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Weather Conditions in Shimla
Shimla is one of the cities in India that is great to visit throughout the year. With its temperate climate, even summers are pleasant and most often, tourists can be seen heading to the hills to escape the heat and dust of their own cities. Shimla sees a great influx of visitors from nearby cities like Delhi, Chandigarh but also other cities in India and even abroad. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to know the best time to visit Shimla. For instance, if you want to enjoy snow activities, you’re going to be disappointed if you visit Shimla in June. Also, since Shimla is prone to landslides, it’s a good idea to know which season to avoid visiting. Shimla typically has three seasons – summer, monsoon and winter. Here’s a season-wise breakdown of what to expect in Shimla and which is the best season to go to Shimla.
Summer in Shimla is from the months of March to June. The weather remains pleasant and temperatures range from 15 to 30 degrees centigrade. Summers can often get quite warm and sunny and this is peak tourist time in Shimla. Often, hotels are booked full and flights and other modes of transport are also not easy to obtain. If you have plans to visit Shimla during the summer, then do remember to book your trip well in advance.
Summer is the best time to go to Shimla if you plan on doing activities like trekking, camping, paragliding, and rafting. Most of these activities can be done Naldehra, Kufri and Narkanda which are all near Shimla. Summer also means that Mall Road and the Ridge are great spots for walking around and enjoying the sights, looking at Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre and other such monuments. Since summer can tend to be quite warm, do carry light clothes with you although a thin shawl or sweater might come in handy during evenings when it can become rather chilly.
Shimla Summer Festival is one of the reasons why many people think this is the best time to visit Shimla. This event has been held in the months of May or June every year since the 60s and it is an explosion of colour, celebrated over a period of five days. There are folk dances, flower shows, musical performances and even a Himachal film festival that takes place at this time.
As summer gives way to monsoon, there are some intense rains in the months of July and August but by September, the monsoon slowly comes to an end. While the city doesn’t get as much rain as most other Indian cities, this is certainly not the best time to visit Shimla. Often, rains bring landslides with it which are dangerous and can cause road blockages, leaving people stranded on roads for hours.
Nevertheless, if you do find yourself in Shimla during the monsoon, you might find that hotel owners give hefty discounts on accommodation as it’s the low season. While rains might mar your plans of doing any adventure activities, this is still quite a romantic time for couples who want to enjoy the misty atmosphere and brave the frosty winds.
Christ Church looks quite beautiful in the rains and colourful Shimla umbrellas can be seen everywhere. It’s a great idea to visit Indian Institute of Advanced Study during the rains, just to see the profusion of flowers everywhere. Most people like to visit Sanjauli at this time, with its old school charm, quiet roads where there’s nobody else, bungalows, vintage cars and everything suddenly takes an atmospheric turn.
Rhyali festival is celebrated in Shimla during the monsoons. Since agriculture plays a huge role in the livelihood of people here, this festival is celebrated to appease the rain gods and to ensure that agricultural produce flourishes.
For many, winter is the best time to travel to Shimla. This is especially true if you love snow, can’t wait to see snowflakes melt on your fingertips and enjoy winter sports such as skiing. Winter season begins in October and typically ends in February. The temperature can drop to a freezing -2 degrees centigrade, so do remember to carry warm clothes, thermals and caps that cover your ears and throat.
The snow-covered peaks are a brilliant sight in themselves, and with the gorgeous landscapes around you, you’re going to be very busy clicking away photos to cherish for a long time to come. Christmas and New Year celebrations also tend to be quite special in Shimla and if you’re visiting around that time, you’ll see a very different version of Shimla than in the summer.
Whether you take a stroll through the snow-covered Ridge or enjoy the Shimla Winter Carnival, or simply have fun participating in winter sports, you are sure to have an unforgettable time. For skiing and ice skating, the best places to visit in Shimla during winter are Kufri, Narkanda and Mashobra. There are several restaurants and cafés where you can pop in for a quick bite and enjoy snacks and something hot to drink.
If you have decided the best time to go to Shimla, it’s time to check the SOTC website for offers and updates on Shimla tour packages and Himachal tour packages. There are some excellent deals which will make your vacation even better, so do remember to visit the website before you make your booking.
