The Best Time to Visit Dharamshala

Looks like picturesque mountains, white and green and crystal, won’t let us be. Their beauty is crying for discovery and exploration. Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh is the quintessential hill station, with placid, pretty lakes, eye catching monasteries, wild opens where you can cycle your way to happiness and Tibetan and Christian religious sites that will rescue your soul from chaos. Dharamshala feels like another world of peace and quiet in a world that is in a perpetual rush, which is exactly why you should creep down here the next time you’re free for a quick, rejuvenating vacation. The best time to visit Dharamshala is from March to June, when summer comes calling every year.

Dharamshala
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium, Photo by Anirudh Singh, CC BY 2.0
Months         Conditions   Our Recommendation
March to mid-JulyPerfect time to visit, if you want to escape the scorching summers from your city and go on a break. You will surely enjoy trekking; as the surroundings look picture perfect. Buddhist Losar Festival is held during the months of February and March.Popular Tourist Season

 

December to FebruaryWinters are freezing here. If you love snow, then this time of the year is worth going.Ideal Time

 

Mid-September to NovemberYou will enjoy trekking; the climate remains cool. Don’t forget to pack some woollens to keep yourself warm.Ideal Time

 

Mid-July to mid-SeptemberIf you love rain and green mountains, then visit the place during Monsoon.Off Season

Summers in Dharamshala are hotter if not warm, but is still pleasant and the most popular tourism season pick. The heat is present, but not oppressive, mainly due to the proximity to the hills. The months like April are sufficiently hot, but you don’t feel uncomfortable at all, and can comfortably go sightseeing or to enjoy outdoor activities in this season.

Monsoons in Dharamshala are fairly sumptuous in terms of the rainfall content it receives. There are heavy showers true to the precipitation nature of a tropical country, but on the downside, it may put a dampener on your sightseeing plans. You would do well to check the potential lack of safety and communication monsoon brings with it to Dharamshala, it being a hill station and all. This isn’t the season that sees the most number of visitors to this place.

Winters in Dharamshala are pleasantly chilly, and no, that’s not an oxymoron. The mercury takes a sharp drop, but the temperatures never go negative. That makes it a nice place to enjoy the chill with the proclivity to do so. Woollens are very necessary, and sightseeing of a sort is very convenient. This season attracts a certain type of tourists to it every year.

How to Reach Dharamshala

Gaggal is the airport that is most suited to access Dharamshala. It is connected to places like Delhi, and you can always take taxis to your hotel from the airport. The nearest railway station is Pathankot, well connected to India’s major cities, and by road, there are a lot of buses plying to and fro from different parts of India as well.

Dharamshala India
Upper Dharamshala, Photo by Akhilesh Mathur, CC BY-SA 2.0

What to Do and See in Dharamshala

  • Dal Lake

This one lake is the one that also defines Kashmir tourism. In a paradise of tourism, you can well imagine how beautiful the crowning jewel would be. You could go for Shikara rides along the lake, stopping at attractions along the way, or shop for spices in the floating markets it has. When Dal Lake freezes over in winter, it becomes even prettier.

  • Another notable lake is the Kareri Lake.
  • John in the Wilderness Church

If you are looking to soothe your soul in this quaint hillside haven on your vacation, you have picked out the perfect place. This church has historical merit, and architectural significance. You could also look at Christian religious practices here.

  • Kangra Valley

This is one place that combines young and fresh, and timeless effortlessly. It has a temple and architectural wonder jostling sides with modern adventure activities like paragliding or cycling.

  • The Tibet and State Museums for a closer look at indigenous and historical artefacts and highlights.

Dharamshala is a place in the hills which offer you mountain views, monasteries, museums, and lakes galore. It remains true to its name as well, and acts as a Christian and Buddhist religious hub. You could take a look at history or architecture, or you could work towards getting fitter physically through cycling in the wildernesses. But whatever you do, make sure to plan ahead season wise using this guide to make the most of your vacation. Wishing you the best hillside ramble!

About Rohit

An architect by profession, Rohit Agarwal is a curious traveller, seeking out the minutest detail about the places he travels to, and that’s what one will find in his writings. His writings have appeared in various blogs, he’s currently trying to bring forth as many different places a traveller who shares the same level of curiosity like him would like to visit through his writings.

1 thought on “The Best Time to Visit Dharamshala”

  1. Can you please suggest best hotel or resort in Dharamshala for Meditation for approx 20-30 people which can provide a good hall for meditation. For approx 6-7 days. Group of minimum 20-30 people depending upon booking.

    Thanks,
    Shreem Tourism, Gujarat

    Reply

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