Dalhousie, Khajjiar, and Manali in Nov 2009

abhi25

Hi All,

I am planning a trip to Dalhousie, Khajjiar, and Manali from November 12, 2009 to November 20, 2009.

I would appreciate if anyone could help me with the following information:

1) Is November a tourist season or an off season? Will I be able to get discounts at hotels? If so, approximately how much discount can I get? Also, should I book hotel accommodation in advance?
2) Please suggest good hotels in Dalhousie and Khajjiar. My budget is around RS 800 to 1000 per day.
3) Which of the following HPDTC hotels is a better option for stay in Manali:
* Hotel Rohtang Manalsu
* Hotel Beas
4) Are there direct buses from Khajjiar or Dalhousie to Manali? If not, please suggest the best route to reach Manali from Khajjiar or Dalhousie. Also, how much time would it take to reach Manali from either of the places?

Thanks!
Regards,
Abhi

abhi25

Could anyone please answer the following two questions:
1) Will November 12 to November 20 be "off season"?
2) Are there direct buses from Dalhousie to Manali? If not, how does one reach from Dalhousie to Manali?

Thanks!
Abhi

delhiwala

November is off season.

Dalhousie to Manali there is an ordinary bus that takes around 16 Hrs.it starts from Dalhousie at 1:30 PM

__________________
Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone. - The Dhammapada

indracal

To add to Delhiwala's post, HPTDC starts giving Winter discounts 15-Nov onwards, and the disc. %age varies from location to location.

Also, in travel terms, DAL-KHJ and MANALI are two different circuits. Nearest railhead for DAL is Pathankot/Chakki Bank (PTK/CHKB) and Manali is reached from Kalka/Chandigarh (KLK/CDG).

Since you're planning for Dalhousie area, have you thought of Chamba/Palampur/Dharamsala? These areas are in the vicinity and can form a good itinerary depending on the time you have.

For a reference, you may choose to see our trip plan and feedback (very brief) here: Dalhousie-Dharamsala trip during Oct'2008

Note that it was done in Oct'08. In Nov, you should have lower rates for every thing, and you would not need to pre-book.

__________________
Did you wear the other person's shoe today?

abhi25

Delhiwala and Indracal, thanks so much for the information.

I am aware that Dalhousie/Khajjiar and Manali are two different circuits, but we definitely would like to cover both Dalhousie and Manali in the trip. However, I realize that a 16-hour bus journey would be too much of traveling. So, need your advice again to modify my itinerary.

1)If I decide to include Dharamshala in the itinerary as well, would I be able to cover Dharamshala in a day?
2)Are there frequent buses from Dalhousie to Dharamshala?
3)How much is the traveling time from Dharamshala to Manali?
4)Are there frequent buses from Dharamshala to Manali?

Thanks again!
abhi

indracal

Ans. to 1) Well, depends what you mean by "cover"-ing it. The primary tourist attractions are Norbulingka Institute, HH Dalai Lama's residence (remains closed when he isn't there, not much clear info with me), Bhagsu, McLeodganj market area for a feel of the place. We had kept 2 days and felt that we should have stayed at least a day more, but I guess it's personal.

Also, if you're going to Dharamsala, IMHO you should also give a look to Kangra, Palampur etc, each of which should take one day. I don't know how much time you decide to spend at Dalhousie, but if you would like to know what you can do there, see this thread: Stopping by Himachal on Snowy Evenings - Dainkund, Dalhousie etc.

Dalhousie-Dharamsala belt is designated as Dhauladhar circuit by HPTDC, details are here: http://www.hptdc.nic.in/cir03.htm - suggest going by each place and evaluate by web searches (Google is our friend!)

Also see this post for further links to more info on Manali plans: suggestions needed from you guys

Ans. to 3) Though old, but this thread shows distance and travel time both: Manali To DharamSala

Ans. to 4) HRTC has one ordinary direct bus service:

DHARAMSHALA MANALI Dist: 255 Kms (5020006-CHAMBA-MANALI [ORDINARY])
Leaves DHM at 20:40 PM to reach MNL at 6:10 AM - Fare Rs. 229/-

http://himachal.gov.in/hrtc/route.asp

abhi25

Indracal, thanks a ton for the information!

delhiwala

Indracal is right ! Brajeshwari Devi temple at Kangra is a big temple and Palampur has nice tea gardens. Chamunda Devi Temple (An age old Tantrik temple by the side of a Shamshan) and Baijnath Temple are also near by.

abhi25

Thanks a lot for all the information. After doing some thinking, my wife and I have decided to restrict our trip to the Shimla/Manali circuit.

I would appreciate any help on the following queries:
1) Sorry for sounding naive, but is Shimla YMCA (Youth hostel) a hostel or a proper tourist hotel? Would you recommend it for a couple on their honeymoon?
2) How is the HPDTC one-day tour covering "Kufri, Fagu, Chini Bungalow, and Naldhera"? Also, would I need to book it in advance for November 2009?

Hope to hear for someone soon.

Thanks!
Regards,
Abhi25

chandraj

Hi Abhi25,
I visited Shimla/Manali circuit last year around this time.You will easily get hotels in Shimla @1500 per day.And in Manali there are good hotels available @1000 per day.

There a lot of hotels available in Shimla and Manali.On internet you can see only 25-30% of them.

I have never stayed in YMCA so I cannot tell more on that.

Thanks
Chandraj

sunshinehorizon

Anyone want a travel buddy here in Manali/Shimla in Nov 2009?

ashwinnaagar

IMO manali is not the best place to stay. you could stay at naggar which has really nice views or at katrain among orchards and fairly god views or solang valley where you might get to see snowfall.

sunshinehorizon

Hey Abhi,

Did you want to meet up in Manali?

suvarnatg

Am planning to go there. but the date is not yet finalised. pls let me know when do u plan to visit Manali .Do u already have hotel booking?

suvarnatg

I'm planning to visit Manali in November . Looking for travel buddy