Every winter, Delhi asks the same thing: where's the snow? Shimla's snowfall is famous and unreliable. Manali is a long way. Narkanda, a small town on the road beyond Shimla, is the answer I give most often: higher, colder, snowier and far quieter.
Why Narkanda for snow
From our climate data, side by side with Shimla:
- January: Narkanda -4 to 5°C with about 5 snow days. Shimla -3 to 9°C with about 2.
- February: Narkanda about 4.1 snow days. Shimla about 1.2.
- December: Narkanda about 1.5. Shimla about 0.7.
- March: Narkanda still about 1.7 snow days. Shimla almost none.
Nothing guarantees snow on a given weekend. But if you're going for it, January and February in Narkanda give you the best odds within reach of a normal weekend.
Getting there
Get to Shimla first, then continue by road. The Kalka Shatabdi (12011) leaves New Delhi at 7:40 am and reaches Kalka at 11:40 am, daily; from there it's road all the way. Or take an overnight bus to Shimla. Narkanda is about 34 km past Shimla as the crow flies, more on the winding road.
Outside the snow months, from April to June and in September–October, this is a lovely road for a rented scooter from Shimla, and that's how we often plan it.
Saturday: Hatu Peak and Tannu Jubbar
Go up towards Hatu Peak for a picnic lunch at the Jau Bagh meadow below it (in deep snow, the road up may be closed; ask in town). In the afternoon, Tannu Jubbar lake, about 6 km from town. Spend the evening by the bonfire at the HPTDC Hotel Hatu.
In January and February, swap the morning for a skiing lesson on the Narkanda slopes, or snow tubing and sledging at Jhamunda.
Sunday: Kotgarh's orchards
Drive about 17 km to Kotgarh and Thanedar, where Satyanand Stokes planted the apple orchards that made Himachal's apple country, and see St Mary's church (1872). Buy apples or juice at an orchard stall in season. Lunch back in Narkanda, then start towards Shimla, with a tea stop at Fagu or Kufri.
Pack properly
January nights go well below freezing. Thermals, a proper jacket, gloves, a woollen cap and shoes with grip matter more than anything else you bring.
Prices and options for your dates are on the Narkanda weekend guide.
Questions people ask
Does Narkanda get more snow than Shimla?
Yes. Our climate data has about 5 snow days in January and 4.1 in February at Narkanda, against about 2 and 1.2 in Shimla. It's higher and colder: January runs from -4 to 5°C.
Can I learn to ski in Narkanda?
Yes, beginner lessons run on the slopes when there's enough snow, usually in January and February. Snow tubing and sledges are at Jhamunda nearby.
How do I get from Shimla to Narkanda?
By road. Narkanda is about 34 km from Shimla as the crow flies, further on the hill road. In snow, take a taxi with a driver who knows the road rather than driving or riding yourself.
Plan Narkanda for your dates
Your weekend and your group: the train or bus, where you'd stay, every day planned and one all-in price per person. We book all of it and confirm it before you pay.
Written by
Dhruv Shah
Founder, Tavora and RailRoute
I build Tavora and RailRoute. RailRoute started with Indian Railways data: which trains run on time, which routes actually work. Tavora uses it to plan weekends out of Delhi end to end. Here I write about leaving on a Friday night and being back for Monday.
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