold and red, crowds thin after summer, and September has the lowest hotel and car rates of the year. Nights get cold fast, down to 1.2°C in November.
When does it snow in Kashmir (December to February)?
December to February. Srinagar drops to an average low of −1.9°C in January, and snow covers Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. Gulmarg becomes India's main ski centre. Gulmarg nights cost more in winter, and heavy snow can block the highway beyond Gagangear, so Sonamarg's Zero Point is usually closed.
See our Kashmir winter packages and Gulmarg Gondola timings. Background on Sonamarg and Gulmarg.
Which places close, and when?
- Sonamarg's Zero Point: usually closed December, January, February, March, April, when snow blocks the road.
- Chandanwari, Pahalgam: closed by order until 31 December 2026. Check the order before you travel.
- Baisaran, Pahalgam: closed by order until 31 December 2026. Check the order before you travel.
Ready to pick dates? Compare every Kashmir tour package by length and price, or estimate your trip cost for the month you have in mind.
Figures checked November 2026. Sources: Poise Travel & Tourism's own pages, and Wikipedia for climate and place facts.
Best time to visit Kashmir
Everything you need to know about your upcoming journey. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, our experts are just a click away.
"October, if you want the clearest weather: it has the fewest rain days of the year (3.4) and Srinagar highs of 23°C. Choose April for tulips, July for green meadows, and January for snow."
"December, January and February. January is the coldest month, with a Srinagar average low of −1.9°C. Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are snow-covered through the winter."
"In spring, around March and April. The opening dates change from year to year, so confirm them before you plan an April trip around the garden."
"Warm, not hot. Srinagar's warmest month is July, averaging 30°C by day and 18.4°C at night. Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Sonamarg sit about 600 to 1,150 m higher and are cooler."
"In July and August, during the month of Shravan. Dates are set each year; see our Amarnath Yatra page for routes, registration and helicopter options."
"September, in our trip cost calculator: hotel and car rates are lowest then and highest in April and May. In winter, Gulmarg nights cost more than the rest of the year."