Kashmir winter tour packages are for people who want real snow, warm rooms and a plan that still works when the weather changes. We are a local team based in Kashmir, so we know which roads close after a heavy night of snow and what to do when they do.
Winter trips get booked in October and November, and Gulmarg rooms for Christmas and New Year go first. This page tells you, in plain words, what our Kashmir winter tour packages include, what they roughly cost, how payment works and what can go wrong. Read it once before you compare quotes, and you will know what to ask every operator, us included. Short on leave? Our 3 nights 4 days Kashmir tour package covers Srinagar and a snow stop in Gulmarg in just four days.
Kashmir Winter Tour Packages at a Glance
Prices for our Kashmir winter tour packages below are per person, twin sharing, land only (flights not included). Treat them as a starting point. Your final quote changes with the hotel category, your dates, group size and the car you need. Dates between 21 December and 10 January cost more because it is peak season.
| Package | Stay plan | Starts from (per person) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Nights / 4 Days | Srinagar and Gulmarg snow | ₹8,600 | Very short breaks |
| 4 Nights / 5 Days | Srinagar 2N, Gulmarg 1N, Pahalgam 1N | ₹10,500 | Short breaks, first snow |
| 5 Nights / 6 Days | Srinagar 2N (one night on a houseboat), Gulmarg 1N, Pahalgam 1N, Srinagar 1N | ₹12,500 | Families, couples, first-timers |
| 6 Nights / 7 Days | Srinagar 3N (one night on a houseboat), Gulmarg 2N, Pahalgam 1N | ₹15,500 | Skiers, slow travellers |
Premium and heritage stays within our Kashmir winter tour packages start from around ₹22,000 per person, and our luxury Kashmir tour packages show what that range looks like. You can stretch or trim any of our Kashmir winter tour packages. Want an extra night in Gulmarg for skiing? Tell us and we will reprice it, or ask for one of our customized Kashmir holiday packages.
If you want to see a full itinerary before choosing, look at our 4 nights 5 days Kashmir tour package, our 5N/6D family Kashmir tour package or our Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam tour package. For a wider cost breakdown, see our Kashmir trip cost for 5 days page. Wondering what the first month of winter looks like? Read our guide to Kashmir in December for snow chances, open and closed places, and price levels before the festive rush. Visiting before the deep snow? Our guide to Kashmir in November covers chinar colour, the saffron harvest and where the first snow falls.
How our prices compare with the market
Prices for Kashmir winter tour packages vary a lot, so a quick benchmark helps. Some operators list a 2N/3D Gulmarg snow weekend from about ₹13,000, a 4N/5D winter plan from about ₹23,000 and a 5N/6D plan from about ₹30,000. Rates change by date and by the hotel category and inclusions behind them, so compare what is covered before you compare the number. Our prices are land-only and twin-sharing, and the inclusion list below tells you exactly what you get.
What Our Kashmir Winter Tour Packages Include
Every one of our Kashmir winter tour packages comes with:
- Centralised heated hotel rooms, so you are not shivering at night
- Breakfast and dinner every day
- One night on a Dal Lake houseboat in the 5N/6D and 6N/7D plans (see our heritage houseboat stay on Dal Lake and our luxury houseboat packages on Dal Lake)
- A private car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing, with driver allowance, tolls and parking covered
- Airport pickup and drop
- Srinagar sightseeing, including the Mughal gardens and a Shikara ride on Dal Lake
- Phone and WhatsApp support from our team during the trip
What Is Not Included
Most Kashmir winter tour packages leave these out, and we are upfront about it:
- Flights or train tickets to Srinagar
- Lunch (usually ₹300 to ₹600 per person per day)
- Gulmarg Gondola tickets (Phase 1 and Phase 2), which we can help you book; Phase 2 is optional and mainly for skiers
- Sledge rides, pony rides, snow bike rides, ski gear and ski instructors
- Garden and monument entry fees
- The local 4×4 or snow-chain vehicle from Tangmarg to Gulmarg, unless your written quote says it is covered
- Tips, personal expenses and any applicable tax
The Tangmarg to Gulmarg line matters more than it looks. Ask every operator whether it is in the price of their Kashmir winter tour packages. A cheap quote that leaves it out can end up costing the same as a fair one.
