Amritsar-Shimla-Dharamsala, in three weeks is this possible?

Juggles

Hi,

I'm planning to go to India and intending to fly to Amritsar, then go to Shimla then onto Dharamsala and back to Amritsar for the flight back to London.

I was wondering if this is a realistic itinerary or should I miss out one of the town visit. Does anyone have any suggestion for places to visit, ways of travelling to these towns.

Also I was wondering if before going to Shimla is it worth spending a night or two at Chandigarh.

All recommedations will be greating appreicatied.

Thank you

kullukid

Personally i'd do it the other way round. You could take a bus or train from Amritsar to Pathankot, Then take a bus to Dharamsala/Mcleod Ganj spend 4-5 days in Mcleod then take a bus to Mandi spend 1 night there then head to close by Rewalsar Lake for 2-3 days(1hr by bus from Mandi)then take a bus to Shimla & spend 3-4 days then take the toy train & taxi preferably or bus to Kasauli for 2 days then head back to Amritsar via Chandigarh IMHO Chandigarh is just a big city,somewhere to pass through in transit. Take a look at my post on this link where you'll find my photo's of Rewalsar Lake & Padmasambhava's caves.
Aug/Sept - 2 months in North West India Itinerary advice please
KK

anar

chandigarh is not just any big city - it is unlike any other city in india, designed by le corbusier at pt. nehru's behest. wikipedia explains it better than i ever could:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chandigarh

i spent two interesting days there at the end of my month in himachal pradesh in may this year.

kullukid

[quote=anar;565634]chandigarh is not just any big city
QUOTE]

Well IMHO it is. Corbusier's architecture is terrible! IMHO KK

Juggles

Kullu Kid

Thanks for the advice, I will definately be adding Rewalsar Lake to the trip.

I have been trying to find accomdation in these locations but not too sure what to go for, as there's alot of choice, can you help.

Cheers

kullukid

I never usually book accomo in advance,but yes I can recommend places to stay depending on what your budget is & what time of year you are going?????? KK

Juggles

KK,

I am planning to go either in June or July, I have a medium size budget.

Also is it best to exchange money here or over in India. Is it easy to book train/bus tickets?

Cheers

kullukid

Hi Juggles,You can not get Rupees in the U.K. although i heard you can from Heathrow???? I would suggest changing some at the airport in Amritsar. This is monsoon season,not the best time to visit the mountains, it will be very wet & misty in the hills. However, here's a good variety of accomo in the places you'd like to visit.
In Amritsar Mrs Bhandaris GH is a good option, it's in a quiet setting away from the hustle & bustle around the Golden Temple & there is a swimming pool in the grounds. Ask for a room in the older part which is very olde worlde with bits of art deco in the rooms. I paid about RS1000inc with a bit of haggling.

http://www.ashextourism.com/hotelsre...guesthouse.htm

http://bhandari_guesthouse.tripod.com/

Try & visit the Temple during the day & again at night when it's all lit-up.
Then you have a choice of bus,train or taxi to Pathankot, about 3hrs from Pathankot you can take a local bus to Dharamsala, if you come by train you can take a rickshaw to the bus stand there is no need to book the bus & they are regular. The other alternative is a toy train to Kangra nr D'sala then bus or taxi to D'sala, but this takes much longer & it's not the most exciting toy train route i've done in India, you're probably best waiting & doing the one from Shimla.
From D'sala bus stand you can take another bus 20-30mns to Mcleod Ganj or a taxi 15mns.
In Mcleod there is every type of acommo you could imagine.In the last 2 yrs i've stayed at a budget place called Seven Hills GH on Tipa road for 2-300Rs depending on season. It's basic but in a nice setting just 5mins up from the main street, with a small restaurant & internet facilities. In previous yrs i've stayed 20 mins walk (5-10 by rick) at Bhagsu at the Seven Seas GH, these rooms are much nicer with large bathroom & own balcony & nice rooftop restaurant for Rs3-400. Bhagsu is a nice place but there's more of a "Hippy feel" than staying in Mcleod where there is a lot more to see & do.
If you want to go upmarket in Mcleod then a nice mid range choice is Pema Thang's Guest House is good in a quiet location with a wonderful restaurant. Or if you want to go really upmarket try Chonor House. http://wikitravel.org/en/Dharamsala
From Mcleod you can take a local bus or taxi to Mandi around 5hrs which was once the capital of Himachal Pradesh. I like to stay at the "Olde Worlde" Raj Mahal which is run by the former Royal family of Mandi. rooms are from around Rs800 http://www.rajmahalpalace.com/index.html
Try & take a walk around the town & go for a walk down by the river where you will see some old Hindu Temples (there are over 100 small Temples in Mandi.
From Mandi take a local bus (1hr) to Rewalsar Lake. I like to stay at a GH which is part of a Tibetan Temple just through the gates to the Lake area on your right, you can't miss it. from here you have wonderful views over the lake, but it is basic at RS2-250. Be sure to take a bus up the hill RS8 to Padmasamhava's Caves one day for some wonderful views of the high Himalaya's.
From Rewalsar you would need to take a bus back to Mandi bus stand where you can cath the bus to Shimla 5-6hrs.
In Shimla there is no shortage of acommo & you will be hassled by hotel touts when you get off the bus. To avoid this & a verreee steeep verreeee looong walk up hill take a taxi to the lift which brings you out half way up the mall. If you want budget accomo then the YMCA is good Rs300. This August I was there with my wife & decided to splash out for a few days so we stayed at Woodville Palace another Olde Worlde Heritage Hotel owned by a Maharaja with tigers heads on the walls & the Bis!
We paid about Rs7000 for the pair of us for two nts inc a wonderful buffet b'fast & buffet eve meal.
From Shimla take the toy train (not to be missed!!) towards Kasauli a beautiful car free village in a woodland setting. I think the best station to depart from the train & take a bus or taxi to Kasauli is Parwanoo??? Stay at Ros common GH.
From here it's around 2hrs to Chandigarh where you can make a connection back to Amritsar.
Hope this helps. KK

Juggles

KK

Thanks for the suggestions, it all sounds good. Do you think that it would be better to travel in April or May to avoid the monsson?

kullukid

Yes April or May would be nice weather in H.P. but it would be a bit sticky in Amritsar. September is also a nice time to be in the mountains & Amritsar. KK