We at Snow Trail Tours & Holidays provide our guests the best of all season package for Kashmir. Since Kashmir is really rich in biodiversity & its natural beauty encompasses all other places (hence the title “Paradise on Earth”), it is impossible to uncover its beauty in a single season. This is the reason why we invite our guests to make plans all throughout the year to enjoy the various seasons of Kashmir & its raw beauty.
Kashmir has 4 distinct seasons, namely Spring [March-May], Summer [June-August], Autumn [September-November] & Winter [December – February] & each season creates an enchanting & extravagantly beautiful climate which changes the Valley’s landscapes every time.
Spring is the transition period between winters & summers, this period looks like it brings back life into the ecosystem of nature. The days gets longer, trees start producing new leaves, flowers start to bloom, temperatures rise mildly & makes it the perfect blend in which every natural phenomenon gets a boost & energy for a new life.
Well, this is the perfect season to start exploring Kashmir if it is your first time, the whole Valley seems to get a life of its own. Kashmir Valley seems to celebrate in unison with its colorful flowers & sweet fragrance of tulip flowers blooming everywhere & trees like almonds, apricots, apple, cherry, pears, peach, mustard, etc., giving flowers & making way for fruits & turning the whole valley into lush greenery & colorful combination. Since the temperature becomes pleasant it is the best time for first timers to visit Kashmir, it will provide you best of both world scenarios where the valley starts to bloom with flowers and you do not have to worry about cold temperatures or snow & yet if you want to enjoy snow you can visit higher reaches like Gulmarg, Pahalgam & Sonamarg where it still remains covered with snow. Spring season generally brings in Family & Honeymoon goers who books holidays since schools & colleges have their vacations going on.
Once in Kashmir during this period make sure to visit the world-famous Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, where tulip starts blooming from 3rd week of April to 2nd week of May, this is a must visit for every tourist coming in the spring season. Another place that needs mentioning is the famous Badaam-Wari Garden famous for its almond & cherry blooming during this period, filling the landscape with varied colors.
This the best time for photographers since the whole valley is blooming with flowers & there are clear skies & pleasant weather along with the option for tourists to go to places which till then were covered with snow & impossible to visit like Gulmarg Gondola or Betaab Valley to see natures beauty at its best.
Unlike the summers of the plains of India, Kashmir remains pleasant during this period as temperature hovers between 15 to 30 degree Celsius & the valley still remains like a lush green corridor full of colors & greenery. This period is the peak time for tourism, when maximum places are filled with tourist from across the globe as people wants to beat the heat & stay in cool & pleasant condition which is ideally presented to them through Kashmir’s lovely weather. The rivers are full of clear water from the fresh melting glaciers & snow giving it the life it needs and visitors the chance of experiencing the thrilling & cool water of the might Himalayas. The sky remains clear, cool breeze blows and photography during this period is just great as the famous Mughal Gardens of Srinagar are full of endless varieties of flowers & also the clear skies would help to capture the snowclad peaks of the Himalayas with ease.
This is the ideal time when guests are able to visit each and every corner of Kashmir without any hindrance related to bad weather conditions. Places like Sonamarg, Gulmarg, Aharbal Waterfalls, Doodhpatri, Pahalgam, Sinthan Top, Betaab Valley, Aru Valley, Chandanwari, etc., all remains open for tourists from across the world.
Bookings during this period is so high that we suggest guests to book holidays in advance since all hotels, resorts, houseboats & homestays remain full to the brink and they are unable to take in further bookings. This is the best time for trekking as it provides astonishing views as you trek through vibrant green grassland, with the lofty Himalayas looking over you to reach the fresh elevated lakes [known as the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek]. This is also the time to visit the apple orchards to see apple trees filled with lots of red & ripe apples ready to be plucked by mid-September. River rafting in Lidder river is a good outdoor activity for adventure lovers during this time, also one can opt for outdoor camping, horse riding & para gliding.
The annual Amarnath Yatra also takes place during this time period, so the stays are almost full.
