Key facts
- Srinagar in March
- Roughly 8 to 15 °C by day and from just below freezing to about 5 °C at night
- Snow
- Likely in Gulmarg and Sonmarg; possible but unreliable in Srinagar and Pahalgam
- In bloom
- Almond blossom late in the month; the tulip garden only when its bloom is ready
- Closed or unreliable
- Gurez, the Mughal Road and the Srinagar-Leh road, which reopen later in spring
- Suits
- Travellers who want quiet, low crowds and snow without the winter peak, and who can stay flexible
- How we plan it
- A valley trip with a spare day, the Gulmarg and tulip dates kept flexible, and heating checked at every stay
March is Kashmir's in-between month. Winter is leaving, spring has not arrived, and the valley changes from week to week. This guide, from the TDI Holiday Ventures planning desk in Srinagar, tells you what to expect from the weather, the snow, the blossom and the roads, who the month suits and what to pack. It describes the usual pattern, not a forecast. Dates and conditions change from year to year, so we confirm them for your week before you pay.
What is Kashmir like in March?
Early March feels like winter: cold mornings, bare trees and snow on the hills. By the end of the month the days are noticeably longer, the first blossom opens and the melting snow turns Srinagar muddy and green. Rain, sleet and sudden sunshine can arrive in the same day. Our month-by-month guide calls late winter a quiet lull, and that is a fair description of March, especially in its first half.
How cold is it in March?
| Place | What to expect | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar | Roughly 8 to 15 °C by day; from just below freezing to about 5 °C at night | Cold mornings and evenings; take a warm coat |
| Pahalgam | Cool days and near-freezing nights | Colder in the shade; the higher meadows can still be snowed over |
| Gulmarg | Cold all day, with snow cover for much of the month | Wind and snow make it feel colder than the numbers |
| Sonmarg | Cold, with snow around the town | Check road conditions on the morning |
These are rough ranges for a typical March, not a forecast. A cold spell can bring Srinagar back near freezing, and a warm day can feel pleasant in the sun. Dress in layers.
Will it snow in Kashmir in March?
In Gulmarg and Sonmarg, very likely: there is usually settled snow, and fresh falls are possible. In Srinagar and Pahalgam, snow is possible early in the month but is less likely than rain. Our Gulmarg snowfall guide explains why we do not promise a particular day, and our winter guide covers the colder months in detail.
Which places and roads are open in March?
| Place or road | Usual March position | What we do |
|---|---|---|
| Srinagar and Dal Lake | Open; cold and quiet | Plan a shikara ride in the afternoon sun, and check houseboat heating |
| Gulmarg | Snow-covered; the gondola runs when weather and snow allow | Keep Gulmarg on a flexible day; see our gondola guide |
| Pahalgam | Open by road; cold, with snow on higher meadows | Plan the town and the river; ponies and meadows depend on the snow |
| Sonmarg | Snow-covered; roads can be restricted after fresh snow | Decide on the morning |
| Yusmarg and Doodhpathri | Snow on the meadows; access can be limited early in the month | Ask us before you plan them |
| Gurez and the Mughal Road | Normally shut by snow | Plan them for later in spring or summer |
| Srinagar-Leh road | Normally shut at the Zojila pass; the reopening date is set by the authorities | Do not plan a Ladakh drive for March |
| Tulip garden | Opens only when the bloom is ready, often late in the month | See below |
What is in bloom in March?
The first sign of spring is almond blossom, pink and white, around Srinagar's Badamwari garden and in orchards across the valley; it usually arrives late in the month or early in April, depending on the winter. The tulip garden follows. The chinar trees are still bare, and the Mughal gardens look sparse until April, but the lawns and water channels are quiet and photogenic. Our Mughal gardens guide says what to see in each.
When do the tulips open in March?
Our tulip garden ticket page says the garden is open to the public from mid-March to late April, and that the exact dates depend on the blooming schedule, which varies with the weather. In practice, March is the opening of the season, with early varieties and a thinner show than in April. The dates and ticket arrangements are announced each year by the Floriculture Department, so we do not print them here. Our tulip festival guide explains the season, and our April guide covers the peak weeks.
