Advice Needed on hill stations in February

Hello everyone, I have been an avid visitor of this website for a long time now - but this is my first time posting. I guess everyone's adventure stories have spurred me to take action and go on a journey of my own.
I have been to India before on a couple of occassions, (considering my parents were born there), but each time I had my parents with me and we just visited family around India. This time however, it's different - I am planning on a sort of adventure trip with my girlfriend and best friend in feb. We are planning on going for about 20 days or so and plan to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaisalmer, Corbett, etc. My girlfriend expressed her desire to visit a hill station, since it's unlikely that she or I will be visiting India again anytime soon (we both have job and school committments). Knowing the wealth of knowledge that the posters here possess, i come here seeking advice as to what would be the best hill station to visit in feb. We realize that it'll be really cold and most probably off-season at most places, but considering our financial and time restrictions, we'd rather see what it's like than not do it at all. Any suggestions? Simla, Mussoorie, Manali, etc. Do we need heavy winter clothing or would sweaters do?
Also, Do you guys think that we'll have enough time to train out to kerala? I realize that we aren't gonna be on the subcontinent for too long, and it seems unlikely that we'll have any time left for kerala - but any advice on this will be great too.

All your help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

"We are planning on going for about 20 days or so and plan to visit Delhi, Agra, Jaisalmer, Corbett, etc. . . ."
Thet's three weeks, right there. Forget Kerala till next trip
As for hill stn, from Corbett you can get to the mountains before returning to Delhi.
I hear what you're saying about traveling vs visiting relatives; they ARE two different animals

Thanks Bijapuri. So I notice that you'll be in India in feb too - are you planning on hitting some hill stations too?

Hi sam371 !

Considering the fact that you have already decided to visit Corbett, you should visit the hill-station of Nainital, in the Kumaon district of Uttaranchal state. After considering the weather, you may even visit Almora and Ranikhet from Nainital. However, all these hill-stations will be pretty chill in February and heavy wollens will be needed.

Nainital is 112 kms. from Corbett and is connected by regular buses from Ramnagar, the main administrative centre for Corbett.

I agree with Shimla. It's better for you to visit Nanital Almora and Kausani area.It's very near to Corbett.

Hey guys, Thanks for the replies. Since time is of the essence here, I think I will look into visiting something near Corbett - I just picked up a copy of the Rough Guide to India and been browsing it for the past hour, tons of valuable information in here...but it seems like everything'll be close to dead in any hill station. If that's the case, do the guides, shops, etc. still operate in the off-season. Being from NY the cold is not an issue for us. We'd like to get a hiking trip or 2 in and maybe walk around town for a day or so.
Does this itinerary look feasible enough to you guys: Delhi - Rishikesh - Corbett - Nainital? Any idea as to how long these trips are? (we'd prefer to take the train as much as possible, my stomach doesn't always agree with Indian buses)
Hey Rajedeep, I have been to Darjeeling and took a trip out to the Indo-China border with the family a few years back - it's a beautiful place...I do wish to explore the northeast in the future however.

Yes, Delhi - Rishikesh - Corbett - Nainital is feasible. From Delhi you have a direct overnight train to Rishikesh. From Rishikesh to Corbett is a long haul, which you will have to cover by road.

If you want to avoid the road as far as possible, then from Rishikesh go to Haridwar, catch the Dehradun-Howrah Doon Express at 22=10 and get off at Moradabad at 01=45. From Moradabad catch the Delhi-Corbett Park Link Express at 03=05 and reach Ramnagar at 04=50. Ramnagar is the gateway to Corbett.

From Corbett to Nainital by road is the best option.

Hey everyone,

So after reading the Rough Guide and weighing in on the great input from everyone, I think i'd like to go to McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala area. Would like to volunteer at a Tibetan school for a day or 2 if opportunities are available. Does anyone have any experiences or info to share on this area? I think i'm just about done w my intinerary:

Delhi - Agra (daytrip) - Delhi - Jaisalmer (via Jodhpur) - Delhi - Rishikesh - Corbett - McLeod Ganj/Dharamsala - Delhi.

In case anyone's wondering, we're using Delhi as a base because I have an aunt's house at my disposal where we can stow away our luggage that we won't need during trips to Jaisalmer, etc.

As always, any comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Sam, alas, only slim chance of hill stn for us this trip, already sketching in for next year's hot season a trip dedicated to them!

sam371,

You seem to be a bit confused. Do you want to visit a hill-station(as your girl-friend has expressed a desire to do so), or do you want to study "Tibetan culture" ?

If it is the former, then Nainital is your best bet. If its the latter, then its a long haul from Corbett to McLeodganj. Those who visit Mcleodganj for the Tibetan thing, miss out on the glory and majesty of the Dhauladhars, in my opinion.

All the best, wherever you go !

Hey Shimla,
I was hoping to kill 2 birds with one stone, and thought that McLeod and Dharamsala would be ideal to visit, since it'll satisfy the hill station requirement and we'll get to study some Tibetan culture at the same time. What are the Dhauladhars?

The Dhauladhars are the majestic snow-clad mountains which form an impressive backdrop to the Kangra valley.

Do visit Mcleodganj, but devote more time to sight-seeing : Kangra, Jwalamukhi, Palampur, Baijnath and JoginderNagar, than to Tibetan culture !

Let me quote a dialogue from the famous movie of the 70s, "Enter the Dragon" : "It is like a finger, pointing to the moon. Do not concentrate on the finger, or you will miss all the heavenly glory !!!"

This is just my suggestion, the ultimate decision will of course be yours.

Hey Shimla,
Thanks for that info. I think I will wait till I'm in Delhi before I decide which hill station to go to. It'd give me a better understanding of our schedule and also give me the opportunity to decide the length of the hill station visit based on our fatigue, etc.

T-24 days and counting...

I am not sure IndiaMike will appreciate being likened to a finger, I suppose it could depend on Right or Left hand...

Colin,

Just an example. No offence meant to anybody !