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19 guides

  • Snow-covered huts and pine trees in Gulmarg after fresh snowfall
    Live

    Is There Snow in Gulmarg?

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    Check the latest dated report at the top of this page. In a normal year, Gulmarg has snow on the meadow from about December to March, and Apharwat, at the top of the Gondola, holds snow most of the year. In snow, only 4x4s and cars with chains can drive up from Tangmarg.

  • A walker in a green meadow below rocky, snow-streaked mountains in Sonamarg
    Travel guide

    Sonamarg: Glacier and Zoji La

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The best places to visit in Sonamarg are Thajiwas Glacier, about 3 km from town on foot or by pony, Zero Point beyond Zoji La by local union taxi, and Baltal. Sonamarg is about 80 km from Srinagar and, since the Z-Morh tunnel opened in 2025, open in winter. Most visit as a day trip.

  • Snow-covered slopes with pine trees and skiers in Kashmir in winter
    Plan

    Best Time to Visit Kashmir

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The best time to visit Kashmir depends on the trip: March to May for blossom and tulips, June to August for green valleys, October and November for chinars and clear skies, and December to February for snow and skiing in Gulmarg. For a first visit, choose May, June or October; for snow, January or February.

  • A shikara on a lake edged with snow in Kashmir in winter
    Weather

    Kashmir in December

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    December is the start of winter in Kashmir. Srinagar averages about 10°C by day and -2°C at night, Pahalgam 8°C and -4°C, and Gulmarg 5°C and -5°C. Snow usually arrives in Gulmarg and the mountains during the month, but in Srinagar only in some years. Chillai Kalan starts on 21 December, and the last week is fully booked.

  • A train on a curve through green fields and poplar trees in the Kashmir valley
    How to reach

    Delhi to Srinagar by Train

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    There is no direct Delhi to Srinagar train yet. Take a train from Delhi to Jammu Tawi or Katra (about 8 hours on the Delhi to Katra Vande Bharat), then the Vande Bharat Express to Srinagar, about 4 hours 50 minutes from Jammu Tawi. Chair car fares from Jammu are about ₹715 to ₹880.

  • A snow-covered meadow with a wooden hut and pine trees at dusk in Gulmarg
    Travel guide

    Gulmarg: Snow, Skiing, Gondola

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The best places to visit in Gulmarg are the Gondola to Kongdoori and Apharwat, the snow slopes for skiing and sledging, Khilanmarg, the golf course meadow, St Mary's Church, the Maharani Temple, Drung Waterfall and the shrine of Baba Reshi. In winter, stay at least one night: a day trip is too rushed for the snow.

  • A Gulmarg Gondola cabin above the green slopes of Gulmarg
    Prices

    Gulmarg Gondola Tickets

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    Book the Gulmarg Gondola only on the official JKCCC portal, etickets.jammukashmircablecar.com. Phase 1 (Gulmarg to Kongdoori) costs ₹800 per person and Phase 2 (Kongdoori to Apharwat) ₹1,000, so ₹1,800 for both. Log in with your mobile number and OTP, book both phases together as soon as your dates are fixed, and carry the original ID you booked with.

  • Skis in the snow and people walking up the ski slopes of Gulmarg on a sunny day
    Things to do

    Skiing in Gulmarg

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The Gulmarg ski season runs from about December to early March, with the most reliable snow in January and February. A beginner day with both Gondola phases, rental and lunch costs about ₹3,000 to ₹4,500; lessons are extra. Beginners learn near the base, experts ski Apharwat, and IISM runs subsidised winter courses.

  • A couple walking under red chinar trees on a carpet of fallen leaves in Kashmir in autumn
    Weather

    Kashmir in November

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    November is autumn turning into winter in Kashmir. Srinagar averages about 16°C by day and 1°C at night, Gulmarg 9°C and just below freezing. It is one of the driest months, with chinar colours usually at their best from late October to mid-November and the saffron bloom in Pampore. Snow is likely only on the high slopes.

  • The Lidder river winding through the green Pahalgam valley below the mountains
    Travel guide

    Pahalgam: Betaab, Aru, Lidder

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The best places to visit in Pahalgam are Betaab Valley, Aru Valley and Chandanwari, all within about 16 km, plus the Lidder River and the ancient Mamal Temple. You reach the valleys only by Pahalgam union taxi, about ₹2,200 to ₹3,000 for all three. Pahalgam is about 90 to 95 km from Srinagar; stay two nights.

