The best time to visit Kashmir depends on what you want to see. For snow, go between December and February, when Gulmarg is under snow and Srinagar’s average night temperature is below freezing in January. For the tulip garden, aim for the second half of March or early April. For green meadows in Pahalgam and Sonamarg and comfortable sightseeing, May to June and September work well. October is the driest month in Srinagar on the IMD record, and late October to November brings the chinar trees’ autumn colour. July and August are warm and busy with the Amarnath Yatra around Pahalgam.
Know before you go
- Snow: December to February. Srinagar averages −1.9°C at night in January (IMD, 1991 to 2020 normals).
- Tulip Garden: open about a month each spring. In 2026 it ran from 16 March to 16 April.
- Driest months in Srinagar: October (21.8 mm, 2 rainy days on average) and November.
- Warmest month: July, with average highs of 30.0°C in Srinagar.
- Busiest stretch near Pahalgam: the Amarnath Yatra, which in 2026 ran from 3 July to 28 August.
- Autumn colour: chinar leaves turn from late October through November.
- Last checked: 27 October 2026 against the IMD Srinagar climate table and 2026 news reports (links under Official resources below).
In this Article
- Kashmir weather month by month
- Winter (December to February): best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall
- Spring (March to April): tulips and blossom
- Early summer (May to June): best time to visit Kashmir with family
- High summer (July to August): lakes and the Amarnath Yatra
- Autumn (September to November): apples and chinar colour
- Best time to visit Kashmir for honeymoon
- Best time to visit Kashmir: FAQs
Kashmir weather month by month
These are IMD’s long-term averages for Srinagar, the period 1991 to 2020. Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg sit much higher, so expect colder nights and more snow there than these figures suggest. Winter “rainfall” in the IMD table includes snow measured as water.
| Month | Avg min (°C) | Avg max (°C) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | What it’s good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −1.9 | 7.1 | 63.6 | 5.4 | Snow, skiing in Gulmarg |
| February | 0.7 | 10.5 | 85.0 | 6.0 | Snow, quieter hotels |
| March | 4.3 | 15.5 | 104.6 | 7.2 | Tulips late in the month, blossom |
| April | 7.9 | 20.6 | 91.8 | 7.0 | Tulips early in the month, gardens |
| May | 11.2 | 24.7 | 63.5 | 5.9 | Meadows, sightseeing |
| June | 15.0 | 28.5 | 46.4 | 4.1 | Pahalgam, Sonamarg, families |
| July | 18.4 | 30.0 | 64.0 | 5.0 | Cool escape from the plains, Yatra crowds |
| August | 17.8 | 29.7 | 64.5 | 5.4 | Lakes, Yatra crowds |
| September | 13.1 | 27.6 | 37.4 | 3.1 | Clear days, early apples |
| October | 6.2 | 23.0 | 21.8 | 2.0 | Dry weather, apples, early autumn |
| November | 1.2 | 15.9 | 27.7 | 2.2 | Chinar colour, cold nights |
| December | −1.6 | 9.9 | 27.2 | 2.6 | First snow, winter trips |
Source: IMD Srinagar climatological table. March is the wettest month on average, with 104.6 mm over about 7 days. Across the year Srinagar gets 697.5 mm.
Winter (December to February): best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall
If snow is the reason you are going, this is your season. Srinagar’s average lows sit around freezing from December to February, and the hill resorts are colder still. Gulmarg is the usual base for snow play and skiing, and its gondola runs up the slopes of Apharwat. Our Gulmarg gondola ticket guide covers booking.
Things to plan for in winter:
- Heavy snow can close roads and delay flights. Leave a spare day at the end of the trip.
- Pack proper thermals, waterproof boots and gloves. Hotel heating varies a lot.
- Days are short, so start sightseeing early.
- The local name for the coldest 40 days, from late December to the end of January, is Chillai Kalan.
For honeymooners who want snow, January and February are the classic choice. For families with small children, December or late February can be easier, with slightly milder days.
Spring (March to April): tulips and blossom
Spring is short and changeable in Kashmir. March is the wettest month in Srinagar on average, but the days warm quickly and orchards come into blossom.
