1 week: Himachal Pradesh or Uttaranchal or both?

Marino · Feb 14th, 2005, 02:44

I'm thinking to go north from Delhi for max 1 week in March to see the (foothills of the) Himalayas. However, I am still confused whether to go to HP (Shimla) or Uttaranchal (Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora - or maybe Mussoorie). Could someone advise me in this respect? Key words would be:

- limited travel time; since I only have 1 week I wouldn't want to spend 4 days getting on and of trains (I have noticed that both Uttaranchal and Shimla can be reached by train - are they both efficient?)

- surroundings - prefer wooded area above rocky area; plan is to go hiking, but just daytrips. I have the feeling that Uttaranchal has better options for this

- accomodation - does anybody know any special/comfortable/charming hotels (max 2000 rp/night) in these areas? Better (more affordable) acc. in Uttaranchal then in Shimla?

- finally, I noticed that Shimla and Mussoorie are not that far apart. Does anybody know if it would be possible to do the triangle Delhi - Shimla (by Himalyan Express) - Mussoorie - Delhi by train efficiently? Or would this seriously mess up the wish for limited travel time?

Is a personal driver an idea (also cost-wise, when travelling with 2 persons)?

I would greatly appreciate it if there is someone who could answer these difficult questions that so far the LP has not been able to do...

And what a great and helpful this site is b.t.w.!!

Rob_The_Pom · Feb 14th, 2005, 04:06

I don't think you'll regret it whichever option you choose.
I'm a great fan of Kasar Devi near Almora, which is easily reached from the railhead at (I think) Kathgodam (please correct me anyone if I'm wrong). I think it is difficult to beat that part of Uttaranchal for Himalayan views. The accomodation in Kasar Devi is very cheap. The Akash Deep guesthouse is about 60rps a night.

I also love the Sangla Valley and Kinnaur district of Himalchal Pradesh, they take a little more getting to but are well worth it. The views from Kalpa are outstanding.

You will have no problems with accomodation, although Shimla may be a bit more of a challenge, but with your budget you should do fine.

I never felt the need (or had the budget) to take a personal driver. You can do it easily with super-duper Indian Railways.

If you check out my photo gallery it'll give you some idea of the views you can expect from Kasar Devi, the Sangla Valley and Kalpa. Enjoy those wonderful Himalayan peaks!

I hope this helps!

Regards

RTP

kavindra · Feb 14th, 2005, 06:52

If it were my choice - I'd go to Uttaranchal, and add Corbett Tiger Preserve to the trip.

- Corbett is very much in the vicinity (of the Uttaranchal trip you are considering), and a great place to spend a day or two.
- I spent some time in Nainital in my childhood - so was disappointed when I and my wife visited there about 3-4 years ago. It was a bit too "developed" and had lost some of its charm. Sad to say, but I'd perhaps skip it.
- A place (in the vicinity of your proposed itinerary) I'd add is Binsor (in Almora district). We do not have a first hand experience with it, but were thinking of going there this last December when we visited India. We had multiple recommendations for it.

By the way, the distances in the map can be misleading. I'd consider Himachal and Uttaranchal mutually exclusive - in the context of your short trip.

SHIMLA · Feb 14th, 2005, 07:00

Shimla alone will easily keep you occupied for a week; and in March it will be simply divine!! Most of the hotels will offer you a 50% discount on room rent, so that need not be your worry. For less than Rs.2000/night, you'll get a lovely deluxe room at the wonderful Hotel Holiday Home.

My recommendation is SHIMLA !

guerik · Feb 14th, 2005, 11:21

I've just come out of the hills around Uttarkashi, really lovely walking around there! Lots of interesting villages etc and the added bonus of being able to use Gangaji instead of a compass

You can get from Delhi to Rishikesh/Dehra Dun in 5-6 hours on the Shatabdi and then a bus/share jeep to Uttarkashi takes about 7/8 hours from there.

