Dalhousie-Dharamsala trip during Oct'2008

Hi -

I would be travelling to HP this October with my wife, 6 mo old daughter and my dad+mom-in-law. We would be joined by my sis-in-law and her hubby at some point.

I really liked the forum and wish to place my travel diary here.

I am new to it, so suggestions welcome!

We are starting on 28th Sep, but initially would put down the conception process.

THanks for your comments!

Please be more specific, what exactly you want help on ?

Hello IMers,

I am sorry if my thread started with any ambiguity, but I simply started this to put my travel diary (and how the plan came to us etc) for our trip planned from 28th Sep to 12th Oct'08.

By "it" in quote, I meant "travel diary writing"... that may be the source of confusion??

Let me know if there is any better section to post travel diaries (I am bad at looking up ).

- indracal

Journals iswhat you want !!

Thanks so much - posting in Journals here - http://www.indiamike.com/india/journ...journal&j=9481

Would love to see your comments on my journal.

- indracal

Dear IMers,

We would reach CHakki Bank station on 3-Oct-08. We are a group of 6 adults and one 6-month old kid - 3 ladies (2 aged 26-30 and one 55/60) and 3 men (2 aged 30-35 and one 60/62). Our travel plan consists of Dalhousie, Khajjiar, Chamba, Palampur and Dharamsala. The trip will continue till 10th Oct when we catch a nightly train (@ 9 PM) to Delhi.

We would have a little more than appropriate luggages (very subjective though) owing to the kid !

We plan to hire a Sumo (I am presuming they come with luggage carrier) from CHKB station.

My questions are:

1) What rates I should expect on a daily basis from 3rd to 10th Oct, i.e. for 8 days for a Sumo with a driver?

2) Would Pathankot station be a place for better bargain?

3) During our 2006 HP trip to Kinnaur, the Alto took 1200/- per day which included Driver's food and accomodation. In that line, I am expecting Sumo cost to be 1600-1800. Does that sound okay?

4) I presume in the areas I mention, luggages on luggage carrier would not be a problem. Any views/suggestions?

5) Is there any better car (seating comfortwise) available on hire for around the same price (which means till around 2k) for our size of group?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Also, I am told that you can hire a "dry" car. That is, the provider makes the car full an when you release - you have to make it full. En-route you have to foot the fuel bills. In that case the rate is much lower.

Issues/suggestions please.....

I have not heard about that !!

OK, but any pointer for my penultimate Post #6? Any suggestions/answers?

I guess you got the right. I would also assume the price range of Rs.1500 a day without AC. Besided Sumo, you might end up egtting a Tavera, Qualis or Bolero in the same price range or maybe an Innova with bit of difference.

Dear IMers,

Need some idea about the waeather to expect during 1st 2 weeks of October in the following places:

• Dalhousie
• Khajjiar
• Chamba
• Varmour
• Palampur
• Dharamsala

I have similar question in another post/thread but no answer so far, so repeating here. That thread also gives the background for our trip to HP this Oct.

Just saw that Dharamsala is around 23/15 Deg C for last couple of days, seems might not be cold as Oct is a couple of weeks from now. Pointers please!!

Just curious if nobody has an idea! Seems strange, though I don't mean that every query has to be answered, I am just thinking if my query was improper. May be mods can guide?

II GOT A QUOTE FROM A AGEN T
Dear Sir,

12 June:- Pick up from Pathankot railway station & drive to Dalhousie-check in hotel-evening a round of Mall Road-o/n hotel.



13 June:- After b.fast proceed to Satdhara:- Close to the town (2Km,2036m), and on the route to Panjpulla are the seven springs of Satdhara, known for their medicinal properties-Panjpulla:- A pretty spot (2km), where water from natural sources flows under five bridges-Tibetian Market-evening free for local market-o/n hotel.



14 June:- After b.fast proceed to Kalatop:- Set in natural surroundings, the forest rest house (8km,2440m) here with fine views makes for an ideal spot for a weekend retreat. The nearby sanctuary shelters a variety of wild life- Khajjiar:- 22 km from Dalhousie. A picturesque spot with an emerald saucer shaped meadow amidst a dense forest which even has a lake with a floating island at its center, a temple with a golden spire by the wayside and a golf course, makes for a perfect holiday setting in the mountains-evening back to hotel.



15 June:- After b.fast proceed to Rock Garden-Dam site-Chamba town-evening back to hotel.



16 June:- Check out & start for Dharamshala-check in hotel-after some rest go for Bhagsunag:- Bhagsunag is well known for a waterfall and a small shrine that lies at the end of an easy walk from the Macleodganj bazaar-o/n hotel.



