Best Time To Visit Shimla

The spring season begins in March and lasts till April, while Summer Season occurs between May and June. After the extreme winters, the region becomes a little warmer with the temperature hovering between 16°C and 30°C. This keeps the climate pleasant throughout the day, making it quite enjoyable for tourists to explore the town. The snow melts away leaving an enchanting green terrain, and as the season advances, the region is filled with blooming flowers. This is the time when tourists from neighbouring towns and states often visit Shimla to escape the scorching heat. It is also a good time for adventure activities like paragliding, hiking, camping, trekking etc. Shimla, therefore, gets quite crowded during the Spring-Summer Season but is just as exciting as it is in the other seasons. Some important summer festivals can also be experienced during this time of the year like Holi, celebrated in March, Baisakhi which is celebrated in April and the Sipi Fair held in May.

Shimla experiences monsoons between July and September. It sometimes is extended to mid-October too. The region receives heavy rainfall and is not quite the right time for tourism as it is susceptible to frequent landslides. The average annual rainfall it receives is about 1400 mm, and the temperature remains between 14°C and 20°C. It is, therefore, considered to be offseason but a perfect time for the risk-taking tourists wanting to explore Shimla on a low budget. One can also get to experience the Rhyali Festival celebration that is carried out with great enthusiasm during the season to thank the Rain Gods and keep them happy by making offerings for good agricultural produce.

Winters are the best time to visit Shimla especially for tourists who want to experience the snowfall and explore the snow-clad town. Winter begins in November but the coldest months are December and January. The temperature ranges between a maximum of 8°C and a minimum of -6°C. The beginning of the season is an excellent time to explore the cityscape, the natural surroundings or to go shopping. As the season progresses, one can go for winter sports or go trekking/ hiking through the snow-clad mountains. It is the best time to hit the snow, have a snowball fight with friends and family and capture beautiful memories making snow angels too. The Shimla Winter Carnival is also held during this time to invite tourists to indulge in activities like skiing, ice skating, building snowmen, and witnessing several other entertainment and cultural events. Other events and festivals include the Bhoj Fair, Navaratri, Diwali in November, Ice-skating Carnival & Christmas Celebrations in December and Lohri in January.