Himachal in December

Hi All,

I am travelling to Himachal for the first time. I have to attend a marriage in Amritsar in December end and am planning to visit Manali, Shimla etc. after that.

Please let me know which place will be closer to Amritsar, (Manali, Dalhousie or Shimla) and I am planning to travel by bus from Amritsar. Are there frequent bus services from Amritsar to Manali or Shimla. Where can i get the details for the same.

Please help me out if u guys know abt it!!

Thanks & Regards,
Manmeet

Hi Manmeet

Dalhousie is the closest hill station to Amritsar, I think. It is a good idea to go to Pathankot by train from Amritsar Junction then walk to the bus stand (one street to the east and then head south about 400m - an easy walk). There are plenty of buses and the dabha at the bus stand is not too bad. It is a nice trip by bus as long as you leave around lunchtime - otherwise the most scenic part of the drive will be in darkness.

If you are a great fan of bus travel, I am sure that you would have no difficulty finding a bus from Amritsar though I recall that there was only one daily bus leaving at about 9am.

Hi,

Thanks for the information. I also wanted to know will i get some snow in Shimla & Manali during December end.

Regards,
Manmeet

Cannot guarantee it, but the chances of your experiencing snowfall are pretty good.

What is the weather situation in Mecleodganj and Dalhousie in December.
Will be spending most of the time in Manali, Shimla and Kullu.

This is from http://hpkullu.nic.in/Climate_Kullu.htm


Tourism (District Kullu) - Climate
Generally, the climate is cold and dry and the year can be divided into three season:

1.
Summer
March to June

2.
Rainy
July to September

3.
Winter
October to February

From December to February, this period is very chilly. Heavy frost occurs during this period. Snowfall generally occurs during December and January or an early snowfall may occure in November also. During this period, most of the parts of the Kullu remain under cover of snow. But the snow does not remain on the ground for a long time. The average rain fall is 80 cm. Max temperature is 38.8° C and minimum is 5.2° C in winter.


About Clothing

Whenever it rains, the weather becomes very cold as the snow range is very near in this valley, particularly in the months of March & April. During spring season, it also becomes very cold. So the visitors are advised to bring light woollen cloths with them. However, if you are wishing to visit Rohtang or high altitude then heavy woolens are required.

The ideal time to visit Kullu is from 2nd half of May and June. During July and August, it is rainy season. During this period the temperature falls occasionally. September to November, the period is very pleasant and very clear. The mornings and evenings are generally cold. An early snowfall may occure in November.

Heavy clothes, blankets are necessary for visitors coming during December to February. The first snow occurs generally in November-December.
I recommend you Google for climate information about your other destinations.

Is there a direct train from chandighar to shimla?

Take a train to Kalka just above Chandigargh, where you can then catch the toy train to Shimla. I was in Mcleod & Kulu/parvati in late Dec early Jan last year & the weather was very pleasnt through the day around 25degs, but it soon dropped to between 0-5 degs at night, there was a slight sprinkling of snow on the high hills. KK

i am planing for a 10 days tour for kulu-manali in dec 30 t0 10 kindly guide me with evey aspect (javeds@gmail.com)
Weather condition
can i see all the place while winter
do it worth going this time
hw abt the snow fall and the road condition on those day

Does it snow in Dalhousie in Dec?? What is the easiest way to get to Dalhousie. Planning a trip in late Dec.

Not sure about the snow part in Dalhousie...however the easiest way is to get a direct bus from Delhi... it takes around 14 hours though...

OR take a train to Chakki Bank / Pathankot from Delhi, from there take a bus to Dalhousie.

In Manali will skiing be an option?? if so can you suggest any good ski resorts kinda place?? Also, I have never done skiing before. So..

and I am basically confused bet Dalhousies/ Mcloedgunj and Manali. so figuring out the options.

Dalhousie/Khajjiar can be a good option..they do have adventure sports in Khajjiar, not sure about skiing though.

it snows in Dalhousie but not like skiing.

Snow in Dec in Dalhausie may not be possible but it all depends on weather GODS. Same way we can not say that you may find snow in SHIMLA but if you by the end of this year then skiing options are in NaRKANDA which is well connected by road and is almost 80 kms. from SHIMLA.

MANALI: from amritsar- you have to travel by bus for CHANDIGARH and from here you can board in MANALI which is over night journey. As this is Dec. we are talking about- keep blanket with you inside bus as it will be very very chilly inside.

In dec. you may find snow in MANALI but not enough that you could ski.....famous slope is 17 kms further "E" at SOLANG NALA.