gs_uppal · Feb 14th, 2005, 14:40

Wont recommend Shimla. Its a concrete jungle now, though Kufri and Narkanda close from their are good.
In Himachal Manali is much better and you can add Dharamshala if you have a weeks time.
In Uttaranchal if you want to go just to the foothills Almora is good, and if you want to go much closer, the best tplace to go in March would be AULI. It is close to Joshimath, from there you have to go by a 3 mile long ropeway as the 8km long road is closed during this period, the view is magnificent from Jan to March.
From here you can see Nanda Devi 7817m, which is India's second highest peak (next to Kanchenjunga).
You have two options to stay there. One is Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's (State Govts) Tourist Bunglows (http://www.gmvnl.com/accom.asp) or you can stay at Clifftop Resort which is claimed by them to be worlds highest bouquet resort.
In March you can also enjoy some Skiing, Snow-biking and other winter sports as the place is covered in snow from Jan to March.
You can see the following peaks from there
Nanda Devi (7817 mts.),
Kamet (7756 mts.),
Nanda Devi East (7434 mts.),
Trishul (7120 mts.),
Dunagiri (7066 mts.),
Dunagiri East (6489 mts.),
Hanuman Parvat (6070 mts.),
Devisthan II (6490 mts.),
Hathi Parvat (6727 mts.),
Gori Parvat (6590 mts.),
Neelkanth (6596 mts.),
Satopanth (7075 mts.),
Nar (5831 mts.)
Narayan (5965 mts.).

phantom · Feb 14th, 2005, 15:11

Well.. the trains will only take you to kathgodam after that whrever u wanna go u have to take a bus or jeep. whereas if u go to shimla, u'll get a toy train till shimla.
After saying this, my recommendation will be uttranchal .. visit nainital, bhimtal, almora, ranikhet, jaageshwar, baageshwar, binsar. All beautiful places in their own self and you could spend more than a month and still crave for more. March will be a reasonably good time to go there.

kaushiks · Feb 14th, 2005, 15:36

I think you should choose one of Uttaranchal or Himachal.
If you know as much as I did, you can plan an amazingly great trip with less than 5% of the time on road/train.
Do a lot of research. To start with the important rail heads you have with you are :
For Himachal - Shimla & Pathankot
For Uttaranchal - Kathgodam & Dehradun.

If you go to Shimla, Go to Kufri, Chail or Narkanda. Shimla by itself sucks , absolutely sucks as its a concrete jungle. Sorry to offend shimla old timers.
Go to chail. The Chail palace cottages are so lovely to stay, in the middle of Deodar forests. I once, came walking down from Chail to Kandaghat. It was a great trek.

If you go to Pathankot (kangra valley) - Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Dharamsala etc. all around 3 hours drive from Pathankot by taxi. All beautiful. Khajjiar is a very nice place. You could also stay at Kalia top forest rest house.

If you go to Khatgodam (Kumaon area) - Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Kausani etc. I once walked from khatgodam to Mukteshwar and back. It takes more than a day to go up to Mukteshwar and close to a day to come down. Kausani has the greatest views of himalayas.

If you go to Dehradun (Garhwal area) - You need to be careful because many parts of it are dry and will disappoint you. You may keep travelling for a day and not see any nice greenery. However, this area has some amazing places like Gangotri, Chopta, Bedni Bugyal, Kedarnath and lots more. But reaching them takes 2 days of gruelling travel. But these places will be open only in summers.Now, Chakrata is the only option you have. Mussourie is not bad.

So, choose one of the first three and roam around there instead of shuttling to and fro. If you plan really really well, then you may even cover all of them but that needs lots of planning.
I think, we should put some standard answers like these in some specific page. Good luck.

Marino · Feb 14th, 2005, 16:03

Thanks for all the quick responses. Indeed some sort of standard reply would be great; but for now - you have been very helpful.

I will take all tips into account; it will probably end up in taking some quick decisions based on availability of transportation. What I was also contemplating to do (as compromise) is take the train to Dehra Dun, see from there if we take the bus to Shimla (although apparently Shimla is a concrete jungle - no offense Mr Shimla) and the the toy train/Himalyan Express back to Delhi or see if we can get to Kathgodam and from there to Ranikhet/Almora etc. If we have arranged that trip from Dehra Dun, maybe stay a day or 2 in Mussoorie. Auli looks great but a bit too cold (though I wouldn't mind trying out the skislopes in the Himalayas, my girlfriend wouldn't like the cold).

Does anybody know if there is a good way to travel from Dehra Dun to Kathgodam (or surroundings)? I couldn't find a train...

