Is it necessary to book ahead in Haridwar/Rishikesh/Mussoorie in January?

Is it necessary to book accommodation ahead in Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Mussoorie in mid-January? I can't tell if that's considered peak season or not. Also, we'll be arriving relatively late in Haridwar. Thoughts? We'd prefer to play it by ear but don't want to take a chance of not finding anything.

Thanks!

Tesser its not necessary but always better to book accomodation.Mussorie in mid janaury and if it is wknd,possiblilty of snow, its recommended to book, otherwise you will find nowhere.

yes I agree, news of snowfall may attract a lot of people from places like Delhi over week ends in Mussorie. You don't need to do advance booking for Haridwar & Rishikesh, hundreds of palces to stay.

If it will be a mid of the week, then I think no advance booking is necessary in Musoorie also. If there is snowfall and a week end then it may be bit problematic but not impossible to find a place.After all almost 350 hotels are there in Musoorie.You don't need to do advance booking for Haridwar & Rishikesh, hundreds of palces to stay.

If one has the option to book in advance i think you should take it. Shimla has close to double the number of hotels than Mussourie but the slightest chance of snow and they are all booked.

I agree there will always be accommodation, but the quality remains to be seen , additionally if there is a shortage then costs might go up as well.

Definitely not necessary for Rishikesh, if you are fine with staying at Swargashram, the most quiet place in Rishikesh, where Ashrams offer plenty of free rooms. But it is pretty cold in that season there.

it all depends on what area u target in each city. only mussorie will be fully occupied spcl on weekend. but good probability near ghanta ghar (old mussorie) to get budget accomodation (few quality hotels in that location). mall road etc. book in advance (may be while u reach delhi).
haridwar rishikesh u will face no problem. u can book mussrie hotel from here too.
think to cover kanatal 100 kms from rishikesh to multiply ur enjoyment. it is near chamba. there is a road from kanatal to mussorie via dhanolti, but closes sometime in heavy snow fall. if open u can have 100% of ur targetted area.

I'd suggest not booking ahead for Mussoorie. Most of the hotels are empty for most of January and if you book ahead they will quote and charge you their standard rate. If you are willing to do some shopping around you will be able to negotiate some serious discounts on the spot (at least 50% off). There is the risk that snow will bring in the curious crowds from the plains, but there are literally thousands of hotel rooms in Mussoorie, so the saturation point is pretty high. Outside of the high season, finding a room is a piece of cake.

i have been to Mussourie in both january and february and almost all the hotels were empty and i have always got 50% discount on hotel fare.

NO.


PS: There's absolutely no chance of being stranded without accom in Muss; weekend or no weekend, snow or no snow.
And both costa and rishabh are right.