Autumn is a spectacular show of nature in Kashmir, this season is locally known as Harud [meaning, to gather] & it turns the lush green valleys into reddish and then golden hues. This season is like the showstopper of nature’s beauty in Kashmir before the final journey into the white cloak of snow begins.
Kashmir’s Chinar leaves are very famous worldwide and the word Chinar has been arrived from the Persian word Chi-Nar which means “Like Fire” since the leaves of this tree turns golden crimson during this period. This season is very famous amongst people who are of the intellectual kind, bookworms, foreigners, writers & poets, also people pursuing higher studies & needs breaks to stay in a calm & peaceful environment. The flaming Chinar leaves turns the valley into an artwork of magnificent reddish, golden & orangish shade, making it a photographers & tourist’s delight alike. Srinagar is the best place to spectate this incredible natural phenomenon of falling golden leaves specifically Mughal Gardens & Naseem Bagh at Kashmir University.
Locals terms this season as Harud [to gather or to harvest], because this is the time when ripe apples & saffron are plucked from the trees turning the apple orchards into a canvas of red & green colors and the saffron fields at Pampore which is 30kms away from Srinagar turns purple respectively. The temperatures during this period alternates between being pleasant during the day time [20-25 degrees] to being chilly during the night & early morning [9-10 degrees]. This is also the best time to sip on the customary hot Kashmiri Kahwa Tea, made out of spice tea & saffron & enjoy the pristine view of Kashmir. Kindly note, there is no monsoon season in Kashmir but during this time of late October & November it becomes a bit rainy due to the incoming western disturbances, making the valley not only chilly but also drippy. This is the best time for those tourists who loves photography & wants to spend some time alone amongst nature’s changing colors & hues and also for honeymooners.
Winters in Kashmir is as breathtaking as all the other seasons included, since it turns into a winter wonderland coated in white wherever your gaze turns to. Kashmiris’ call this phase of biting cold winter as “Chilla-I-Kalan” which is derived from the Persian Word Chil [Forty] & Kalan [Greater] meaning Forty Greater [Days], it basically refers to a Forty-day period [21st December – 30th January] which coincides with the Winter Solstice when it becomes extremely cold & snowfall also increases. During this period temperatures repeatedly falls below freezing point specially during the nights & hilly areas gets covered with snow & most of the lakes & water bodies freezes up along with the iconic Dal Lake in Srinagar. This season is most loved by Adventure lovers & Honeymooners alike, along with college students who comes to experience the snow-clad mountain tops & valleys. This phase turns the whole of the Valley into a frozen white paradise giving it an out of the world feel for people who has never experienced snowfall. The pine forests get covered with snow & looks like a set piece from a fairytale, the calmness & silence makes it look surreal & tranquil and gives visitors a chance to see a half frozen or if lucky full frozen Dal Lake in the morning. The Valleys which were once filled with lush green meadows turns totally white & it is advised that visitors carry warm woolen clothes along with jackets which endures temperatures below sub-zero conditions.
During this period, one can stay in a houseboat on Dal Lake & enjoy a cup of traditional Kahwa tea along with the famous Kashmiri Wazwan & wake up in the morning to witness the iconic Dal Lake frozen & the landscapes nearby covered with a coating of fresh snow, which is totally a different experience specially for tourists who has never experienced snowfall. Or, you can visit Gulmarg, which is famous for its Skiing ground globally, well tourists from across the globe visits Gulmarg every year to experience & enjoy skiing in this snow filled once green pastures. You can opt to stay back at a resort in Gulmarg & enjoy the tranquility of being surrounded by snow on all sides & you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate while sitting by the fireplace or else you can take the world-famous Gondola Ride to get full access to the snowcapped peaks & stunning views & memories of this winter wonderland.
Another place to visit during winters is the Drung Waterfalls, which during this period freezes in such a way that it looks nothing less than something out of a storybook, it looks like a frozen glass wall & is a must visit during this period. Other places to visit includes Pahalgam & Betaab Valley since it looks nothing less than a picture out of some Swiss European village covered with snow during peak winters.
