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Weather Conditions in Himachal Pradesh
For those who love nature and adventure, there’s nothing quite like planning a trip to Himachal Pradesh. The hills beckon and with it, there’s the promise of fresh, sweet air and splendid sights. Whether you’re a mountain person or not, all it takes is a trip to the beautiful hills and mountains of Himachal Pradesh and you won’t be immune to the allure of this wonderful state. But each season has something different lined up for visitors and you’ll be better off knowing the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh so you are prepared with the right clothes and maybe even the right equipment. Well, whatever you pack or not, we recommend making sure you have a great camera with you, be it a DSLR or a phone camera because you will want to capture the sights you see here for posterity.
Himachal Pradesh has three seasons – summer, winter and monsoon. Each season has its own advantages, so let’s take a look at the best time to go to Himachal so you can have a perfect vacation.
Himachal Pradesh is often considered a summer holiday spot because even though the rest of the country faces sweltering heat during the months of May and June, the many towns and hill stations of Himachal Pradesh offer a respite. Many people consider summer to be the best time to visit Himachal, especially places such as McLeod Ganj and Dharamshala.
Summer here lasts from March to June and the climate is pleasant with just a few thunderstorms and pre-monsoon showers cooling down the temperature further. During summer, there are plenty of domestic and international tourists who come to Himachal Pradesh to escape the heat of the cities. It’s the reason why prices for travel and stay are on the higher side. Carry light weight clothes if you’re travelling to Himachal Pradesh in summer but do remember to carry a light shawl as well. Rains can cool down the temperature significantly.
Summer is also the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh if you’re planning on doing some adventure sports such as trekking, camping, paragliding, kayaking, hot air ballooning and white-water rafting.
Monsoon in Himachal Pradesh is from July to September. The hills turn a lush green from all sides and Dalhousie gets most of the rain. However, although the rain turns the state mesmerising, there is an increased danger of landslides at this time so it’s always better to be forewarned. While not so great for adventure seekers as trekking and hiking are not allowed, monsoon might actually be the best time to visit Himachal for honeymooners and couples.
Nature’s bounty is splendid during this season and with the light mist and beautiful atmosphere, you will have an unforgettable holiday if you visit Spiti, Kinnaur, Kasauli or McLeod Ganj. Most often, people avoid visiting Himachal Pradesh during the monsoons because of the unexpectedness of the rainfall and the possibility of landslides. But train and flight fares are relatively lower, and hotels offer off-season discounts. Remember to carry an umbrella and a few warm clothes as it can get quite cool when it rains.
Himachal Pradesh in the monsoons is like tonic for the soul. If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t mind a few inconveniences such as getting wet in a sudden downpour, you will love visiting Himachal during the rains. The fine mist in the air, the sudden chill that makes you shiver, the brilliant verdant green of the tree covered mountains – all these will surely be imprinted on your mind for a long time.
For those who are exceedingly fond of snow, winter is the best time to travel to Himachal Pradesh. Winter begins in October and lasts till February and December is the coldest month of the year. Places such as Manali, Narkanda, Kufri and Shimla enjoy good snowfall and visitors who have been waiting for snow can have an amazing time if they choose to visit Himachal Pradesh during winter. Rohtang and Keylong Pass remain frozen throughout the year.
Winter is also another good time for honeymooning couples to visit. The atmosphere is exceedingly romantic with snowflakes falling around you and you will indeed have an unforgettable vacation. Places such as Rohtang Pass gets quite heavy snowfall and maybe a good place to enjoy winter sports such as heli-skating and skiing.
Since the temperature can be anywhere between 0 and 15 degrees, it’s extremely important that you bring warm clothes and thermals when you travel to Himachal Pradesh in winter. Winter is great for several adventure lovers who can’t wait to hit the mountains with their skis and there is a good deal of demand for flights to Himachal at this time. But at the same time, this is also off season and there are some good deals on accommodation. An important thing to remember is that there could be a number of hindrances caused by snow-packed roads.
If you book ahead of time, then you won’t be disappointed, so if you like cold weather, love the snow, are excited about trying winter sports, then indeed winter could be the best time to visit Himachal Pradesh.
If you’ve decided the best time to go to Himachal Pradesh, then don’t forget to make your bookings with SOTC as there are some really good Himachal tour packages and offers that you will not want to miss.
