Mumbai-Delhi-Shimla-Manali-Delhi tour. Help appreciated

prashantkd

Hi All, I am planning my honeymoon in July to Manali via Shimla. I know it's gonna be monsoon time, but I guess it will be better than the monsoons in Kerala. Here is my pl
planned itenarary, please suggest modifications if needed -

1) Day1 - Mumbai to Delhi by Rajdhani. Will reach Delhi by 8:30 am. I plan to hire a car from Delhi for the entire duration of my trip. The travel agent here quote around 1500/- per day without any kms restrictions.
2) Day2 - Delhi railway station to Shimla (I think arnd 8 hrs ??). Reach Shimla by 6:00 pm and check into some good hotel. Please suggest some good hotels in Shimla...
3) Day3 - In and around Shimla.
4) Day4 - Shimla to Manali. Reach Manali by evening and rest at hotel.Planning to stay at Highland Park. Any comments abt this hotel would be appreciated.
5) Day 5- In and around Manali. Rohtang pass.
6) Day 6 - In and around MAnali - Manikaran
7) Day 7 - Buffer time. Any good locations to roam around ???
8) Day 8 - Check out of hotel. Travel from Manali to Chandigarh. Will reach Chandigarh at around 3 pm. See some local spots like Rose garden etc. Please suggest some good hotels here.
9) Day 9 - Check out of hotel, have lunch and travel to Delhi. Board the Rajdhani express at 4:30 pm from Delhi to Mumbai.
10) Day 10 - Reach Mumbai at 8:30 am.

Any modifications to make the trip less hectic and more memorable are appreciated.

spicetrekker

Congratulations...

I did the sector sometime back (2004) and had hired a car for the whole duration. 1500 per day for which car and Ac or non-Ac. Also is the driver night charge included. Please also check if it is a taxi no plate or pvt car run as a taxi. If it is AC keep in mind that mostly in the hills the drivers shut-off the AC and still charge you the same rate. Also Km restrictions not being there is not a big thing. Every year I do a trip to the hills and the taxi wallahs peg their rate based on a working of 200 kms per day (ie. in your case 7.5 kms per litre) which you are never likely to exceed - it is actually impossible in a long trip like this. Also take a driver who has done this sector a few times atleast

Secondly I would aviod Shimla - you can try Kasauli or some place past shimla - I suggest Kasauli as going to places past Shimla may be tiring in one day (remember previous day you are in the train)

Shimla is very crowded and commercial and since you have a car at your disposal you can go visit and come back and stay in quieter environs.

If you want to go to Manikaran - why dont you stop at Kullu or some place around that and visit Manikaran. If memory serves me right that may be the better option.


Given the season you are going it may be better to just land-up and book the hotels - you get good discounts even in HPTDC. One thing I found with HPTDC is that they are very market savvy unlike MTDC and give good disocunts in off-season. Also in addition to their listed discount, the resort manager has a 5% or so discretionary discount which you can speak to him ask for.

I know for a honeymoon , one would like everything to be organised upfront, my advise given the season and the fact that you are investing in a car hire is that you just land-up and book the places to stay - it has two advantages 1. better rates and 2. you can check out the place yourself before you commit.


cheers

vasuki

Shimla is not going to be crowded in July. It will just be opposite then. Clarkes and Woodville Palace are good hotels in Shimla city. Around Shimla try Tarika Resort at Chail. Highland Park is a little away from Manali town but some excellent location by the river Beas. Though in July you may be the only guest at the hotel. In Manali, you can consider Apple Country Resort (only serves veg food) or River Country Resort. If you have some more money to blow, then Ambassador Resort, Holiday Inn or Club Mahindra would be ideal. Chandigarh you can stay at the Piccadily or Aroma.

Have suggested hotels equivalent to prices for Highland Park everywhere.

HPTDC is also a good option and can save on the money if not looking for 5 star facilities. You can stay at Fagu or Naldehara around Shimla. At Manali, Hotel Kunzum is a decent hotel right on the Mall. You can also check out the Hadimba Cottages or Loghuts all HPTDC properties. Expect decent discounts from 15 July onwards. More info here on HPTDC

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