Need help in planning an 8 day trip

chinmayie

Hello guys!
I am going to Himachal in August with my family and friends (6 of us – from age 16 to age 50) we are flying to Delhi from Bangalore. I haven’t really planned anything yet but we would like to visit Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Rohtang Pass and Dharamsala.
We have 8 days in hand. i need help from you guys to plan my trip.
• We would like to cut down bus journey as much as possible and do train (even if it’s slow and takes more time) so what would be the best way to cover these places?
• Does it make sense to take up a cab for all the 8 days to cover the whole trip from Chandigarh? Will it work out cheaper because of our number? How much does it cost to hire a cab for a day?
• August is going to be end of monsoon (I assume) so will the Rohthang Pass be safe? And is it recommended to go to all the places I have mentioned in this season.
• Am I trying to cover too many places (we would like to spend quality time in places and also do some mall walks and treks around and not just rush to the next destination?)
• Am I missing out on any other important place? I would like it if we could see snow in any place… is it p
• Is it important to book hotels in advance? Which are the good hotels to stay in the places I have mentioned and how expensive are they? I would like something on a fairly low budget?
• If I go according to this plan I’ll not get more than 1 to two days in each place. Is that good?

Thank you in advance
Chinmayie

jyotirmoy

You can take the train up to Shimla from Delhi. You can then hire a cab in Shimla, visit Manali & return to Shimla. From Shimla you can again take the train back to Delhi.
Since you are 6 persons a cab would work out affordable.

chinmayie

yeah... thank you i'll do that. Can anybody suggest some places to stay? I would like to avoid staying in the main towns. I would rather stay a few kms away in a cheaper and quieter place.

jyotirmoy

Another advantage of hiringa cab is that you have the option to stay at places away from the hustle bustle of tourist places.
Chail is close to Shimla. It is a very serene & beautiful place with great views and walks. So after hiring a cab in Shimla you can visit places like Kufri and go to Chail to spend the night and enjoy the scenery in the morning. From Chail you can start for Manali next day.
Remember that monsoon will not be over in August so expect rain & prepare accordingly.

chinmayie

I did read a lot about Chail. I would be happy to stay there. Can u suggest any place there?
One more thing is we’ll be taking Kalka – Simla train, so I think we’ll be in Simla in the afternoon (from what I have read). I thought that day w can do a bit of sight seeing in and around Simla and stay there and head to Chail the next day. Does that make sense or is it better to head to Chail the same day?
And how well do I need to be prepared for the rain? Will it be too cold? Any snow?

chinmayie

Which route will I be taking when if I am going from Manali to Dharamsala?

jyotirmoy

1. There is a fast Shatabdi type train from Kalka which takes lesser time to reach Shimla.
2. Yes it may be a better idea to relax after reaching Shimla. Next day you can start your trip and go to Chail.
3. HP tourism runs the Palace Hotel at Chail. This property was a palace once. Being state run the tarrif is reasonable.
4. No you will not experience intense cold or snow. If you are stowing your luggage on the top of the cab ensure that these are properly covered by water proof covering. An umbrella and/or rain coat help.
5. Be very careful about the water you drink. Always drink safe bottled water. During rains water supply does get contaminated in the hills.

sabby80

chinmayee, Shimla has been completely robbed of its beauty by the huge number of people that land up there! Its also qt expensive - my advice - don't waste too much time there! The toy train is ridiculously slow, so I reccomend u take it only once - just for the experience.

cheers!
Sabby

chinmayie

Yeah... Even I have heard that! I am generally planning to stay a little away from simla and Manali kind of places and plan things just around it. I was thinking of Chail, Naggar and Vasisht. What do you think about that? And about the hotels I am thinking of looking out for some guest houses/ small hotels which are in the near by villages which will be cheap and also very local (u know what I am trying to say)
I read a lot about Chandra tal. How difficult is the trek? Can it be reached by car?

mike mike

Hi chinmayei,
U can have a very good itinerary but u promise if u like u should atleast thank me for it ..!I was just kidding...!
From delhi if u hire a cab it will be good for u i m suggesting not forcing first u understand that ...o ...k ....!
u can hire a jeep as u r 8 travelling together for 8 days i suppose ?
Than from Delhi move to chail take a good hotel with good view.
Chail - Kufri - Shimla site scene n rtn back to chail for night halt.
Cahil to Manali Stay in Vashist beautiful scenery n good hotels with river view .
Vashist site scene n manali site scene .[sulphar bath etc]
Rohtang pass drive n come back in the evening.[Paragliding,Skeing]
Naggar site scene roerich art galary.........site scene in old manali.......back to hotel.
Drive to dharamshala .........stay in a good hotel .\
Site scene in dharamshala........back to chandigah......stay in chandigarh.........back to delhi . \
Rgds
Thanks
mike mike

chinmayie

That’s a nice plan mike … thanks!

I have a few questions though…

• Can you suggest me some good budget hotels in Chail, Vashist and Dharamsala? I want some old time guest houses. Nothing fancy at all.
• I have heard about some palace hotel in Naggar which is supposed to be great. Though it costs 1,500 (I guess) I would still like to do it for one night. Have u been there/heard about it?
• How far is Dharamsala from Manali area?
• I read a lot about Chandra tal. How difficult is the trek? Can it be reached by car?

Thank you

chinmayie

Can you also tell me how much it would cost for me to hire a Quails for a day?

smo

Qualis will be 1500 or 1600 per day.

__________________
India travel destinations

chinmayie

thank you smo.. haven't heard anything on some good budget hotels.. can anybody help me out plase..

smo

Dharamsala to Manali 242 Km

During this time better to spend more time in Manali than Shimla ( this is my choice ). The main attraction for my kids was the toy train from Kalka to Shimal and the journey from Shimla to Manali was excellent. Better start yearly in the morning from Shimla so you can enjoy the beauty of River, valley etc before the evening.
Any river side hotel is good at Manali.
I was at Dharmasala in Dec last year. For Rs 300 / day we got a good double bed room but in summer prices will be high. I will search for the hotel phone number. There are plenty of hotels near the bus stop.

On return you can come to Kangar ( 30 KM from Dharmasala ) and take the Kangra Valley train to Patankote. That is another hill train of HP. Pathankote to Delhi or you can take direct trains from there.