Laid back place near Delhi/ itinerary in the mountains...

ciona

I've been one of those unnamed guest, hanging around the forum for a while, and felt now was a good time to introduce myself and post my first message.

I was planning a trip to India with a friend, but she fell in love with a guy and dumped me, so now I'm on my own.
I've done some travelling before, but never alone, and I'm scared witless by the prospect.

Still, I'm definitely not going to cancel the trip, the plane tickets are booked for mid-september and I'm planning to stay for four months! I'll arrive in Delhi (late at night...), and probably book a hotel with pick-up service for the first night, just to get me out of the airport. My plan is to leave Delhi as soon as possible and find a safe and laidback spot (if there is such a thing in India...) to recuperate from the jet-lag and general shock of travelling. Does anyone know of a place not to far from Delhi that would be suitable for resting a couple of days before heading north?

Thanks a lot for any help, I'm sure I'll be back, pestering you with more ignorant questions before long...

tstan

It is a good idea to get a good sleep first. Then, if you are at Paharganj - the main backpacker area just north of the city centre -- it is not far to Old Delhi station where you get an overnight train to Kalka.

The train arrives about 6am and you simply walk over to the toy train which will take you up to Shimla which is about 2 500m above sea level. If you are in a hurry you can get a share taxi at Kalka which is not too expensive.

As a matter of interest, you can book tickets on the internet though you shouldn't have too much trouble,in mid-September, buying tickets at New Delhi station soon after you wake up.

radz

ciona :Welcome to IM.
))Is Delhi is that much bad place?You want to run off fast..
Ya Shima is best option to chill out.

RADZ

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SHIMLA

I agree with tstan and radz that Shimla is a great place to relax.

However, if you can spend your first month or so on the North Indian plains and head for the Himachal hills sometime by mid-October, then you'll be able to witness the Dussehra celebrations in Kullu valley, from October 22 onwards.

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ciona

Thanks a lot for your suggestions, Shimla seems to be just the sort of place I was looking for!

And radz: Delhi is probably not that awful (though people are trying their best to convince me otherwise!), but my experience is that a city of that size is quite an intimidating experience when you're completely new. I plan a prolonged stay a bit later on, when I'm more used to being on the road...

LuAnnandJawahar

Just pick a Shatabdi or Rajdhani train and head out. ANYPLACE is more laid back than Delhi. Save a few days at the end of the trip to explore Delhi-nothing will phase you by then.

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Bryan

Head into Rajisthan or up to Amritsar though this is further on
The Golden temple is incredible and very chilled

Or just hop ion the bus and go to the himmies straight away
You can catch a rickshaw to the old delhi bus station where they leave from and just buy a ticket there
or even more adventurous ...walk down to the road at end of Pahar Ganj ...the railway station end
Then take a left and get yourself up to the flyover which goes over this road...catch a bus from there ...Most Indians will tell you which bus and its a great way to see some of the sites on the way to the bus station ...Probably not the your first few days in India but worth knowing ...once you know the main bus routes the place opens up.

Bryan

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cyberhippie

Man the list is endless the mountains are wonderful, although Shimla to relax? I'd have to think about that (I find myself drawn to smaller places these days but that's just me I guess)
There are a couple of places slightly nearer to Delhi which though not in the mountains would fit the bill.

Rishikesh : Introduction to things Hindu and some really wonderful walking!! maybe a gentle rafting trip down the Ganges or a trip upto the hill station of Mussoorie

Bharatpur : Laid back with a wealth options for the day out e.g the Taj, Fatehpur Sikri, Deeg!!
Visit the old town, take a walk in the bird park!!

Pushkar : An introduction to the freaks of India, watch them walk by in all their technicolour glory, browse the shops, do Puja??, walk upto the temples on the mountain. Interesting though perhaps not the most laid back of places these days!!!

