Help to plan shimla trip

timepass18

Hey guys,

I will be reaching 'Kalka' on 24th June at 0445. My return journey is on 30th June from 'Kalka' at 2345. I am planning to visit Shimla, Kufri, Manali, Rohtang(if possible) and any other places if worth visiting.

Should I visit Manali and Roftang first and then come to shimla or should I go like Shimla->Kufri->Manali->Rohtang

Please help me out to plan the trip. Also let me know some budget hotels. will the hotels provide sight seeing facility. what is the rent to hire a car? We are a group of 6 guys.

regards

Mod Note

Hi Time, and welcome to IM. If you could use full words instead of text language that would be really helpful. This forum has a widespread international audience - and as such it can be difficult understanding normal english let alone text. Thanks

Dilliwala

Doesn't matter where you go first, take your pick.
Do browse this and the Hotels forum, there's lots of info on accom.
Don't bother with the hotels sight-seeing even if they do provide it, much more fun to do it on your own! In fact in this very sub-forum you'll get plenty of ideas, just look around.

In and around Manali it's very easy, quick and cheap to get around with 3-wheelers so don't bother with hiring a car. To go from Shimla to Manali or v.v. you cud do it by the Volvo bus, certainly cheaper than your own car.
And in Shimla you can't drive around anyway!
There's plenty of local transport to take you to nearby places like Kufri, Narkanda etc.

You cud also take HPTDC's guided bus tours from Shimla and Manali. Saves having to organise your own and good value for money. More here:
http://hptdc.nic.in/trans.htm

zoltan

When I was in Shimla, I took the HPTDC guided tour of the region. It was supposed to show the highlights out of the city.

My recollection was that it was a total waste of time and money. There were no real sights outside of the city centre (we were taken to a few lookout and forest locations and an apple orchard (which had no apples because it was the wrong season) none of it was spectacular).

In Manali, you can get a tour up to Rhotang Pass with a number of mini-buses. My recollection of this journey was that it was very scary. The bus seemed to sit right on the edge of the road when overtaking cars/buses and looking down, the sheer drop was causing me vertigo.

By the time we reached Rhotang Pass it was freezing - the wind chill factor was extreme. But, as far as vistas go and a really beautiful day out, it was memorable - but this was in November and it may not be as cold in June.

As to whether to get onto a group tour or go solo - it's up to you but do dress warm (woolen gloves; hat; socks; thermal unders; leg warmers; thick pants and, a ski-jacket.

In Manali there are plenty of taxi drivers who will show you the sights of the city centre (and there are some interesting things to see (thermal springs; a few temples; etc).

One of the things that they didn't show me (and which I found awesome) was a visit to the nearby monastery, up the side of a mountain. Once again, lovely views, the monks and nuns were happy to talk and interact and it was an enjoyable afternoon out.

Cheers
Zoltan

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timepass18

hey tx a lot guys....any more tips??

guys, this is what I have decided

24 June-0900- arrive in shimla- see chadwick falls(is it worth visiting??) in afternoon and mall road in night

25 June- morning- Visit Naldehra Golf course, Kufri, Indira Bungalow and Himalayan Zoo(please give me some info on the last two places)

26 June - morn- Departure to Manali, Pass by Pandoh Dam, Beas river, Sutlaj river, Beas Sutlaj Link Project, Kullu Valley, Dassehra Maidan and visit Shawl Factory at Kullu. Arrive at Manali in the evening.(suggest some mode of transport

27 June - Rohtang (please tell me how do i get there)

28 June - Visit the ancient temples of Jagatsukh Gayatri Mandir, Vashista Kund, Manu Mandir and Hidimba Mandir

29 June - Explore Manali. shopping(what should i buy??)

30 June- WAnt to reach Kalka(I have booked train from kalka to delhi)


My main concerns are

1. Can i reach directly from manali to kalka(30 june) or else do I have to go like manali->shimla->kalka

2. How much time does it take to go from manali to shimla and from shimla to kalka

timepass18

i will be stayin in delhi for two days...

can anyone suggest me some budget accomodation upto Rs600...i searched the forum but was able to find only one guest house nad that too without windows...any other option??

how is the rail yatri niwas in delhi?? any new contact number??
i already tried the old ones...they are not working

puchoo

Mall road at night will be less crowded but what time do u mean when u say night. Shimla closes early thats why the mall starts clearing up..i would advise 630 at the max..that way u will get one 'chakkar' with everything still open.

Shimla to Kalka is about 2.5 hrs.

__________________
Cheers!

Sidharth

puchoo.wordpress.com

timepass18

what abt manali to shimla??...how much time does it take??

puchoo

10-12 hours to Shimla from Manali...

timepass18

ohh..ok...tx for quick replies..i was wondering if you could answer my other questions as well..tx

timepass18

guys i have shortlisted these hotels...please suggest which 1 is better and cheap

For Shimla
1. Hotel Dalziel
2. Hotel Vikrant

For manali
1. Apple view guest house
2. Hotel Sunshine
3. Hotel Chetna
4. Prince guest house

please suggest me the best out of this lot...tx

KABAARY

Shimla : Hotel Dalziel - please say hi to Mrs. Sood (note : I'm biased here since I know the family).

Manali : Apple View is the best of the lot that you have cited...for whatever it's worth.

Strange that Nagar and Solang don't figure in your Manali itinerary...have ice cream & trout at Johnson's (unless the infection in the trout farm in Raisen destroyed them yet again) - and don't ogle at Priya whilst there ! Also pizza etc at Ilferno and, if you can win her trust (and are keen on the stuff), procure some Malana...

timepass18

hey tx buddy...i have 3 days time in manali..of which 1 day will be spent exploring rohtang..the other two days are free...so if time permits i can give nagar and solang a visit...btw can u put some light on both the places..coz i hv no clue of them..tx

Dilliwala

Apple View is a 200 m walk up a path from the road in Old Manali.
Sunshine GH is much more easily accessible - 1 km from the bazar if you want to walk, and plenty of 3-wheelers passing by shud the urge to walk not grab you. Sunshine is perfectly ok if you are like most tourists, i.e. spending most of your time outside.
Never heard of 3 and 4.

timepass18

hmm..tx for the advice..we have a girl in our group...so i wanted to know if hotel sunshine is a safe place..heard that apple view is quite safe..so was prefering it..

btw the 3rd and 4th option are listed in the database of indiamike hotels for manali

Dilliwala

Sunshine is very safe.