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The Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden sits on the slopes of the Zabarwan hills above Dal Lake, and for a few weeks each spring it becomes one of the most visited places in Kashmir. Terraces of tulips in red, yellow, pink, purple and white step down the hillside toward the water. Lakhs of bulbs are planted across the garden, along with daffodils and hyacinths, and the effect is striking on a clear morning.
When it opens
The Tulip Garden is open only during the flowering season. In most years the opening is announced for the last days of March, and it stays open until the bulbs fade, usually around the middle of April. In 2026 warm weather brought the bloom early and the garden opened on 16 March, about ten days ahead of plan. Flowering depends on temperature, so dates can shift, and we suggest confirming with the Department of Floriculture, Jammu and Kashmir, before building a trip around a particular week.
Making the most of the visit
- Go early. Gates open in the morning, and the first hours are the quietest and the best for photographs.
- Weekdays are calmer. Weekends and holidays can mean long queues at the entry and crowded paths.
- Allow two hours. The garden is not huge, but you will want time to walk the terraces and sit.
- Dress in layers. Spring mornings in Srinagar are cold and afternoons can be warm.
- Respect the beds. Stay on the paths; the flowers are the point.
Late March and early April also bring almond and cherry blossom elsewhere in Srinagar, so the same trip can include blossom walks, the Mughal Gardens and the lake.
Weather and risks
Spring weather in Kashmir is changeable. Rain can wash out a morning and a cold snap can delay the bloom or shorten it. If the tulips are the main reason for your trip, plan at least three nights in Srinagar so that one bad day does not cost you the visit, and keep the rest of the itinerary flexible. Gulmarg and Pahalgam are still cold in spring and may have patchy snow.
Photography tips
Early morning gives soft light and empty paths. Low angles along the terraces make the colour rows look continuous, and the lake and hills behind frame the beds well from the upper levels. A telephoto lens helps compress the layers; a wide lens is better for the sweep of colour. Drones are restricted in the area, so check the rules before bringing one.
Plan it with us
A Tulip Garden trip fits well into our 5-day Kashmir itinerary with a slightly earlier Srinagar start. Share your dates through the trip planner and we will check the current bloom information before suggesting a final plan.
