Every week I see travelers shivering in Gulmarg with a light jacket, or sweating through Srinagar in July wearing full winter gear. Here's what to actually pack.
I've watched guests arrive in February in flip flops and guests arrive in July wearing full puffer jackets like they're expecting a blizzard. I've seen someone show up with a 32kg checked bag for a 5-day trip — spent 20 minutes at the carousel just waiting for it — and I've seen someone else make do with a 7kg cabin bag and have the most relaxed trip of the group. That second person bought a Pashmina in Srinagar on day one and wore it as a shawl every evening. Perfect.
The truth about packing for Kashmir is that most people over-pack the wrong things and under-pack one or two critical ones. Let me walk you through it season by season.
Packing for Summer (June–August)
Summer in Srinagar is genuinely warm — 28°C to 32°C during the day. You'll be in shirtsleeves on the shikara and at the markets. But Kashmir isn't a beach destination, and the altitude means the rules change quickly once you start going uphill.
The critical layer: even in July, Gulmarg at Phase 2 (4,200m) can be 8–12°C. A sudden afternoon cloud changes everything. Pack at least one good mid-layer — a light fleece or a merino wool pullover. You will use it.
Footwear — this one matters more than you think: the Old City of Srinagar has cobblestones. Not photogenic decorative cobblestones — real, uneven, sometimes slippery cobblestones. I've watched guests absolutely destroy their sandals in half a day there. Bring one pair of proper walking shoes with grip. Trainers are fine. Flat sandals are not.
Sunscreen: Kashmir sits at altitude. The UV exposure at Gulmarg (2,650m) is meaningfully higher than at sea level. Most Indian travelers don't think about this and come back from one day in the mountains with a burn. Pack SPF 50 and actually use it.
For the Dal Lake: you'll want something light and loose for the shikara — it can get hot sitting on the water in full sun. A loose linen shirt or cotton kurta works perfectly and looks far better in photos than a technical hiking jacket.
Packing for Winter (December–February)
This is where under-packing does real damage. Srinagar in January can drop to -5°C or colder. The houseboat, however beautiful, is not a heated hotel room. You will feel the cold.
The foundation: thermal base layers. This is non-negotiable. A good set of thermal tops and bottoms — not the thin cotton ones but actual thermal merino or synthetic base layers — will transform your trip. Buy them in Delhi, not at the airport. The departure-lounge thermal sets are three times the price and half the quality. The Uniqlo HeatTech range or similar mid-market thermals are fine; you don't need expedition gear.
Mid-layer and outer layer: a warm fleece and a waterproof outer shell is all you need. You don't need to bring both a puffer jacket and a ski jacket and a down coat. One good puffer (700 fill or better) over thermals and a fleece will keep you comfortable in anything Srinagar throws at you.
What NOT to pack in winter: heavy formal clothes. No one needs a formal blazer or dress shoes in Kashmir in January. Every dinner you have will be in a warm restaurant, a houseboat common room, or a hotel dining area — smart-casual is the ceiling.
What to buy in Srinagar instead: a proper Pashmina shawl. Not the cheap acrylic ones sold at tourist stalls — go to a reputable Pashmina shop (we can recommend several) and get a genuine hand-woven piece. They're warmer than almost any scarf you'll bring from home, they're beautiful, and they make extraordinary gifts. A good mid-range Pashmina costs ₹3,000–8,000. The really fine ones go much higher, but even the mid-range ones are the real thing.
Wool socks: pack two extra pairs beyond what you think you need. Socks get wet, Srinagar streets have puddles, and cold feet ruin evenings.
Packing for Spring (March–May)
Spring is the trickiest season to pack for because Kashmir can't make up its mind. March mornings are 4°C. March afternoons are 16°C. April can give you a perfectly warm 22°C day followed by a surprise late snowfall at night. We've seen it happen.
The word is: layers. A base layer, a mid-layer, and a light outer shell that you can tie around your waist — this is the spring packing formula. What you're trying to avoid is bringing one heavy coat that you're stuck wearing even when it's warm, or packing only light clothes and spending your first evening in Pahalgam genuinely cold.
A light rain jacket is worth the space in spring. Not a heavy waterproof — just a packable wind and rain shell. April showers in Pahalgam are real.
What NOT to Bring (Any Season)
Formal shoes: useless. I cannot stress this enough. The nicest dinner in Srinagar doesn't require formal footwear. Leave them home.
Too many clothes: laundry services exist in every hotel and houseboat in Kashmir. They're cheap (₹50–80 per item) and usually back the next day. Pack for three or four days and rotate. The weight you save on clothes is the weight you can use for the saffron and dry fruits you'll inevitably buy.
Your own trekking poles for a casual trip: unless you're doing a serious multi-day trek, they're just awkward to carry. You can hire them cheaply at any trail base.
What to Buy Locally (And Take Home)
This is actually the most important section. Kashmir has things you cannot get elsewhere, and the best versions of them are bought here.
Kashmiri saffron: the world's best, genuinely. Buy it from a trusted shop, not from a shikara vendor. Lalchowk area in Srinagar has several established spice merchants. A small tin of real Kashmiri saffron costs ₹400–600 and will last months.
Dry fruits from the Dal Lake market: the floating vegetable and dry fruit market on Dal Lake in the early morning is where locals shop. Walnuts, dried apricots, pine nuts — fresh and far cheaper than supermarkets elsewhere in India.
A Pashmina: already mentioned, worth mentioning again. Buy one. You'll wear it for years.
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