Well the above paragraphs describing the Valley’s four seasons do give you an idea as to the kind of changes you might see, but the experience that you would get by visiting Kashmir with Snow Trail Tours & Holidays would give you an experience of a lifetime & memories too hang on to forever.
| Season | Months [Approx] | Perfect For | Garments to Carry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | March-May | Tulip, Photography, Almond Blossom | Light Jacket & Light Layers |
| Summer | June-August | Pleasant Weather, Sightseeing, Trekking | Cottons & A Light Sweater |
| Autumn | Sep-Nov | Golden Chinar Fall, Saffron Farming | Woolen Clothing, Boots |
| Winter | Dec-Feb | Snowfall, Skiing, Gondola | Heavy Woolens, Thermals & Boots |
On your arrival at Srinagar International Airport you will be received by our local guide cum driver and taken to the hotel/houseboat, once check-in is done you can spend the day at your leisure. In the evening take a Shikara ride on the Dal Lake to see the famous floating markets & houses of residents staying inside the lake. You can also visit local markets like Lal Chowk to buy famous Kashmiri products like Pashmina Shawls, Saffron, Kashmiri Dry Fruits and Locally Made Handicrafts. Return back to hotel/houseboat after dinner.
After breakfast, our guide will pick you up from your place of stay and take you to the world-famous Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden to see the Tulip Flower Blooming in full glow [best during the month of April to middle of May] & also Badam-Wari [Almond Gardens] to see almond & cherry flowers blossoming during this time. Overnight stay in Srinagar.
After breakfast, you will be transferred through a very scenic drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers". This journey will approximately take around 2-3 hours through winding mountain roads covered with alpine forest giving you some of the best views of the city from the top. Upon arrival at Gulmarg enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas & the lush green meadows or snow-covered slopes in winters, you can also take a pony ride across the meadow. Gulmarg Gondola is the main attraction out here, it is the second highest cable car in the world. It has two phases which offers breathtaking & never seen views of the Himalayan Mountains. The first phase takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori Station & the second phase takes you from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak depending upon the weather. Enjoy the Gondola ride to the top of the peak to see the thawing snow & early-season grass & green fields. The tickets of this Gondola are to be booked by you through the official website “www.jammukashmircablecar.com”. In the evening return back to Srinagar & overnight stay in hotel.
Today after breakfast, our driver will drive you to Pahalgam, also known as the "Valley of Shepherds". The drive is scenic, passing through saffron fields at Pampore and beautiful countryside. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours. Once you reach Pahalgam you can enjoy the scenic beauty of this place and enjoy a quite evening in your cozy mountain side hotel room or take a walk besides the Lidder river or visit the famous Betaab Valley (named after a Bollywood movie), known for its lush meadows and picturesque landscapes. You can also visit Aru Valley, a stunning valley popular for trekking and camping. Enjoy a pony ride to places like Baisaran, often called "Mini Switzerland" due to its green meadows surrounded by dense forests. You can also visit Chandanwari which is the starting point of Amarnath Yatra. This is an excellent place for photography & people with cameras will thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty this place holds. In the evening you will be transferred back to Srinagar, once you reach Srinagar you will be taken to your respective houseboat, overnight stay at Houseboat on Dal Lake.
If time permits visit the Shankaracharya Temple for an all-around view of the city from the top. Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey, taking with you a bag full of sweet memories.
On your arrival at Srinagar International Airport you will be received by our local guide cum driver and taken to your pre reserved hotel, you can opt to stay at a heritage hotel during this period to get the most of this pleasant weather & scenic views from the hotel itself. After that visit the famous terraced gardens of Kashmir on the foothills of Zabarwan Mountain Range in Srinagar namely Nishat Bagh, Tulip Gardens & Shalimar Bagh. You can also visit local markets like Lal Chowk to buy famous Kashmiri products like Pashmina Shawls, Saffron, Kashmiri Dry Fruits and Locally Made Handicrafts.
