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Kashmir, often known as paradise on Earth, turns into a picturesque wonderland with snow-capped mountains, meadows and valleys during December. Everywhere you look is covered in a blanket of white snow. As you plan your next trip, wondering about the best places to visit in Kashmir in December will surely cross your mind. From the snow-capped peaks of Gulmarg to the frozen waters of Dal Lake, every corner of this region exudes a mystical allure that is simply irresistible during the winter months.
10 Best Places To Visit In Kashmir In December
With so many places to visit in Kashmir in December, how do you plan your itinerary? Explore these 10 ten places that you must explore.
1. Gulmarg
Photo credit: Zahoor Bhat / Wikimedia Commons
Pretty much every Kashmir tourist places list that you come across starts with Gulmarg as the initial point. During the peak winter months, Gulmarg is covered in a thick blanket of white, powdery snow, offering unassuming views of the valleys, mountains and meadows. During December, Gulmarg transforms into a skier’s paradise. You’d have to take the Gulmarg Gondola ride to reach the snow-capped Apharwat Peak where winter sports like skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling await your presence. Witnessing the beautiful sunrise over the snow-clad mountains is another unforgettable experience you can add to the list.
Temperature: -4°C to 7°C
Top Tourist Attractions: Gulmarg Gondola Ride, Apharwat Peak.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Gulmarg
2. Srinagar
Photo Credit: KennyOMG / Wikimedia Commons
Srinagar is the connecting spot for all your Kashmir adventures, so it makes sense that you can’t miss out on exploring the capital city during your December trip. During the winter months, the otherwise vibrant Dal Lake is frozen. However, that doesn’t stop the houseboats and shikaras from gliding through the icy waters. Another experience that you need to have is exploring the nearby Mughal Gardens like Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh, which are dusted in snow making it a sight to behold. If bringing back souvenirs is on your list, make sure to shop for the traditional Kashmiri handicrafts.
Temperature: -2°C to 10°C.
Top Tourist Attractions: Dal Lake, Mughal Gardens, Hazratbal Shrine.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
3. Sonamarg
Photo Credit: Gayatri Priyadarshini/ Wikimedia Commons
Although Sonamarg is best explored during the summer months when the meadows are covered in lush greenery, the winter months are equally riveting. When exploring the best places to go in Kashmir in December, Sonamarg is a spot you can’t brush aside. Some of the best experiences that you can indulge in is exploring the Thajiwas Glacier on a snowmobile ride, sleigh rides and pony rides. Also, the famous Krishnasar Lake is frozen during December, something for you to explore.
Temperature: -5°C to 5°C.
Top Tourist attractions: Thajiwas Glacier, Sindh River.
Top Experiences: Sleigh rides, snowmobiling on the glacier and pony rides along the meadows.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Sonmarg
4. Kupwara
Photo Credit: Annas Bhat / Wikimedia Commons
Kupwara happens to be one of the most underrated tourist places in Kashmir. Located around 90 km away from Srinagar, the beauty of this small district is elevated during the December and winter months. The blend of the snow-dusted alpine forests and crystal-clear rivers makes for an alluring experience that’s beyond anyone’s comprehension. You get to experience snowfall in real-time during December, which adds to the mysticism of the place. Also, the views of Bulbeer, Feshiltong and Dajalongun covered in snow are a sight to behold.
Temperature: -3°C to 8°C
Top Tourist Attractions: Lolab Valley, Wullar Lake, Lolab Valley Trout Fishery.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
5. Anantnag
Photo Credit: Suhayl091 / Wikimedia Commons
When exploring the best places to visit in Kashmir in December, Anantnag is another quaint district that deserves to be explored. It’s one of the most modern yet laid back districts that offer you access to natural beauty. The serenity of the quaint villages during the Kashmir winters is best exposed through this spot. There are several natural springs that you can explore in Anantnag while soaking in the view of the surrounding natural vistas. There are several shrines, temples and sightseeing spots around.
Temperature: -2°C to 10°C.
