Kashmir has been called heaven on earth for centuries, and the reason is easy to see: few places change as completely from one season to the next. Here is what each season looks like, and who it suits best.

Spring (March to May)

Spring starts with almond blossom and ends with green hills. For a few weeks, usually from late March into April, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden in Srinagar opens with rows of tulips below the Zabarwan hills. The Mughal gardens are at their best, and the weather is mild enough for long days of sightseeing.

Best for: families, first-time visitors and photographers.

Summer (June to August)

Summer is the season of meadows. Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg are green and cool while the plains are hot. Treks like the Kashmir Great Lakes open up, and the Amarnath Yatra takes place in July and August.

Best for: trekkers, families escaping the heat and pilgrims.

Autumn (September to November)

The chinar trees turn gold and red, the skies clear and the crowds thin out. Autumn is quiet, affordable and beautiful, especially around the Mughal gardens and Dal Lake.

Best for: couples, slow travellers and anyone who wants good value.

Winter (December to February)

Winter covers Kashmir in snow. Gulmarg becomes a ski destination, Pahalgam turns white, and the harshest 40 days of winter, known as Chillai Kalan, run from late December to the end of January. Houseboats and heated hotels keep things cosy, and kahwa never tastes better.

Best for: honeymooners, snow lovers and skiers.

A few things that stay the same all year

A shikara ride on Dal Lake is lovely in every season.
Srinagar’s old city, with its wooden mosques and markets, is worth a morning in any month.
Wazwan, the multi-course Kashmiri feast, is always on the menu.

Not sure which season suits you? Ask a co-ordinator and we will suggest dates that match your plans.