Kashmir Travel Safety and Health Guide
Staying informed, altitude, cold, roads, food and water, women and family travel, insurance and what to do if something goes wrong.
Packing for Kashmir is trickier than packing for most Indian holidays. In a single trip you can go from a sunny afternoon in Srinagar to a freezing evening in Gulmarg, and the gap between day and night temperatures is wide in every season. Pack too little and you will be cold; pack too much and you will be dragging a heavy bag on and off shikaras.
This guide gives you a core packing list that works all year, then season-by-season additions, plus lists for skiing, trekking, honeymooners, families and older travellers. It ends with things you should not bring and the items that are easier to buy or rent in Kashmir.
The golden rule: pack in layers
Kashmir’s weather changes with altitude as much as with the season. Srinagar sits at about 1,600 metres, Pahalgam at about 2,100, Gulmarg at about 2,650, and the top of the Gulmarg Gondola close to 4,000. Every 1,000 metres you climb, the air gets roughly 6 degrees colder. Rather than one heavy jacket, bring several thinner layers you can add or remove:
- Base layer: thermal or moisture-wicking top and bottoms.
- Mid layer: fleece, woollen sweater or a light down jacket.
- Outer layer: windproof and waterproof shell or a heavier winter jacket, depending on the season.
Core packing list (all seasons)
Documents and money
- Government photo ID for every traveller (Aadhaar, passport, voter ID or driving licence). Foreign nationals need their passport and visa at all times.
- Printed or saved copies of flight tickets, hotel vouchers and Gondola bookings.
- Cash in small notes for ponies, shikaras, union taxis and tips. ATMs exist in Srinagar and the main towns, but not in remote valleys.
- A debit or credit card and UPI on your phone.
- Travel insurance details.
Phone and electronics
- A postpaid SIM card. This is the single most important tip: prepaid connections issued outside Jammu and Kashmir do not work here. Postpaid connections from all major operators do. Alternatively, buy a local prepaid SIM with your ID.
- A power bank (cold drains batteries quickly).
- Charging cables and a universal adapter.
- Offline maps and important phone numbers saved in case of weak signal.
Clothing
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip.
- Two or three pairs of trousers or jeans.
- T-shirts or shirts for layering.
- At least one warm layer, even in summer.
- Socks, including at least one woollen pair.
- Sleepwear and a light shawl or scarf.
- Modest clothing for shrines and mosques: long sleeves and trousers or long skirts, and a scarf to cover the head.
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen (SPF 30 or more), lip balm with SPF and sunglasses. The sun is strong at altitude.
- Moisturiser; Kashmir’s air is dry, especially in winter.
- Personal medicines with prescriptions, plus a basic kit: painkillers, motion-sickness tablets (the mountain roads are winding), antacids, oral rehydration salts, plasters and antiseptic cream.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues.
Useful extras
- A refillable water bottle (reduce plastic waste in the valleys).
- A small daypack for sightseeing.
- A compact umbrella or rain jacket.
- A torch or headlamp for houseboats and power cuts.
Season-by-season additions
| Season | Temperatures (Srinagar) | Add to your bag |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March–May) | Cool mornings, mild days | Light jacket, fleece, umbrella; a warmer jacket in March |
| Summer (June–August) | Warm days, cool evenings | Breathable cotton, hat, sunscreen, light fleece for Gulmarg and Sonamarg evenings |
| Autumn (September–November) | Crisp days, cold nights | Warm sweater, padded jacket from late October, gloves for November |
| Winter (December–February) | Near or below freezing | Full thermals, down jacket, waterproof boots, woollen hat, gloves, scarf |
Spring extras (March to May)
Spring can surprise you. A sunny afternoon at the Tulip Garden can be followed by rain and a sharp drop in temperature, and snow is still lying at Gulmarg in March and April. Pack a waterproof jacket, a warm fleece and closed shoes that can handle mud.
Summer extras (June to August)
Days in Srinagar can reach the low 30s, but Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam are much cooler, and nights everywhere call for a jumper. Pack light, breathable clothes, a sun hat, and a fleece. If you plan to visit the Thajiwas Glacier or the top of the Gondola, bring a warm jacket even in July.
Autumn extras (September to November)
September is mild, but by November nights are close to freezing. Pack layers that let you adjust as the season moves on. Autumn light is wonderful for photography, so bring a spare memory card for the chinar colours.
Winter extras (December to February)
- Thermal tops and leggings (two sets).
- A down or heavily padded jacket.
- Waterproof, insulated boots with good grip. Snow boots can also be rented locally.
- Woollen hat, gloves (waterproof if you plan to play in the snow) and a neck gaiter or scarf.
- Two pairs of woollen socks per day in the mountains.
- Hand warmers, if you feel the cold.
- Sunglasses or goggles for snow glare.
Activity-specific lists
Skiing and snowboarding in Gulmarg
- Ski jacket and trousers (waterproof); these can be rented in Gulmarg.
- Ski goggles, helmet (rentable), thin liner gloves and waterproof outer gloves.
- Ski socks and a buff or balaclava.
- High-SPF sunscreen and lip balm.
Trekking (Great Lakes, Tarsar-Marsar and others)
- Broken-in trekking boots and camp shoes.
