Most tourists pack the wrong things for Kashmir — too much summer wear in May, too little in October, no thermal innerwear in December, no sunglasses ever (snow glare is real). After 1,400+ trips hosted, here’s the honest packing checklist by season. Includes what locals actually use vs what tourist blogs tell you to bring.
Universal — pack these for any month
- Original ID (Aadhaar / passport — not just a digital copy; checkpoints sometimes don’t accept screenshots)
- Copy of all travel insurance documents
- Postpaid SIM (most prepaid SIMs don’t work in J&K — Jio postpaid recommended)
- Power bank (10,000 mAh+; useful in Pahalgam/Sonamarg power cuts)
- Universal charging cable + 2 adapters
- Sunglasses with UV protection (mountain sun is brutal even on cloudy days)
- Sun cream SPF 50 — UV at altitude burns 2× faster than at sea level
- Lip balm with SPF (chapped lips is the #1 tourist complaint)
- Personal medication for 2× the trip duration
- Diamox 250 mg (if going above 3,500 m — Sonamarg-Zojila, Gulmarg Phase II, treks)
- Reusable water bottle (1 L) — saves money + plastic waste
- Small first-aid: band-aids, antiseptic, paracetamol, ORS sachets
- Comfortable walking shoes (no slippers — even at houseboats)
- Light backpack 20–30 L for day excursions
- Cash ₹3,000–5,000 per person (UPI works in Srinagar; cash needed in remote valleys)
December–February (winter)
- Heavy thermal innerwear (Decathlon Wedze top + bottom)
- Wool fleece middle layer
- Heavy down jacket rated to −10°C — non-negotiable for Gulmarg
- Waterproof outer shell pants for snow play
- Waterproof snow boots (Quechua / Sorel) — sneakers will soak through in 20 minutes
- Woollen socks (3 pairs minimum — they wear out)
- Woollen cap covering ears + neck gaiter
- Lined waterproof gloves (NOT cotton — cotton soaks)
- Hand-warmers (Hot Hands disposable packs)
- Heavy moisturiser — Kashmir winter air is dry
- Emergency snack bars (in case you get stuck on the Tangmarg road)
March–April (spring + tulip)
- Light thermal innerwear for early mornings
- Wool / fleece layer
- Light down jacket (mornings 6–10°C, afternoons up to 18°C)
- Waterproof shell — spring showers
- Light walking shoes (for the Tulip Garden’s dirt paths)
- Camera with wide-angle lens (tulip rows photograph beautifully)
May–June (peak summer / honeymoon)
- Light cotton tops + linen / cotton trousers
- One light fleece for evenings (Pahalgam evenings can drop to 12°C)
- One warm layer for Gulmarg Gondola Phase II (Apharwat is cold even in June)
- Comfortable walking shoes (broken-in)
- Day-pack for sightseeing
- Cap or hat (mountain sun is fierce)
- Mosquito repellent (light presence near Dal Lake in summer)
July–August (light monsoon / trek season)
- All May–June items
- Light raincoat or compact umbrella
- Quick-dry t-shirts
- Trekking shoes if you’re doing any treks
- Anti-leech salt / gaiters if doing the Great Lakes trek (only for first 2 weeks of July)
September–October (autumn / chinar / saffron)
- Light thermals for early mornings (October)
- Wool sweater + light jacket
- Closed shoes (mornings get wet from dew)
- Camera with portrait lens (chinar autumn portraits are stunning)
- One warm layer for any high-altitude detour (Sonamarg, Gulmarg)
November (pre-winter)
- Light thermal + warm fleece + medium-weight jacket
- Closed shoes / light boots
- Wool cap, gloves
- Heavier moisturiser (humidity drops sharply)
The 8 things tourists always forget
- Postpaid SIM — your home prepaid SIM probably won’t work in J&K
- Original ID — digital copy alone fails at security checkpoints
- Sunglasses — snow glare causes “snow blindness” in Gulmarg
- Lip balm with SPF — chapped lips is the #1 complaint
- Heavy moisturiser — Kashmir air is genuinely dry
- Closed shoes for houseboats — yes, you walk on cold polished wood floors
- Cash — for ponies, Pahalgam shops, dhaba lunches, tips
- Power bank — Pahalgam and Sonamarg power can cut for hours
What you DON’T need to bring
- Heavy hiking boots if you’re not trekking — comfortable walking shoes are enough
- Crampons / ice axe — winter tourists don’t need these (snow play areas are managed)
- Tent / sleeping bag — provided by us on treks
- Foreign currency — INR everywhere, ATMs work in Srinagar / Pahalgam / Gulmarg
- Mosquito net — not needed (limited mosquitoes)
- Anti-malarials — Kashmir is non-malarial
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent winter gear in Gulmarg?
Yes — boots, jacket, snow pants, gloves rentable at Tangmarg and Kongdoori (₹500–800/day per item). Quality is variable; if you’re staying multiple days, buying basics in Srinagar might cost less.
Where can I buy a postpaid SIM in Srinagar?
Jio Store on Boulevard Road, Airtel office in Lal Chowk. You’ll need original Aadhaar + passport-size photo. Activation 2–6 hours.
Are sanitary products available in Kashmir?
Yes — Apollo Pharmacies and chemists in Srinagar carry standard pads, tampons, menstrual cups. In Pahalgam and Gulmarg, basic options only — carry your preferred brand from home.
What luggage size works best?
1 medium suitcase (60 L) per person + 1 day-pack (20–30 L). Skip the 90 L mega-suitcase — houseboat cabins are not large.
See also: Best time to visit (with monthly weather) · Kashmir in winter · Trip cost guide · Is Kashmir safe · Cab service