flying to Himachal Pradesh

volga_volga

I was wondering if there is any way to get to any nice place in HP from Delhi FAST, ie not taking bus for 12-15 hrs but to fly there. There is a possibility (and only a possibility!) that I may be in Delhi for Easter Weekend and I woudn't want to spend two out of four days travelling on a bus.

for eg flying Jet Airways to Chandigarh and taking a taxi/bus from there to a good hill station? or Indian Airlines/Air India might have flights to hill stations direct?

thanks

Volga

SHIMLA

The following link, taken from Himachal Tourism's website, gives details of the flights into H.P. :

http://www.hptdc.nic.in/access.htm#airw

You can always E-mail any of HPTDC's marketing offices and enquire whether the flights are currently operating.

If flights are not currently in operation, then you have the option of travelling upto Kalka by the early morning Shatabdi and then cabbing it up to the beautiful hill-station of Kasauli.

Another alternative is to halt for a couple of nights at Timber Trail Heights at Parwanoo, which is at a stone's throw from Kalka. The highlight of this stay is the cable car ride across the valley, to access the "Heights" from the "Resorts", the latter being at ground level. Check :

http://www.indiatravelite.com/accomm...imbertrail.htm

__________________
Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

volga_volga

thanks a bunch, SHIMLA!! that Timber Trail looks nice and so nr to Chandigarh

if we are allowed one stupid questions per week, here is mine: I have never been to any hill station on India, are they in any way similar to Nuwara Elya in Sri Lanka (their version of a hill station)?

not the landscape which is bound to be different but the idea/layout/accomm'n/visiting public. Nuwara Elya was buit by the British also to escape the heat and is SO British (had a golf course, race course and loads of mid-budget hotels) that I could not wait to move on from there

thanks! Volga

__________________
Tibetan Orphanage School in China
My other favourite place is Pakistan Travel Forum

SHIMLA

I haven't been to Sri Lanka, hence cannot answer your question, volga.

However, the hill-stations in India were also built by the British; with the exception of Kodai Kanal in Tamil Nadu, which was "discovered" by an American.

If you do not like conventional British built hill-stations, then a stay at Timber Trail Resorts for a couple of days is just for you !

premsood

Jagson Airline direct flight from Delhi to Gaggal airport 22 kilometere from Mcleodganj and its a good hill station.Where Dalai lama lives with tibetan community in large.Flights are available three time a week.Also flight to Shimla or Kullu.Both are good hillstation I think you like all the places.Otherwise Delhi to Chandigarh by flight and 7hours journay by Taxi to Mcleodganj you can enjoy the sight seeing and temples on the way.Any further inquart send me e-mail.
Thanks
Prem Sood

volga_volga

thanks premsood, do you have a contact number for Jagson Airline and their timetable (what days of the week/times)

I saw a similar posting abt flying to MLGanj but it was an old one

how much in Rs is by taxi from Chandigarh to MLGanj?

thanks!!

Baisab

Both Jagson Airlines and Indian airllines operate flights to Bhuntar, which is 10 minutes from Kullu.
From there it is 2 hours drive to either Manali or into Parvati valley(Kasol/Manikaran/kalga) which are all excelent places.
I took this flight both ways in 2001 and it was lovely, specially the landing into the Kullu valley.
Note the 10KG per person maximum weight limitation - they mean it since it is a lightweight plane - although it seemed to be less of a problem on the way back (flights are less crowded in this direction).

sachin1313

The only flight to Himachal is of JAGSON AIRLINES. This flight goes from Delhi - Bhuntar - McLeodganj. This flies daily and the reservation no. is 00911123711069. This is a 15 seator plane. Bhuntar aerodrom is 10 Kms from Kullu and 50 Kms from Manali.

Cheers,
Sachin

ploma

If you really want to head to McLeod I think a better option than going to chandigarh and rent a taxi from there, would be take one overnight train from Delhi to Pathankot and take the taxi there. I've done it by bus i and is faster thand going through chandigarh

What i don't remember is if there where a lot of taxis in pathankot, but i think i was approached by some drivers there... bad memory. But Pathankot is quite a city so there must be some taxis almost sure!

sigmund2

I was booked to travel on Jagson Airlines between Dharamsala and Delhi in December ’06. I arrived at the airport only to be told the flight was cancelled due to “technical issues”. As I later found out, they often cancel flights when not enough passengers are booked to cover costs.

For unfortunate travellers like myself, left stranded at the airport, the Jagson officers operate a profitable scam by booking passengers on other airlines at nearby airports. They arrange with their friend/travel agent to book the tickets and bring them to you, making sure the ticket cost is not quoted on the receipt. They also make arrangements for reaching the connecting flight, but in a way that does not allow for a stop at an internet cafe or phone to verify the ticket price. Naturally, the quoted price is rather inflated. If time is an issue, and with same-day airline bookings it usually is, most travellers have little choice but to walk into the trap.

By the time I arrived in Delhi, it would have been quicker to have taken the 14-hour bus.

Getting a refund is also a nightmare - conveniently, the airline's email address as quoted on their website doesn't work! It took me about 10 phone calls and a couple of faxes before they finally gave in and refunded my money.

If you must book one of these flights, good luck to you! (but personally, I prefer my odds at the casino).

kullukid

Yes the same happened with me last yr flying from Bhuntar to Delhi with Jagson, but i was amazed when after 20mins of negotiating with the Jagson manager he gave me a full cash refund outside the gates of the airport.
Knowing you V-V i would have thought Mcleod would be your best option. Either fly to Gaggal then take bus or cab or as mentioned train to Pathankot then bus to Mcleod. KK

himadventures

Flights to GAGGAL are less cancelled as compared to BHUNTAR. I do not know about staff-behavious there but at BHUNTAR !....now we all know about it !!