Again, many thanks for all the enthousiastic replies!

kaushiks · Feb 14th, 2005, 16:34

There is a Dehradun Katgodham express. Starts at around 10 in the night and reaches at 7 in the morning. It runs only on sundays & wednesday, last time I went. You should verify the exact timings.

Marino · Feb 14th, 2005, 21:01

Does anybody know if all hotels in HP/Uttaranchal give discounts in mid March? Or is this already highseason?

And what is the best accomodation in Corbett (not ridiculously priced though, like some of the options I've seen)?

kaushiks · Feb 14th, 2005, 21:33

You will get discounts even now in the hills. In corbett, if you are going to see animals, you would obviously staying inside the forest in a forest rest house like Dikhala. This will not be expensive at all. You need to get a permit for it in advance though.

shere · Feb 14th, 2005, 21:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marino

Does anybody know if all hotels in HP/Uttaranchal give discounts in mid March? Or is this already highseason?

And what is the best accomodation in Corbett (not ridiculously priced though, like some of the options I've seen)?

http://himachaltourism.nic.in/hotdir/hotkhoj.asp

I dont think March is high season. A bit later when it gets hot on the plains.

SHIMLA · Feb 15th, 2005, 06:59

[quote=shereI dont think March is high season. A bit later when it gets hot on the plains.[/QUOTE]
shere is right; the high season starts from April 15 and lasts till June 30. The hotels in H.P. will offer discounts till the high season commences.

Marino · Feb 15th, 2005, 18:28

I am getting the feeling that the triangle Delhi - Dehra Dun (+ Mussoorie) - Ranikhet/Almora - Delhi is not very feasible, without spending days in public transportation...

So now my question would be (considering it is March, and we would prefer not to be in the snow): would anyone of you advise a combination of Ranikhet/Almora/Nainital/Corbett above the triangle Delhi - Dehra Dun - Shimla (or surroundings) - Delhi (partly by toy train)? Seems we would be getting more time to hike and look around, since I feel the train connection to Ranikhet/Almora/Nainital/Corbett is ok...

Feb 14th, 2005, 02:44	#1
Marino Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madrid Posts: 8	1 week: Himachal Pradesh or Uttaranchal or both? I'm thinking to go north from Delhi for max 1 week in March to see the (foothills of the) Himalayas. However, I am still confused whether to go to HP (Shimla) or Uttaranchal (Nainital, Ranikhet, Almora - or maybe Mussoorie). Could someone advise me in this respect? Key words would be: - limited travel time; since I only have 1 week I wouldn't want to spend 4 days getting on and of trains (I have noticed that both Uttaranchal and Shimla can be reached by train - are they both efficient?) - surroundings - prefer wooded area above rocky area; plan is to go hiking, but just daytrips. I have the feeling that Uttaranchal has better options for this - accomodation - does anybody know any special/comfortable/charming hotels (max 2000 rp/night) in these areas? Better (more affordable) acc. in Uttaranchal then in Shimla? - finally, I noticed that Shimla and Mussoorie are not that far apart. Does anybody know if it would be possible to do the triangle Delhi - Shimla (by Himalyan Express) - Mussoorie - Delhi by train efficiently? Or would this seriously mess up the wish for limited travel time? Is a personal driver an idea (also cost-wise, when travelling with 2 persons)? I would greatly appreciate it if there is someone who could answer these difficult questions that so far the LP has not been able to do... And what a great and helpful this site is b.t.w.!!

Feb 14th, 2005, 04:06	#2
Rob_The_Pom offcourse essentric Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Hopping between Oman and the UK Posts: 1,278	I don't think you'll regret it whichever option you choose. I'm a great fan of Kasar Devi near Almora, which is easily reached from the railhead at (I think) Kathgodam (please correct me anyone if I'm wrong). I think it is difficult to beat that part of Uttaranchal for Himalayan views. The accomodation in Kasar Devi is very cheap. The Akash Deep guesthouse is about 60rps a night. I also love the Sangla Valley and Kinnaur district of Himalchal Pradesh, they take a little more getting to but are well worth it. The views from Kalpa are outstanding. You will have no problems with accomodation, although Shimla may be a bit more of a challenge, but with your budget you should do fine. I never felt the need (or had the budget) to take a personal driver. You can do it easily with super-duper Indian Railways. If you check out my photo gallery it'll give you some idea of the views you can expect from Kasar Devi, the Sangla Valley and Kalpa. Enjoy those wonderful Himalayan peaks! I hope this helps! Regards RTP __________________ The solution to your troubles is at the bottom of a glass