After breakfast, drive to Sonamarg also known as the “Meadow of Gold”. The drive is approximately around 2-3 hours which will take you to the pristine and breathtaking Sonamarg valley surrounded by glaciers & along the Sindh river. From there you can take a pony ride or trek to “Thajiwas Glacier” famous for its stunning snowy views. You can also visit “Zero Point/Zoji La Pass” which offers some breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. Return to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight stay at Srinagar hotel.
After breakfast, you will be driven through a very scenic road from Srinagar to Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers". This journey will approximately take around 2-3 hours through winding mountain roads covered with alpine forest giving you some of the best views of the city from the top. Upon arrival at Gulmarg enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas & the lush green meadows or snow-covered slopes in winters, you can also take a pony ride across the meadow or enjoy golfing at the world’s highest golf course. Gulmarg Gondola is the main attraction out here, it is the second highest cable car in the world. It has two phases which offers breathtaking & never seen views of the Himalayan Mountains. The first phase takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori Station & the second phase takes you from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak depending upon the weather. The tickets of this Gondola are to be booked by you through the official website “www.jammukashmircablecar.com”. In the evening return back to Srinagar & overnight stay in hotel.
Today after breakfast, our driver will drive you to Pahalgam, also known as the "Valley of Shepherds". The drive is scenic, passing through saffron fields at Pampore and beautiful countryside. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours. Once you reach Pahalgam you can enjoy the scenic beauty of this place or enjoy river rafting in the Lidder river if you are of the adventurous type. Visit the famous Betaab Valley (named after a Bollywood movie), known for its lush meadows and picturesque landscapes. You can also visit Aru Valley, a stunning valley popular for trekking and camping. Enjoy a pony ride to places like Baisaran Valley, often called "Mini Switzerland" due to its green meadows surrounded by dense forests. This is an excellent place for photography & people with cameras will thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty this place holds. In the evening you will be transferred back to Srinagar, once you reach Srinagar you will be taken to your respective houseboat, overnight stay at Houseboat on Dal Lake.
If time permits visit the Shankaracharya Temple for an all-around view of the city from the top. Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey, taking with you a bag full of sweet memories.
On your arrival at Srinagar International Airport you will be received by our local guide cum driver and taken to your pre reserved hotel, you can opt to stay at a heritage hotel during this period to get the most of this pleasant weather & scenic views from the hotel itself. You can visit the Old City to experience the old-world culture, its wooden architecture, hand crafted pottery & utensils & also the designs created by artist from times before. In the evening during sunset visit the famous terraced gardens of Kashmir on the foothills of Zabarwan Mountain Range in Srinagar namely Nishat Bagh & Shalimar Bagh, it will give you the chance to experience the autumn season totally as you see the landscapes changing. This particular season will give you the vibes of international destinations like Canada since during this autumn season the Chinar leaves falls giving the valley the exact same feeling of Maple leaves falling, best place to experience this fall is Mughal Gardens & Naseem Bagh at Kashmir University. You can also visit local markets like Lal Chowk to buy famous Kashmiri products like Pashmina Shawls, Saffron, Kashmiri Dry Fruits and Locally Made Handicrafts.
After checking out, we drive you through the valley towards Pahalgam, also known as the "Valley of Shepherds". The drive is scenic, passing through the beautiful Kashmiri countryside & saffron fields of Pampore. Stop at Pampore to see the world-famous Kashmiri Saffron Fields during late October & early November period, the flowers blooms making it look like a field full of vibrant purple color. From Pampore via winding mountainous roads filled with fir trees & out-worldly views you reach Pahalgam, once you reach enjoy a quite evening in your cozy mountain side hotel room or take a walk besides the Lidder river. Overnight stay at Pahalgam.
