Jammu and Kashmir are hill station destinations in India – which automatically means they are a popular location for tourists to experience snowfall, frozen waterfalls, white carpeted grasslands, etc. Except for locations at very high altitudes like The Thajiwas Glacier or Kashmir Great Lakes, most of the valley is open to tourists throughout the year. If you visit Kashmir in winter, you might get a chance to enjoy snowfall while staying in a lake, golfing in the snow, walking on a frozen river, trekking in snow fields and meadows, etc. Well, this is exactly what we are going to discuss today in our blog about the top 15 places to visit in Kashmir in winter. So buckle up, because the journey is about to begin!
What Is It Like in Kashmir in Winter?
Kashmir in Winter is nothing short of a mesmerizing location. Most locations in Kashmir including Gulmarg, Srinagar, Pulwama, and even Ladakh experience snowfall multiple times in a month. The highest temperature you can expect to record in the Kashmir valley in winter is 15°C. The lowest can easily go to somewhere between -2°C to -10°C, especially during the night time. The coldest month in Kashmir is January, followed closely by December and February. Most of the precipitation in Kashmir takes place during the winter months in the form of heavy snowfall and spring months in the form of rain and hail. Tourists are requested to carry multiple thermal innerwear, woollens, heavy snow and windproof outerwear, waterproof caps, gloves, and mufflers when they travel to Kashmir in winter.
Places To Visit In Kashmir In Winter: Experience Snow, Glaciers and Festivals
1. Srinagar
Who can come to Kashmir and not visit its most popular city? Srinagar tops not only the list of tourist places in Kashmir in winter, but rather in every season. When visiting Srinagar, if you get lucky you might take a shikara or a houseboat night right when it snows softly on the Dal Lake! You can enjoy good quality lamb soup, local Kashmiri sweets, and Ladakhi cuisine at any local luxury restaurant in this city. Srinagar is also home to high-altitude architectural wonders like Shankaracharya Temple, Pari Mahal, and Hari Parbat Fort. Winter is also a great time to visit the apple orchards of this area. The best Places for Shopping in Kashmir in winter and souvenir collecting are Lal Chowk, Badshah Chowk, Polo View Market, and Residency Road. The whole city lights up like a jewelled bride after a night of snowing making it indeed a charming experience.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7 to 9 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
2. Gulmarg
It is impossible to plan Tourist Places to Visit in Kashmir in winter and not go to the ‘Snow Crown’ of this state. Gulmarg is the finest skiing destination in India and also offers other sports like sledging, ice sculpting, ice skating, snowshoeing etc. A town completely dedicated to tourists, you can easily get luxury accommodation in traditional Kashmiri wooden cottages while staying here. The famous Gulmarg Gondola is a cable ride that takes you to the highest point of the skiing ground. The clear and crisp view of Apharwat Peak that you can get from there is worth a lifetime of happiness for any dedicated photographer. The frozen Alpather Lake and Drung Waterfall are further proof of winter well lived. If it has always been a dream for you to golf in the snow, book a trip to Gulmarg as soon as possible!
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7 to 9 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
3. Sonmarg
While less crowded than Gulmarg, this popular destination for sightseeing in Kashmir in winter has most of the facilities. It also has its own skiing and holding grounds. High-altitude trails from Sonmarg are usually closed by the end of December due to the heavy snowfall and accumulation of snow on roads. This means locations like the Kashmir Great Lakes and Thajiwas Glacier are closed during this time. A very family-friendly destination, you can spend hours taking pictures with your partner or teaching your kids how to ride the sledge. Additionally, Songmarg has been awarded the title of the best winter hill station in India meaning you will get open, virgin values filled with snow and ice during winter time. Sonmarg is also a great place for white river rafting!
