Best Time To Visit Himachal Pradesh

The best time to explore Himachal Pradesh fully depends on the kind of experience you are after. If one is visiting in the winter season one gets the opportunity to enjoy and witness snowfall. Vacation during the summer season is considered great as one has much to explore, whether it is the valleys, serene locations, monasteries, waterfalls, pristine lakes, or water sports activities. During the monsoon season, there is a chance of landslides and therefore it makes exploring & sightseeing a bit challenging.  So if you are thinking of planning your next vacation in Himachal then make sure to plan according to the season. So let's have a look at the moth-wise segregation that will surely help you decide on the best time-

Summer

The summer season in Himachal Pradesh starts in April and ends in June with temperatures ranging between 5-degree Celcius and 24 degrees Celcius making the weather pleasant during the daytime but the temperature may drop down to 3.2 degrees Celcius at the night. The summer season is perfect for sightseeing, shopping and also one can easily reach during this time. One can even enjoy the treks during this time that stars from major cities like Shimla, Manali and Dharamshala. 

One can plan a trip to Bir Billing, Dalhousie, Spiti Valley, Kasol, Khajjiar, Kullu Manali, Shimla, Kasauli, Palampur, and Kinnaur. Apart from exploring all the scenic places one can even enjoy some thrilling adventure activities like- paragliding, Go-carting, zorbing, hot air ballooning, or nature expeditions. One can even attend some of the regional festivals that are celebrated with great enthusiasm- The seven-day Nalwari festival, Baisakhi, and the spring festival. 

Monsoon

The monsoon in Himachal Pradesh begins in July and continues through September. It is highly advised that tourists visit Himachal Pradesh at the beginning of the rainy season, June, as the place receives heavy rainfall from July to mid-September. The temperature at this particular season ranges between 14 to 21 degrees Celcius. Dharamshala gets the most torrential downpour every year but the altitudes like Lahaul and Spiti are classified as cold deserts and hardly receive any rainfall. One can plan a vacation during low or moderate rainy days and head towards Dharamshala, Narkanda, Kullu, Manali, Solang, Shoghi and Mashobra.  The natural terrain is also quite popular for monsoon trekking, bird watching and nature exploration. Indeed, most adventure sports are not operated during the monsoon season but one can participate in the annual celebrations like- the Minjar festival that is held for a good 7 days, Phulaich, Rakhi and the La Darcha Fair in Himachal Pradesh that is celebrated in August. 

Winter

The Winter season in the state of Himachal Pradesh begins from November till March with the temperature ranging between o to 13 degrees Celcius. The perfect places to explore during this particular season are- Dalhousie, Narkanda, Kasauli, Kullu Manali, and Shimla. It is also an apt time to visit some monasteries and temples. One can even take part in the annual festivals like- Lohri, Halda festival, Himachal Winter Carnival, Sazo, Dussehra, Ice Skating carnival and the International Himalayan Festival that is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Apart from all the scenic places, one can enjoy some winter sports like skiing. Trekking is yet another activity that is quite famous among trekkers. Most groups arrange trekking expeditions along the Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley, Kunzum Pass, Hampta Pass, and Bhrigu Lake. In the months between December and February, the weather remains quite suitable for activities like- Paragliding, skiing, and sledge rides amidst awe-inspiring snow-clad locations. There are also several natural hot water springs in the region where one can halt in between their tour.