Best Time to visit Parvati Valley

When is the best time to visit Parvati Valley? This one is actually a difficult question to answer. Why? Because not just Parvati Valley but the best time to visit any place depends on what you seek there. Parvati Valley is beautiful for all 12 months and it presents a different color each season. When to go will depend on which color do you want to see.

In recent years, Parvati Valley has come up as a major tourist attraction of Himachal Pradesh. Places like Kasol, Malana, and Tosh continue attracting tourists all year long. Stunning natural beauty, trekking, good road connectivity, easy accessibility, hippie culture, Malana cream, and unique customs are some of the reasons that drive tourism here.

Usually, it is the months of April, May, June, and September that are considered to be the best time to be in the valley. But will this suit you as well? Read on to find out.

Please note that in this article, I will only be talking about the best time to visit Parvati Valley. For other details like how to reach, where to stay, things to do, and safety tips, please take a look at How to Plan a Trip to Parvati Valley.

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About Parvati Valley

During my last visit to Kasol a few months ago, I was sitting in a restaurant when I noticed this picture on the wall that read ‘Parvati Valley – The Enchanted & Mysterious Himachal’. It was a landscape photo of Malana Village and the tagline well suited the image.

Parvati Valley is indeed one of the most magical and beautiful places in all of Himachal. It attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists each year, and of all kinds. Out here, you will find hippies, trekkers, campers, photographers, budget travelers as well as families looking to spend some time in peace.

The lower reaches of Parvati Valley are lush green with Deodar, Oak, Pines trees. As one goes to the upper reaches of the Valley, mostly beyond Kheerganga, the vegetation becomes sparse. Everywhere in the Valley, you’ll be surrounded by Majestic Mountains in the backdrop; which is why this is one of the most scenic Valleys in the entire Himachal.

Weather of Parvati Valley

Weather is one of the biggest factors that drive tourism to any destination, especially when it comes to hill stations. The same is the case with Parvati Valley. The reason why so many people visit here in summers is that the weather at this time suits the majority of the tourists.

But this is definitely not the only time you can be in the valley. Below is a month by month breakdown of how the weather trends in a certain month and what can you expect.

Also Read: Weekend Trip to Kasol – How to Plan your Itinerary

Parvati Valley in January

January is the coldest time of the year in Parvati Valley. The average temperature in areas like Kasol ranges between 0 to 7 °C but it can drop several degrees below 0 in the upper regions like Malana. Even in Kasol, the night temperature will definitely remain below 0.

January is also when the valley receives the highest amount of snow each year. The entire place really turns into a white wonderland. If it is was snow that you were after and also wanted to see a live snowfall, January is the month to go.

Clothes to Pack: Heavy woolens, Windproof jacket, thermals, caps, gloves, muffler, insulated shoes, woolens socks

Parvati Valley in February

It continues to snow in Parvati Valley in February as well. The snow on the ground this month at some places will be even more than January but as the month progresses, the intensity and frequency of snowfall will start to go down.

The average temperature around Kasol will range between 8°C maximum and 1°C minimum. It will be several degrees lower in the upper areas.

The most important thing to know before visiting in either January or February is that the places like Malana, Kheergaga, or other higher villages become inaccessible at this time. All the snow will definitely block the trails. Hence, a better choice would be to call in advance and inquire about the weather conditions.

Clothes to Pack: Heavy woolens, Windproof jacket, thermals, caps, gloves, muffler, insulated shoes, woolens socks

Parvati Valley in March

If you wanted to see snow, you should try and plan your visit towards the early part of the month. Chances of finding snow in Kasol in March are less but you can try trekking to the higher regions like Kheerganga and will definitely find some left there. In fact, March is a perfect month if you want to attempt a winter trek to Kheerganga or Malana. The route to both these places will definitely be open this month.

It is still winter so the weather will definitely still be very cold. The temperature will range between 10°C and 3°C around Kasol and Chalal.

Clothes to Pack: Heavy woolens, Windproof jacket, thermals, caps, gloves, muffler, insulated shoes, woolens socks

Parvati Valley in April

Spring arrives in the valley towards the end of March and things start turning pleasant. It will still be cold but more on the pleasant side. The snow starts to melt and is mostly all gone in April, except for the higher reaches of the valley.

April also marks the start of the tourist season in Parvati Valley. All the trails will open at this time and you will be able to access the complete valley. It is a good month to go if you want to see lush green valleys or enjoy a mild climate. The temperature will remain around 15°C maximum and 7°C minimum. If you are into trekking, I will recommend waiting a month more.

Clothes to Pack: Light woolens, Windproof jacket, caps, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in May

May is the peak tourist season. The weather will keep getting warmer and the temperature will rise up to 20°C maximum and 7°C minimum. This is the best time to visit Parvati Valley with family or if you wanted to go trekking in Parvati Valley.