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
4. Pahalgam
The Aru Valley comes alive during winters with a new kind of snow sports crowd -plus of course the Kolahoi Glacier and Kothpathri Winter Trekkers. The journey to Kothpathri passes through many unknown meadows and pastures. Kolahoi, on the other hand, is a short journey to the altitude of 5425 meters to be as close to the hollow glacier as possible. Another low-intensity tracking journey family and friends can go on is the Lidderwat Winter Trek, which traces the banks of the foaming Lidder River. If you want to stay back and enjoy the Pahalgam and Aru Valley themselves, you can do so through a bonfire camp, winter river rafting experience and a quick tour of the sparkling white Betaab Valley. Due to this reason, Pahalgam is considered one of the Best Places To Visit In Kashmir In Winter.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7-8 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
5. Kupwara
Interestingly, this underrated destination for sightseeing in Kashmir in December is known for its tales of Blind and Deaf fairies. Indeed a magical destination, Kupwara is home to the dewy pasturelands and leaf-ridden trees of the Bangus valley. It is also located close to the mesmerizing Lolab Valley and Vanrow Village where travelers go to experience the traditional Kashmiri village life. Several mountain trails lead from this little hamlet to the surrounding forests where you can spend time hiking and photographing. Shrines dedicated to Sheikh Baba Behram and Qamar Reshi Sahib offer a sense of peace to the soul that cannot be found anywhere else. Witnessing the beautiful snowstorms and sleet at Chandigram is something that adventure lovers will not want to miss.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 4 to 5 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
6. Pulwama
The reason why the Rice Bowl of Kashmir is such a popular name among the top tourist places in Kashmir in winter isn’t rice at all! It is saffron, a popular harvest in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Pulwama produces the best quality saffron in all of India and one of the best in the whole world. The saffron festival is celebrated during the last week of October or the first week of November each year. Pulwama. You can also visit the snowy banks of the Tarsar and Marsar lakes while on a trip to this mesmerizing heritage city. The most revered shrines of Pulwama are the Avantiswami Temple, Avantishwar Temple, Hundur Monastery and Jama Masjid. If you are not going towards Anantnag village or Verinag, you can also take a short trip to the Aharbal Waterfalls during this stay.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit:
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
7. Yusmarg
The Meadow Of Jesus is known for its lush green pastures, open forests and narrow foot trails that take you from one corner to another of this valley. In the winters the pastures are gone, covered under layers of seasonal snow that slowly melt into trickling streams of chilly water here and there. Snow accumulates on the sloped roofs of the huts and the only animals that can be seen out and about are the hairy wild ponies. The pebbled banks of the Dhoodhganga River also turn as white as the river itself and make for great locations for a picnic, camping and even fishing. A few other great locations are the Nilnag Lake, Charar-e-Sharief shrine and high altitude Sang-e-Safed valley full of limestone boulders. It is definitely a must-visit location when you are planning to explore Places To Visit In Kashmir In Winter.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit:
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
8. Bhaderwah
Also known as ‘Mini Kashmir’, this popular name among the best tourist places in Kashmir in winter is a sleepy, heavenly hill station that has as much heritage tourism to offer as it has nature. The Bhaderwah Fort is the main architectural wonder of this town that looks particularly magnificent on a snowy day. It was established in 1733 and was home to freedom fighters like Pandit Kashyap Bandhu. The crown of Bhaderwah, Seoj Meadow, provides the best view of frozen Kailash Kund and is surrounded by virgin forests of Cedar and Oak that overflow with sliding snow. Another popular destination in Kashmir in winter is the Jai Valley, which is just as beautiful as Betaab but much less crowded. If not Jai, you can visit its twin sister the Chinta Valley located at a height of 6500 feet above sea level.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 5 to 6 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
9. Naranag Trunkhol Gangabal Trek
This journey is hands down the best way to capture the real beauty of Kashmir in winter. Spanning a distance of 30 km, the journey starts at the base camp of Naranag, which is mostly covered in deep layers of snow during this time of the year. It takes travellers through an enthralling journey of 6 days as each day they proceed from one type of vegetation to another with the ascent in altitude. Once travellers reach the top, they are met with the gemlike glory of clear, sparkling twin lakes – Gangabal and Nundkol. The clouded skies, snow-white landscape and challenging downhill journey through the slippery snow make the Naranag Trunkhol Gangabal journey one of a kind even in the dead of winter.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 6 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
10. Marchoi Valley
