Set at an altitude of 1970 meters in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, Dalhousie is one of the best hill stations in India. Featuring unparalleled landscape, rich vegetation, lush green forest and surrounding Dhauladhar mountain range, Dalhousie is famous among honeymooners and family travelers.
Established in 1854, Dalhousie holds its colonial beauty in its architecture, bungalows, church, monuments and surroundings.
Best Time To Visit Dalhousie
Dalhousie boasts pleasant temperatures throughout the year, so you can easily plan a trip to Dalhousie according to your comfort and budget. But being a hill station it is necessary to understand the climatic condition so you can prepare yourself before heading out and quickly find out the best time to visit Dalhousie. So, let’s dive into the details of the different seasons of Dalhousie –
Peak Season – Summer (March to June) and Winter (Oct to Feb) are the peak season in Dalhousie. During summer you can enjoy sightseeing with pleasant weather while in winter you can enjoy snowfall in Dalhousie.
Off-Season – Monsoon (July to September) is the off-season in Dalhousie due to unpredictable weather, heavy rain and landslides.
Dalhousie in Summer (March to June)
Summer is one of the best seasons to visit Dalhousie when the snow starts melting and the surrounding becomes lush green. The clear skies allow you to get stunning views of the Dhauladhar mountain range.
Summer is the best time to enjoy sightseeing and various kinds of seasonal activities in Dalhousie like river rafting, trekking, paragliding, camping, hiking and nature walks. And the best thing about summer in Dalhousie is the complete accessibility to its surroundings.
Due to the peak season, you can expect a heavy rush in hotels and tourist attractions. So, to avoid any kind of inconvenience it’s good to book hotels and flights in advance.
Temperature – The temperature in summer ranges between 18 to 30 degree Celsius which is perfect for sightseeing and trekking. As the summer progress, the daytime temperature starts rising while morning and winter stay quite cool.
Best things to do in Dalhousie in Summer
- Take a day trip to the mini Switzerland of India – Khajjiar.
- Picnic at Panch Pulla waterfall.
- Visit Panchpulla and enjoy different types of activities like trekking and Ziplining.
- Boating in Chamera Lake.
- Hike up to the Kalatop wildlife sanctuary.
- Enjoy the amazing views from Ganji Pahari.
- Trek to Dainkund peak.
- Witness the stunning Satdhara Falls.
- Enjoy local sightseeing.
Dalhousie in Monsoon (July to September)
Monsoon is the off-season in Dalhousie due to the risk of heavy rain and landslides. But as compared to other mountainous regions Dalhousie receives moderate rainfall and there is a low risk of landslides & floods. The rains lower the effect of summer heat and breath new life into the natural surroundings. Therefore, during this season you can enjoy the spectacular lush green surroundings and diverse vegetation around the town.
Monsoon is the perfect time to visit Dalhousie who loves the cultural experience, romantic weather and tranquil surroundings. Therefore, Dalhousie becomes a perfect honeymoon destination in the monsoon.
Due to the low crowd, July to September is the cheapest time to visit Dalhousie. You can save money on bookings of hotels and flight tickets. So, this could be the perfect time to plan a budget trip to Dalhousie.
Temperature – The temperature stays between 20 to 26 during day time while 14 to 20 degree Celsius at night.
Best things to do in Dalhousie in monsoon
- Enjoy paragliding at captivating Khajjiar – Mini Switzerland of India.
- Enjoy stimulating activities like boating, trekking, hiking and horse riding.
- Visit the Satdhara falls.
- Trek to Ganji Pahari and witness the blooming flowers.
- Take a day trip to Chamba, Khajjiar and Chamera lake.
- Visit Chamunda Devi Temple, Kalatop wildlife sanctuary, Subhash Baoli, and St. John’s Church.
Dalhousie in Winter (October to February)
Being a hill station winter in Dalhousie can be very harsh with low temperatures and cold breezes. Sometimes the temperature drops to Zero or even minus during nighttime and early morning while the daytime temperature stays comfortable between 10 to 13 degree Celsius.
But if you can bear the freezing cold temperature then winter in Dalhousie would feel like a wonderland. Especially when snowfall starts in Dec then it the landscape becomes gorgeous with a white layer of snow surrounded by white snowcapped mountains. Snowfall is common during winter in Dalhousie.
At Christmas and New year’s, you can expect heavy crowds in Dalhousie due to the holiday season. So, if you’re planning to visit during this time then advance booking of hotels and transportation is recommended.
Best things to do in Dalhousie in Winter
- Enjoy various types of snow activities like skiing, snowboarding, and sled riding.
- You can enjoy other adventurous activities like boating, trekking, zorbing and hiking.
- Trek to Ganji Pahari for amazing views.
- Visit Panchpulla for Panch Pulla waterfall and Zip Lining.
- Stroll around the Grama Sadak.
- Watch the sunset at Khajjiar Lake.
- Paragliding at Khajjiar.
- Shopping at Mall road.
Snowfall in Dalhousie
December to February is the perfect time to enjoy snowfall in Dalhousie. Usually, snowfall in Dalhousie starts in the second week of December and continues till February. Snowfall is a common occurrence in Dalhousie during winter.
Cheapest time to visit Dalhousie
July to September (monsoon) is the cheapest time to visit Dalhousie. During these months you can expect good discounts on hotel bookings, food prices and transportation.
Weather in Dalhousie
| Month | Average Temperature (Celsius) |
| January | -1 to 10 deg |
| February | 1 to 12 deg |
| March | 5 to 15 deg |
| April | 6 to 18 deg |
| May | 12 to 24 deg |
| June | 16 to 28 deg |
| July | 16 to 24 deg |
| August | 15 to 22 deg |
| September | 14 to 22 deg |
| October | 10 to 20 deg |
| November | 6 to 16 deg |
| December | 2 to 10 deg |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many days are enough for Dalhousie?
2 nights and 3 days would be enough to enjoy most of the Dalhousie. One day would be enough for local sightseeing, one day for Khajjiar & Chamba and one day extra for activities.
Q2: Is it safe to travel to Dalhousie during monsoon?
Yes absolutely safe as Dalhousie gets moderate rainfall and there are fewer chances of floods & landslides. There might be chances of landslides on the way from Dalhousie to Chamba so do check the news. Also, rains breathe new life into the lush green natural beauty and make it a most romantic time of the year in Dalhousie.
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