Hot button question- What's the reality of travel safety in himachal pradesh? *

Hot button question- What's the reality of travel safety in himachal pradesh? * Considering ongoing and the most recent negative news coming out of northern India regarding threats of violence & actual flare-ups of violent activity within India's own borders in neighboring areas Jammu & Kashmir, how safe is it to travel in the H.P. area? *We are not going to Jammu & Kashmir, but we are considering immediate plans to go to H.P. for October & November 2010, then taking two weeks in December to travel south through Dehli, Agra, Mumbai, with final destination Goa, before we fly home. *There are many sources out there that are discouraging us to go there.**Please share your thoughts / experiences on this.
[Also any commentary on current anti-American sentiment...or response (if any) to that Florida pastor in the news threatening to burn the Quran?] *
Thank you for your help and honest opinions on such a serious topic. *
Regards, *
BB * * * * *

Travel safety in Himachal???...There are no specific safety/security issues in HP as far as tourists are concerned. There is a problem in J&K at the moment and its better to postpone/cancel your travel plans there.

Sources like? and where? to Himachal or India?


Anti-american sentiment in india? You getting confused India with Middle east?. There were a few demonstrations and a bit of vandalism/violence against churches in some states on the issue of quran burning , but thats normal in India. Things flareup quickly in matters of religion but no real danger to tourists.

HP is perfectly safe to travel around.

I haven't noticed any anti-American sentiment out our way, it's not an issue. The whole thing is a dead issue now, nothing in the news for several days.

I would be interested to know your sources too, Bronco Bill. I do know some embassies are issuing 'take care' warnings re personal safety during the Commonwealth Games, but that is about it. Are you arriving in Delhi during them? Did you intend to go to them?

I'd be curious to learn what other travel experiences you've had.

I expect if you're broadly travelled, you'll have learned carefully to weigh other travellers' stories, especially alarmist warnings. There may be valid information in there somewhere; but it's equally possible that you may be hearing dire predictions based on one-off anecdotes.

With that in mind, here's our anecdotal evidence: we have made three trips to Himachal Pradesh and have always been well received, with extreme courtesy at the very least, overwhelming friendliness more often than not.

Indeed, in some five recent trips to India we've never had any problems other than those associated with travel anywhere – negotiating with the front desk for a better room, contesting with a bureaucrat for a necessary document... Well, never any problems except the two pickpockets (only one got anything, and that was just $2 worth of tipping change) and the snotty little boys in the back streets of Mathura who thought it amusing to throw pebbles at the foreigners (not, I hasten to say, because we look like Americans – in fact we look rather like we're from outer space).

Basically, I say go and enjoy. Keep alert, just as you would in Manhattan. But don't obsess about it and spoil your trip. Oh, yeah, and try to stay out of Delhi during the Commonwealth Games.

Himachal Pradesh is one of the safest states in India.The troubles in Jammu and Kashmir have very little impact on your travel plans. It may seem like HP and JK are very close together on a map, that's why you might be worrying. No need, just enjoy with all the usual sensible precautions.

Delhi, during the CWG, not so sure....

Exactly.
I think same. HP is one of the safest states in India

Really very little danger in Himachal Pradesh. I third what Shivani Skydancer said. J&K may look close to HP on a map, but they're quite separate in reality. Especially assuming that you're sticking to the popular traveler spots like Dharamsala. Your biggest worry will be getting ripped off, not falling victim to terrorists!

Bronco Bill, Himachal Pradesh is safe. Himachalis are very nice and good natured people (some of the best you'll meet around).

And even Touts are not a big problem here except at hugely popular places like Shimla & Manali, but even they are mild here.

Go and Enjoy !

Hi all

Thanks mucho for all the detailed responses confirming what I expected would be the answer to my question. My wife and I are really looking forward to visiting Himachal Pradesh so your input is happily received.*

For those wondering what sources we looked at that concerned us, it was mainly government travel advisory web sites for US, Canada, and the UK. None of them paint a pretty picture but as it goes with governments they have to cover thier butts by bringing a stern message. Here, just the first couple of lines from the UK site....
"There is a high threat from terrorism throughout India. Terrorists have targeted places in the past which westerners are known to visit including public places such as restaurants, hotels, railway stations, markets, and places of worship."
Have a read if you are so inclined, the US and Canada sites pretty much follow suit.*http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travel-and-...-oceania/india

So as is the norm you need to take this info with a grain of salt but in light of the recent issues in J&K that sprung the Anti American sentiment I thought it would be a good idea to put the question out there to those who have been ,seen and experienced reality.

On the flip side we have heard nothing but wonderful things about India from friends and other travellers we met along our path for the last year or so, although we hadn't met anyone travelling specifically in or around HK, or even in the north for that matter.

No plans for the commonwealth games either. We will land in Delhi next week well ahead of the games and head north directly.*

Thanks again
BB*** * *