Dalhousie-Manali Tour: Please help

Hi,

I am planning to visit Dalhousie-Khajjiar-Manali in the 1st week of october. Tentative itinerary as follows.

D1: Reach Chakki Bank from Kolkata by train. Take a car/taxi(available? fair?) and go to Dalhousie.

D2: Take a Car/taxi to Khajjiar. Book a car for manali (available? indica cost?). Night stay at khajjiar.

D3: Reach manali by car (Possible to cover in one day? If yes then when to start?)

D4: Take a car(indica cost?) and go to Nagar and back.

D5: Take a car(indica cost?) and visit Rohtang pass, solang vally, rahala fall etc.

D6: Start for Chandigarh by car (available? indica cost? time require?). Catch train at night for Kolkata.

How would be the weather then at those places?

I have marked my questions in RED. Any help would be appreciated.

dalhousie to manali in one day (if possible) will kill you completely .... best to break somewhere. worthwhile taking a break at mcleodganj perhaps

Also most cars / taxis will charge for return also. For example if you take a car / taxi from Chakki Bank to Dalhousie they would charge you for Chakki Bank - Dalhousie - Chakki Bank.

Thanks!

So I am planning to break at Palampur (mid way).

Thanks!

So will it be better (economic) if I book a single cab for the whole trip? Any idea about fare?

Also what would be the avg temperature at dalhousie and manali in Oct 1st week?

Saikat - i just came from Himachal ... was there for 15 days. Chandigarh to Chandigarh for 15 days was 40k in an Innova .... if that gives you an indication. all toll, parking included.
so, typically, depending on which car you hire, it will be around 2k a day ... better the car, higher the tariff.

Thanks Arijit. Really got Indication. I am planning to take an Indica (as we will be two adults and one kid) for the whole trip.

I have already booked ticket in Himgiri Exp and booked hotels for all the places with HPTDC.

BTW, what places you have covered in 15 days? Just curious to know about your experiences :-)

Regards,
Saikat

Landed in Chandigarh and then to Manali (breaking the journey at Mandi). So CHNDG-Manali (4N)-McLeodganj (4N)-Dalhousie (3N)-Amritsar (2N)-Chandigarh.

Thank you Arijit for sharing...!!!

Hello everyone,

Back from HP yesterday. Awesome trip. Below is the final itinerary, whether it help someone.

28-Sep-2012: Started from Howrah by Himgiri Exp (11:55 pm).

30-Sep-2012: Reached Chakki Bank (10:40 am). Took a Indica for Dalhousie (Rs: 1500/-) from pre-paid taxi stand just outside of the station. They also offered whole trip pkg in 12,500/- by Indica. But I was not satisfied with the car quality. Checked in to Hotel Manimahesh. Took rate for full trip car from different agent. Finally booked Swift Dzire from taxi operators union at gandhi chowk for 16,500/-.

01-Oct-2012: Checked out from Hotel. Did local sight seeing. We enjoyed Dain Kund & Kala top. Reached Khajjiar at 2:40 pm and checked in to Hotel Devdar (I felt it was a wrong decision. Hotel was not up to the mark. We should spend time in Khajjiar upto 5 - 5:30 pm and then go back to Dalhousie for night stay). Had let lunch and spend nice time there.

02-Oct-2012: Started at 9:00 am for Mcleodganj. Reached there at 2:30 pm. Had lunch and did marketing in the tibetian market. Also visited some temples. Then started for Palampur. Visited a Zoo on the way where our baby enjoyed very much We reached Palampur at 6:30 pm. Checked in to Hotel Tea Bud.

03-Oct-2012: Started at 8:30 am for Manali. Had lunch at Kullu. Reached Manali at 5:30 pm. Checked in to Hotel Rohtang Manalsu.

04-Oct-2012: Did local sight seeing including Naggar.

05-Oct-2012: Started for Rohtang at 5.30 am. Our car got stucked in a big hole full of mud with a thin ice cover on it (which mislead the driver). Reached Rohtang at quite early and enjoyed the beauty. Then started for back with mid-way halts for snaps. Went to Solang vally. By rope way reached the top point. It was a different kind of beauty.

06-Oct-2012: Started for Kalka at 10:00 am. Did marketing at Kullu swal factory outlet. After a stretch full journey we reached Kalka at arround 9:00 pm. Bought some "Meat ka achar" which was very good. Train for Howrah was at 11:55 pm again

I have visited Mcleodganj,Khajjiar & Dalhousie this june. We booked a taxi for the trip from Pathankot for the whole trip. The cost was Rs. 1200/- per day (Alto) inclusive of everything. I would suggest not to night stay in Khajjiar and continue your journey to Mcleodganj/Dhramshala, take a break between Mcleodganj and Manali. For going to Rohtang, its better to start early as sometimes massive jam takes place

I am going for 8 days Himachal, Kalka-Shimla-Manali-Mcleod-Khajjar-Amritsar.
I need an Innova-6 seater. Can you please help me with your contacts for car/driver ?

thanks and regards,

I have some contact no at Dalhousie only.

Dalhousie taxi operators union: 01899242739. They have huge range of cars.
Kamal Sharma: 09418325080
Suraj: 09805592364
Vikas: 09882075624

Hello Saikat,

Nice description of your trip. Just a couple of queries.

1) How was the room condition and service of hotel Devdar at Khajjiar?
2) While going to Mcleodganj from Khajjiar, did you go via Dalhousie or, Jot?

Thanks in advance

Hi Koushik,

Sorry for late reply.

1) Room condition was not at satisfactory level. Bathroom was clean. Towels were with bad odor. Requested for change and got good stuff. Carpet was torn. Bed cover should have been more clean in a room of Rs 1900 + tax tariff .
Food quality: Chinese or mughlai food was of poor quality in lunch. Tried aloo paratha at night. It was good.

2) Not via Dalhousie.

Hi saikat
I'm planning himachal tour in April 12with wife and 4 yrs baby
Planning from chakki to McLoughlin for 2 days then to kullu valley 4 days
Can you give some idea about places to visit around these?
You tried many places for stay!!did you get enough time for S's and relax?!
Thanks in advanced...waiting for your post