advice on route and itinerary Delhi, Dharamsala,Manali, Shimla

bjm

My husband and I will be traveling to Himachal Pradesh, Feb. 28th to Mar. 6th. He would like to drive from Delhi to Dharamsala, breaking the journey at Bilaspur, then going on to Dharamsala. We would spend 3 nights in Dharamsala/Macleodganj and then drive to Manali and spend two nights, then on to Shimla for one night. From Shimla we would drive to Haridwar and spend time with his family. We are seniors, late 60s and early 70s, not trekkers, have never used weed. Basically this is my husband's retirement journey to see parts of India he did not see before he left for graduate school in 1958 and is not likely to ever return to again.

We thought of staying at Hotel Hill Top, Swarghat, Dist. Bilaspur, still looking for a place in Dharamsala/Macleodganj and in the area around Shimla The Mamleshwar, Chindi, or The Palace, Chail Distt. Solan, or in Shimla, Hotel Holiday Home.

The routing was done using mapmyindia.com and the hotels from various web searches. But I have always found valuable information on this site and would like to get advice on both the routing and hotels. We are not looking for luxury hotels, but good 3 stars or an occasional 4 star. We have stayed in 2 star. In the family home, I'm use to bathing with a bucket of water and cup, but not this trip-- except when we're with family.

Thank you for your help.

mira4bai4

For Dharamsala/Macleodganj try the Hotel Pong View as it is halfway between them and quite pleasant.

For checking out hotels select the district and place and type being hotels and it is all pretty good. For Shimla if you want to be right in it I would suggest Combermere, The Mall 0177-2652251, 2804220 High priced 6000 Low priced 2100 I have not stayed there but past through it many times and find it a very good place and very professional.

I would also suggest that you stop at Mandi as there is a lot to see before getting there and around it and the Raj Mahal Mandi 01905-222401,225311 400 150 is pretty cool and the Maharaja still hangs out there.

Palampur is worth a visit and coming from Dharamsala you would travel through it so check out the tea plantations and the river gorge.

bjm

Thank you for the suggestions. My husband had just said that he wanted to check out the area around Mandi. Frommers Guide Book says there's not much to see around Kulu, but for sentimental reasons we may want to stop there. Is there anything?

How soon do we need to make reservations for March? Is it necessary to do it ahead of time, if so, how much ahead of time? Thanks.

mira4bai4

Actually you could loose about 4 days in and around Mandi, even the shopping centre is so different. As for Kullu, well on first impressions the town was pretty ordinary but I was passing through and did not stop, however maybe one should spend a day there to get the feel of it as it is an important place. The airport development is looking to be interesting on a modern line and what is happening around it by the river could certainly be worth checking out. there are so many hidden things that we don't see from a moving vehicle, even at snails pace it was difficult to see anything out of the ordinary, but baring in mind that as I live here it is ordinary for me. I will stop there when I pass through again in a few weeks time and check it out as these things have to be done.

I would consider booking about 1 month ahead at the latest as March is the beginning of the high season and especially in Shimla as it is the honeymoon centre of north India.

tacita

this link is a great resource, m4b4--thanks for posting it.

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rishabh6296

Around mani you have some good places like Parasher lake,jhanjheli and Barot.

kullukid

I would definitely choose a few days in Mandi rather than Kulu, there is lots to see there Temples Galore!in Mandi. I like to stay at The Raj Mahal which is owned & run by the Royal Family of Mandi. Here it is: http://www.rajmahalpalace.com/

rkbharat

In Manali, stay at Hadimba Cottages maintained by HPTDC..

Staying at Chail Palace will be a great experience... shimla is just 1.5 hrs drive from chail. I always prefer staying there.

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bjm

Since posting the message, our route has changed. We will leave Delhi by overnight train and arrive at Kalka around 5 a.m. Then take a taxi or have a car arranged to drive on to Shimla. Suggestions about pre-arranging of taxis or car/driver are appreciated. From Shimla, we'll go to Mandi, Manali, and Dharamshala. Leaving Dharamshal, we'll catch a train from Chakki Bank to Haridwar. I think staying at the Raj Mahal in or near Mandi sounds like a must.

I have written to any number of tour companies trying to get help on arranging a car rental and driver, but for some reason no response as of yet. We'll leave Kulu (Kullu) out.

Any suggestions regarding car rentals, and agencies that you have used would be helpful. I have almost decided that it might be best if I arrange the hotels and wait till we get to Shimla to take care of the car rental, but I really am someone who worries and is anything but nonchalant about travels in India. And yes, I've been to India many times in the last 20 years. Did I say we were no longer young?

Again, thanks for all your help and advice. By the way, has anyone stayed at Hotel Willow Banks in Shimla? The Cecil has a great off-season, early payment, hotel tariff right now, but even so it's too luxurious for our tastes. Thanks for the help How does the Willow Banks compare to the Combermere?

kullukid

BJM, If you are taking the train to Kalka why not change to the toy train from Kalka to Shimla. If you've never done it,it's an experience not to be missed! This way you could hire a car & driver once you reach Shimla. I haven't stayed at Willow Banks but i've had a drink in the bar & i've looked at the rooms which are very large & ultra modern with great views from the balconies. It's quite a new hotel about halfway down the Mall.
If you are looking in that price range & want to treat yourself to a taste of the Raj era then checkout Woodville Palace, with Tigers heads on the walls & the whole bit! KK
http://www.caravantraveltalk.com/shi...lle-palace.htm