Himachal Itinerary

I have been searching on nets for weeks for some good advice to decide my travel Plan and luckily came across this website.
My name is Prerna. I and my husband are planning to visit Himachal around 23rd Jan 10. Till now I was confused whether to go on our own or through travel agent because travelling to unknown place you are tend to get cheated, but after reading the review on your website. I think I will take the risk of travelling on our own. Can you help me in planning my tour? I want to see the whole of Himachal (Shimal,Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie, Dharmasala). Is it wise decision to travel on own. Do we get transportation easily from Shimla to Manali and onwards. I am trying to work out reasonable package within our budget. Also it is an off season. Just confused any help will be highly appreciated. Do I need to book hotel in advance.

I want to make this trip memorable.

Thanks a lot to all
Prerna

No need to book hotels in advance at this time of year. Presuming you are leaving from Delhi, take a train to Kalka then take Toytrain to Shimla. From Shimla there are plenty of public & private buses to Manali or if budget allows take a cab. While in Manali visit Vashisht,Nagar & Rhotang Pass depending on weather. From Manali take bus or cab to Mandi & have 1 night in Mandi (optional) From where you can take a bus to D'sala (Mcleod Ganj)From here you can take bus or cab to D'housie then why not head for Amritsar to see Golden Temple where you can take a train back to Delhi. KK

thanks kullukid,

We will be travelling from Mumbai. do we get connecting train mumbai / delhi / kalka then toy train. Also can you suggest some good hotel (neat,clean good view & reasonable) do we need to bargain since it will be off season. How much doed taxi cost

thanks
Prerna

Yes you should be able to get some good deals, how much is your budget? I tend to stay in cheaper places, so I'm no expert on more expensive places, however I did splash out on a posh place in Shimla last Aug because Mrs KK was travelling with me. We stayed at Woodville Palace for 2 nights & the prices were very negotiable; http://www.woodvillepalacehotel.com/index.php

Sorry I couldn't tell you the taxi prices, I prefer bus travel in the Himalaya's, which I feel are much safer, taxi's tend to get a lot of punctures in the hills. KK

Why don't you give us the no.o f days you will be travelling for? Then we can guide you on some itinerary.

Hi Prerna- Just returned from a trip to Manali, we stayed at The Beas hotel before moving to the Sterling resorts. Had i not booked the Sterling resorts in advance because we're time share members i would've stayed at the Beas hotel. Cheap, Clean and Centrally located, its about 1 Km from the main bus stand, will cost you 50 Rs by Auto. The room rent is 890 per day inclusive of taxes for a river facing room. Hope this helps, let me know in case you need any more info on Manali.

Have a great trip!

Thanks KK

Mr. Shah will be travelling with me so I do want a good romm but not expensive, neat clean tidy. I was planning for Taxi becaus eif I stay for 2days in Shimal how to see all the place in Shimla and then from Shimla to Manali.
Also if I don't book hotel in advance & if I reach late evening in Shimla, is it safe to move around searching hotel late evening.


Thanks
Prerna

Hi Ashwin

We are planning to reach Shimal 23rd Jan 2009 may be for 10 or 11 nights because we want to see Shimla/Manali/Dalhousie/Dharmsala in short I want to see whole of Himachal.


Many Thanks
Prerna

Hi Jaideep,

Thanks, any guidance will be aprreciated. As I have to plan the whole itinenary starting form Mumbai how to travel Shimal , internal travel, hotel booking , Shimla to Manala etc....

Thanks
Prerna

I am attending my counsins marriage tomm so may be won't check the site but will definately get online on Wednesday

Thanks to everyone
Prenra

Taxi's are not allowed in central Shimla/The Mall & everywhere is walkable, unless you want to visit places like Vice Regal Lodge etc which are further out, but it would be much cheaper to hire a taxi seperately for these small excursions rather than having a taxi waiting at your beck & call all day. There are Tourist buses which leave for Manali early morn so you could be there by mid afternoon. KK

10-11 days is great and you will have a relaxed itinerary-
day 1-shimla
day 2 and 3 you can explore places around like mashorba,chail,naldhera etc.
day 4-travel to manali.
5 6,7- spend time in manali.go to naggar ,solang or just relax etc.
8-to mcleodganj.
9-spend the day at mcleodganj.
10-go to pathankot and catch a train back to mumbai.

From mumbai you could catch the golden temple mail to newdelhi,then go to old delhi,catch the kalka mail and next day catch the toy train.

Hi All,

I visted HPTDC Office at World Trade Centre Mumbai for some guidance. According to them I should travel Mumbai / Chandigardh becoz its only 3hrs drive, also there are no connecting trains to Shimla. I have to take a night halt at Kalka since all train reaches by evening from Mumbai.

Also since it is off season there won't be HPTDC buses for internal travel & we will spend appox 13000 to travel all HP so its better to book car by spending 2000 more and can travel as per convience. They were also saying that the hotels r also booked since its Hooneymoon period.

Any advice

Thanks
Prerna

Yes! Don't believe anything anyone tells you ever! KK