Best Dates for Kashmir Winter Tour Packages
Winter in Kashmir is not one season. Snow, crowds and prices change a lot from early December to March. This table shows how the weeks usually go.
| Dates | What to expect | Price level |
|---|---|---|
| 1 to 20 December | Cold, clear days. First snow in Gulmarg usually comes in mid-December, but it is not guaranteed | Lower |
| 21 December to 10 January | Chillai Kalan begins on 21 December. Peak season, Christmas and New Year crowds, hotel gala dinners | Highest |
| 11 to 30 January | Deepest cold. Gulmarg powder is often at its best from mid-January | Medium to high |
| 31 January to 19 February | Chillai Khurd. Still snowy, fewer crowds than Christmas | Medium |
| 20 February to 2 March | Chillai Bachha. Cold starts to ease, snow melts at lower levels | Lower |
| March | Season winds down. Gulmarg can still hold snow, Srinagar turns spring-like | Lower |
No operator selling Kashmir winter tour packages can promise snow on a particular day. Even the coldest weeks do not guarantee it: a PTI report on the 2024-25 season noted that January 2025 got scant precipitation, even though Srinagar had recorded minus 8.5 °C on the first night of Chillai Kalan. What we can do is place your Gulmarg night where it gives you the best chance and keep a spare day in the plan.
If snow is your first priority, read our guide on the best time to visit Kashmir for snowfall. To understand what the coldest weeks mean for your trip, see our Chillai Kalan guide, and for a month-by-month comparison from November to March, read Kashmir in winter, month by month.
The period from 21 December to about 30 January is Chillai Kalan, the coldest 40 days of the year. In 2026-27 it begins on 21 December 2026 and ends around 30 January 2027, although some reports quote 31 January. Chillai Khurd follows for 20 days and Chillai Bachha for 10 days after that. Plan your Kashmir winter tour packages around these dates.
A Sample 5 Nights 6 Days Plan
The order can shift with weather, but this is how most of our Kashmir winter tour packages run.
- Day 1: Arrive in Srinagar, check in and rest. Short evening walk by the lake if the weather is kind.
- Day 2: Srinagar sightseeing, Mughal gardens and a Shikara ride. Night on the houseboat.
- Day 3: Drive to Gulmarg, about 2 to 2.5 hours in winter for the roughly 50 km. On snow days the last stretch from Tangmarg is done in a 4×4 or a car with snow chains. A Gondola ride (ticket booked separately), snow time and an overnight stay. Read our Gulmarg destination guide for what to do there.
- Day 4: Drive to Pahalgam. It is a long day on the road, often 5 to 6 hours with a stop, so we start early. Our Pahalgam travel guide and Pahalgam tour packages show what a winter stay there looks like, and our guide to Pahalgam in winter explains what is open month by month.
- Day 5: Return to Srinagar. Free time for shopping and Kashmiri food.
- Day 6: Airport drop.
Sonamarg is usually a day trip from Srinagar. In snowy weeks that road can shut, so we keep it as an add-on to our Kashmir winter tour packages and never promise it. Our guide to Sonamarg in winter explains what to expect, and our Sonamarg travel guide covers the town itself.
How the 4N/5D and 6N/7D plans differ
The 4N/5D plan keeps the same Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam circuit but trims Srinagar to two nights. It suits a short break, though the road days are tighter.
Among our Kashmir winter tour packages, the 6N/7D plan adds a third night in Srinagar and a second night in Gulmarg. That second night gives you a full, unhurried day on the snow, and it is the plan we suggest for anyone who wants to ski or just does not want to rush.
Gulmarg in Winter: What to Know Before You Go
Gulmarg is the main reason people pick Kashmir winter tour packages, so it is worth knowing how the day works. If you want Kashmir winter tour packages built only around Gulmarg, see our Gulmarg tour packages.
