Here is a confession. When I first moved to Kashmir from Bangalore, I packed like I was going on a weekend trip to Coorg. Light cotton shirts, a single hoodie, and a pair of sneakers. I was freezing within two hours of arriving in Srinagar, and it was only October. The Valley has a way of humbling people who underestimate its weather.
Our team now lives here year-round, and the packing advice we give our guests before every trip comes from genuine daily experience with Kashmir\'s four very distinct seasons. This is not a generic packing list copied from a travel blog. This is what we actually tell people to bring, based on what works and what does not work in the real conditions you will face.
Summer Packing List (June to August)
Kashmir summers are the most forgiving season to pack for, but they still surprise people. Daytime temperatures in Srinagar reach 30 degrees Celsius, but evenings in Gulmarg or Pahalgam drop to 10 or 12 degrees. You need light clothes and a proper warm layer, not one or the other.
1Clothing
Three to four lightweight t-shirts or shirts. Two pairs of light trousers or jeans. A warm fleece or light jacket -- this is essential, not optional, because evenings at altitude are genuinely cool even in July. A sun hat for the boat rides and garden walks. A light rain jacket for unexpected afternoon showers.
2Footwear
Comfortable walking shoes that you have already broken in. Flip-flops or slippers for the houseboat deck and indoor areas. If you plan to do any trekking, bring high-ankle boots. One or two pairs of warm socks for cool evenings at altitude.
3Essentials
Sunscreen SPF 50 or higher -- UV intensity at altitude is genuinely harsh, and we see guests get sunburned on day one every week. Good sunglasses. Insect repellent for evening shikara rides when the mosquitoes come out. Camera or phone charger. A portable power bank, because Kashmir does have occasional power fluctuations.
4Medications
Motion sickness tablets if you are sensitive to winding mountain roads -- the drive to Gulmarg and Sonmarg involves plenty of hairpin turns. Altitude headache tablets for Gulmarg at 2,650 metres. A basic first aid kit. All your personal prescription medicines, because pharmacies in smaller towns may not stock everything.
Winter Packing List (December to March)
This is where packing for Kashmir gets serious. Srinagar drops to minus 5 degrees Celsius on winter nights, and Gulmarg regularly hits minus 15. If you are taking the Gondola to Phase 2 at 3,980 metres, expect minus 20 with wind chill. Layering is not a suggestion here, it is survival.
1Core Layers
Two sets of thermal inner layers, both top and bottom. Two warm mid-layer fleeces. A heavy winter jacket rated to minus 15 degrees Celsius. For Gulmarg Gondola Phase 2, you genuinely need a proper down jacket -- the altitude and wind up there are no joke. Our team wears full mountaineering gear at Phase 2 in January.
2Extremities
Waterproof winter gloves -- your hands will suffer the most without them. A warm woollen hat that covers your ears completely. A neck gaiter or heavy scarf. Three to four pairs of merino wool socks. Waterproof winter boots with proper grip -- the snow turns to ice on footpaths and you need traction.
3Skiing Specifics
Ski goggles are essential, not optional, because UV intensity at altitude on snow is extreme and can cause snow blindness. A ski or snowboard helmet is available for rental in Gulmarg but bring your own if you prefer a guaranteed fit. A moisture-wicking base layer specifically for skiing. Waterproof ski pants.
4Winter Essentials
Lip balm with SPF -- your lips will dry and crack at winter altitude faster than you expect. A good moisturiser for the same reason. Hand sanitiser. A portable charger is especially important in winter because cold temperatures drain phone batteries remarkably fast. We have seen phones die at 40 percent battery in Gulmarg cold.
Spring Packing List (March to May)
Spring is the most pleasant season to pack for, and the one where layering really shines. Days are mild, ranging from 10 to 22 degrees Celsius, but mornings and evenings can still be quite cool, especially if you are visiting the higher-altitude spots like Gulmarg or Sonmarg where there may still be snow on the ground in March and early April.
The approach is straightforward: a t-shirt for the warm afternoon, a fleece for the morning and evening, and a light rain jacket for the spring showers that roll in without much warning. Comfortable walking shoes are more important than you might think, especially if you are visiting the Tulip Garden in April. The garden sits on a hillside, and the paths can be slippery after rain.
If you are a photographer, spring is your season, and you will want a wide-angle lens for the Tulip Festival panoramas and a telephoto for the cherry blossoms along the Boulevard. Our team can point you to the best morning light spots if you let us know in advance.
Trekking Packing List (Great Lakes, Tarsar Marsar)
Trekking in Kashmir means high-altitude alpine terrain, stream crossings, and nights spent above 3,500 metres. This is not hill-station walking. Here is what you need, based on what our trekking team packs for every expedition.
1Backpack
A 20 to 25 litre day pack for the actual trekking. Your main luggage stays at your hotel or guesthouse in Srinagar. Bring a waterproof pack cover or line the inside with a plastic bag -- afternoon rain at altitude is common and soaks through fabric quickly.
2Trekking Gear
High-ankle trekking boots that you have already broken in. This is critical -- new boots on a multi-day Kashmir trek will destroy your feet. Trekking poles for the steep descents. Gaiters for stream crossings, which are frequent on both the Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar routes. A headlamp with spare batteries for early morning starts and camp evenings.
3Sleeping
A sleeping bag rated to minus 10 degrees Celsius is essential for nights above 3,500 metres, where temperatures drop sharply after sunset. A silk or fleece liner adds warmth and keeps your bag clean. Tents are provided as part of our Trivilio trek packages, so you do not need to carry your own.
4Safety
Water purification tablets or a portable filter, because stream water at altitude is usually clean but not always safe to drink directly. A personal first aid kit. An emergency whistle. Sunscreen SPF 50 or higher. Download offline maps to your phone before you leave Srinagar -- there is no mobile signal on most trek routes.
What Not to Bring
Almost as important as what you pack is what you leave behind. These are the things our team sees guests regret bringing every season.
1Hard-shell suitcases
They are awkward on houseboat gangplanks, difficult to carry on mountain roads, and a headache getting in and out of shikaras. Use a soft duffel bag or a large backpack instead. Your future self will thank you.
2Expensive jewellery
You will not need it, and you will spend the trip worrying about it. Kashmir is a place for hiking boots and fleece jackets, not formal wear. Leave the expensive pieces at home and travel light.
3Open-toed sandals for the mountains
Flip-flops are perfectly fine for Srinagar city streets and houseboat decks. But they are genuinely dangerous on mountain roads, wet trails, and anywhere above the valley floor. Bring them for indoor use, not for sightseeing.
A note from our team: If you forget something or under-pack, do not panic. Srinagar has good shops where you can buy warm jackets, thermals, gloves, and basic trekking gear. Lal Chowk and the markets near the old city are the best places to pick up what you need. Our team can point you to the right shops. But for specialist items like trekking boots and ski goggles, it is always better to bring your own.