Best time to visit Mussoorie

I would love to go to Mussoorie, and although this would be a good time to visit the place, it would actually be full of tourists especially the attractions there such as Kempty Falls.

As much as I love going out to places I also hate overcrowded places, so please suggest me the best time to visit Mussoorie when the crowd is a bit less than usual.

 

Hello, @Jay Batra, welcome to the forum!

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Overview

Uttarakhand's most popular hill station is Mussoorie, sometimes referred to as the Queen of the Hills. It is so famous that it is necessary to book your hotel at least a month in advance prior to reaching the hill station. Still, that hasn't stopped the tourists from flocking to the hill station. Who could blame them? With its misty mountain views, lush greenery and oh so pleasant climate, it has been a favoured weekend getaway for many locals, especially on the midst of summer heat. Barely eight hours away from Delhi and you're on the laps of nature, albeit on the busy side, yet still the perfect destination for those who just want to get away from the city life. There are many attractions to explore in Mussoorie but to do so, you need to plan your trip accordingly. This guide would help you with that, highlighting the best time for visiting the hill station.

Best Time to Visit Mussoorie - A Guide

Mussoorie is situated over 2,000 metres above sea level, which is why it experiences quite mild climates all throughout the year. The hill station's seasons can be divided into three, namely: summer, monsoon and winter. Generally, Mussoorie has very mild summers and quite cold winters. You can take your pick accordingly, as to which season best fits your interests and supposed itinerary.

1. Summer Season (March to May)

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The summer season in Mussoorie extends from March to May. The month of March has temperatures around 27°C to 29°C so as compared to cities, the temperatures are still very mild. As April approaches, temperatures start to rise, averaging around 29°C to 32°C. May is usually the hottest month, with temperatures reaching around 35°C and sometimes, even higher. These months are usually dry and rainfall occurrence is very rare. It is also not impossible for temperatures to reach beyond 40°C at times, though very rare in occurrence.

The summer season is also the peak tourist season of the hill station. This is the time when most tourists flock to the region and so hotel rates are at their highest. As mentioned above, you need to reserve your hotel room weeks in advance especially during this season or you take a big risk as the better hotels might be fully booked by the time you reach there. Sightseeing is very much possible during this season but be prepared for the crowds and there might be queues in some attractions even. For clothing, light cotton clothes would suffice though you can bring light jackets for when it gets cold during night time. A huge downside of this season is the never-ending traffic on the centre of the hill station and around its popular attractions. So do plan accordingly and make sure you allot lots of allowances for delays that you might encounter due to traffic.

All attractions in Mussoorie can be visited during the summer season. View points such as the Lal Tibba and Cloud's End are perfect attractions to visit during this time as you can enjoy the clear views of the hills. A stroll around the Camel's Back Road would be enjoyable too especially during early mornings or late afternoons. The little ones would certainly love a walk in the Municipal Garden instead, where they can view various hues of blooming flowers. Even wildlife lovers can have their pieces of haven with attractions like the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary and Jabarkhet Wildlife Reserve.

2. Monsoon Season (June to September)

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The monsoon season extends from June to September. Starting with the month of June, temperatures remain around 28°C during this month. Rainfall is scanty especially at the beginning of the month and becomes more frequent by the end of it. By July, temperatures remain around 25°C to 28°C and rainfall becomes to get more frequent with intensity. August is one of the wettest months, with rainfalls occurring intermittently but strong at some days. Temperatures are on the lower side too, at around 24°C. By September, rainfall becomes less but temperatures remain roughly the same.

We can consider the monsoon season as the off-peak tourist season of Mussoorie. Less tourists reach the hill station during this season because of the more unpredictable weather conditions. So that's one downside, the rainfall can be quite spontaneous and occur at unpredictable times so your sightseeing might be delayed or postponed. On the other hand, you can enjoy the more affordable hotel rates, since properties are luring tourists to stay with them. Do bring your rain gears like umbrellas and waterproof boots so that you can be protected from the rains. You can truly enjoy the serenity of Mussoorie during monsoons though especially the lush greenery that envelopes the place.

For sightseeing, it's a bit tricky because you cannot cover all sights especially when random rainfalls occur. But some attractions are more suitable for the rainy season. Case in point, the Kempty Waterfalls, which is the hill station's most popular attraction. This waterfall wouldn't look as mesmerising in the other seasons so it's a must visit during the monsoon. The lesser known Jharipani Waterfalls, a bit further from the city centre, requires a bit of trekking to reach but provides for a more tranquil vibe as it is less thronged by tourists. Other attractions like the Mussoorie Lake and Lake Mist would also look more enticing during this time.

3. Winter Season (October to February)

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The winter season extends from October to February. With October, temperatures remain around 23°C and rainfalls are scanty already. The months of November and December in Mussoorie see lesser temperatures. Temperatures can go as low as 20°C during these months. January and February are also quite cold months, with temperatures going below 10°C on some days. Mussoorie also receives snowfall but it is quite rare. In fact, it was this year, 2017, in the month of January, that Mussoorie received its first snowfall after almost two decades. So while some fantasise about experiencing snowfall in Mussoorie, the reality is that it rarely occurs though not impossible by any means.

The winter season is also a peak tourist season for the hill station. As mentioned, many tourists flock to the region in the hopes of experiencing snow or snowfall. For sightseeing, you can cover many attractions during this season because of the pleasant climates. Depending on your tolerance for the cold, you might need to bring either light woollens or heavy woollens. Again, it is necessary to book your hotel in advance as they can be fully booked at this time. If you can, reserve for a private vehicle as well so that you can tour around the hill station more comfortably. Hotel rates are also on the higher side during this season so you might end up paying a bit more especially for the luxury properties.

During winter, you can easily cover all the attractions of the city. View points though, the ones mentioned above, are best visited during late mornings or noons, when fogs are not as apparent. Waterfalls are best visited just post monsoon, preferably during the month of October. Do include the Happy Valley and Shedup Choepelling Temple in your itinerary. This is a Tibetan settlement with a Buddhist temple that truly ignites one's spiritual's side. Of course, you also can't miss strolling in The Mall Road of Mussoorie and do take some time for sampling the local cuisine here.

Summary of Guide

For the summary of the above guide, you can refer to the table below. In a nutshell, every season of Mussoorie offers something different for the tourist. If you want to avoid the crowds, then your best season is the monsoon. If you want to enjoy sightseeing, then opt for the winter season or summer season.

✰ Seasons of Mussoorie ✰

Season	Months	Average Temperatures	Best For	Must Bring
Summer	March to May	27°C to 39°C	Sightseeing and Wildlife Spotting	Sun Gears
Monsoon	June to September	24°C to 28°C	Solace Seeking and Nature Adventures	Rain Gears
Winter	October to February	10°C to 23°C	Sightseeing and Possibly Seeing Snowfall	Light to Heavy Woollens

Conclusion

This ends our guide on the best time to visit Mussoorie. For you, no doubt that the monsoon season is the perfect time to explore the hill station. Crowds are least during this season and you can enjoy the natural beauty of Mussoorie more. In addition, the waterfalls of the region look more enticing during this time, as well as the lakes. You just have to be prepared for the sudden onsets of rainfall, which can make your trip even more adventurous. Enjoy the lower hotel rates and at the same time, the serenity of the hill station that is nowadays hard to capture.

Good luck and I hope this helps you!

 

I have been to Mussoorie last year. I enjoyed my stay their at welcomheritage kasmanda palace. It was monsoon season. I enjoyed all the activities, specially kempty fall. It was an adventures trip to visit at tie of monsoon.