Planning a Dalhousie Trip? Read on to Find Out Best Time to Visit

Dalhousie is the perfect destination for honeymooners, families as well as solo travelers, making it a popular getaway.

Dalhousie is one of the most popular hill stations in India and is a decent crowd-puller thanks to its beautiful landscape of snow-capped mountains. Situated in the Dhauladhar range of mountains in the Chamba district, it has an eclectic mix of natural beauty as well as British architectural marvels. The hill station is named after Lord Dalhousie, who was the British Governor-General in India. The hill station is at an elevation of 2,000m above sea level with Ravi River flowing at its base. It is spread across 14 sq km and is home to five hills including a breathtaking view of the Pir Panjal. Dalhousie is the perfect destination for honeymooners, families as well as solo travelers, making it a popular getaway.

When is the best time to visit Dalhousie?

Dalhousie is one of the few hill stations in northern India that enjoy pleasant weather all year round. Whichever time you plan to visit Dalhousie, you will be greeted with a great climate that isn’t too hot nor too cold that it gets unbearable. However, here is a break-up of the climate in Dalhousie during times of the year.

Summer

The summer season in Dalhousie lasts from March to May and is the busiest time of the year. It sees the most number of tourists especially families with kids as they usually have summer vacations during these months. The weather is quite pleasant with the temperature going up to 30 degree Celsius or falling to 15 degree Celsius.

Monsoon

Monsoons in Dalhousie are between June to mid-September however the hill station does not experience very heavy rainfall. Yes, there are occasional showers but they are not very torrential so you can visit the hill station during the monsoon too. The hills in Dalhousie are covered in lush greenery and there is romance in the air that is perfect for couples to enjoy some private time in the lap of nature. There aren’t many tourists in Dalhousie during monsoon so if you are looking for a quiet getaway, you can visit Dalhousie in the monsoon.

Winter

Even though Dalhousie is at a high altitude, the winters here aren’t too harsh. There are days when the temperature falls below zero degree Celsius but it is not biting cold that you cannot bear. Also, if you love snowfall, winter is the best time to visit Dalhousie. The months you should look at are from October to February. One of the best things to visit this hill station in the winter is that the accommodation prices are slashed so you can afford to stay at a luxury hotel without spending a bomb. There are also fewer tourists as compared to the summer.

So, to sum up, the weather in Dalhousie is tourist-friendly all year round and you can plan a holiday based on the kind of traveller you are. If you prefer a pleasant climate and going to a place during peak season, summer is the best time. If you want a romantic getaway that is not too crowded, choose to go during the monsoon and if you want to see snow and don’t mind a little cold, go in the winter which is also the off-peak season.

Where to stay in Dalhousie?

Being a popular hill station, Dalhousie has many options available for accommodation that range from budget to luxury. We list a few of them for you to choose from. Remember, the tariff is likely to change based on the season you are going, so make sure you check the rates closer to the date of your visit. Also, you may want to book soon if you are planning to go in the summer as that being the peak season, rooms get booked faster and the rates also go up. On the other hand, you can book and negotiate the price in other months when not many tourists are around and hotels too are willing to offer discount prices to customers.

JKS Clarks Exotica is a mid-range property that offers mountain views and all the amenities you will expect in a good hotel. The food served in their restaurants is also loved by its guests.

Sagarika Resort Dalhousie is another mid-range property which is surrounded by forests and pine trees. The resort has a gym, a restaurant and a game room. It offers complimentary breakfast to its guests and room service as well.

If you are looking for something cheaper, consider options like Hotel Monal, Hotel Bombay Palace and Ranjeet Sagar View. These offer decent rooms at an affordable price.

Other hotels in the area include Dalhousie Heights which is a luxury property and Snow Valley Resorts which has cozy rooms and is surrounded by mountains.