This is an unknown trek that can be easily done by beginners and can lend an unparalleled view of hidden Kashmir in winter. An 18 km track takes travellers through frozen river banks, wild college and floral growth in the lower altitudes and coniferous forests at higher areas where nothing else can grow. On the way travelers stop at The tourist town of Naranag, where they can take some time out and visit the rules of a temple built by Lalitaditya Mutapida from the Karkota Dynasty. Travelers can also spend one night at a traditional Kashmiri Hut in Durmail. Towards the end, trekkers reach the astoundingly beautiful Marchoi Valley field with open meadows, birch trees and silver fir. Marchoi Valley is a great spot for nature sightseeing in Kashmir in winter.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 6 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
11. Jammu
This popular destination for those who cannot tolerate very cold temperatures but still want to experience Kashmir in winter. Daytime temperature in Jammu can go as high as 21°C and rarely drops below 5°C. Jammu receives both rainfall and snowfall in plenty during the months of November to February. The Jammu city and outskirts have great markets where you can try the famous Kashmiri Chai, Aalu Dum and Rogan Josh. These markets are also great places to hunt down good quality pashmina shawls, coats and trousers. Raghunath Temple, Vaishno Devi Mandir, Gauri Mandir and Bhairavnath Temple are the main tourist attractions for devoted travellers. You can spend a couple of quiet hours at the Surindar Lake and Nandini Wildlife Sanctuary where birds come alive even in the dead of January.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 6 to 8 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
12. Anantnag
This holy valley of Kashmir is home to temples, dargahs, Mughal gardens and hot water springs. Anantnag in winter is covered in barren deciduous forests, chilling streams of water, snow-covered villages and saffron fields. The best places to visit in Kashmir in winter in the Anantnag district are the Aharbal Waterfalls, Achabal Waterfalls, Verinag hot water springs and Kokernag hot water springs. Did you know that the Verinag hot water spring is the birthplace of river Jhelum? The Martand Sun temple, Mattan Shani Temple, Kheerbhawani Asthapan etc awesome Holi locations that attract visitors throughout the year including the beautiful snowing winter months. You can also enjoy a weekend homestay at the traditional villages of Shangus, Ganoora and Kandipora.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 6 to 8 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
13. Chadar Trek
This Ladakhi Trek can only be undertaken in the winter when the Zanskar River is completely frozen. Chadar Trek is a difficult trek that should only be undertaken by travellers who have had past experience with rigorous trekking. Also, you will be needing plenty of warm clothes and advanced tracking equipment! The trek starts from the little Hamlet of Shingri Koma and spans a distance of 62 km. At one point, travellers reach the height of 11100 feet. Travel experts say that the Chadar track is a pretty convincing replica of the North Pole trek. Travellers have to experience temperatures as low as -20°C and carry all their supplies in snow sledges. At many spots of the journey, travellers stop at hidden, magical Ladakhi villages where inhabitants are still like the ancient times.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 8 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
14. Leh
The winter months in Ladakh are busy with festivals such as the Losar festival (celebrated in December and January), Dosmoche festival (needs to end in February) and Matho Nagrang (celebrated from February to March). While the temperature can be quite extreme in some parts of this massive cold desert – reaching below -30°C – most places are open to tourists and devotees from all over the world. Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa, Thiksey Gompa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib and Alchi Choskor are all as mesmerizing for their architectural Glory as they are for the striking surroundings. Don’t forget to take a heartwarming drive through the Nubra Valley and get a first-hand experience of the table Magnetic Hill. Pangong Tso and Kyago Tso are two must visit lakes in Leh.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 7 to 9 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
15. Hemis
Another popular name among the places to visit in Kashmir in winter, Hamlet also experiences a severe temperature fall as the autumn retreats. While many animals in the Hemis National Park enter their hibernation period during December and January. Other animals like the snow leopard become much more active. The main shrine around which this temple town is built, The Hemis Gompa, is one of the wealthiest monasteries in the country. Close by is the much simpler Gotsang Gompa, a place for strict discipline and pilgrimage. On the banks of the river, Indus is a small and ancient footbridge, often frequented by tourists for its amazing photographic quality.
Entry fee: no entry cost
Time taken to visit: 5 to 6 days
Opening and closing hours: open 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions?
A. Ladakh being a cold desert is really freezing in winter with certain areas where the temperature can reach to -30°C. In cities like Leh and Hemis, daytime temperature can reach -10°C on very cold days.
A. Srinagar receives regular snow in winter which covers its beautiful roads, pine trees and sacred lakes in a layer of white, fluffy delight.
A. The Marchoi Valley Trek is an immersive but low-intensity journey through the snow-covered hamlets of Kashmir which is considered the best trek for beginners in Kashmir in winter.
Conclusion!!
Kashmir Travel Packages at TRISOJ designed for the freezing months of winter are done so keeping in mind the comfort needs of each individual traveller. For those who want to scale the heights of new challenges, we have amazing deals on overnight camping, winter river rafting, angling etc. Book your trip beforehand to enjoy a stress-free vacation that is full of magical, traditional stays and mouth-watering cuisine next to a warm fireplace on a snowy night.