Happy Travelling

pids

first time to india, arrived in Delhi airport approxx 01.00 am, had pre-booked a hotel with pick up at airport and spent 5 days in Delhi with a day trip to Agra thrown in - awsome !!
Just relax, throw yourself in and go with the flow - if you go with the idea/preconception that it is going to be hell it will be.......
If you think New Dehi is busy take a trip up to old delhi, that will put new delhi in perspective - a busy, vibrant but friendly city (that's not to say that Old Delhi does not have it's charms though)

Go to Delhi with the thought that it is an adventure - it is.

Enjoy

[
QUOTE]if your head comes off your body, it's all over[/quote]

jay_m_222

New Dehli is a great place to check out! Don't dismiss it....
PIDS makes a good suggestion re: pre-booked hotel pickup.

ciona

I've started to plan my trip from Delhi, where I arrive mid september and I have some questions on the route...

my intention is to go straight to Shimla, recover from the flight and arange a detour (on my own) to some smaller villages in the mountains, not to far away. I don't want to venture to far into the wild, since i haven't got any experience on the area, but hope I will manage to one of the valleys closer to the main route. Any suggestions?

After returning to Shimla I plan to head for Dharamsala, Mcleod Ganj, Maybe Dalhousie and then to Amritsar before heading to Delhi to pick up a friend. This is supposed to take me about a month.

Does the itinerary sound plausible within that frame of time, and will I be alright doing it on my own as a female? I have people screaming at me from all directions, telling me it's far to dangerous and that I should go straight to Goa and stay at my hotel room!

Also, I have at least £1300 to cover my four month trip, how much would you suggest i bring in cash/travellers cheques/keep on my bank account?

Thank you ever so much for any help/Ciona

mountaingirl

Cool plan!!!

The time frame is also very good. Forget about what people say - just go and DO WHAT YOU WANT TO!

I would choose to go Batseri, Kalpa, Recong Peo....but you can see when you get there. Stay in a small village and you won't have to worry about not having the 'experience of the land'. You will get used to it.

Or, if you don't like this area then you can head for Dharamshala and stay there - take day hikes etc.

The area you have chosen is pretty cool and hasslefree.

Enjoy!

Rob_The_Pom

I'm with Mountaingirl. The Kalpa/Rekong Peo area is beautiful. It is a little bit of a trek by bus from Shimla, but is well worth it.
You could also head into the Sangla Valley - which is very close to Rekong Peo - basically the other side of the Kinnaur Kailash range. You'll love the area - it's truly stunning.
The view from Kalpa must be one of the greatest on Earth, and the Sangla Valley is gorgeous.
Just be careful about being overly active when you first get to altitude, but other than that - you'll be absolutely fine!
I reckon these places are a better bet for the India Newbie than Delhi - much friendlier and far less people trying to relieve you of the contents of your wallet.

Have a wonderful trip!

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ddutta

Hallo,

Yes ,my vote is for KINNAUR too. You can take this route:-
Delhi--Shimla--Sarahan--Sangla--Chitkul--Kalpa--Nako--Tabo--Kaza--Kunzum pass--Manali--McLeod Gang--Dharamsala--Amritsar--Delhi. The entire route can well be covered within 1 month. There is absolutely no danger in travelling on this route. This is a very popular tourist route and well connected . Mid september is a very good time for this route because after mid october it is not possible to cross Kunzum pass/Rohtang pass.The road closes & again opens on May.Dont get panic just explore the region. £1300 is enough for 4 months trip if you are not staying in luxury hotels or resorts.

Happy journey

SHIMLA

I suggest the following :

From Delhi head first to Kasauli and stay for two to three days. Its a great place to relax. Then move on to Solan, Chail(via Kandaghat, Sadhopul), Kufri, Narkanda and come to Shimla. After spending a few days at Shimla, head for Mandi. After a day or two at Mandi, move on to Jogindernagar, Bir, Billing, Baijnath and Palampur, before reaching Dharamsala.

Do visit Khajjiar and Chamba after Dalhousie, before moving on to Amritsar.