Top Tourist Attractions: Achabal Mughal Garden, Kokernag, Pahalgam.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days (can be extended if including Pahalgam)
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
Suggested Read: Sonmarg In July
6. Pulwama
Photo credit: Dar.burhan / Wikimedia Commons
Did you know that this underrated quaint town in Kashmir is known as the “rice bowl of Kashmir?” Located roughly 35-40 km away from Srinagar, Pulwama turns into a fairytale during December. The beauty of the green meadows turned white and the snow-covered roofs of the cottages makes it one of the best tourist attractions in Kashmir. There are snowclad valleys and gushing waterfalls that add to your photo op during your travel experience. But, that doesn’t stop this spot from being a hub for adventure enthusiasts.
Temperature: -3°C to 8°C.
Top Tourist Attractions: Pahalgam and Padgampora.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days (can be extended if including Pahalgam)
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
7. Poonch
Photo Credit: Ajazkh / Wikimedia Commons
Poonch is an offbeat place that deserves a lot more appreciation than it does. This is one of the Kashmir tourist places that offers experiences that are simply unbeatable. The laidback village is primarily revered for its Poonch Fort but that’s not the end of your exploration. With snowfalls, the seven lakes of Girgan Dhok freeze, offering a very serene view. You can also indulge in a light trekking experience in the Pir Panjal mountains during December with all the relevant gear. The views from the hotels and cottages in Poonch will make you not want to leave.
Temperature: -2°C to 8°C.
Top Tourist Attractions: Poonch Fort, Banjosa Lake, Triveni.
Ideal Trip Duration: 2 – 3 days
Nearest Airport: Jammu Airport (IXJ)
Nearest Railway Station: Jammu Tawi Railway Station (JAT)
Suggested Read: Forts in Jammu
8. Aru Valley
Photo Credit: Irfanaru / Wikimedia Commons
If you are already in Pahalgam in December and want to extend your trip to further explore places in Kashmir in December, you won’t regret adding Aru Valley to the list. It serves as a base camp for several trekking expeditions. You can camp under the night sky if that’s something that interests you. But, due to the falling temperatures during December, you will prefer being indoors, especially during nighttime. Though, there are a lot of winter activities you can indulge in.
Temperature: -4°C to 6°C
Top Tourist Attractions: Aru Valley, Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, and frozen Aru River.
Ideal Trip Duration: 1 – 2 days
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
9. Jama Masjid
Photo Credit: Indrajit Das / Wikimedia Commons
In your list of the best places to visit in Kashmir in December, you won’t regret adding Jama Masjid. Situated in Nowhatta, it is a popular religious site that has become a revered tourist attraction during the winter months. The entirety of the mosque is covered in snow, and with the consistent snowfall, the place turns quite mystical. However, as you step inside the mosque, the courtyard and the architecture with inspiration from Indo-Sardonic influence is a sight to behold. It’s one of the biggest mosques in the area and the grandeur of it explains why it’s considered so.
Weather: Ranging from -2°C to 10°C
Top Attraction: Jama Masjid.
Ideal Trip Duration: Half day
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
Suggested Read: Hari Parbat Fort
10. Nishat Garden
Photo Credit: McKay Savage / Wikimedia Commons
Is visiting a Nishat Garden worth it during the winter months? Well, you won’t regret soaking in the views of the Nishat Garden during the winter in Kashmir as it is one of the best tourist attractions in Kashmir. The garden is placed against the backdrop of the Zabarwan mountain range. The central water channel with the rows of shrubs, trees, blooming flowers and flower beds all add to the beauty and grandeur of this place. During the winter months in December, the bold colours of the flowers are covered in flaky white snow. But, the sight is still eclectic!
Temperature: -2°C to 10°C
Top Attraction: Nishat Bagh
Ideal Trip Duration: Half day
Nearest Airport: Srinagar International Airport (SXR)
Nearest Railway Station: Srinagar Railway Station
Did you have fun reading about the best places to visit in Kashmir in December? Kashmir unfolds a mesmerising view of snow-covered landscapes, frozen lakes, and valleys, offering a truly magical experience for all its travellers during the winter months. As you prepare your itinerary, level up your planning and bookings with TripXL for your next vacation to Kashmir.
Cover Photo: Gayatri Priyadarshini / Wikimedia Commons