Feb 14th, 2005, 07:00	#4
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,129	Shimla alone will easily keep you occupied for a week; and in March it will be simply divine!! Most of the hotels will offer you a 50% discount on room rent, so that need not be your worry. For less than Rs.2000/night, you'll get a lovely deluxe room at the wonderful Hotel Holiday Home. My recommendation is SHIMLA ! __________________ Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

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Feb 14th, 2005, 06:52	#3
kavindra Account Closed Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ohio Posts: 36	If it were my choice - I'd go to Uttaranchal, and add Corbett Tiger Preserve to the trip. - Corbett is very much in the vicinity (of the Uttaranchal trip you are considering), and a great place to spend a day or two. - I spent some time in Nainital in my childhood - so was disappointed when I and my wife visited there about 3-4 years ago. It was a bit too "developed" and had lost some of its charm. Sad to say, but I'd perhaps skip it. - A place (in the vicinity of your proposed itinerary) I'd add is Binsor (in Almora district). We do not have a first hand experience with it, but were thinking of going there this last December when we visited India. We had multiple recommendations for it. By the way, the distances in the map can be misleading. I'd consider Himachal and Uttaranchal mutually exclusive - in the context of your short trip.

Feb 14th, 2005, 11:21	#5
guerik Maha Guru Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 1,039	I've just come out of the hills around Uttarkashi, really lovely walking around there! Lots of interesting villages etc and the added bonus of being able to use Gangaji instead of a compass You can get from Delhi to Rishikesh/Dehra Dun in 5-6 hours on the Shatabdi and then a bus/share jeep to Uttarkashi takes about 7/8 hours from there.

Feb 14th, 2005, 14:40	#6
gs_uppal Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 392	Wont recommend Shimla. Its a concrete jungle now, though Kufri and Narkanda close from their are good. In Himachal Manali is much better and you can add Dharamshala if you have a weeks time. In Uttaranchal if you want to go just to the foothills Almora is good, and if you want to go much closer, the best tplace to go in March would be AULI. It is close to Joshimath, from there you have to go by a 3 mile long ropeway as the 8km long road is closed during this period, the view is magnificent from Jan to March. From here you can see Nanda Devi 7817m, which is India's second highest peak (next to Kanchenjunga). You have two options to stay there. One is Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam's (State Govts) Tourist Bunglows (http://www.gmvnl.com/accom.asp) or you can stay at Clifftop Resort which is claimed by them to be worlds highest bouquet resort. In March you can also enjoy some Skiing, Snow-biking and other winter sports as the place is covered in snow from Jan to March. You can see the following peaks from there Nanda Devi (7817 mts.), Kamet (7756 mts.), Nanda Devi East (7434 mts.), Trishul (7120 mts.), Dunagiri (7066 mts.), Dunagiri East (6489 mts.), Hanuman Parvat (6070 mts.), Devisthan II (6490 mts.), Hathi Parvat (6727 mts.), Gori Parvat (6590 mts.), Neelkanth (6596 mts.), Satopanth (7075 mts.), Nar (5831 mts.) Narayan (5965 mts.).

Feb 14th, 2005, 15:11	#7
phantom Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Delhi Posts: 1,215	Well.. the trains will only take you to kathgodam after that whrever u wanna go u have to take a bus or jeep. whereas if u go to shimla, u'll get a toy train till shimla. After saying this, my recommendation will be uttranchal .. visit nainital, bhimtal, almora, ranikhet, jaageshwar, baageshwar, binsar. All beautiful places in their own self and you could spend more than a month and still crave for more. March will be a reasonably good time to go there.

