Have you ever dreamt of going to a place where every passing season brings a new aspect of beauty? Think of a place where tulips bloom during spring, meadows turn green in summer, autumn adorns the landscape with gold and red colours, and winter results in a snow-covered wonderland. The place that does not need any introduction no matter if you are an Indian or a foreigner. This is Kashmir, commonly described as the world’s most beautiful place or “Paradise of the Earth” or “Heaven of the Earth”. Located at the extreme north of India, Kashmir is famed for its breath-taking scenery, vibrant culture, and welcoming people.
According to the Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Department, over 21 million people visited the region in 2023, which is the record highest. But what makes Kashmir so special in every season? Let’s look at this magical land season by season and see what makes it so timeless and beautiful with this Kashmir Travel Guide.
The Spring (March to May)
Springtime in Kashmir is a concert of shades and odors. The moment snow starts to melt; the valley becomes vibrant with blooming flowers and lush pastures. It is the most favorable period characterized by mild temperatures of 15°C to 20°C for both sight-seeing and undertaking outdoor activities.
Top Places in Kashmir to Visit in Spring
Srinagar:
Srinagar blooms with flowers during spring, attracting tourists from all over the world in its famous Indira Gandhi Memorial tulip gardens, named after India’s first female prime minister. Our country prides itself for having the largest number of tulips (in millions) in all of Asia. In case you do not know till now, let me tell you that there are other gardens as well that you can explore such as Mughal Garden, Shalimar Bagh and Nishant Bagh, which are filled with different types of flowers and beautiful landscape.
Yusmarg:
One of the hidden things about Yusmarg is the presence of very large open grassy areas and thick forests that come together. It gives you a peaceful place to go away from the busy and crowded places that many tourists visit, where you can take short walks and can also have picnics. Another place is the Doodh Ganga River, with pine trees all along both of its sides, you can enjoy the sound of the flowing water as well as great natural scenery.
Achabal:
This is a historical garden which was built by the Mughal Empress Nur Jahan, Achabal is known for its well-maintained gardens and beautiful fountains and is famous by the name “the places of the princess”. It is located 8 km from Anantnag and 56 km from Srinagar. While giving a visual treat to your eyes, you can spend some time at the tourist bungalows and tourist huts nearby.
How to Reach Kashmir
Kashmir word looks like a remote destination as settled in crown of Indian map, but you will know about distance and location of this famous hill station from Delhi and metro cities as Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh.
Kashmir is surrounded by mountains and valleys that makes its journey quite tough. In summers from May to June, Kashmir is visiting great footfall of tourists in comparison to Manali and Shimla. Unfiltered beauty of Kashmir makes it great destination to visit year around. To reach Kashmir from Delhi, you can book tempo traveller on rent in Delhi to Srinagar and then head to famous places as Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Patnitop, Pahalgam and many more.
Activities in Kashmir During Spring
Shikara Rides on Dal Lake: Must experience the calmness of Dal Lake with a Shikara ride. The ride of houseboats and along with the visuals of floating gardens will cost you around 790 per Shikara ride for one hour and Rs. 440 for every extra hour.
Tulip Festival: You can participate in the annual Tulip Festival in Srinagar, which is celebrated every year during the blooming season. The locals celebrate this blooming season with cultural programs, showcasing handicrafts, and enjoying local cuisine.
You will explore famous activities and things to do in Kashmir with this Kashmir travel guide.
The Summer (June to August)
Kashmir during the summer is a lovely retreat away from the unrelenting plains heat, during these months you can expect a comfortable range of temperatures between 15°C and 30°C, with the clear blue skies and flourishing vegetation, making it a perfect time for outdoor activities.
Top Places in Kashmir to Visit in Summer
Doodhpathri:
Doodhpathri is called the ‘Valley of Milk.’ It is a beautiful hill station with huge grassy areas and very clear small rivers. The thick green grass and the cool wind make it a perfect place to go to in the summer. The name “Doodhpathri” gets its name from the white color of its water. There is a common belief among people that its water has some medical properties or healing powers.
Leh-Ladakh:
Even though Leh-Ladakh is not exactly in Kashmir. But, it is usually part of Kashmir tours. It is a popular summer adventure spot known for its unique landscape, Buddhist monasteries, and the famous Pangong Lake. The stunning beauty of Leh-Ladakh, with its high-altitude deserts and beautiful mountains, draws adventure lovers from around the globe.
Read Also: Winter Holiday in Uttarakhand
Aru Valley:
Aru Valley is a beautiful place with pretty fields and peaceful surroundings. It is not very crowded and is good for activities like hiking, camping, and enjoying Kashmir’s natural beauty. It is located 12 kilometers away from Pahalgam and also the starting point of the popular Kolahoi Glacier trek.