The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar opens for roughly a month. In 2026 it opened on 16 March and closed on 16 April, and the Kashmir News Observer reported the season’s footfall at about 3.89 lakh visitors. Dates depend on how the flowers develop each year, so watch for the Floriculture Department’s announcement before booking. If the garden is your main goal, the last week of March and the first week of April give the best chance of catching it in bloom.
Our Srinagar guide covers the gardens, Dal Lake and the old city.
Early summer (May to June): best time to visit Kashmir with family
May and June give the most balanced weather. Srinagar’s average highs climb from about 25°C to 28.5°C, rainfall drops, and the high meadows open up. Patches of snow often remain above Sonamarg into early summer, which children tend to enjoy.
This is a good window for Pahalgam’s valleys, pony rides, and walks along the Lidder river. Our Pahalgam guide has the day trips. School holidays in north India also fall in this stretch, so book hotels and cabs early.
High summer (July to August): lakes and the Amarnath Yatra
July is Srinagar’s warmest month, with average highs of 30°C. Compared with the plains it is still mild, which makes these months popular for shikara rides on Dal Lake and houseboat stays.
The Amarnath Yatra shapes travel around Pahalgam in these months. In 2026 it ran from 3 July to 28 August, as announced by the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. Expect heavy traffic and security arrangements on routes towards Pahalgam and Sonamarg, and higher demand for rooms.
Autumn (September to November): apples and chinar colour
September and October are often the clearest months of the year. Srinagar averages just 3.1 rainy days in September and 2.0 in October. If you are wondering about the best time to visit Kashmir for apple season, this is it. In 2026, harvesting began in early September in the lower, warmer parts of the valley, according to the Kashmir Observer, and then moves to the main apple belts as the season goes on.
From late October through November the chinar trees turn red and gold, especially in Srinagar’s Mughal gardens and around Naseem Bagh and Chinar Bagh. Nights get cold quickly. Srinagar’s average low falls to 1.2°C in November, so pack layers. For photographers this is a strong choice, and our photo journey through Kashmir shows the valley across seasons.
Best time to visit Kashmir for honeymoon
It depends on the trip you picture. For snow and cosy houseboats, go in January or February. For flowers and mild weather, go in April or May. For clear skies and autumn colour with fewer crowds, go in October or early November. Avoid the Yatra weeks if you want quiet roads around Pahalgam.
Best time to visit Kashmir: FAQs
What is the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall?
December to February. Gulmarg is the most reliable for snow. Srinagar itself gets snow in some winters but not on a fixed schedule.
When is the Tulip Garden open in Srinagar?
For about a month each spring. In 2026 it was open from 16 March to 16 April. Dates for the next season are announced shortly before opening.
What is the best month to visit Gulmarg?
January and February for snow and skiing. For green meadows and walks, May to June or September.
Which month is best for Kashmir with family?
May and June give mild weather and open roads to Pahalgam and Sonamarg. September is a quieter alternative.
When is apple season in Kashmir?
Picking starts in early September in the lower valley and continues into the autumn as the main orchards are harvested.
Is October a good time to visit Kashmir?
Yes. It is the driest month in Srinagar on the IMD record, with about 2 rainy days on average, and autumn colour begins late in the month.
Official resources: IMD Srinagar climatological table, 1991 to 2020; Amarnath Yatra 2026 dates via PIB and the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board; tulip season report from KNO; apple season report from the Kashmir Observer, 5 September 2026.
Photo credits
Featured image: Aman Sachan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Winter (December to February): best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall: Zahoor Bhat / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Winter (December to February): best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall: Slyronit / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Spring (March to April): tulips and blossom: Shiva shanker prasad / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0; Spring (March to April): tulips and blossom: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Early summer (May to June): best time to visit Kashmir with family: Original: Ganesh Mohan T Derivative work: UnpetitproleX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Early summer (May to June): best time to visit Kashmir with family: Sauood07 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; High summer (July to August): lakes and the Amarnath Yatra: Abid Sidiq Ahanger / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Autumn (September to November): apples and chinar colour: Auli Raha (অলি রাহা) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Autumn (September to November): apples and chinar colour: Talib kashmir / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Best time to visit Kashmir for honeymoon: Harvinder Chandigarh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.