  • Shikaras on Dal Lake in Srinagar at sunset, with houseboats and mountains behind
    Plan

    Plan Your Kashmir Trip

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    To plan a Kashmir trip, pick your season first, give it five to seven days, base yourself in Srinagar and add Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonamarg. Book flights or the Vande Bharat train, stays and the Gulmarg Gondola early, bring a postpaid SIM or buy a local one, carry ID and some cash, and check the latest advisories.

  • A person with a red umbrella walking through fresh snow in a snowy pine forest in Kashmir
    Weather

    Where to See Snow in Kashmir

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    Snowfall in Kashmir usually starts on the high slopes above Gulmarg in October or November and reaches the valley between mid-December and February. January and February are the most reliable months for snow. Gulmarg is the surest place to find it; Srinagar gets snow on some days, but not every year on the same dates.

  • Hazratbal shrine on the shore of Dal Lake, Srinagar, with snow peaks behind
    Travel guide

    Srinagar: Lakes, Gardens, Old City

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    The best places to visit in Srinagar are Dal Lake by shikara, the Mughal gardens of Nishat, Shalimar and Chashme Shahi, Pari Mahal, Shankaracharya Temple, Hazratbal, the Old City's wooden mosques, Nigeen Lake and Zero Bridge. Two days covers them: one for the lake and gardens, one for the Old City and Hazratbal.

  • The snowy road winding up through pine forest on the way to Gulmarg
    How to reach

    Srinagar to Gulmarg by Road

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    Gulmarg is about 50 to 56 km from Srinagar, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours through Parimpora and Tangmarg. A day-trip taxi costs about ₹3,000 to ₹3,700; buses and shared taxis are cheaper but slow. In snow, only 4x4s or cars with chains can drive the last 13 km from Tangmarg.

  • The wing of a plane over the snowy Himalayas on a flight to Kashmir
    How to reach

    How to Reach Kashmir

    Updated 28 Sept 2026

    You can reach Kashmir by flying into Srinagar, which has direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and other cities; by the Vande Bharat train from Jammu Tawi, about 4 hours 50 minutes; or by road on the 247 km Jammu to Srinagar highway. Once there, use cab apps in Srinagar and a day taxi for sightseeing.

  • Houseboats lit up along Dal Lake at dusk, Srinagar
    Where to stay

    Best Hotels in Srinagar

    Updated 30 Sept 2026

    The best hotels in Srinagar for a first visit are by Dal Lake or in Rajbagh. Paradise Premium tops our ranking, Radisson Collection Hotel & Spa, Riverfront is the luxury pick and Hotel Royal Plaza is the best value. For 15 December 2026 the middle rate was ₹3,527, and most hotels cost ₹1,600 to ₹10,100 (checked 30 September 2026).

  • Hotels and cottages among pine forest in Pahalgam
    Where to stay

    Best Hotels in Pahalgam

    Updated 30 Sept 2026

    The best hotels in Pahalgam are in or near the town, close to the union taxi stand. Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Pine N Peak tops our ranking and is the luxury pick, and Fiza Guest House is the best value. For 15 December 2026, rates in and around town ran from ₹1,081 to ₹29,500 (checked 30 September 2026).

  • Hotels on the meadow below the peaks at Sonamarg
    Where to stay

    Best Hotels in Sonamarg

    Updated 30 Sept 2026

    The best hotels in Sonamarg are in the town itself, past the Z-Morh tunnel. Hotel Mughal India tops our ranking, Radisson Hotel Sonamarg is the luxury pick and Mitra Sonamarg is the best value. For 15 December 2026, town rates ran from ₹1,116 to ₹16,094 (checked 30 September 2026), and 23 of 40 town hotels took winter bookings.

  • A hotel among snow-covered pines in Gulmarg in winter
    Where to stay

    Best Hotels in Gulmarg

    Updated 30 Sept 2026

    The best hotels in Gulmarg for winter are within 1 km of the Gondola. Hotel Gulmarg Hills tops our ranking, The Khyber is the luxury pick and Hotel Shanu the best value. For 15 December 2026, rates near the Gondola ran from ₹5,775 to ₹37,170 (checked 30 September 2026); October was about 23% cheaper.