Mcleod Ganj in June - for a month?

I did see there was another thread about whether or not to stay in Mcleod Ganj for such a long time, but wondering if there were any more recent travelers who could offer an opinion.

First off, I can't really get a handle on the weather there in June. I've heard that its HOT, warm and freezing all at the same time... Any idea?

Has anyone flew into Gaggal from Delhi? Advisable?

If I want to "hang out," relax, volunteer, maybe take a class or something like that, is this the place to do so? It seems kind of small for such a long time, but maybe there's a benefit to that? Get to know people, etc.

Also, I am amenable to traveling elsewhere through India, but at the moment, I'm going alone and not keen on traveling as the "woman alone in India" thing. So if I met people there who wanted to travel with me, I'd be open to that. But if that does not happen, will I be "ok" staying put for several weeks?


Any / all advice welcome. Thanks!

During June McLeod will be hot during the day and cool at night. I wear jeans and a t-shirt during the day and put on a jacket or sweater in the evening. There may be a bit of monsoon action starting in June so I suggest bringing a plastic rain cape. A cape will dry faster than a jacket and cover more of you.
If you are planning to volunteer you will find plenty to keep you busy for a month. There are some great day trips in the area including Norbulingka, Kangra Fort, Tso Pema (Rewalsar Lake near Mandi), hike to Triund and many more. There are cooking, yoga and language classes available. http://www.volunteertibet.org has lists of most of the volunteer opportunities in the area. If you are nervous about travelling to India for the first time they have an airport pick up and orientation service for a fee but otherwise volunteering is free so you just need to cover your own expenses and take care of yourself. There are loads of rooms to rent and plenty of shops and restaurants. McLeod Ganj is a nice easy introduction to India.
I can't help with flight info as I always take the bus.
It will be peak tourist season so the town will be very busy but that will be a benefit if you want to meet travel companions.
I lived in McLeod Ganj for a year and am happy to answer questions about the place.
Have fun

It will rain a lot at this time & increase in July/Aug it gets verreee damp & misty at that time of year. Flying to Gaggal would be your best/easiest option if you can afford it & are nervous about travelling alone. Generally i don't think women get much hassle in Himachal area, so consider getting about a bit. You could visit Rewalsar Lake, another quieter Buddhist spot 1 hour from Mandi,Here's some pics.
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/kulluk...ey=1uCtozrD8Ok
spend a few days here then take a bus to Shimla for a few days where you can take the toy train to Kalka (not to be missed!) then swap trains for journey back to Delhi. KK

Hello Lotus1 and welcome to IM! I've been quite a few times to Mcleod Ganj in June and it is great - when mentioning 'hot' it is nowhere near as hot as down on the plains, to my mind just a very warm summer's day. Always the nights cool down and the mornings are really pleasant. I used to find a mid-afternoon rest or read in the room quite enough when it seemed 'hot'. The rest of the time was fine for getting out and about. Rain traditionally starts after June 21st - but this can vary. Even then it is not raining all day - a couple of hours and then drying up. A great place for volunteer work btw.

As for travelling safely, a cheaper alternative is the overnight train (book 2nd or 1st a/c depending on your budget because it's very hot in Delhi when you start) Delhi - Pathankot. Check out Train Information thread in trains forum. Then when you arrive go direct to the taxi booking office at the station and rent a taxi for the remainder of the journey (around 3 hours)to McLeod Ganj.

When it rains, it POURS!!! The clouds come in so thick you can't see off your balcony.

June is the start of the Monsoon...

I met many people fleeing McLeod Ganj in June because of the rain...

In June, you have to consider how the himalayan valleys are situated when those monsoonal cloud banks come rolling up. McLeod Ganj is on a ridge looking down into Kangra Valley and have high mountains situated behind. You get socked with the rains because there is no barrier mountains between you and the valley.

You are better off staying in Manali. Which still gets rains. But since the valley is "surrounded" by mountains on all sides, it isn't as bad as McLeod Ganj.

It does indeed pour, manali4now, but in the times I was there did not go on for all day, or days on end. Each time I was there the full month. Yes, Manali is drier and so are some areas in Uttarakhand - Mussoorie, Nainatal etc. OP is looking for volunteer work - I know plenty of opportunities in McLeod Ganj (English for Tibetans, working in the School and Orphanage for Tibetans, helping in a Green Movement etc.) Is there anything in Manali that you know of?

Yes the rain generally comes in 2 hour bursts, but the worst thing at this time is the damp mist & clouds that can hang about all day,some of the cheaper end accomo can become very damp with foisty smells coming from the walls which somehow creeps into your clothes & bags. kk

The damp mouldy weather dosn't set in until mid July.
If mould is a concern get a room on one of the higher floors of a guest house. It makes a big difference.

WHAT?!!
It doth fairly pour from mid-July to early-September. And sometimes longer.
And Nainital gets solid rain too.
But as a comparison with Dhasa/Mcleod, August is probably the wettest in these places.

Hi

I don't know about weather condition in Mcledoganj in the month of June, July and august, but in April, Weather is really hot and looks like we are in Delhi, Nothing feel like we are in Hill place, Yesterday i return from McleogGanj to Delhi.

tnx

Dear "IndiaMike" TeamFriends!

I was looking to drive down from Delhi to Dharamshala (big car like Honda City or Maruti SX4 or Toyota Innova) and near about places in the month of August - maybe 2nd or 3rd week - for about 10 days. We shall be a group of 3 families with Kids (starting 6 months to about 3 years).

Need advise on the following:
1. Is it the right time to travel (will there be rains, landslides etc);
2. Are there good hotels (safe and close to town, just in case of any emergencies with kids' around);
3. Recommended off-beat places to see near about Dharamshala.

Would greatly appreciate any/all pieces of information/advise/suggestions/improvements...

Anticipating a speedy and warm reply...

As my opinion Dharmshala/Mcleaoganj is not very good to see with families (Kids), There are very few places to see and i think 10 Days is enough. There a very amazing places called "Triund", You have to teak around 4 hrs to reach there, but with family and kids the this teak journey is very difficult. And a good place to see sunset called "Naddi" 3 k.m far from Mcleodganj which is 9 k m far from Dharmshala. And try to stay in Mcleodganj instead of Dharmshala. And about weather i don't have any idea but today i just back from Dharmshala/Mcleodganj, And weather was very hot in same month.

regards

Happy Journey

Delhi to Dhasa you'll have to drive up!

No one can predict landlsides, but generally it's not a big problem as in other parts of HP.

Were the nights cold, or cool at least?

Not very much, one Sweater is enough.