- A 40 to 60 litre rucksack with rain cover, plus a daypack.
- Quick-dry trekking trousers and shirts.
- Down jacket, thermals, beanie and gloves; nights at the lakes are cold even in August.
- Trekking poles, headlamp, water purification tablets and personal first-aid kit.
- Your trek operator usually provides tents, sleeping bags and meals. Confirm what is included.
Honeymooners
- One or two dressier outfits for candle-light dinners and photos.
- A warm shawl for evenings on the houseboat deck.
- Comfortable shoes for walking in the Mughal Gardens.
- Space in your bag for a Pashmina shawl or two.
Families with children
- Extra warm layers for children, who lose heat faster.
- Snacks for road journeys and a few small toys or books.
- Children’s medicines, including fever and motion-sickness remedies.
- Wet wipes and a change of clothes in the day bag, especially in snow.
Older travellers
- All regular medicines in hand luggage, with spares.
- A walking stick if you use one; garden paths and some viewpoints are uneven.
- Warm, easy-to-remove layers for heated cars and cold outdoors.
- A doctor’s advice before high-altitude visits such as Gondola Phase 2.
What not to bring
- Too much luggage. You will move between hotels and step in and out of shikaras. One medium suitcase and a daypack per person is ideal.
- Expensive jewellery. Leave valuables at home.
- Drones. Flying drones in Jammu and Kashmir requires permissions and is restricted in many areas. Don’t bring one without checking the current rules.
- Revealing clothing. Kashmir is conservative; modest dress is respectful and avoids unwanted attention.
- Single-use plastic. Plastic is discouraged in tourist areas and harms the lakes and meadows.
Buy or rent it in Kashmir
- Pheran: the traditional long woollen cloak is warm, affordable and makes a great souvenir.
- Snow boots and long coats: rented cheaply at Tangmarg and Gulmarg in winter.
- Ski equipment: skis, snowboards, boots and helmets are available for hire in Gulmarg.
- Woollen socks, caps and gloves: sold in every market in Srinagar.
- Dry fruits and snacks: buy fresh walnuts, almonds and apricots for the road.
A printable checklist
| Category | Must pack |
|---|---|
| Documents | Photo ID, tickets, hotel vouchers, Gondola bookings, insurance |
| Money | Cash in small notes, card, UPI |
| Phone | Postpaid SIM, power bank, cables |
| Clothes | Layers, warm jacket, walking shoes, modest outfit, socks |
| Health | Medicines, sunscreen, lip balm, sunglasses, moisturiser |
| Extras | Water bottle, daypack, torch, umbrella |
| Winter only | Thermals, down jacket, waterproof boots, gloves, hat |
Packing for houseboats and road trips
Two parts of a Kashmir trip need a little extra thought. On a houseboat, you reach your room by shikara, so a suitcase with wheels is less useful than a bag you can lift easily; the boatmen will help, but keep the load light. Pack an overnight bag with essentials if you are spending only one night on the water and leaving your main luggage in the cab or hotel. Houseboats are carpeted, so bring slippers or socks for indoors.
On road trips between valleys, keep a small day bag in the car with water, snacks, motion-sickness tablets, a warm layer, sunglasses, tissues and a phone charger. Mountain roads are winding, and the weather at the top of a pass can be very different from the valley below.
Dressing for shrines and the old city
Kashmir is a conservative society, and modest clothing helps you feel comfortable everywhere you go. For both men and women, long trousers or skirts and tops that cover the shoulders are ideal. Women should carry a scarf or dupatta to cover their heads when entering mosques and shrines such as Hazratbal and Khanqah-e-Moula. Shoes are removed at the entrance, so wear footwear that slips on and off easily, and carry socks for walking on cold stone floors.
Money and payments
Cards and UPI are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and shops in Srinagar, but many smaller vendors, pony handlers, shikara owners and union taxi drivers prefer cash. Carry enough cash in small denominations for a day or two, and top up at ATMs in Srinagar, Pahalgam or Anantnag. ATMs are scarce or absent in remote valleys like Gurez and Daksum.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need thermals in summer?
Not for Srinagar, but a light thermal layer is useful for Sonamarg, the top of the Gulmarg Gondola and treks, where evenings are cold even in July.
Can I buy warm clothes in Kashmir?
Yes. Srinagar’s markets sell jackets, woollens, caps and gloves, and pherans make a warm and stylish souvenir. In winter, snow boots and coats can be rented at Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
What shoes should I bring?
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip for most of the year, plus waterproof insulated boots in winter. Trekking boots are only needed for multi-day treks.
Will my prepaid SIM work in Kashmir?
No. Prepaid connections issued outside Jammu and Kashmir don’t work. Bring a postpaid SIM or buy a local prepaid SIM with your ID.
How much luggage should I bring?
One medium suitcase and a daypack per person is ideal. You will be moving between hotels and boarding shikaras, so travel light.
Travel light, travel warm
When you book a Kashmir package with us, we send a season-specific packing list with your itinerary and tell you where to rent winter gear on the way to Gulmarg. Have a question about what to bring for your dates? Ask our team in Kashmir; we check the weather every day.