The best time to visit Mcleodganj is a little hard to predict as it is a year-round destination always teeming with tourists. Mcleodganj situated on the hills of Dhauladhar range sits at 6,831 ft high and gets a horde of people from the nearby cities of Delhi, Chandigarh and Jaipur. The main seasons in Mcleodganj are summer from March to June and winter from November to February interspaced with light showers from July to August. The peak tourist season in Mcleodganj is summer from March to June with an average temperature hitting 34 degree Celsius. From December to February you can see the quaint town covered in snow with day-time temperature fluctuating around 7 degree Celsius. The hill station receives rainfall from July to August sometimes stretching till September and it’s a call to be made by the tourists whether they want to visit Mcleodganj during rains. Although the rains in Mcleodganj are not heavy, July is when it receives a considerable amount of rain. If you are looking for a budget-friendly quick trip to the hill station then plan a holiday during the shoulder season from July to September and book hotels in Mcleodganj for cheap.
Here is a seasonal break-up of what kind of weather to expect in Mcleodganj helping you plan your vacation better.
The peak season – March to June
The summer is when the hill stations are crowded in every corner of the country. The town and the Mall road swarming with tourists can inflate the rates of hotels and cost of cabs including other touristy things. If you can bear all this then spending your summer in Mcleodganj could be a memorable experience and perhaps the best season to visit Mcleodganj. Explore the suburb and the nearby Dharamshala, visit the monasteries and sample out the local delicacies. If you are visiting the place for its famous treks then summer is the best time to visit Mcleodganj for trekking to Triund, Kareri River, Guna Devi Temple, Bhagsu or Indrehar Pass. The average temperature ranges from 30 to 35 degree Celsius.
The shoulder season – July to September
Visit Mcleodganj during this period to literally breathe and get the best out of your vacation with no pack of tourists to bother or clamour to be heard in the bazaar. This is also a good time if you want to book hotels for cheap. Mcleodganj doesn’t receive a downpour but the month of July gets the maximum amount of rainfall compared to other months so if you want to experience the rains in the hill station then perhaps this is the best month to visit Mcleodganj when the waterfalls are brimming and the valleys are covered in mist. The average temperature stays around 18 to 22 degree Celsius.
The snow season – December to February
The winters dawn upon Mcleodganj in November but the peak snow season is from mid-December to end of January with light snowfall seen in February too. Many tourists visit the place to experience snow and winter festivals like Himachal Winter Carnival. Most hotels organise New Year celebrations so come with your family and live out the winter charm of Mcleodganj. Take a stroll at the Mall road and dunk in some sizzling hot winter food and shop around for souvenirs for friends back home. The average temperature is around 8 degree Celsius and the nights can get really cold.
Best Time to Visit Mcleod-Ganj - FAQs
Q. How far is Dharamshala from Mcleodganj?
A: The distance between Dharamshala to Mcleodganj is 6 km and takes about 30 minutes via Khara Danda Road. The best way to reach Mcleodganj from Dharamshala is by taxi. The taxi fare from Dharamshala to Mcleodganj is around Rs 800.
Q. What is the best time to visit Mcleodganj?
A: Mcleodganj being a year-round destination can be visited any time of the year but the best time to visit Mcleodganj are the summer months of March to June and the pre-winter months between September to November. These are the months when Mcleodganj sees a higher number of tourists compared to the months of snow and rain.
Q. Does it snow in Mcleodganj?
A: It snows in Mcleodganj from December to February with January being the peak time for snowfall. But travelling around this time comes with its own challenges. The roads may get affected and the visiting time of a few tourist attractions can get changed too. Plan your trip after thorough research before you book hotels in Mcleodganj.
Q. How do I reach Mcleodganj from Delhi?
A: Although you can drive to Mcleodganj from Delhi via NH1 the best and easiest way to reach Mcleodganj from Delhi is by bus. Both HRTC (Himachal Road Transport Corporation) and private partners operate on the Delhi to Mcleodganj bus route. It takes about 11 hours to cover a distance of 480 km. You can board a bus to Mcleodganj from Kashmiri Gate, Majnu ka Tila or Himachal Bhawan in Delhi.
Q. Is July a good time to visit Mcleodganj?
A: The monsoon is at its peak in July in Mcleodganj. There are tourists who prefer to experience the post-shower sweep of the land. But as Mcleodganj sits at 6,831 ft above sea level, rains may create problems at such a height. Plan your itinerary accordingly for a hassle-free trip.
Q. Is there a train to reach Mcleodganj?
A: The nearest broad gauge railway station to Mcleodganj is the Pathankot railway station. There are several Delhi to Pathankot trains that can be taken to reach Mcleodganj such as Jhelum Express 11077, Jammu Rajdhani 12425, Swaraj Express 12471. The duration of Delhi to Pathankot train is about 7 hours. The distance from Pathankot to Mcleodganj is 90 km and takes approximately 2 hours. It can be covered by taxi available outside the Pathankot railway station.
Q. What is the best month to visit Bhagsu Falls?
A: The best time to visit Bhagsu Falls is April to June in summer or July to August when it is mostly raining in Mcleodganj turning the lushness around into a deeper hue of green. The distance between Bhagsu Falls from Mcleodganj is about 5 km and can be reached by taxi via the Dal Lake road.
