Must see in Himachal Pradesh

Petra Pistkova

Hi all!

I've been working in Chennai for last 4 months and now I'm planning my 3 weeks long trip to North India starting the last week of August. I know that there are just too many wonderful places and that I can't see many of them in 3 weeks but still I'd like to try ;-)
I'd love to visit Himachal Pradesh to at least see (I won't have time and equipment for real trekking) the monumental Himalayas as well. That's why I'd like to ask you for help.

Could you please suggest some places that I definitely shouldn't miss? I've heard about Shimla, Kinnaur, Dharamsala...but I'm not sure which of these (or other) places are feasible given the following details about myself and my idea of the trip:
- European girl, maybe travelling alone (is it too dangerous?)
- limited budget -> travelling only by trains or buses (no hired cabs!!!)
- after Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra and Delhi spend 1 week in Himachal Pradesh (starting from and returning to Delhi)
- main goal: have a nice view of Himalayas -> would like to visit some nice towns/villages at foothill, maybe walk around, mostly interested in natural beauty

I know I have given you just very vague information but I hope it's enough for you to give me at least some broad ideas and tips.

Thank you very much!!!
Petra

Lucid

Ola petra, If you like natural beauty, come to lahaul and spiti and some villages which are not connected by roads in kinnaur.
Single european girl will not be an issue, just keep your guard up at all times with everyone, even your fellow europeans :P
If scared call me, ill send you one of my cats for protection hehe

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bengla

I would suggest heading to Chandigarh, Shimla and Manali + surroundings. Manali is on the way to Leh, Spiti valley, Rotang pass etc.. which are all very worth visiting. The problem will be that those nice area's (such as Spiti) are quite remote. Timings: * Chandigarh - Shimla: half a day by toy train.
* Delhi - Shimla: half day bus
* Shimla - Manali: half day bus
* Delhi - Manali: overnight bus
* Manali - Rothang pass: 0,5 day jeep
* Manali - Ka (Spiti valley): 2 day jeep

you could try hitch-hiking within spiti area, but getting there is mostly by paid (shared) jeep hire.

another alternative would be the Darjeeling area, which - i think- would be easier/cheaper to reach (train/bus), but it would be more logical to do that right after chennai & before you head out north-east.

Cheers,

Ben

Lucid

Wow something which i crave for is a problem for another.
Remoteness in which you get good food, meeting the locals, seeing wildlife, what else you want ? a movie theater ? lol

and you don't necessarily need a jeep within spiti, there a local buses which ply between important villages on an alternative days and in some cases regular basis, and i see you would like some walking around..so you can see few villages of spiti on small walks (if you dont get a bus i.e)

santos_g15

hei you can visit little paradises of Hp like shoja,chitkul.chitkul is near sangla which can be reached from shimla.shoja is near kullu.both are beautiful villages which offer beatiful views of hills.they also offer good views of himalayas.you can search the threads for accomodation and more info on these villages.

paanwallah

End of August can still be rainy and clowdy. Thus if you want to have good Himalaya views, you should either go to Manali and from there make a trip to Rothang or go to Shimla and from there to Kinnaur. I'd rater advocate the last and here is the proposed schedule which is doable in one week:
Day 1: Delhi to Shimla
Day 2: Shimla
Day 3: Shimla to Sarahan via Rampur
Day 4: Sarahan to Recong Peo
Day 5: Recong Peo to Kalpa and back
Day 6: Recong Peo to Shimla
Day 7: Shimla to Delhi
If you are not interested to drive around too much, you can stay longer at Sarahan (skipping R. Peo)and walk along the old Tibet Hindustan Road or skip Sarahan and explore the surroundings of Recong Peo and Kalpa which are very nice.

bengla

not really, i was merely taking the limited available time available into account (only 1 week!) unless maybe she books a package tour in advance but i assume she prob. won't want that.

great movies are to be experienced during most overnite bus journeys ;-)

true. in theory you don't.. in practice however..

Petra Pistkova

Hey guys!

Thanks for your ideas. I'll do some more research about the places you've suggested and will finalize my plan. By the way, is it better to visit Himalayas (Shimla, Sarahan and surroundings) in August or in September or are the weather conditions alike?

Thanks a lot!
Petra

bengla

am not sure (i was there in April) i guess it'll be much the same in August or Sept.. although looking at general weather info on the area i would suggest to go as late as possible (closer to Oct.)
http://www.shimlaindia.net/travel-tips/weather.html
Cheers,

syminborn2001

Hi Petra.

Firstly thank you so much for your post, you dont know it but its been SOOO useful to me!

I am also due into India in August (25th to Delhi) and im petrified to say the least, but in a good way.

I was due to come with a friend but unfortunately she can no longer come.

Im desperate to also see some natural beauty out there and in particular the Himalaya.

i just wondered if you had finalised your plan. as im alone too, im trying to make sure im safe, but still see a lot of the things id like to - and seen as you seem like you know what your talking about - i thought be good to hear your plan.

Are you planning on staying in Hostels?

Thanks so much.

Simon (UK)

msingh

Hi Petra,
For one week in Himachal{from Delhi & back]you could try visiting Dharamsala and Manali. Both places will give you a good view of the Himalayas, chance to see Tibetan & local culture, and they also have a good bus(air-conditioned)connection to Delhi.Alternatively you could travel to Chandigarh by train from Delhi and take a bus to both places. Also Dharamsala and Manali are connected by bus. In case visiting these places suits your plans I can send you more information.
cheers!
ms

Petra Pistkova

Hey Simon,

well, my plan has changed: finally I should be traveling with two more girls and we will only have 5-6 days for Himalayas :-( You can see my plan here: Please, check my itinerary However, it's still not finalized, only flights Chennai-Delhi and Delhi-Chennai are fixed to August 15 and September 3. The rest (trains, buses, hostels) are yet to be decided. But we definitely want to keep our costs as low as possible.

Petra Pistkova

Hey MS!

Well, I was considering Shimla and Sarahan but you're already second person recommending me Dharamsala and Manali so I'll might change my plans However, I've heard that Manali has become a very touristic and crowded place. Is that true? And do you know what the weather is like in Dharamsala and Manali in the end of August? I would be grateful for any aditional information about these places!

Thanks a lot!
Petra

msingh

Hi again!
Manali no doubt is crowded - but not as much as Shimla-which is more of a Slum la these days. These are many worthwhile places in and around Manali where you can stay away from the touristy crowd. Sarahan does not have as much to offer as Dharamsala or Manali.It has little more than the Bhimkali Temple, a pheasant breeding farm, and a viewe of the Shrikhand Mahadeo range. The drive from Shimla to Sarahan is not much either. August is the peak of the rainy season , and all of Himachal is as good or as bad, except for Lahaul/Spiti, parts of Kinnaur, and of course Ladakh.Dharamsala/Mcleod Ganj is the seat of the Dalai Lama, and the Tibetan Government in exile, and has a a good view of the Dhauladhar Range.
All the best!
ms

misspetal

I went to Sarahan, Chitkool and Kalpa in March. I would say Sarahan is good, Chitkool is amazing, Kalpa is also great. BUT the drive was so depressing!!! With all the constructions, the trucks, the dust, hydroelectric power ruin everything. For me it's a LLLOONGGGG drive to get to Chitkool. Personally I don't like going to a place that I have to go all the way up just for one point, like Kalpa. In my opinion, I don't know if it's worth it. Different people has different opinion on something, but sure I won't go back there..
I'm planning to go to Himachal first week of September, hopefully I'll find a place I will go back in the future.