Kashmir in February: The Month Before the Crowds Arrive

Most people who visit Kashmir in April tell me they wish they had come earlier. The tulip garden in April is real - 1.5 million bulbs across 30 hectares - but it is also a managed event with queues, ticket counters, and tour buses. February is something else. The almond trees bloom because that is what they do, not because a tourism board scheduled it. The valley turns white for three weeks. Nobody outside Kashmir really knows it is happening. Via Kashmir's local team watches the bloom window every year - this guide is based on what we actually see.

When exactly do the almond trees bloom in Kashmir?

The bloom follows altitude and temperature, not a fixed date. In the lower-altitude areas around Pampore and the Jhelum valley (about 1,500 m), almond can begin opening by February 18-20 in a warm year. In Srinagar at 1,600 m, full bloom is typically February 22 to March 5. In the higher orchards around Pahalgam (2,100 m), the same almond trees open two weeks later - early to mid-March. This means you can follow the bloom if you time it: lower valley first, then Srinagar, then the mountain orchards.

Where is Badamwari and why does nobody visit it?

Badamwari means "almond garden" in Kashmiri. It is a public garden in the old city, set on the hillside directly below Hari Parbat Fort. It was planted specifically for its almond trees - and in late February, when those trees are in full white bloom against the fort wall and the bare winter sky, it is one of the more striking sights in Srinagar. Entry is free. It is almost never mentioned in tourism guides because it exists outside the standard tourist circuit and has no ticket revenue attached to it. To find it: go to the Hari Parbat Fort area in the old city. Ask anyone for Badamwari. Combine it with the Hari Parbat Fort visit on the same morning.

What else is happening in Kashmir in February and early March?

Herath (Maha Shivaratri as observed by Kashmiri Pandits) falls in February - in 2026 on February 26. The Kheer Bhawani Temple and Shankaracharya Temple are centres of activity. Cherry blossom begins in the first week of March in the city gardens - the trees along the Boulevard and in the university area bloom before the tulip garden opens. And the ski season at Gulmarg runs through March (often into April), meaning a February trip can combine blossom in the valley with skiing in the mountains - the two activities are 2.5 hours apart.

February in Kashmir vs April in Kashmir: which is worth the trip?

• ✓February: No crowds, 30-50% cheaper hotels and houseboats, almond blossom, active ski season at Gulmarg, cold nights (0-5 C) requiring a proper jacket
• ✓April: Tulip festival, warmer (10-20 C days), cherry blossom peak, much busier and more expensive, advance booking needed
• ✓For photographers and independent travellers: February is the better choice
• ✓For families and first-time visitors who want the "full Kashmir in colour" experience: April
• ✓Best of both: 7-10 days spanning late February to early March catches almond blossom, last days of Gulmarg ski season, and the valley transitioning into spring

What about the walnut blossom in March?

The walnut blossom is the least-photographed and least-known of Kashmir's spring sequence. Mid-March, the walnut trees produce long yellow-green catkins - drooping flower clusters - before any leaves appear. In the walnut orchards of Shopian and Pulwama district (South Kashmir, 45-60 km from Srinagar), the effect across whole hillsides of walnut trees is specific and beautiful in a way that is not easily described. No tour operator promotes this. It requires a private car and a willingness to drive into the agricultural belt. For context on why Kashmir's walnut culture runs deep, the walnut wood carving guide is the starting point.

Frequently asked questions about Kashmir in February

Is it too cold to enjoy Kashmir in February?

Not if you pack correctly. Srinagar in February has daytime temperatures of 5-15 degrees C - similar to a British spring day. Nights are cold (0-4 C) and require thermal layers. A good down jacket, warm base layers, and proper boots are the full requirement. The old city, the gardens, and the cultural sites are all fully accessible. The only February constraint is that some high-altitude roads (to Gulmarg, Sonmarg) may be closed after heavy snow.

Are the Mughal Gardens open in February?

Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh are open year-round but the formal gardens are dormant in winter - no flower beds, no colour except bare trees. The Mughal Gardens in February are worth visiting for the architecture and the early cherry blossom that occasionally appears in the sheltered sections by early March, but they are not the primary draw in this season. Badamwari garden and the almond orchards are.

Can I still stay on a Dal Lake houseboat in February?

Yes. February is cold and the heating question matters - see the houseboat categories guide for what Deluxe vs A-category provides. A winter houseboat stay in February combines with the almond blossom season naturally: morning on the lake, afternoon at Badamwari, sunset from the houseboat deck.

Is Gulmarg still open for skiing in February?

Yes. February is peak ski season at Gulmarg. Snow depth is at maximum, the Gondola operates to both Phase 1 and Phase 2, and conditions are typically the best of the season. A February trip that combines Dal Lake blossom with Gulmarg skiing is one of the most specific Kashmir experiences available. See the Gulmarg skiing guide for full details.

How far in advance should I book a February Kashmir trip?

February is the least-booked month in Kashmir, which means you can often arrange a good trip with 2-3 weeks notice. That said, the best Deluxe houseboats are sometimes taken by winter regulars who rebook directly. If you want a specific property, 4 weeks ahead is comfortable. Via Kashmir can check availability and suggest alternatives at any budget.

The almond trees at Badamwari bloom because it is time, not because anyone announced it. There are no queues. There is no entry fee. There is just the garden under the fort wall, white with flowers, and almost nobody there.

Kashmir Pulse Editorial

Kashmir Travel Specialist

Writing about Kashmir from the inside — hotels, culture, seasonal travel, and the stories that don't make it into guidebooks.