- The Gondola: It is run by JKCCC. Phase 1 takes you to Kongdori and is not part of the package price unless your written quote says so. Phase 2 goes higher and needs a valid Phase 1 booking. Fares and slots change, so check the official JKCCC ticket portal before you plan a skiing day. Our Gulmarg Gondola ticket booking guide explains Tatkal tickets, slots and refunds.
- Ski lift tickets are separate: A Gondola ticket is not a ski lift ticket. Skiers should plan both.
- The Tangmarg change: In snow, private cars from Srinagar may be stopped at Tangmarg, and you continue in a local 4×4 or a car with chains. This is a safety rule, not a trick to charge you more.
- Weather closures: The Gondola can stop for wind, snow or maintenance. JKCCC has announced refunds in those cases, so keep your booking details handy.
- Igloo Cafe: It is usually open from about mid-January to mid-March, so it is normally closed at Christmas and New Year. Our Igloo Cafe in Gulmarg guide has the details.
If you want a Gulmarg stay with the hotel and Gondola sorted together, look at the Khyber Gulmarg stay package. For gear, slopes and lessons, our Gulmarg winter ski trip guide covers it in detail, and our page on Gulmarg: Asia’s Premier Ski Destination explains the lifts and terrain. January brings the deepest snow and the highest chance of delays, and our Kashmir in January guide explains how to plan for both. Prefer snow with smaller crowds? Our Kashmir in February guide explains what changes as winter starts to ease. Worried about snow, closed roads or delays? Read our honest guide on how safe Kashmir is in winter before you book.
Who Kashmir Winter Tour Packages Suit
- First-time snow travellers: The 5N/6D plan gives you a good mix of snow, city and lake.
- Families with children: Choose the 5N/6D or 6N/7D so the days on the road are shorter. Our Kashmir family tour package with price page shows how we plan a family trip.
- Couples: Ask us about small extras like a candlelight dinner or flower setup.
- Friends and skiers: The 6N/7D with two nights in Gulmarg gives you a full snow day.
- Christmas and New Year travellers: See our Christmas and New Year in Kashmir package, because festive dates have their own costs.
Kashmir Winter Tour Packages for Foreign Tourists
If you are travelling from abroad, Kashmir winter tour packages work the same way on the ground, but a few things need earlier planning.
- Gondola tickets need passport details in advance. Since December 2024, JKCCC has had a booking route for foreign tourists in which the agency emails full names and passport numbers at least two days before the visit. Send us your passport name and number early, and we will handle it. Our Gondola guide for foreign tourists explains why you should not leave it to the last day.
- Carry the same passport. The Gondola gate checks that your ID matches the ticket.
- Plan for the peak weeks. From 21 December to 10 January demand is highest, so international guests should lock in dates, flights and their Kashmir winter tour packages as early as possible.
- Read the entry basics first. Before you book Kashmir winter tour packages from abroad, our guide for foreign tourists in Kashmir covers documents and what to carry.
- Benchmark in rupees. International tour marketplaces list six-day winter-season Kashmir tours from roughly US$700 per person, so ask any operator to put the full inclusion list for their Kashmir winter tour packages in writing before you compare.
Our guests from abroad often ask whether the cold is manageable. It is, with layers and a plan. Srinagar saw minus 8.5 °C on the first night of Chillai Kalan in 2024, so pack properly, and our Kashmir winter packing guide lists what to bring.
Who These Kashmir Winter Tour Packages Are Not For
We would rather lose a booking than send you on the wrong trip. Our Kashmir winter tour packages are not a good fit if:
- You want a guaranteed trip to Gurez, Sinthan Top or Ladakh in winter. Those roads close in heavy snow, and no set of Kashmir winter tour packages can promise them. Read our Gurez Valley in winter guide for what to expect.
- Nights below zero will be hard for you, for example if you have trouble with cold or very young children who cannot be kept warm.
- You expect snow on an exact date. Snow is likely in Gulmarg in January, but never certain on one day.