Activities in Kashmir During Summer
Trekking and Camping: If you love trekking, you can trek on routes like the Great Lakes Trek and the Kolahoi Glacier Trek as well as camping under the starry sky in these beautiful places will be a memorable experience for you.
River Rafting in Lidder River: If you are not hydrophobic and love to do adventure, you should try river rafting in the Lidder River. The river has clear water and exciting rapids, this makes it a perfect thrilling sport.
The Autumn (September to November)
Autumn in Kashmir is like a colourful melody. With the setting in of autumn, the leaves of the Chinar tree in the whole valley take up a fiery red with the view appearing like it is painted in shades of gold, amber and crimson. The crunchy sound of fallen leaves, with the cool air whistling through them, makes it feel even more poetic.
Top Places in Kashmir to Visit in Autumn
Dachigam National Park: Located 22 Km from Srinagar, this park is the home for endangered Hangul deer/Kashmiri Stag. Autumn is a good time if you love wildlife, you can visit and see the different varieties of plants, birds and animals in the park like leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan black bears. This park is open throughout the year and it will cost you only Rs.25/person.
Gurez Valley: Gurez Valley in Kashmir is famous for its beautiful scenery. It is surrounded by snow-covered mountains, pretty meadows, and flowing rivers. Do not forget to trek Harmukh Mountain, it is the highest peak in Gurez Valley at an altitude of 16,870 which makes this place even more picturesque.
Activities in Kashmir During Autumn
Walking Tours: Wander slowly through the avenues full of Chinar trees as well as through Mughal Gardens to get soaked in the autumnal beauty.
Wildlife Safaris: Visit to Dachigam National Park where you can see the Migratory birds, wild animals, endangered species, varieties of trees, plants and flowers and showcasing photography skills during the safari ride.
The Winter (December to February)
This is the perfect time to experience the real beauty of Kashmir, Kashmir during winter is fully covered with a blanket of white snow that makes it a natural wonderland. Along with it the frozen lakes and clear blue sky makes it the perfect destination for some adventurous activities like Skiing and Ice Skating. The temperature here drops to -10°C in the winter time.
Top Places in Kashmir to Visit in Autumn
Gulmarg: Gulmarg is the best winter destination for the tourists known for its exceptional ski resorts. The ski slopes in this place are considered to be some of the best in Asia. That is the reason it attracts skiers and snowboarders from various parts of the world. If you also want to experience the fantastic slopes, you can access one of the highest cable cars in the world known as The Gulmarg Gondola.
Patnitop: Located in the district of Udhampur, it is known as the winter sports playground, Patnitop and Srinagar tour is famous for hill station tour. The Shivalik range in Patnitop provides a panoramic view point as well as various other places to explore like Shiva Garh, Sanasar Lake, and Gauri kund .
Sinthan Top: The Sinthan Top is a high-altitude pass that connects Kashmir with Kishtwar, but it’s less crowded during winter months because of difficult road and weather conditions but it would be all worth it once you reach there. This region is an ideal place for snow trekking and admiring nature’s beauty during the cold months of the year.
Activities in Kashmir During Winter
Skiing and Snowboarding: Gulmarg has really good places for skiing and snowboarding. The Gulmarg Gondola is one of the highest cable cars globally and gives access to great slopes.
Snow Trekking: You can go snow trekking in Patnitop or Sinthan Top. The fresh, untouched snow and the quiet beauty of the winter scenery make it a special experience.
Why Kashmir Tourism is Rising
The abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019 marked a turning point for Kashmir. Especially for the tourism sector. The region witnessed the record breaking number of tourists last year with a count of 21 million that is a 20% rise from the previous year. This number does not only include the local tourists from India but also the international tourist has broken all the previous year records.
This growth can be attributed to various factors such as the government has enhanced the infrastructure including better road connectivity and upgraded airports. Enhanced security measures with heightened surveillance and additional security forces have also boosted the confidence of visitors and ensured a safer environment for them. Even India conducted its 3rd G20 summit in Kashmir to promote tourism both domestically and internationally. Jammu Tourism has always seen a surge with Vaishno Devi Yatra, but Kashmir remains little down due to some socio-political situations. So have a look at this comprehensive Kashmir Travel guide to explore the place in a better way.
Conclusion of Kashmir Travel Guide
Kashmir is not just a destination; it’s an experience. The place that changes with every weather change. It offers something different in every season from bright flowers in spring time to white snow covering everything during winter time. The improved infrastructure and recent political changes have made it easier for one to visit this paradise on earth than ever before. So, just pack your bags and get ready to explore the tranquil beauty or indulge in some adventure sports after reading this wonderful Kashmir travel guide. The snow city is waiting for you with its wide open arms and myriads of experience.