In Kashmir, winter can be difficult. Kashmir thrives in a picturesque environment. There is a thick layer of snow covering the entire valley. Winter is the deadest season since there are so few people around. Beautiful adventures are generally framed by majestic mountain peaks, and partially frozen pine trees frame the scene of a captivating scene all around.

The ideal winter months to visit Kashmir are December through February. The minimum temperature drops to -8 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature sometimes reaches 10 degrees Celsius. The 40-day window between December 21 and January 31—also known as Chilai Kalan—is regarded as the most essential because if it snows, the situation only gets worse. Kashmir experiences pleasant winter weather during which the surroundings get more gloomy and the bone-chilling cold can leave you feeling numb.

Here is the list of things to do in Kashmir during winters

You may certainly browse Kashmir’s shops and purchase those deftly woven Pashmina shawls and carpets, but don’t forget to take a boat ride as well. The pleasure of staying in one of Kashmir’s top houseboats or having a romantic boat ride across the region’s stunning lakes is unmatched. When taking a Kashmir vacation, a boat ride is the mother of all romantic experiences. Even the lakes begin to partially freeze as the mercury drops dramatically. Nothing is more entrancing than planning a Shikara ride. One of the best winter activities in Kashmir is taking a shikara ride.

If you want to spend a few winter days in Kashmir, there are many of things to do. The cuisine from Kashmir is also worth mentioning. Some of the most well-known and mouthwatering dishes to try include Kashmiri Pulav, Kehwa, dum aloo, Yakhni, and Kebabs, but the Harissa steals the show. Everyone should sample the traditional Kashmiri dish called harissa. Kashmiris eat primarily this non-vegetarian delicacy, which requires nearly 12 hours to prepare, during the winter. Harissa’s main ingredients are lamb and rice.

Skiing is the most well-liked of all the adventure activities available in Kashmir during the winter. The most well-liked winter tourist destinations in Kashmir are Gulmarg and Sonamarg, which draw thrill-seekers willing to defy the bitter cold. In Gulmarg, there are numerous local businesses that organise adventure activities.

In Gulmarg, taking a cable car is a very amazing experience. Other well-liked wintertime activities to consider include hot air ballooning, ice skating, and heli-skiing.

There are times when adventure finds you rather than the other way around. There are difficult trails leading into the heart of nature waiting for you as you enter a world that resembles nothing less than the ice age. The Zanskar River, which flows through the Hemis National Park and south of Leh, is the ideal location for winter exploration. In the winter, the river freezes into a thick sheet of ice, providing the ideal backdrop for the Chadar Trek, one of the world’s most thrilling treks. Kashmir’s Chadar Trek is a well-liked wintertime attraction.

Sonamarg is reached after a one-hour drive from Srinagar (80 km from Srinagar). It is frequently claimed that Sonamarg is impassable in the winter due to severe snowfall and avalanches, however with the knowledgeable assistance of locals, one can successfully negotiate the challenging trail. One location in Kashmir that will wow you is Sonamarg. Sonamarg has unmatched splendour, with its golden glory changing into a sea of white.

The most stunning places in Sonamarg are Thajiwas Glacier and Zero Point, which are both very well-liked tourist destinations. Accept the beauty; even in the dreary winter, the land of golden meadows has its own allure. Guarded by the great Himalayan mountains, Sonamarg, one of the most popular places to visit in India in summer, is a must-visit.

Without ponies, winter in Kashmir would never be as bearable. The ponies transport you down the valley when the uncharted pathways become too challenging to navigate on foot. The fact that Kashmir’s winter is seen as an off-season for tourism makes visitors more likely to spend more. The verb is to bargain. A horse or pony ride is necessary if you want to see Kashmir’s glaciers at their best. Be careful; even animals make mistakes occasionally.

The best location to organise a winter camping trip is Kashmir. Camping is usually a tranquil refuge amidst nature when there aren’t too many people around. And there is nothing comparable to this one unforgettable experience when you think of camping in Kashmir. The most well-known of them all are the trek to Sankaracharya, Mount Nun Kun Camping, and Mount Harmukh Camping.

In Kashmir, camping is a unique experience due to the surrounding gloom and darkness as well as the bone-chilling weather. An experience like sleeping in a tent on a snowy surface would revive your sense of adventure.

As you plan to stay in a resort or a hotel in Kashmir there are higher chances that you might land up a good discount. Winter is an offseason and this makes a stay in Kashmir a cost-effective option. Don’t forget to compare prices online, you never know when you might land up an exciting deal.