- You want to pack in five or six places in five days. Kashmir winter tour packages that do this spend the trip in the car.
- You plan to walk on a frozen Dal Lake. Full freezes are rare, and even a partly frozen lake is never safe to walk on.
Winter Roads: What Can Close
This is the part many pages skip. Our Kashmir winter tour packages stay on the Srinagar, Gulmarg and Pahalgam circuit because those roads are the most dependable in snow. Here is what usually happens after heavy snowfall:
| Road | What happens in winter |
|---|---|
| Srinagar to Leh highway (Zojila) | Often closed. If Ladakh is your plan, check the official Ladakh Tourism website before you book |
| Mughal Road | Shuts at Peer ki Gali after snow |
| Gurez road and Sinthan Top | Often closed in heavy snow |
| Tangmarg to Gulmarg | On snow days only 4×4 vehicles or cars with snow chains are allowed |
| Jammu to Srinagar highway | The all-weather road into the valley, but avoid travelling at night |
| Sonamarg | Reachable through the Z-Morh tunnel, but still depends on the weather |
For official advisories, check J&K Tourism. Winter fog and snow can also delay flights in and out of Srinagar, so do not book a tight connection on the day you leave. Our Srinagar to Leh road trip and permit details, Sinthan Top guide and Gurez Valley guide cover these high roads in more detail. If Ladakh is on your list for a warmer month, see our Leh Ladakh tour packages.
The town of Pahalgam usually stays reachable in winter, but how far you can go beyond it depends on snow, which is why our Kashmir winter tour packages keep Pahalgam to one night.
Winter Safety in Kashmir
Winter here is beautiful and safe if you respect it. On all our Kashmir winter tour packages we follow a few simple habits, and you can follow them too.
- Dress in layers: Gulmarg and Pahalgam nights can fall well below zero, and Srinagar nights can reach about minus 5 °C in cold years. Our packing guide for Kashmir in winter lists what to carry.
- Watch for black ice: Roads and footpaths freeze in the morning and after sunset. Walk slowly and wear shoes with grip.
- Go easy at height: The top of the Gondola is close to 4,000 m. Some people feel light-headed or short of breath there. Move slowly, drink water and come down if you feel unwell.
- Ventilate any heater: Never sleep with a charcoal kangri or a portable heater running in a sealed room, because of the carbon monoxide risk. Keep a window slightly open.
- Travel by day: Mountain roads in snow are harder at night, and the Jammu to Srinagar highway is best avoided after dark.
- Stay off the ice: Never walk on a frozen lake. Our frozen Dal Lake guide explains how rarely it freezes and why it is unsafe.
How We Plan Winter Trips Differently
Some Kashmir winter tour packages online squeeze in an extra hill station just to look bigger. We would rather give you one unhurried snow day in Gulmarg than a rushed fourth stop, and that is how we build all our Kashmir winter tour packages.
We also tell you before you book that Gulmarg and Pahalgam nights can drop below zero. If snow blocks a road, we change the plan on the ground, and we tell you the new plan and any cost change before we act.
How to Compare Kashmir Winter Tour Packages
Two operators can show the same number of nights and still sell very different trips. Use this short checklist when you compare Kashmir winter tour packages from any company, including ours.
- Hotel names and category: A package that only says “3-star hotel” can mean almost anything. Ask for the hotel names for each night, and check that rooms have heating.
- Meal plan: Breakfast only, breakfast and dinner, and full board are priced very differently. Winter dinners matter because restaurants close early in the cold months.
- Vehicle: Ask whether the car stays with you for the whole trip, and who pays for the 4×4 change at Tangmarg.
- Gulmarg plan: Check how many nights you get in Gulmarg and whether the Gondola ticket is included. One snow day is a good start, two is better.
- Road closure plan: Ask what the operator does if Pahalgam or Sonamarg is shut. Honest Kashmir winter tour packages explain the backup plan before you pay.
