Is Chandanwari Open Today? Timings & Seasonal Status

Chandanwari Timings by Season

Chandanwari has no gate or ticketed hours, but its practical visiting window is 8 AM to 6 PM, and whether that window applies at all depends on the season. The table below is the fastest way to check whether Chandanwari (sometimes spelled chandanwadi) is open in a normal year. For 2026, the district closure order overrides this table: Chandanwari stays closed to tourists until 31 December 2026.

When Is Chandanwari Closed?

Chandanwari sits at 2,895 m (about 9,500 ft), high enough that winter shuts it down rather than just cooling it off. Heavy snow settles over the valley from around November and the approach road stays under it until the spring thaw, usually April. Through those months there is no reliable public access and no standing timings, whatever a generic listing might repeat. A flat "open 8 AM to 6 PM" is only true in the open season, so if your trip falls between November and March, plan for Chandanwari to be closed and keep the day flexible.

Amarnath Yatra Access (July to August)

Chandanwari is where the traditional Pahalgam route to the Amarnath cave begins, so the summer yatra changes who can reach it. During the yatra the district administration regulates traffic on the Chandanwari axis for pilgrims, and in past seasons it has restricted tourist movement there, so a sightseeing visit is best planned outside the yatra window. Carry a government ID, and if you are joining the trek, factor in the registration and security checks the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board runs each season: yatris need advance registration backed by a Compulsory Health Certificate and must carry the SASB-issued RFID card. The first climb out of Chandanwari is the steep pull up to Pissu Top, so an early start helps.

How to Reach Chandanwari

Chandanwari is about 16 km from Pahalgam, a drive of roughly 30 to 45 minutes along the Lidder valley. Outside vehicles, including Srinagar taxis, are not allowed to ply the Pahalgam to Chandanwari road, so the standard way up is a Pahalgam union taxi from the local taxi stand. Chandanwari itself is where the motorable road ends. There is no separate ticket window for the valley itself; for current local charges see the Chandanwari entry fee page. If you are still mapping the wider trip, our Pahalgam travel guide and the Chandanwari overview cover getting around, the best months and what to see nearby.

Timings and seasonal access on this page are checked by our Kashmir desk against Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and JKTDC advisories and the Anantnag district administration's closure notices, and the date above is refreshed each time we re-verify the status.

Planning the rest of your route? Start from our Kashmir travel guide for the full picture on when to go and how the valleys connect.

Edited by TravelTriangle Kashmir Team. Updated October 2026.