March is when Uttarakhand exhales into spring. Buransh (rhododendron) sets the mid-hill slopes alight, days turn genuinely warm in the valleys, the year’s clearest panoramas persist, and – critically for planners – hotel rates stay well below the April-June peak. It is the value sweet spot of the pre-summer season.
Weather in March
| Band | Daytime | Nights | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plains | 15-30°C | 10-14°C | Warm, dry |
| Mid-hills (~2,000 m) | 12-18°C | 3-6°C | Buransh bloom begins in earnest |
| High Himalaya (2,800 m+) | 2-10°C | -5 to -1°C | Snow persists on trails and shaded slopes |
What is open and closed in March
- Char Dham temples: still closed – they open in late April; kapat-opening dates are announced in advance (dates).
- Valley of Flowers: closed (reopens 1 June).
- Jim Corbett: all zones open; sightings remain strong before summer foliage thickens.
- Rafting: open with reliable water levels.
- High treks: snow still on upper routes – spring treks and meadow walks are the play.
Best for
- Panoramas on a budget: Kausani and Mukteshwar
- Culture-and-food trips through the bazaars: Almora
- Rafting without the June crowds: Rishikesh
- Spring bloom walks: see the bloom calendar
Think twice if
- You expect high-meadow trekking without snow – wait for late April-May.
- You want the Char Dham – late April at the earliest.
Events and dates
Holi falls in March (the date shifts with the lunar calendar) – hill towns see colour, music and full hotels around the festival days.
Part of our best time to visit Uttarakhand guide.
