Manali Trip in February 2008

sumanthewhiz

First of all, let me congratulate the people here on this forum - u guys are doing a wonderful job! I got a wealth of information about my upcoming trip from the various threads here

Well... I'm planning my honeymoon trip to Manali in the 1st week of February, 2008. I'll be arriving by Rajdhani Exp to Delhi (from Kolkata) at 10:30am on 3rd Feb, and my hotel booking in Manali is from 4th to 7th Feb 2008 (@The Orchard Greens). My return ticket to Kolkata is via Rajdhani Exp again on 8th Feb (from Delhi).

I'm a bit confused on these points - can you guys please help me out?

• I'll be travelling from Delhi to Manali (and back) by volvo bus (departs from Delhi in the evening). Regarding that, I'm confused within the three carriers HRTC/HPTDC/Raj National Express. Can anyone provide a latest comparitive view on the three? I've already gone through a lot of threads on this forum, but am unable to get which one will be the best among the three.
• Is there another route which I can avail of, other than these buses (apart from the Jagsons/Deccan air-route)?

I'll be waiting for the response before I can proceed with the bus bookings!

puchoo

HPTDC is good. Reliable buses and safe drivers.

The other option is ofcourse to drive up in a taxi or something but this would be expensive. The advantage being you can do it at your own pace and will have the flexibility of stopping at places of your choice along the way.

Personally, i would not go via taxi's. Other than being expensive i just dont like the drivers, more often than not.

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capt_mahajan

You could do, from Delhi

-upto Pathankot by train and cab/bus from there
-upto Chandigarh by train and Volvo bus from there.
-via Shimla but it is longer and you don't have enough time to see that part of HP, too

I would either take the volvo from Delhi or go via Chandigarh, and take a volvo from there.


I have heard (never been myself) that the State buses are more reliable than private operators, though Raj does have a decent reputation, I think.

rishabh6296

True captain,state buses like hptdc or hrtc are much more reliable and comfortable.

sumanthewhiz

Thanks to all of you... now I can proceed with my bus bookings with HPTDC only (both onward & return)

I'll avoid HRTC since the buses start at 8:30pm, i.e., 2 hours later than HPTDC (which starts at 6:30pm).

Here I have a small query - the HPTDC site lists a number of "Marketing Offices" & "General Sales Agents" in various cities, including a few in Kolkata too. Can I book the onward & return journey tickets from these offices? And will they be reliable enough?

I'm stuck in a spot here - since I dont have any contacts in Delhi/Manali who can book the tickets for me - so I'll have to find out a way to book the tickets from here(Kolkata) itself

vasuki

Kolkata office of HPTDC should make reservations for VOLVO. I am not so sure about the GSAs though. Mr. Basu is the Kolkata office incharge of HPTDC.

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justvsoni

I don't know whats difference between HPTDC and HRTC. On both website it redirects to one link for online booking http://www.sugamhimachal.org/HRTCTickets/

And from delhi volvo bus starts at 7:30 pm as per this website. I booked ticket for 3/02/08 long time ago, but now tickets are not available on this date.

Also ticket for this date isn't available for Raj National express.

jitendra

Hi Dear

HPTDC is best choice. I will also go by the Hy-tec Volvo Of HPTDC. Its departure time is 6 P.M. from Delhi and Tariff is 950/- per person

Dilliwala

HRTC's buses are newer.

See this thread for more:
From Delhi to Manali .


The difference is that on HPTDC's home-page, the online res. link is for HRTC's buses, not it's own.

The info for booking HPTDC buses is given separately here:

"Transport reservations available at HPTDC Marketing Offices & General Sales Agents(link)
(Transport reservations are not available online)"

paramkrish

Hi Guys, I have also planned a trip to Manali bet. 8 and 13 of Feb. It is a packaged tour through sam-san travels. They have arranged everything including the cab from Delhi-Shimla-Manali. Now i have few questions ..

1. What would be the weather during the first two weeks of Feb 2008 ? Would there be a snow fall during this time ?
2. I would be staying in HoneyMoonInn in Shimla as well as in Manali. Any feedback / comments about this hotel and also the sam-san travels ??
3. I am first timer to Delhi. I m planning to stay for two days in Agra to visit few forts there. How do i reach Agra Fort from Delhi Airport ? Kindly advice all modes of transport that i can avail easily. Is there a pre-paid taxi in Delhi Airport to take me to Agra safely as a worst case option if the Trains/Buses are not that reliable ??

Thanks for your help and guidance ...

paramkrish

Guys - Any replies to my earlier post would be much appreciated. Please act on before i get on board for the trip

Dilliwala

Feb will be cold with a chance of snow. If the sun is out, it will be pleasant. Take your heavy woollens along.

The prepaid taxis from IGI won't go to Agra. U can hire a car at the airport, but it will be expensive and not worth it. Your best option is a train. Look up at http://indianrail.gov.in for schedules.

I've no experience of your hotel or travel-agent so can't help there.

paramkrish

In Delhi, Both the international and domestic airports are in the same premises ? I understand from your comment we have Pre-Paid Taxis from Delhi Airport to take me to the Delhi Train station to take Trains to Agra. Is that right ? That will definitely help me.

Does anyone have feedback on Sam-San Travel Agent and Hotel Honey Moon Inn so i can set my expectations accordingly ?

cuin2006

Hi paramkrish,

I'm also planning to book honeymoon inn in February. If you get some reviews on this hotel do post it here.

Thanks

paramkrish

How did u hear about this hotel ? I came to know only when the agent booked it as part of the package.