- Payment and cancellation: Read the dates and percentages. Some operators ask for the final payment 30 days before travel, while ours falls 20 days before departure.
If an operator cannot answer these points in writing, treat that as a warning. Clear Kashmir winter tour packages always show what is covered, what is not and what happens when the weather changes.
Costs and Booking Tips
Here is a simple way to think about the money for a couple on the 5N/6D plan of our Kashmir winter tour packages. The package starts from ₹12,500 per person, so about ₹25,000 for two. Add lunches for six days, roughly ₹3,600 to ₹7,200 for two at ₹300 to ₹600 per person per day. Then add anything optional, such as Gondola tickets, sledge rides or ski gear. Peak dates from 21 December to 10 January cost more, and prices are generally higher on festive days, so compare what each price includes.
A few tips to avoid surprises:
- Book early for peak dates: Christmas and New Year rooms in Gulmarg go first, and later bookings pay more.
- Get the inclusions in writing: When you compare Kashmir winter tour packages, ask for hotel names, meal plan, the Tangmarg to Gulmarg vehicle and what happens if a road closes.
- Compare like with like: A lower price on Kashmir winter tour packages often means a lower hotel category, breakfast only or fewer days on the road.
- Ask about festive costs: Hotels often bill gala dinners on 24/25 December and 31 December directly, and they are usually compulsory. Check this before you pay.
- Keep a buffer day: Add a day at the end if you have a fixed flight home. Snow can delay a road or a flight.
Payment and Cancellation Terms
These terms apply to all our Kashmir winter tour packages.
Payment
- 25% advance to confirm your booking
- 50% by 20 to 29 days before departure
- Full payment 20 days before departure
Cancellation
- 30 days or more before departure: small booking fee only
- 20 to 30 days before: 50% of the package cost
- 10 to 19 days before: 75% of the package cost
- Less than 10 days before: 100%
If snow or a road closure stops a service, refunds depend on what the hotel or driver charges us. We will always tell you the numbers upfront. Hotels and transport providers may have their own rules, so ask for the terms in writing before you pay the advance.
When to Book
Chillai Kalan, the coldest 40 days, runs from 21 December to about 30 January. For Christmas and New Year, book Kashmir winter tour packages in October if you can, and see our Christmas and New Year in Kashmir package for how the 2026-27 dates fall. For January and February, early November is usually enough, but the best Gulmarg rooms still go quickly.
If you are ready to plan, send us your dates, group size and the kind of stay you want through our Kashmir tour package booking page. We will reply with a clear quote that lists what is and is not covered. You can also read what past guests say on our Google Business profile, or contact our team directly.
Flying In From Another City?
We also run winter-ready versions of our Kashmir winter tour packages from these cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Surat, Kerala, Jaipur, Gujarat and Maharashtra. For everything else, browse all our Kashmir tour packages, explore Kashmir destinations, or start with the ultimate Kashmir travel guide 2026 and the top 30 Kashmir travel FAQs. Visiting from outside India? See our page for foreign tourists in Kashmir.
FAQs About Kashmir Winter Tour Packages
How much do Kashmir winter tour packages cost?
For a 5N/6D trip, most start around ₹12,500 per person. Peak dates, better hotels and bigger cars push this up.
When does it snow in Kashmir?
Higher areas like Gulmarg can get their first snow in early or mid November. Heavy snow is most likely in Chillai Kalan, from 21 December.
Does the Gulmarg Gondola run in winter?
Yes, weather permitting. It can pause in high wind or heavy snow, so we keep a spare hour in the plan.
Is Kashmir safe to visit in winter?
Tourist circuits stay open in winter. Still, check current advisories on the J&K Tourism website, and we will tell you honestly about weather and roads before you pay
How early should I book Kashmir winter tour packages?
Book at least 3 to 4 weeks before for normal dates. For Christmas and New Year, book as soon as you know your dates.
Plan Your Trip with Us
Tell us your dates, group size and budget, and we will send a quote for the Kashmir winter tour packages that fit. You can contact us here or see what travellers say on our Google Business profile.