17 June:- After b.fast proceed to Dal lake:- This picturesque lake is a scenic picnic spot surrounded by forests of pine. A good base for trekkers, with a colouful annual fair held every September-Naddi- Dharamkot:- (2100m):- This view point located on the Dharamkot hills offers a panoramic view of the Kangra valley and surrounding Dhauladhar peaks- Chinmaya Tapovan:- A tranquil meditation complex set up by the great exponent of the Gita Swami Chinmayananda-Chamunda Devi Temple:-Not far from the town is a famous temple with the Dhauladhars forming a majestic backdrop. It is an enchanting spot with a glorious view of the mountains, the Baner Khud, Pathiar and Lahla forests-evening back to hotel.





18 June:- After b.fast proceed to Kangra Temple-Jawalaji Temple-Chintpurni-evening back to hotel-o/n hotel



19 June:- Check out & start for Pathankot to board the train for further journey-end of the tour with melodious memories.



Suggestive Hotels:-

Dalhousie:-Hotel Nest or eqvt.-04 nights

Dharamshala:- Hotel Triund or eqvt -03 nights



Package Cost:- 30900/-

Inclusive of stay in hotel 02 rooms with daily b.fast.

All Travelling through NAC Indica-Taxi Permit

All tolls-parking-driver DA-fuel-All sight seeing

Pathankot would be a better option for hiring vehicles than CB as it is the outskirts and you may get very few options for bargaining.

Another thing, Sumo is mostly found in Himachal. I doubt if Pathankot operators have Sumos with them. It is normaly Qualis and Innova which are available at P'kot. Qualis and Innova can be hired under 2k if I am not wrong. You can always ask for a vehicle with a luggage carrier. Here is a number of a transporter at P'kot. His name is Abhishek, Tel: 09417067076 / 09878022298 You can speak to him and have an idea of the rates prevelant these days.

I was in Dalhousie / Dharamshala last week, before the rains, and weather was ok. Khajjiar and Dalhousie were quite chilly and had to take out my sweaters. Dharamshala was decently pleasant. Expect the same weather by 2nd week of October if it does'nt start raining again as weather would get chilly. The day I left from Dharamshala it snowed on the peaks of the Dhauladhar. Keep extra warm clothing for the 6 month old baby.

Hi Vasuki,

Many thanks for your response. Somehow I miseed the reply before leaving from Kolkata for the trip.

Just to intimate you and all other people, we have been able to book a Sumo from CB itself. However, we later found that the booking from PTK would have been cheaper or probably at the same cost (or at a nominal difference) we would have availaed a better car (say Tavera).

We had booked the Sumo from 3-Oct-08 morning to 10-Oct-08 evening from Chakki Bank stn to Chakki Bank stn. We booked it with the Travel co - Sagar Tour 94170-32438 - just outside the CHKB station in Sagar Hotel buliding - and the person was Mr. Paul Singh.

As initially discussed, the itinerary was as below:

3/10 - To Dalhousie
4/10 - Dal locals
5/10 - Leave Dal - check-in at Chamba and leave for Bharmour. Night stay at Chamba
6/10 - Move around in Chamba markets (musuems were closed being a Monday - which we came to notice later). Stay at Khajjiar.
7/10 - Visit Kalatop, take a walk to FRH. Reach Palampur.
8/10 - Leave for Dharamsala. (here we did not mention Jwalaji Temple - so we had to pay Rs. 600/- extra). Visit Chamundaji, Kangra devi and Jwalaji on the way.
9/10 - From Dharamsala, go to Naddi, McLeodganj, Bhagsu etc.

The deal was finalised at 10500/- (he was asking for Rs. 12000/- initially) + Driver's night charge of Rs. 100/- for each day. This charge includes toll/parking/Driver Acco etc.

Later we found that he sourced the vehicle and the driver (Vinay Sharma) from an agency based in PTK (Bedi Travels - dont have contact info handy). Vinay told us that the same deal would be lower in PTK - that's why Paul had it sourced from there and also being in business, he enjoys much bigger cut.

This guy asked for Rs. 600/- when we asked him for Jwalaji, which we decided to pay.

So altogether, the experience was not bad (the driver was a very smooth talker) - but it could have been better if we would have explored PTK travel agencies by making our folks wait at CHKB station.

Well - we did not take that chance as we had a kid and everybody wanted to end the journey at DAL fast - so no regrets!

But folks, use this post as a pointer!

- Indranil