This however is a bad month if photography was on your mind or if you hated crowded places. With vacations on in the schools, you will also find a lot of families in the family. People who think of Manali as crowded will start arriving in Kasol instead. The scenery as well in May is a little dull and dry.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes, Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in June

The months of May and June are a good time to enjoy pleasant weather but bad if you were light on the pocket. With tourist season on, everything will get costly. The charges for taxis, hotels, and even food will go up. If you were on a tight budget, I will recommend pushing your trip by another month.

The weather will get even warmer with the temperature rising up to 23°C maximum and 13°C minimum. You will be able to visit all of the tourist places in Parvati Valley and can enjoy activities like trekking and camping.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes, Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Also Read: Tosh Village – A Comprehensive Travel Guide & Itinerary

Parvati Valley in July

July marks the beginning of the monsoon season. It is also the warmest time of the year with the average temperature ranging between 25°C maximum and 17°C minimum.

The valley starts to receive pre-monsoon showers by the end of June itself and if you were planning a trip in July, it would be wise to call ahead and inquire about weather and road conditions.

It rains quite a lot in this region, enough to cause landslides and block roads. Even the road between Chandigarh and Manali gets blocked sometimes.

Even if things did not get that extreme, it can still rain non-stop and ruin any sightseeing plans for the day. Trekking and camping at this time will definitely not be possible. If you must visit in July, you should plan your trip towards the earlier part of the month.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes (preferably the ones that can dry faster), Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in August

With all that I said about the monsoon season, there is an upside to it as well. This is when the entire valley is at its best in terms of scenic beauty. All the rains will bring the valley alive with flora and it will be lush green all around.

If you are into photography and do not mind getting wet a little, this is the best time for you to plan a trip. Since there will not be many tourists around in August, it is also a good month to plan a budget trip. You will stand a better chance of getting a good deal at the hotels.

The temperature in August will range between 23°C maximum and 16°C minimum. The trek to Malana and Kheerganga will also remain open. In fact, it is actually the peak time for the Pin Parvati trek.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes (preferably the ones that can dry faster), Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in September

September is my favorite time to visit Parvati Valley. The monsoon will be long gone but would have left plenty of greenery behind. The weather will be very moderate and agreeable, perfect for visiting with family and friends. It will all still be very green and scenic, perfect for photography. The entire valley will remain open for tourism and you can participate in all outdoor activities.

The average temperature in September will range between 20°C maximum and 15°C maximum. There will be certain freshness in the air at this time and you will clearly feel it. Mountains will appear as if they have just been washed clean and covered with a carpet of green.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes (preferably the ones that can dry faster), Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Also Read: Budget Trip to Kasol – How to Reduce the Total Trip Cost

Parvati Valley in October

Autumn arrives in October and that was green now turns orange. This is another good month for a photography trip to Parvati Valley. The weather will start to turn a little cold by end of the month and the average temperature will drop down to 16°C maximum and 9°C minimum.

October is considered the best time for trekking to the dry weather. You may still find some tourists in Kasol but the number will be even lesser in places like Chalal and Tosh. So if you are someone who tends to avoid the crowd, October can be a good time to visit Parvati Valley.

Clothes to Pack: Regular cotton clothes (preferably the ones that can dry faster), Light jacket, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in November

November is an overall bad month to visit Parvati Valley. This is the beginning of the winter season so the temperature will range between 12°C and 6°C. The scenery however will be very dull and dry. So what you get in November is just a featureless landscape, terribly cold weather and there won’t even be any snow around.

With that being said, it makes it a perfect time for budget travelers. Since the number of tourists in the valley is very less, you will have a better chance of getting a good deal on accommodation.

Clothes to Pack: Light woolens, Windproof jacket, caps, regular sports shoes

Parvati Valley in December

The first half of December is much like November, dull and dry. But after the 15th of the month, it can snow anytime in Kasol and other nearby places. The upper reaches of Parvati Valley in fact start to receive snow in November itself but it snows in Kasol only by the end of December.

The average temperature in December will range between 7°C maximum and 1°C minimum. At nights, this will drop further down to a couple of degrees below zero. In places like Malana and Tosh, the average temperature will be even lower.

Clothes to Pack: Heavy woolens, Windproof jacket, thermals, caps, gloves, muffler, insulated shoes, woolens socks

Also Read: Kheerganga Trek – A COMPLETE Travel Guide & Safety Tips

Now based on the information above, I believe it is safe to say that the months of April to June and September are the best time to visit Parvati Valley. The weather in these months is very agreeable and will suit most of the travelers. If you were planning a family vacation, either of these months will be just fine.

But if you wanted to see a white Parvati Valley, you should visit in either January or February. For budget travelers, the months of July, August, and November will be the best. For bikers, the monsoon season must be avoided. If you want to attend the rave parties in Kasol, you should visit towards the end of the year and celebrate 1st January here. For trekking, May, June, and October will be a great time.

Best Month to visit Parvati Valley

This will be different for everyone. But September in my opinion is the best month to visit Parvati Valley.