Travel guidePlanning
What to pack for Himachal, season by season
Pack layers for Himachal in every season: the hill towns can swing from warm afternoons to near-freezing nights. Summer needs a fleece and a light jacket; the monsoon a rain jacket and quick-drying shoes; winter thermals, a down jacket, gloves and snow-grip footwear. For Spiti, Ladakh and passes like Rohtang, add sun protection, a warm hat and water bottles — the sun is strong and the air dry.
Always
- Layers — a T-shirt, a fleece and a jacket beat one heavy coat.
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip.
- Sunscreen and sunglasses: the mountain sun burns, even when the air is cool.
- A refillable water bottle.
- Personal medicines, plus something for motion sickness on the hill roads.
- Some cash; ATMs are fewer outside the towns.
March to June
Light clothes for the day, a fleece and a light jacket for evenings, and a warm layer for any day at Rohtang, Solang or the Atal Tunnel.
July to September (monsoon)
A proper rain jacket, quick-drying clothes, shoes you do not mind getting wet, and a dry bag for the phone.
October and November
Warm layers — days are clear, nights drop close to freezing in Manali.
December to February (snow)
Thermal inners, a down or padded jacket, gloves, a woollen cap, warm socks and shoes with grip. Snow suits and boots can be hired at Solang.
Spiti, Lahaul and Ladakh
Add a warm jacket even in July, a sun hat, lip balm and moisturiser for the dry air, a head torch for camps, and any altitude advice from your doctor. Read the Manali–Leh highway guide before you go.
Before you go
Quick answers
What clothes should I take to Manali in summer?
Light layers for the day, a fleece or sweater for evenings, and a warm jacket for the Rohtang or Atal Tunnel day, where it is cold even in June.
What do I need for snow in Manali?
Thermal inners, a down or padded jacket, gloves, a woollen cap, warm socks and shoes with good grip. Snow boots and suits can be hired at Solang.
What should I pack for Ladakh or Spiti?
Layers including a warm jacket even in July, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, lip balm, a refillable water bottle, any personal medicines, and cash — ATMs are few on the road.
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources on 24 October 2026. Fees, permits, timings and road openings change — check them before you travel.