Chail and Narkanda in December '07

LiberalIndian

We are planning a vacation around Simla from 23 Dec 2007 to 29 Dec 2007. Its me, my wife and 2 Kids (Age 9 and 6). We are planning on renting a vehicle (Indica) from Delhi and back.

We are interested in nature, some adventure activities and relaxation. Experiencing snow would make the trip perfect (which seems extremely likely this year). We definitely want to be away from the crowds. Based on research on the web I have decided on a 3 days each in Chail and Narkanda.

Please provide inputs about suitability of Chail and Narkanda.

Are hotel rooms easily available in December so that there is no need to book in advance? I have heard that booking hotel rooms in advance is dicey since you may not be able to reach your destination in case of snow fall. Also, you then have the flexibility of going to any location you feel like.

Is Indica suitable as a vehicle to drive given the hilly terrain and possibility of snow?

What would be the expected rental for an Indica for 8 days and Delhi-Simla-Delhi? Any known reasonable and trustworthy rental agencies?

hemant_b

Hotel - Try Rashi resorts in chail, Have stayed there one (only for one night though) and it is pretty good.

I travelled from Delhi-Amritsar-shimla-kufri-delhi in an Indica. We were a group of four including the driver. Total cost, if I remember correctly, that we paid for Travel + Driver + Night charges(for 4 days) was rs. 7500. Indica is good and sturdy, Plus its heavy a car, so am assuming there shud be no problem. Roads to shimla and/or chail from delhi are pretty good anyway.

Would suggest you to rather take a Volvo from delhi to shimla. There are 4 volvo's which leave between 8-10 pm. Shall be comfortable for the kids too. Plz check:
http://www.sugamhimachal.org/hrtcticketbookingfinal

You can hire a local cab in shimla for the do-arounds.

Call on 9818695790 for arranging a Cab. Name - Mahalaxmi Travels. We do all our corporate bookings through them and they are super and ultra reliable.

Dont know much about Narkanda, Though I strongly recommend to spend a night or two at Kufri, there'd be plenty of snow and silence. The place has some nice hotels as well.There is a club mahindra holiday resort in Kufri which was is splendid though its rates are a tad higher than usual.

Let know if you need more information.

ntomer

I wouldn't suggest hiring a vehicle for the entire duration since you will be staying in Chail and Narkanda for 3 days each. Both are small places and you are going to use your vehicle very less. And for that you can hire vehicles locally.

There are many hotels in Chail and you must be able to find one easily. But in Narkanda there are only three, and out of those two are budget hotels and one decent one (HPTDC - Hotel Hatu), which is almost always booked. So I suggest that you book in advance.

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vasuki

It has already snowed in Narkanda and Chail and chances are when you will travel there will be plenty of snow around. We got 6 cm of snow today at Narkanda and it is almost 1 and a half foot of snow here. It is better to get a car from Shimla as hill drivers are better experienced to drive on snow and Indica is a good vehicle in hills.

Hotels get packed in both Narkanda and Chail. So better to travel with a reservation. Narkanda has three options

Narkanda Resort - The high end
HPTDC Hatu - the medium priced
Mahamaya - the low end
2 guest houses and a Circuit House.

Narkanda resort and Hatu are on the net. Just search or better search on sites like Make my Trip. They will have all the hotels listed for Chail and Narkanda. My recommendation is the HPTDC Palace hotel in Chail and Narkanda Resort at Narkanda

__________________
Of all the things lost.. I miss my mind the most

LiberalIndian

Thanks a lot for all the help, really appreciate it. I have booked the following:

1. Indica, Delhi - Simla - Delhi, Rs. 6.5 per KM, Minimum 200 KM per day, Rs. 150 per day for driver, total Rs. 12,000 for 8 days, including Rs. 50 per day tip to driver.

2. Accomodation for 1 night (22 Dec.) at HPTDC Pinewood, Barog, Rs 1,500 per night.

3. Accomodation for 3 nights (23 to 26) at HPTDC Palace Hotel, Chail, Rs. 2,800 per night.

4. Accomodation for 3 nights (27 to 29) at HPTDC Hotel Hatu, Narkanda, Rs. 1,400 per night.

Will update after the trip . . . Please keep on updating about conditions in the area . . .

vasuki

Road at Narkanda, clicked on Saturday, December 15

rishabh6296

Nice pic Vasuki.