Overview
Have you ever imagined yourself in the middle of the snow having fun and thrilling adventures? Make your imagination come true with a memorable vacation to Kashmir in December. This is the best month for snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating, etc. Kashmir Valley is undoubtedly a dream destination for many travellers during this month.
Kashmir in December offers the visitors to enjoy the live snowfall. During this time of the year, it snows heavily in popular attractions like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam etc. Explore many regions, enjoy adventurous activities, and do a lot of snow activities.
The month also features various festivals like Christmas and New Year. It is a perfect time for a fun family getaway and the winter holidays.
In this article, we have summarised every important information regarding a Kashmir trip in December including weather conditions, snowfall conditions, places to visit, activities to indulge, and a few essential tips to keep in mind.
Weather in Kashmir in December
The winter season has finally hit Kashmir in December. The weather in Kashmir in December is cold with cool waves flowing throughout the month. The temperature ranges somewhere around 5-8 degree celsius during daytime. At nights, it drops down below 0 degree celsius especially in the later days of December.
Snowfall has also started in Kashmir from December onwards, covering everything in sight with white, powdery snow. While the days are clear, you may not see the sun in the sky. Days are somewhat dry and crisp while nights are chilly. You get around 10-11 hours of sunlight hours for sightseeing.
Snow blankets the mountains and valleys, making Kashmir in December look magical, while Kashmir in January continues to shine with even deeper snowfall and a peaceful winter charm.
Make sure to keep a forecast app in your mobile to remain updated about the weather conditions at different corners of the valley.
Does it snow in Kashmir in December
Yes, it does snow in Kashmir in December. As the winter season finally commences from December onwards, the snow season is finally in the valley. With temperature dropping down to subzero, heavy snowfall is experienced throughout the Kashmir Valley. While the intensity may fluctuate in different months, winter is called as one of the perfect times to enjoy live snow showers. Everything is covered in snow, including vistas, trees and mountains. Even lakes are frozen, forming small icicles. From alpine regions to lower valleys, it snows for half of the month, sometimes for more than twenty four hours. If you love playing in white fluffy snow, December is the ideal time to visit Kashmir. The most popular snow sports to enjoy in December include skiing, snowboarding, sledging, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and many more.
Why Visit Kashmir in December
Adventurous activities: As the winter starts in Kashmir in December, a lot of thrilling snow activities are enjoyed by visitors. Some of the popular ones are skiing and snowboarding. There are a bunch of more such as sledging, snowmobiling, ice-skating, snowshoeing. You can make snowmen and snow castles and play with snow with your children and loved ones.
Discounts and deals: December is just the start of winter season and the peak time for Kashmir Tourism is yet to commence. By visiting Kashmir in December, you can get the off-season perks with big discounts on Kashmir Tour Packages and lower rates on hotels and taxis.
Gulmarg Gondola: Gulmarg Gondola is one of the prime reasons why you should visit Kashmir in December. As one of the largest and highest cable car rides in the world, it gives unparalleled views of the mountains and snow slopes.
Festivals and events: Various winter programs like snow fests are celebrated in Kashmir in December. It is a great opportunity to explore the rich culture of the valley by visiting local attractions, tasting Kashmiri Cuisine, etc.
Places to visit in Kashmir in December
Pahalgam:
Pahalgam or “Meadow of Shepherds”, is a sought-after hilltown of the valley. It should be added to your Kashmir tour in December. The major highlight of the scenic town is the Lidder river. Many adventure sports can be accessed here. Experience the thrill of white water rafting, enjoy boating and have a fishing trip. For fishing, contact your travel agency regarding the permit. They arrange it for you. The Aru Valley in Pahalgam is the basecamp of the popular Tarsar Marsar trek and other smaller treks. Betaab Valley, Baisaran and Chandanwari are among others. Visit these places either via trekking or fun horse rides.