Feb 14th, 2005, 15:36	#8
kaushiks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: don't live anymore Posts: 445	I think you should choose one of Uttaranchal or Himachal. If you know as much as I did, you can plan an amazingly great trip with less than 5% of the time on road/train. Do a lot of research. To start with the important rail heads you have with you are : For Himachal - Shimla & Pathankot For Uttaranchal - Kathgodam & Dehradun. If you go to Shimla, Go to Kufri, Chail or Narkanda. Shimla by itself sucks , absolutely sucks as its a concrete jungle. Sorry to offend shimla old timers. Go to chail. The Chail palace cottages are so lovely to stay, in the middle of Deodar forests. I once, came walking down from Chail to Kandaghat. It was a great trek. If you go to Pathankot (kangra valley) - Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Dharamsala etc. all around 3 hours drive from Pathankot by taxi. All beautiful. Khajjiar is a very nice place. You could also stay at Kalia top forest rest house. If you go to Khatgodam (Kumaon area) - Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, Kausani etc. I once walked from khatgodam to Mukteshwar and back. It takes more than a day to go up to Mukteshwar and close to a day to come down. Kausani has the greatest views of himalayas. If you go to Dehradun (Garhwal area) - You need to be careful because many parts of it are dry and will disappoint you. You may keep travelling for a day and not see any nice greenery. However, this area has some amazing places like Gangotri, Chopta, Bedni Bugyal, Kedarnath and lots more. But reaching them takes 2 days of gruelling travel. But these places will be open only in summers.Now, Chakrata is the only option you have. Mussourie is not bad. So, choose one of the first three and roam around there instead of shuttling to and fro. If you plan really really well, then you may even cover all of them but that needs lots of planning. I think, we should put some standard answers like these in some specific page. Good luck.

Feb 14th, 2005, 16:03	#9
Marino Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madrid Posts: 8	Thanks for all the quick responses. Indeed some sort of standard reply would be great; but for now - you have been very helpful. I will take all tips into account; it will probably end up in taking some quick decisions based on availability of transportation. What I was also contemplating to do (as compromise) is take the train to Dehra Dun, see from there if we take the bus to Shimla (although apparently Shimla is a concrete jungle - no offense Mr Shimla) and the the toy train/Himalyan Express back to Delhi or see if we can get to Kathgodam and from there to Ranikhet/Almora etc. If we have arranged that trip from Dehra Dun, maybe stay a day or 2 in Mussoorie. Auli looks great but a bit too cold (though I wouldn't mind trying out the skislopes in the Himalayas, my girlfriend wouldn't like the cold). Does anybody know if there is a good way to travel from Dehra Dun to Kathgodam (or surroundings)? I couldn't find a train... Again, many thanks for all the enthousiastic replies!

Feb 14th, 2005, 16:34	#10
kaushiks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: don't live anymore Posts: 445	There is a Dehradun Katgodham express. Starts at around 10 in the night and reaches at 7 in the morning. It runs only on sundays & wednesday, last time I went. You should verify the exact timings.

Feb 14th, 2005, 21:01	#11
Marino Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madrid Posts: 8	Does anybody know if all hotels in HP/Uttaranchal give discounts in mid March? Or is this already highseason? And what is the best accomodation in Corbett (not ridiculously priced though, like some of the options I've seen)?

Feb 14th, 2005, 21:33	#12
kaushiks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: don't live anymore Posts: 445	You will get discounts even now in the hills. In corbett, if you are going to see animals, you would obviously staying inside the forest in a forest rest house like Dikhala. This will not be expensive at all. You need to get a permit for it in advance though.

Feb 15th, 2005, 06:59	#14
SHIMLA Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Yangon, MYANMAR Posts: 4,129	[quote=shereI dont think March is high season. A bit later when it gets hot on the plains.[/QUOTE] shere is right; the high season starts from April 15 and lasts till June 30. The hotels in H.P. will offer discounts till the high season commences.

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Feb 15th, 2005, 18:28	#15
Marino Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Madrid Posts: 8	I am getting the feeling that the triangle Delhi - Dehra Dun (+ Mussoorie) - Ranikhet/Almora - Delhi is not very feasible, without spending days in public transportation... So now my question would be (considering it is March, and we would prefer not to be in the snow): would anyone of you advise a combination of Ranikhet/Almora/Nainital/Corbett above the triangle Delhi - Dehra Dun - Shimla (or surroundings) - Delhi (partly by toy train)? Seems we would be getting more time to hike and look around, since I feel the train connection to Ranikhet/Almora/Nainital/Corbett is ok...