Is March a good month for your trip?
| March suits you if | Think twice if |
|---|---|
| You want quiet streets, fewer crowds and a calm Dal Lake | You want green meadows, wildflowers or full blossom |
| You want snow in Gulmarg without the winter peak | You need snow on one fixed day |
| You are flexible and can swap days for the weather | You have a tight schedule and no spare day |
| You like photographing mist, bare branches and early blossom | You want a trek or a drive to Ladakh or Gurez |
| You want a trip to catch the first tulips | You must see the tulips at their peak, which is more likely in April |
March or April: which should you choose?
| March | April | |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | Cold, changeable, near-freezing nights | Milder, with spring showers |
| Snow | Gulmarg and Sonmarg; some on the meadows | Upper slopes only; snow melting fast |
| Blossom | Almond blossom starting | Almond ending, orchards flowering, tulips peaking |
| Crowds | Quiet | Busier, especially near the tulip garden |
| Roads | Gurez, Mughal Road and Zojila shut | Some reopening later in the month or after |
Choose March for calm and snow, and April for flowers. Our Kashmir in April guide has the other side of this comparison.
Which TDI package suits a March trip?
We use our standard valley packages and shuffle the days to suit the weather. Prices are per person, twin sharing, ex-Srinagar, from each package's own table. The tables do not split seasons, so we confirm the rate and terms for your dates.
| Package | Nights | 2 travellers | 4 travellers | 6 travellers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3N/4D Quick Getaway | 3 | ₹11,950 | ₹9,120 | ₹8,100 |
| 4N/5D Kashmir Classic | 4 | ₹13,800 | ₹10,650 | ₹9,490 |
| 5N/6D Gulmarg Stay | 5 | ₹16,300 | ₹12,890 | ₹11,810 |
Our Kashmir winter and snow packages page covers trips for snow lovers, and our tulip festival package page shows how we place the garden in a plan.
What should you pack for March?
- A warm down jacket, thermals, a woollen cap, gloves and a scarf.
- Waterproof boots with grip for snow, slush and mud.
- A waterproof jacket or compact umbrella.
- Moisturiser and lip balm, since the air is dry and cold.
- A power bank, because cold drains phone batteries fast.
- Our packing list has the full version.
What else should you know before you go in March?
- Houseboats and hotels: heating differs from place to place. Ask what heats the room and whether hot water and power backup run through the night; see our houseboat guide.
- Ramadan and Eid: the dates move each year and in some years fall in March. Shops, restaurants and timings can differ, so tell us your dates and we plan around them.
- Flights: leave slack on the day you arrive and the day you leave; snow and fog can delay flights.
- Spare day: keep one in the plan for Gulmarg or the tulip garden.
Send your dates and group size through our contact page, and we reply with a plan and a quote.
Questions travellers ask
Is March a good month to visit Kashmir?
It is a good month for quiet, snow and early spring, and a poor one for green meadows or full blossom. Expect cold, changeable weather and plan with a spare day. If flowers are your priority, April is usually better; if calm and snow matter more, March suits.
Will it snow in Kashmir in March?
In Gulmarg and Sonmarg, very likely, with settled snow and the possibility of fresh falls. In Srinagar and Pahalgam, snow is possible early in the month but rain is more common. We never promise snow on a particular day.
Is the Gulmarg gondola open in March?
Usually it runs when the weather and snow allow, but timings and closed days change and wind or snow can stop it. We confirm the position for your date before you plan Gulmarg, and we keep that day flexible.
Are the tulips in bloom in March?
Our tulip garden page says the garden is open from mid-March to late April, with exact dates following the bloom. March is the opening of the season, with early varieties and a thinner show than in April. The Floriculture Department announces dates each year.
Is Ladakh open in March?
The Srinagar-Leh road is normally shut at the Zojila pass in March, and the authorities set the reopening date. We do not plan a Ladakh drive for March. Look at later spring or summer, and ask us what is open for your dates.
What should I wear in Kashmir in March?
Layers: a warm jacket, thermals, a cap, gloves, waterproof boots and a waterproof outer layer. Srinagar is cool by day and near freezing at night, and Gulmarg and Sonmarg are colder with snow. Our packing list has the full version.
Written by the TDI Holiday Ventures planning desk in Srinagar. Conditions, fares and rules change: confirm anything that affects your booking with us on WhatsApp before you pay.