Today after breakfast, visit the famous Betaab Valley (named after a Bollywood movie), known for its lush meadows and picturesque landscapes. Then visit Aru Valley, a stunning valley popular for trekking and camping. Enjoy a pony ride to places like Baisaran Valley, often called "Mini Switzerland" due to its green meadows surrounded by dense forests. This is an excellent place for photography even during this autumn period & people with cameras will thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty this place holds. In the evening you will be transferred back to Srinagar, once you reach Srinagar you will be taken to your respective hotel/houseboat, overnight stay at hotel/houseboat in Srinagar.
After breakfast, you will be driven through a very scenic road from Srinagar to Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers". This journey will approximately take around 2-3 hours through winding mountain roads covered with alpine forest giving you some of the best views of the city from the top. Upon arrival at Gulmarg enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas & the lush green meadows or snow-covered slopes in winters, you can also take a pony ride across the meadow or enjoy golfing at the world’s highest golf course. Gulmarg Gondola is the main attraction out here, it is the second highest cable car in the world. It has two phases which offers breathtaking & never seen views of the Himalayan Mountains. The first phase takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori Station & the second phase takes you from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak depending upon the weather. Enjoy the Gondola ride to the top of the peak to see the thawing snow & early-season grass & green fields. The tickets of this Gondola are to be booked by you through the official website “www.jammukashmircablecar.com”. In the evening return back to Srinagar & overnight stay in hotel.
If time permits visit the Shankaracharya Temple for an all-around view of the city from the top. Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey, taking with you a bag full of sweet memories.
On your arrival at Srinagar International Airport you will be received by our local guide cum driver and taken to the houseboat, once check-in is done you can spend the day at your leisure. In the evening take a Shikara ride on the Dal Lake to see the famous floating markets & houses of residents staying inside the lake. If you are lucky you would get to see the famous Dal Lake frozen due to the cold weather in the morning, or you may enjoy the snowclad landscape around you during peak winters. You can also visit local markets like Lal Chowk to buy famous Kashmiri products like Pashmina Shawls, Saffron, Kashmiri Dry Fruits and Locally Made Handicrafts. Return back to houseboat after dinner.
After breakfast, you will be taken through a very scenic snow white drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers". This journey will approximately take around 2-3 hours through winding mountainous roads covered with alpine forest which on top would be covered by snow giving you a magical fairytale world feeling. Upon arrival at Gulmarg enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas & the snow-covered slopes, you can also try your luck at skiing, or snowboarding or else you can hire a snowmobile and go up & down the snowy slope. Gulmarg Gondola is the main attraction out here, it is the second highest cable car in the world. It has two phases which offers breathtaking & never seen views of the Himalayan Mountains. The first phase takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori Station & the second phase takes you from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak depending upon the weather. Enjoy the Gondola ride to the top of the peak to see the stunning view of snow & serenity. The tickets of this Gondola are to be booked by you through the official website “www.jammukashmircablecar.com”. In the evening return back to your resort, and enjoy yourself near the fireplace.
After a late breakfast, our guide will take you around to show the scenic places around Gulmarg and also take you to Drung Waterfalls which is approximately 15-16kms from Gulmarg. Drung waterfall is famous for its complete frozen state during winters along with the scenic drive around mountain cliffs covered with dense pine forests, this place is famous for photography, sightseeing & trout fishing which is basically done by the locals. Return to Srinagar in the evening.
Today after breakfast, our driver will drive you to Pahalgam, also known as the "Valley of Shepherds". The drive is scenic, passing through saffron fields at Pampore and beautiful countryside. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours. Once you reach Pahalgam you can enjoy the scenic beauty of this place and enjoy a quite evening in your cozy mountain side hotel room or take a walk besides the Lidder river or visit the famous Betaab Valley (named after a Bollywood movie), known for its lush meadows and picturesque landscapes. You can also visit Aru Valley, a stunning valley popular for trekking and camping. Enjoy a pony ride to places like Baisaran, often called "Mini Switzerland" due to its green meadows surrounded by dense forests. You can also visit Chandanwari which is the starting point of Amarnath Yatra. This is an excellent place for photography & people with cameras will thoroughly enjoy the scenic beauty this place holds.