In December, Pahalgam stands out as a skiing destination. There are beginner-friendly as well as intermediate slopes surrounded by snow-covered trees. Some other snow-sports to indulge in here are snowboarding, sledging, etc. don’t forget a camera, lenses and tripod to click memories to take back home.
Gulmarg:
Known for its skiing scenes, the Gulmarg is always a prominent tourist attraction in Kashmir. It is also known as the snow paradise because of its unique snow quality. In the winter season, it receives heavy snowfall and the entire valley is covered with thick snow sheets. Skiing is one of the popular activities here in Gulmarg. It is done in high altitudes 1400 feet above sea level which will be the most thrilling.
Not just skiing, the most famous thing that must be in your Gulmarg itinerary is Gulmarg Gondola. Heli-skiing is also available in Gulmarg. Snow treks to Apharwat Peak are a part of your skiing destination. Apharwat Peak serves as the base for skiing in Gulmarg.
Sonmarg:
It is popularly called, “The Meadow of Gold”, Sonmarg as a popular hill station in the valley must be a part of your Kashmir trip in December. It is surrounded by peaks, natural beauty, gushing water streams, and melting glaciers. Thajiwas Glacier trek is a memorable and fun thing to do in Sonmarg. The place is most-picked by newlyweds for their honeymoon. It offers a peaceful ambience for some quality to spend. Sonamarg offers people pony rides during their tour to Kashmir. Travelling through the Z-Morph tunnel you can get access to the scenic views of Sonamarg in December.
Zero Point is the most beautiful of all the places near Sonamarg. One can experience the thrill while travelling to Sonamarg as the alley sees heavy snowfall and avalanches in winter.
Yusmarg
Yusmarg Located at a height of 2390 metres, is the perfect place to enjoy your winter vacation with family. Locals believe that Jesus Christ passed through Yusmarg during his stay in India. This meadow of snow also is a base for many thrilling treks in Kashmir. You can visit Doodhpathri as a part of your Yusmarg trip in December. In Yusmarg you will find no crowd, no noise, it’s only the pure untouched beauty of Kashmir. Occasionally you can have pony rides in Yusmarg.
You can simply walk through the place and enjoy the beauty as far as eyes can capture. Treks such as Doodhganga Trek, and Nilnag Trek are short and moderately difficult treks that everybody can enjoy in Yusmarg. Relish the local cuisines, and enjoy shopping in the nearest local markets, purchasing Kashmiri architectures.
Tips to remember for Kashmir in December
- The ideal season to arrange a trip to Kashmir is the winter. When organising a Kashmir trip in December, be careful to make all of your reservations well in advance as there’s a chance you won’t receive any bookings on time.
- In the valleys, there’s a chance that fewer stores will be open due to the severe snowfall. However, you can benefit from it because you can perhaps find better bargains in stores throughout the winter.
- Carry mandatory documents like an ID proof (Aadhar Card), Driving licence, permits, passes, tickets. Foreigners need additional documents like VISA and Passport.
It is essential to have all the documentation to avoid the confusion that arises later and to visit different locations.
- Because on a Kashmir trip in December weather is so unpredictable, make sure you pack as many winter garments as you need and bring extras because the conditions there are difficult to deal with in December.
- Our trip advisors at Cliffhangers India will provide you with helpful guidance if you require help organising your Kashmir tourism in December.
Keep your personal medicines at hand if you have any. - Avoiding acclimatisation is one of the biggest mistakes. Rushing through your itinerary is not suggested. Keep one or two buffer days to blend in with the climatic conditions before going to alpine regions like Gulmarg and Sonmarg.
Conclusion:
This is probably everything you need to know as you start preparing for Kashmir in December this year. Here, at Cliffhangers India, we have an entire team dedicated to plan it for you. As a local agency, we organise the best of accommodation, transport, meals and activities for you with continuous support before and during the trip. With our Kashmir tour packages, get ready for an unforgettable experience in Kashmir.
