Delhi to Dalhousie via Kangra valley train

My plan is to join trekking on Thursday at Dalhousie and I will be reaching Monday afternoon at Delhi. While returning I will be taking a train from Pathankot to Delhi so while going I don’t want use the same way. I am also thinking to go by Kangra valley train while going to Dalhousie. I am keeping one or two days extra to cover this toy train and near by areas.

Monday evening from Delhi where should I go? Where to stay to take the toy train journey (return towards Pathankot ) to connect to Dalhousie ? In between any areas to stay or visit?

TIA

The kind of round trip you are thinking of may not be possible. The toy train runs a short strech in the Pathankot Jogindernagar sector. You can bus it to Kangra from Delhi & then take the train to Pathankot from where you go by road to Dalhousie.
Kangra is worth a visit as well as the tea gardens of Palampur.
I wonder why Sri Steven Guruji hadn't answered....

From my ( little ) knowledge I think Kangra to Pathankot is too short distance and I need not go upto Pathankot to take a bus to Dalhousi, I can get down before that to take a bus. ( Please correct me here. )

How long it will take from Delhi to Kangara ? Any bus I will get around or after 6 PM from Delhi ? Can't I go to JogindarNagar from Delhi to take the full stretch of tain journey?

Or I should move further ( may be upto Chandigarh ) by train and then enter HP?

My plan is more or less final. I have to report YHA Winter Trekking program on 21st Dec 06 at Delhousie. I am arriving at Delhi on Monday ( 18th evening ). Till Thursday ( 21st ) I have time to reach Dalhousie.
I want to avoid Pathankot area as I want to return through that rout. ( Pathankot > Delhi )

What is the best way to ( travel and ) reach Dalhousie by spending two days and if possible enjoying the Kangra Valley train?

Any suggestion please.
Thanks

There is no way you can avoid Pathankot. To raech Dalhousie, you have to go via Pathankot only. Kangra is just a detour.
My suggestion is: Go to Pathankot from Delhi. From there take the toy trin to Kangra/Palampur/Jogindar Nagar jsut to enjoy the ride. From the take overnight bus to Chamba/ Dalhousie. If you have time visit Dharmasala from Palampur.
There are trek routes that connect Dharmasala and Chamba valley. But this season it's not possible due to snowfall. So going by bus is the only option to reach Dalhousie. Travel to Pathankot from Delhi- Go by train.
hope that helps

Then I will reach Pathankot on Tuesday morning. I will take the Kangra valley train. I think I need not have to go upto Jogindar Nagar. I should stop some where before that and take a bus to Dharmasala on Wednesday. From Dharmasal I will take a bus to Dalhousie on Thrusday. Is it fine ?

Ya, You can get down at Palampur or Baijnath. And from there take a bus to Dharmsala. spend that night and wednesday at Dharmsala. On Wednesday evening I think there should be a bus to Chamba. So Thursday morning you would be in Dalhousie.
Please note that the Tibetan community is located at McLeod Ganj about 15 Km uphill from Dharmasala. Shared taxis available. Check the bus timings and book in advance if possible as soon as you reach Dharmsala on Tuesday.

Thanks Rajkumar,
So I will take a train to Pathankot in the evening and ( Tuesday )morning I will be there , then from Pathankot to Palampur by Kangara Vally train. From there to Dharmasala by bus.

Wednesday night I can start for Dharmasala and reach Delhousie via Chamba.

So other than my main program I can explore ( a little ) Dharmasala.

That is fine.

Thanks

Any more idea / suggestion ?

If I start Tuesday morning from Pathankot via Kangra Valley train then same day can I reach Dharmasala (From Palampur to Dharmasal by bus) ?

Yes or from Kangra station which is nearer to Dharamsala. KK

Kangra town is just 15 - 20 km from Dharamsala.

Thanks for all the info.

What will be duration of journey from Pathankote to Kangra? I heard a lot about this train journey so little excited about this.

Thanks all for your help. I completed my tour as planned here.

Starting a new thread with my photographs and experience.