Mcleodganj- Best time to visit, how to reach and what to do

Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh is a wonderful place for a vacation. It has become a trekker’s heaven and there are so many interesting things to see and do here. Naturally, being a hill station, winter is the time when people tend to visit the region more but Mcleodganj can be visited at any time of the year and it will always have something beautiful to offer. The hill city is a spiritual retreat as the Dalai Lama has his temple and residence here and there are so many trekking trails for the adventure enthusiasts. Here are some of the things that you can get when you plan to visit Mcleodganj during the various seasons:

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Mcleodganj in Winter

Winters starts from the month of October and lasts up till February and from December onwards, the temperatures drop down to sub- zero levels. This is the time when Mcleodganj sees a lot of snowfall and it is truly a magical sight. If you visit in October and November, you will be greeted by cold and pleasant climate but if it is the snowfall and winter wonderland experience you are looking for, then visit in January. At this time, the temperatures during the day hover around 8 to 10 degree Celsius and at night it goes below zero degrees.

You will find this is an excellent time to tour the surrounding landscapes and seasoned trekkers will find this a new kind of challenge when they go on their tours. The climate at this time is very cold but some amazing festivals are held around this time of the year like, International Himalayan Festival held in December, and then Himachal Winter Carnival which is held in February. There is a huge gathering of people and everyone comes here to enjoy and feast of delicacies. The city is lighted up and stalls are set up for food and entertainment. In the month of January, the festivals of Halda and Lohri are celebrated and the Tibetan New Year occurs around February and March. It is one of the best months to visit Mcleodganj.

If you visit around this time, you will be a treated with a great visual treat and you will see the mountains take on a new kind of beauty at various times of the day. There will be some greenery, a lot of snow and sunlight breaking into rainbows when it falls on the snow. There are also locals who carry telescopes and will offer you a closer look at the mountains at very affordable rates and it is indeed a great way to understand the nuances of the mountains. If you are in Mcleodganj in the winters, you will find it is a great time for shopping, especially for woolens. Do visit Kotwali Bazaar, the Central Square and the street shops on Jogiwara Road because of its great shopping options. There are a wide range of woolen garments sold here and you will love the Tibetan handicrafts sold here, especially the carpets. You will also find a number of shops selling souvenirs and keepsakes as well.

One of the most visited spots in the winters is the Kora Circuit but it is advisable to go there only if one has good stamina and endurance as the way is quite steep and needs careful navigation. It is a popular vacation spot though and a lot of youngsters come here. You will also find the winters a great time for stargazing. The skies are crystal clear and you will be amazed how much you miss that in the city. The sky is full of millions of them and the sight is sure to rekindle your childhood dream of becoming an astronomer!

Mcleodganj in Summers

Summers in Mcleodganj are as pleasant and soothing as it can be and this is the time when the entire population seems to descend on the hills. The summers here start around the month of April and lasts till June. The day time temperatures are very pleasant and you will not need a woolen garment most of the time. In fact, the temperatures can climb till 35 degrees in the peak noon and afternoon hours. In the evening, they drop to about 22 degrees and are still a very pleasant temperature to go out in. This is undoubtedly the best time to visit Mcleodganj.

With most of the snow starting to melt by May, this is the best time to go for trekking and the most famous trails here are the Triund Trek and the Indraprahar Trek. This area is known for its vegetation and a wide range of flora and fauna. If you plan your visit accordingly, you will be able to witness the beautiful celebrations of Losar in the month of March and Buddha Purnima in the month of April. The hill streets are decked up with prayer flags and the people celebrate the festival with joy and prayers. The Dalai Lama is almost always here at his temple and his speech is one of the most inspiring ones you will ever hear.

If you are planning to go for a trek, then the summer months are ideal and the day temperatures are around 22 degrees and 35 degrees. The trails will greet you with a pretty sight as you will see lots of new flowers and hear a lot of birds as you make your way through the winding hill tracks. Since this is a very popular time, the trekking trails are also filled with other trekkers and tourists and you will find this a great time for networking as well. The Triund trek will especially mesmerize you with its mesmerizing views from the top. This is also a great time to go camping and to light bonfires under the night sky, as winters are too cold to do that. In fact, you will soon return to Mcleodganj just for the camping experience as it is truly unique.

This also happens to be the best time to go for sightseeing and you will have a great time exploring the Tibetan communities, temples, lakes and caves in and around the main city. You have to visit the Tsuglagkhang, which is the temple of the Dalai Lama and there are other places of interest like the Namgyal Monastery, the Bhagsunath temple and the Bhagsu Falls. The Tibetan Museum will offer you lots of information about the region and the plight of the Tibetan Refugees as they fled the oppression of the Chinese and sought refuge in India.

You must not also miss the amazing ride on the Dal Lake and you will be greeted by the sight of the amazing Deodar trees. The Dal Lake is crystal clear and you will find the mountains and trees reflected in the waters. The boating is especially enjoyed by the children and a number of treats are available nearby.

Mcleodganj in Monsoon

The monsoons in Mcleodganj last from July to September. The region gets an average yearly rainfall of about 350 mm and the temperatures are around 18 degrees and 22 degrees. It cannot be denied that the monsoons make the ambience truly dreamy and mesmerizing but it is important to remember that sightseeing tours can be severely hampered because of the downpour. Nevertheless, if you are alright with not trying out the conventional touristy things, and simply want to relax amidst the beauty of nature, then this is a great time to visit as well.

The monsoons are off- season which is why most of the tourists tend to leave towards the beginning of July. The ideal time is to visit in the beginning or at the end of the monsoons when the rainfall is still low. You will find the hills empty and the cacophony of the tourists has died down, giving you a full run of the place. The most exciting thing about this time is the Butoh Dance Festival and it takes place around the month of July. This might not be the Mcleodganj best season to visit, but there are charming moments to be enjoyed.

You will be greeted with some mesmerizing sights at this time of the year. The town takes on a sleepy appearance after the peak season and you will enjoy the tranquility that settles over the hills. However, the sun does not come out for days on an end so that can be a little dampening to the spirits. It is also important to remember that landslides and avalanches are caused quite frequently because of the relentless downpour and while the locals are used to this, for outstation people, this can be quite cumbersome. So you need to prepare yourself for such eventualities when you visit during the monsoons. Some of the tourists also leave the drier spots.

While the monsoons hinder outdoor activities, you can catch some of the indoor activities that take place around this time. There are shows on Tibetan cultures and folk shows and you will enjoy the Tibetan musical drama. You will also dining a great experience at this time and the bistros are quite empty as the tourists are not there. You will be able to enjoy relaxing meals without having to wait in queues and do not forget to taste the amazing coffee and pastries in the bistros.

How to Reach Mcleodganj:

Train: Macleodganj can be reached through rail which from Pathankot, where there is a broad gauge railway station and it 90 km away. One can also get a train from Delhi and Chandigarh and it will take about six to seven hours to reach. There are Himachal State Buses from various parts of Punjab and it takes about half a day to reach Mcleodganj. There is also the Kangra Mandir railway station which is about 30 km away.

Flight: If you are taking a flight then you have to take a flight till Gaggal which is 30 km away. You will find a cab from there. You can also catch a flight till Delhi and then hire a car or take a bus till Mcleodganj. You can also get down at Kangra Airport and take a cab from there.

Road: You can catch an overnight bus from New Delhi. There are also buses from Himachal Roadways and Himachal State Tourism and there are regular bus services from Kashmir as well. If you have gone to Dharamshala first, then you can easily get a shared cab from there.