If you are someone who enjoys being in nature and trying fun thrilling adventures, there’s nothing like planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh. This beautiful northern state is all about larger-than-life sceneries, majestic mountains, and warm hospitality.
But what’s important to understand here is that Himachal is not the same all year round. Rather each of the seasons here comes with its own different things lined up for the visitors to witness and experience. So, it’s important to learn which season would best cater to your interests and allow you to get the best of Himachal Pradesh. And to help you with this, here’s a detailed blog to guide you through the seasonal dynamics of the state.
What is the Best Time to Visit Himachal Pradesh?
Just like any other place, Himachal Pradesh has three main seasons i.e., summer, winter, and monsoon. Traveling in each season has its own set of pros and cons that we’ll briefly discuss below so that it’s easy for you to make a decision.
Summers in Himachal Pradesh
The summer season in Himachal Pradesh starts around April and lasts till June. Ideally, this is the best time to explore this quaint state.
Pros of visiting in summer: During this time when the whole of northern India is taken over by the heat waves, Himachal boasts a pleasant and favorable climate. The sun is not too harsh to burn down your skin and neither the cold chills send shivers down your spine – it’s like getting the best of both worlds.
Cons of visiting in summer: Because the weather is so pleasant and everything is so favorable, you’d find most tourists flocking towards Himachal during summer. This ultimately translates to heavy crowds and super hiked hotel and resort prices.
Events You Can Enjoy: Summer brings a whole lot of fun and celebrations in Himachal. The main highlight of the season is the Doongri Fair (also known as Hadimba Devi Fair) which celebrates the arrival of summer. The festival is all about colors, displays of fresh blooming flowers, and blissful dance and musical performances by the locals. Another main festival you can attend in the months of May and June is the Summer Festival which is held at the Ridge, in Shima, every year. It is a 10-day festival that brings you the best of Himachal right from its folk dance performances, fun sports activities, and beautiful handicraft exhibitions; in short, it has something or the other for all visitors.
Things to consider before visiting:
- Since summer is the peak season, make sure to book your tickets well in advance to avoid paying for the last-minute surge in prices.
- Plan your itinerary and activities wisely according to the season.
- Don’t forget to pack some woolen clothes along with your summer wear.
- Always keep some cash handy, especially if you are planning to travel to remote areas in Himachal as you won’t find any ATMs in close proximity and the network connectivity also gets disrupted for online transactions.
- Carry at least one pair of trekking shoes in case you plan to venture out for trekking or hill climbing.
Monsoon in Himachal Pradesh
Monsoon in Himachal is like a fresh breath of air that gradually calms all your senses down. The season starts from July to September and is one of the best times to visit if you want to witness Himachal with freshly bathed streets and lush green forests.
Pros of visiting in summer: Monsoon is basically the off-season in Himachal so the tourist influx is comparatively lower than other seasons. This means you can find many affordable accommodation options, enjoy your time exploring famous places without struggling with heavy crowds, and spend a good time interacting with the locals and understanding the culture and traditions of Himachal.
Cons of visiting in summer: If your whole idea of visiting Himachal is trekking, hiking, and undertaking any other adventurous activities, then monsoon will not be a favorable time for you.
Events You Can Enjoy: Monsoon is full of rain and bliss in Himachal, but that does not anyway dampen the spirit of Himachal. One of the main festivals celebrated during the months of July and August is the Minjar Festival. Minjar denotes the maize flowers, a stalk of which is attached to silk costumes that the locals wear during this time of the year. It is a 7-day festival celebrated with great pomp and show in the Chamba region of Himachal. The locals gather around the Laxmi Narayan Temple, offering prayers to the almighty for a good harvest.
Things to consider before visiting:
- Always make sure to check for the weather forecast before booking your tickets or accommodation.
- Monsoon season is more susceptible to dangerous landslides in Himachal, hence plan your trip accordingly.
- Pack a lightweight jacket as cold winds prevail during this time.
- Carry essentials like windcheaters, mosquito repellents, mufflers, and a multifunctional torch.
Winter in Himachal Pradesh
Himachal is no less than a wonderland in winter. With temperatures fluctuating between 0 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius, you will find long stretches of snow for as far as your eyes can see.
Pros of visiting in winter: Himachal is at its best during winter. With wonderful icicles, frozen lakes, and snow-covered mountain peaks, winter makes for the perfect time to experience the surreal beauty of Himachal. Besides, the best part about winter is that you can enjoy a whole bunch of snow activities like ice skating, skiing, and heli-skiing to add on to the overall experience of your vacation trip. Meanwhile, don’t miss out on the masala chai and piping hot Maggie noodles as you get back from your snowy sporty zone.
Cons of visiting in winter: The only downside of traveling to Himachal Pradesh during winter are the road blockages. Oftentimes, the roads are blocked due to heavy snowfall which makes it difficult to access some parts of this region.
Events You Can Enjoy: One of the most exciting events you can join in is the Winter Carnival which is held in Shimla and Manali. Herein, you can enjoy a whole array of fun winter sports at the Rohtang Range and the steep ski slopes of Solang Valley. A special beauty contest, famously known as the Winter Queen Contest is also held as a part of the event in the Manali region.
Things to consider before visiting:
- Pack woolen, thermal wear, sunglasses, and sunscreen to keep yourself protected against the chilled weather and UV rays.
- Winters can get extremely dry hence make sure to keep yourself hydrated all the time. Keep sipping lukewarm water and grab a hot cup of tea/coffee to keep yourself warm throughout.
Also Read :Â 10 Famous Temples of Himachal Pradesh
Takeaway
So this was all about the different seasons in Himachal Pradesh. If you look closely, there’s no one best time to visit Himachal; it’s all about one’s personal preferences and interests. If you’re all pumped up for an adventurous trip, then summer would be the best time. But if you’re looking forward to a more peaceful and low-key kind of trip, then you can consider visiting Himachal Pradesh during monsoon or even winter. Nonetheless, in the end, it’s all about choices!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :
Q. Which month is best for Shimla and Manali?
A. The best months to explore Shimla and Manali are the summer months between March to June when the weather is quite pleasant and cosy.
Q. Where is the best weather in Himachal Pradesh?
A. The spring season (months from February to April) and summer season (months from March to June) are the best in Himachal Pradesh. During these times, you can explore places like Dalhousie, Khajjar, Spiti Valley, Palampur, Kasol, Shimla, etc.
Q. Which month is the rainy season in Himachal Pradesh?
A. Months between July to September is the rainy season in Himachal Pradesh.
Q. Which part of Himachal is most beautiful?
A. Spiti Valley is one of the most beautiful parts of Himachal that attracts travelers from all across the world.
Q. Which month is best for Kullu Manali?
A. If you want to witness snowfall and experience cool temperatures, then October to February is the best time for Kullu Manali.
