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Kashmir in January: Weather, Snow, Crowds & Costs

Kashmir in January: The coldest month. Srinagar sits near freezing; Gulmarg is well below. Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day deep-winter period, runs into late January. Snow is high…

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Month: January
Weather: The coldest month.…
Snow likelihood: high
Crowd level: 3 of 5

Kashmir in January: The coldest month. Srinagar sits near freezing; Gulmarg is well below. Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day deep-winter period, runs into late January. Snow is high likelihood, crowds rate 3 of 5 and prices 3 of 5. sonamarg and doodhpathri are usually closed.

Last updated 26 July 2026

January at a glance

Month: January
Weather: The coldest month. Srinagar sits near freezing; Gulmarg is well below. Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day deep-winter period, runs into late January.
Snow likelihood: high
Crowd level: 3 of 5
Price level: 3 of 5
Open: gulmarg, srinagar, pahalgam
Closed or limited: sonamarg, doodhpathri
Chillai-Kalan: The traditional 40-day harshest-winter period, ending around 31 January.
Destinations open: 3
Destinations closed: 2

Other months

Travelling in January: pros and cons

What works

3 of the main destinations are open
Peak-season infrastructure fully running
Everything is operating at full capacity

What to watch

sonamarg is usually closed
doodhpathri is usually closed

Kashmir in pictures

Dal Lake, Srinagar — evening shikara ride
Gulmarg Gondola — Phase 1 towards Kongdoori
The Lidder valley at Pahalgam
Sonamarg under snow — open May to September
Tulip garden, Srinagar — a short window each April
Mughal gardens above Dal Lake, Srinagar
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

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.

Does the Gulmarg gondola always run?

Phase 1 to Kongdoori runs in most conditions. Phase 2 to Apharwat closes in high wind and on heavy-snow mornings. Check at the Phase 1 counter on the day rather than buying a combined ticket in advance.

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 should I pack for Kashmir in winter?

Layers rather than one heavy coat, waterproof footwear with grip, gloves and a hat. Snow boots can be hired at Gulmarg, which is usually more sensible than carrying them.

When does the Tulip Garden open?

Typically for a few weeks in April, though the exact window shifts each year with the weather. Booking a trip specifically around the bloom is risky unless you can keep the dates flexible.

Travelling in this window?

Conditions shift week to week. Tell us your dates and we will tell you what will actually be open.

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