Or else, drive to Sonamarg also known as the “Meadow of Gold”. The drive is approximately around 2-3 hours which will take you to the pristine and breathtaking Sonamarg valley surrounded by glaciers & along the Sindh river. From there you can take a pony ride or trek to “Thajiwas Glacier” famous for its stunning snowy views. You can also visit “Zero Point/Zoji La Pass” which offers some breathtaking views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks. Return to Srinagar in the evening. Overnight stay at Srinagar hotel. In the evening you will be transferred back to Srinagar, once you reach Srinagar you will be taken to your respective hotel.
If time permits visit the Shankaracharya Temple for an all-around view of the city from the top. Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey, taking with you a bag full of sweet memories.
On your arrival at Srinagar International Airport you will be received by our local guide cum driver and taken to the hotel, once check-in is done you can spend the day at your leisure. You can also visit local markets like Lal Chowk to buy famous Kashmiri products like Pashmina Shawls, Saffron, Kashmiri Dry Fruits and Locally Made Handicrafts. Return back to hotel after dinner.
After breakfast, our guide will take you through a very scenic drive from Srinagar to Gulmarg, also known as the "Meadow of Flowers". This journey will approximately take around 2-3 hours through winding mountain roads covered with alpine forest giving you some of the best views of the city from the top. Upon arrival at Gulmarg enjoy the breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas & the lush green meadows or snow-covered slopes in winters, you can also take a pony ride across the meadow. Gulmarg Gondola is the main attraction out here, it is the second highest cable car in the world. It has two phases which offers breathtaking & never seen views of the Himalayan Mountains. The first phase takes you from Gulmarg Resort to Kongdori Station & the second phase takes you from Kongdori to Apharwat Peak depending upon the weather. The tickets of this Gondola are to be booked by you through the official website “www.jammukashmircablecar.com”. In the evening return back to your resort & overnight stay in Gulmarg.
After a late breakfast, our guide will take you around to show the scenic places around Gulmarg and also take you to Drung Waterfalls which is approximately 15-16kms from Gulmarg. Drung waterfall is famous for its complete frozen state during winters along with the scenic drive around mountain cliffs covered with dense pine forests, this place is famous for photography, sightseeing & trout fishing which is basically done by the locals. Overnight stay at Gulmarg resort.
After breakfast you will be transferred to Srinagar hotel, after that visit the famous terraced gardens of Kashmir on the foothills of Zabarwan Mountain Range in Srinagar namely Nishat Bagh, Tulip Gardens & Shalimar Bagh. After lunch visit Dal Lake & go on a beautiful & serene Shikara Ride taking you through the floating markets & gardens. Local vendors selling handicrafts, tea & much more on their little shikara boats gives you a peek into the unique lifestyle of people staying on the lake. Enjoy the sunset & the views of the nearby Pir Panjal Range while staying on a houseboat before a traditional Kashmiri dinner. Overnight stay at a hotel in Srinagar.
After checking-out, drive to Pahalgam, also known as the "Valley of Shepherds". The drive is scenic, passing through saffron fields and beautiful countryside. The journey takes approximately 2-3 hours. Once you reach Pahalgam you can enjoy the scenic beauty of this place and enjoy a quite evening in your cozy mountain side hotel room or take a walk besides the Lidder river. Overnight stay at Pahalgam.
Next day you can explore the surrounding natural beauty of Pahalgam. Visit the famous Betaab Valley (named after a Bollywood movie), known for its lush meadows and picturesque landscapes. You can also visit Aru Valley, a stunning valley popular for trekking and camping. Enjoy a pony ride to places like Baisaran, often called "Mini Switzerland" due to its green meadows surrounded by dense forests. You can also visit Chandanwari which is the starting point of Amarnath Yatra. In the evening you will be transferred back to Srinagar, once you reach Srinagar you will be taken to your respective houseboat, overnight stay at Houseboat on Dal Lake.
Transfer to Srinagar Airport for your onward journey, taking with you a bag full of sweet memories.