Kashmir Packing List: What to Carry for Every Season

Layering is the single most useful habit for a Kashmir trip, since temperatures can swing 15–20°C between midday and night, even outside winter.

Year-round essentials

• A light jacket or fleece, even in summer evenings
• Comfortable walking shoes with grip — several stops involve uneven ground
• Sunscreen and sunglasses, especially for Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Ladakh
• A basic first-aid kit and any personal medication
• Power bank — charging points can be limited at higher-altitude stops

April–June

Light woollens for mornings and evenings, a waterproof layer (spring showers are common), and warmer layers if you're heading to Gulmarg or Sonamarg where snow can linger.

July–September

Mostly light clothing for Srinagar, but still carry a jacket for Pahalgam and Sonamarg evenings. A rain shell is worth it if you're trekking.

December–February

Heavy winter wear is non-negotiable — thermal layers, a proper down jacket, waterproof snow boots, gloves and a woollen cap. Gulmarg specifically needs snow-appropriate footwear.

A note on Ladakh

If your trip extends to Ladakh, pack for cold at all times of year — nights stay cold even in summer, and the altitude makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests.