Best Time To Visit Kashmir

Summer Season in Kashmir

Summer, June through August, is a season of joy and it draws in a constant flood of tourists of all kinds into the Kashmir Valley. Although hotel rates are higher and solitude is hard to come by in Srinagar, a shikara ride or a night stay in a houseboat on Dal Lake makes it all worthwhile. Summer is also when most locals indulge in many festivities such as Ramzan and weddings. Whether you’re on honeymoon to enjoy time around Dal Lake or an adventurer planning your next trek in the mighty Pir Panjal range, summer is the best season to visit Kashmir Valley. Jammu in summer experiences heat waves as bad as in Chandigarh or Delhi. Summer is also the time when pilgrims go to Vaishno Devi in Jammu or Amarnath Yatra in Kashmir.

Monsoon Season in Kashmir

Monsoons, between September and November, are also a good time to explore the Valley as summer crowds have thinned out by this time and the best deals on hotels and packages are on offer. The Monsoon season is an off-season in Kashmir Valley however, don’t let it discourage your plans. Apple picking is the most rewarding activity to do while you’re in Kashmir during the rains.

Winter Season in Kashmir

Winter in Kashmir lasts usually between December and February. Some places in the Kashmir Valley in Winter witness a lot of snowfall while Jammu in winter has milder winter temperatures. The entire snow-clad Pir Panjal range makes winter the best time to visit Kashmir for a honeymoon. Thousands of tourists come here to enjoy snowfall in Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Srinagar. Patnitop in Jammu is another popular hill station where newlyweds and families love to retreat.

How To Reach Jammu And Kashmir

By Air

Srinagar International Airport (SXR), also known as Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport, and Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport (IXL) in Leh are the major airports in Jammu and Kashmir state. The airport in Srinagar is connected with major cities in India including Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Bangalore. The airport in Leh has direct flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai, and Srinagar. Taxi rentals and private shuttles are available at both airports in Jammu and Kashmir.

Furthermore, Jammu Aiport, or Jammu Civil Enclave handles domestic flights from major urban centers in India.

By Train

Jammu Tawi, located in the state’s winter capital, is the busiest railway station in Jammu and Kashmir. It serves as the northern terminal of major trains connecting the city with the rest of India. Regular express trains from Jammu to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Trivandrum run efficiently.

By Road

Jammu and Srinagar, seasonal capitals of the state can be reached throughout the year by road. Jammu is served by a network of state and national highways. If you’re wondering about how to reach Kashmir Valley by road, follow the NH1(A) that passes through the city of Jammu to Srinagar in Kashmir Valley. The highway continues to the east before terminating at Leh in the Ladakh region. NH1 is a major and vital highway that handles the primary traffic coming in and out of the region. Government and private operators run buses and taxis between Jammu, Srinagar, and Leh.

The Jawahar Tunnel, 2.8 kilometers in length, connects Jammu with Kashmir Valley. The 3,528-m-high mountain pass Zoji La carries the Srinagar-Leh highway extending into Ladakh. The 474-km-long Leh-Manali Highway is another major road serving the Ladakh region. Both Srinagar-Leh and Leh-Manali highways remain vulnerable to weather conditions in winter as the snowfall blocks the road access.

Monsoon Season in Kashmir

The monsoon season in Kashmir often makes it a little inconvenient to travel. You should be extra cautious while driving as the roads tend to be more slippery and must always carry an umbrella at all times. But is making this effort worth it? Yes! Monsoons add a heavenly touch to the hills, adding that tinge of excellence to the gorgeous hills of Kashmir Pradesh. Planning a visit during this season will definitely paint a memory in your mind that will last a lifetime.