Tourists come to Kashmir valley so they too can witness this ‘heaven on earth’ and enjoy all that it offers. The resplendent Mughal Gardens see tourists walking through the gently perfumed rows of flowers, while the elegant shikharas can be seen on Dal Lake as they skim the surface of the pretty Dal Lake with its backdrop of mountains. The beauty is enough to transport you to another realm altogether. Kashmir’s beauty is indeed quite bewitching, and you will want to start making plans for the next trip right away. Kashmir is also one of the few places in India that experiences four seasons - summer, monsoon, autumn and winter.

Conclusion - March to August is the best time to visit Kashmir. Often called “The heaven on Earth”, due to its pristine beauty. Yet, not all seasons are best in terms of visiting, due to it being a cold region. Two best seasons to visit Kashmir. Spring (March-early May) and Summer (early May-late August).

Peak Season: Summer

Shoulder Season: Autumn

Off Season: Monsoon

Kashmir In Summer (March to May)

Temperature: During summer, the temperatures are not very high and often don’t exceed a high of 30 to 31°C. The lower temperatures also range around 9 to 15°C.

Weather: Summer weather in Kashmir tends to be a little on the warm side, just enough for the locals to use their ceiling fans. Although the days are warm, the nights can still be quite cold.

Significance: Kashmir remains the dream of many newly married couples as the ultimate honeymoon destination, and why not? The weather is nearly perfect and a shikhara ride on the glassy surface of the Dal Lake is every romantic’s dream come true. If you can make it, try going on a shikhara ride early in the day during the morning prayers. The shikharas serve as markets in the morning and the scene is surreal and beautiful. Kashmir during the summers is also a great chance to observe the way of life of the people in the valley. Some people like to stay in the houseboats that are stationed on the lake and its overall a delightful experience.

Highlight Location

Summer in Kashmir is a haven for nature enthusiasts, with colorful flowers, blue skies, and sunny weather making summer the best season to go Kashmir.

• Gulmarg: For thrill-seekers, this is the best time to go to Kashmir for trekking and gondola rides while its beautiful meadows stun every eye.
• Mughal Gardens: Kashmir's famous gardens bloom with a colorful carpet of tulips and roses, thus making summer the best month to go to Kashmir for photography and picnics.
• Pahalgam: This place is nothing short of paradise in summer; Betaab Valley in Pahalgam is a must-visit spot for nature enthusiasts. The coolness of the Lidder River adds to the charm of the scenic beauty, making it one of the best month to visit Kashmir.
• Dal Lake: A shikhara ride in the early morning, with floating markets and lotus blooms, makes this the ideal time to visit Kashmir for a romantic getaway.

Why you should visit now: Summer in Kashmir is quite thrilling because of the sights of the pretty flowers in the Mughal Gardens, which bloom profusely during this time. During summer, Kashmir also is the destination for many pilgrims who want to visit Amarnath for the Amarnath Yatra. Other places like Pahalgam and Sonamarg are stunning during the summer, making it the best time to visit Kashmir. With the weather being so clear and gorgeous, it explains why many people plan their summer vacations in Kashmir. However, it’s best to stay clear of Jammu as it can be quite hot during this time.

Things to know before the visit: Since summer is peak season, be prepared for skyrocketing prices of hotels and other such establishments. Even flight tickets are expensive and since tourism plays a huge role in the economy, everything shoots up during this time, whether it’s the taxi or autos on the road or the shikhara boat rides. Nevertheless, most of these problems can be avoided if you book everything in advance.

Tips: Summer in Kashmir might be a little warm, but evenings and nights can get quite cold. If you don’t want to experience the uncomfortable cold, then make sure you carry some warm clothes with you such as shawls, jackets, mufflers, mittens and socks. During the day, don’t forget to use some sunscreen and lip balm to prevent dry skin from creating an agonising experience. Don’t miss out trying out the authentic Kashmiri wazwan dining experience when you’re here.

Kashmir In Monsoon (June to September)

Temperature: Kashmir’s brief autumn temperatures range from lows of 9°C to highs of at least 20°C.

Weather: The weather during this time has a bite of chill in it certainly as winter is almost here at this time. Still, it can be considered cool and not extremely cold. During evenings and nights, it can reach 0°C and if you’re someone who has come from warmer climes, you’re going to find this weather quite cold. Mornings can be misty, but the autumn sun is also refreshing and toasty warm.

Significance: Kashmir’s beauty during autumn is simply breathtaking during this time. The leaves on the famed chinar trees turn copper and gold and as far as you can see, lined along avenues, you will find trees flush with red-gold-yellow leaves and the ground is often carpeted with them. The vision is absolutely spectacular and unforgettable.

Highlight Location

Kashmir in autumn is a golden wonder, with Chinar trees colouring the valley in golden tones, making autumn the best time to visit Kashmir for photography enthusiasts and peace lovers.

• Chinar Bagh, Srinagar: The golden and crimson hues of the fallen leaves from the Chinar trees create a carpet, making this one of the best seasons to visit Kashmir for photographers
• Sonamarg: Before winter sets in, Sonamarg’s valleys turn into an artist’s dream with hues of orange and yellow. It’s the best time to go to Kashmir for scenic hikes.

Why you should visit now: During autumn, places like Srinagar and nearby Dachigam turn into gorgeous sights with the trees turning shades of gold. With weather being reasonably cool and not too cold, many people consider this to be the best time to visit Kashmir. Apple-picking and other harvestings also take place during this time. Kashmir during autumn is indeed magnificent and resplendent with its rich colours.

Things to know before the visit: Since it’s so close to winter, not many people head to Kashmir during this time as they think it would be too cold.Know the things to do in Kashmir before visiting. Also, since it’s shoulder season, you might be able to get a decent deal on hotel bookings and flights.

Tips: If you’re headed to Kashmir during the autumn months, do find out if there’s any apple-picking happening nearby so you can also join in, if it’s allowed. Another thing to remember is that despite being nearly normal weather for Kashmiris, you might still find it cold, so do pack your clothes as though for winter. Sometimes, it snows during this time too, so you don’t want to be caught unprepared.

If you have decided the best time to visit Kashmir, don’t forget to choose from one of Thomas Cook’s exciting Kashmir Tour Packages. The sights of beautiful snow-capped mountains await you along with a host of unforgettable experiences that are uniquely Kashmiri.