Shikara boats and a lantern-lit houseboat on Dal Lake at sunset, snow peaks behind

Destination

Srinagar Travel Guide — 1,585m, Best Time & Access

Srinagar sits at 1,585 m in Srinagar district and is the valley's only city, so almost every Kashmir itinerary starts and ends here. The valley's only city and the base for every…

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Altitude: 1,585 m
District: Srinagar
Type: city
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct

Srinagar sits at 1,585 m in Srinagar district and is the valley's only city, so almost every Kashmir itinerary starts and ends here. The valley's only city and the base for every itinerary — Dal Lake, the Mughal gardens and the airport all sit within 15 km. The best months to visit are Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct.

Last updated 26 July 2026

Srinagar at a glance

Altitude: 1,585 m
District: Srinagar
Type: city
Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Peak season: Apr–Jun (gardens and tulips), Sep–Oct (chinar colour)
Road: Urban; SXR airport is 12 km from the Dal Lake boulevard.
Permits: Not required for Indian nationals
Where to stay: houseboat, lakeside hotel, city hotel, heritage
Things to do: 3 listed
Coordinates: 34.0837, 74.7973

Before you go to Srinagar

Point 1
Houseboat quality varies enormously within the same star band — book by boat name, not category.
Getting there
Urban; SXR airport is 12 km from the Dal Lake boulevard.
When it is busiest
Apr–Jun (gardens and tulips), Sep–Oct (chinar colour)

Planning around Srinagar

Srinagar in pictures

Near Srinagar

Kashmir in pictures

Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 1 towards Kongdoori
The Lidder valley at Pahalgam
Sonamarg under snow — open May to September
Houseboat and shikara, Dal Lake
Group departures across the three main valleys

Our current packages

Printed rates for our standard Kashmir itineraries. Tap any sheet to read it at full size, or send us your dates for a quote against them.

Prices shown are package totals on the terms printed on each sheet. Airfare, gondola tickets and local union taxi charges are excluded — ask us for a quote against your dates.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Kashmir trip cost?

It depends on hotel category, season and group size, which is why a single figure is misleading. Ask for a costed itinerary for your specific dates rather than working from an advertised starting price.

When are Kashmir packages cheapest?

March, early April, and November — shoulder months with usable weather and low occupancy. The most expensive weeks are the Christmas–New Year window and the June school holidays.

What is the best way to reach Srinagar?

By air to Srinagar (SXR). Delhi has the widest frequency and most cities connect through it. The rail alternative is to Jammu Tawi followed by roughly 260 km by road, which adds a full day each way.

What is Chillai-Kalan?

The traditional 40-day period of deepest winter in Kashmir, running from around 21 December to 31 January. It is when snowfall is heaviest and most reliable, and when the valley is coldest.

What is the best time to visit Kashmir?

April to June for tulips, green meadows and mild weather; December to February for reliable snow at Gulmarg. March and October are the best value — usable weather at noticeably lower prices. September is the quiet compromise: summer warmth without summer crowds.

How many days are enough for Kashmir?

Five nights covers Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam at a reasonable pace. Four nights works if you drop one valley. Three nights only makes sense from Delhi, and Sonamarg almost never fits into it.

Build a trip around Srinagar

We plan the route, stays and drive times around what you actually want to see.

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