Delhi-Agra-Shimla-Manali Travel Itinerary Advice needed

yashbapu

After reading a lot of threads on this forum and elsewhere on the net I have decided the itinerary of my Delhi-Agra-Shimla-Manali trip in February.

Here's my planned itinerary

Day 1 (12/2/2009)

Catch Flight from Mumbai Airport to Delhi
Reach Delhi at 8:45 AM and go to Ginger Hotel through prepaid taxi. Check into hotel at 11:00 AM.
Go for Sightseeing by Hired Car. Night at Ginger hotel.

Day 2 (13/2/2009)

Morning after breakfast, check out put the luggage in locker room and go for sightseeing by hired car. Evening 6:00 PM pickup luggage from hotel and go to New Delhi Railway Station at 6:15 PM.
Catch train for Agra Cantt at 6:40 PM. 2616/G T EXPRESS.
Reach Agra Cantt at 9:45 PM. Check in Hotel Kamal.
Night at hotel Kamal.

Day 3 (14/2/2009)

Early morning visit Taj Mahal, come back to hotel, have breakfast and check out. Keep luggage in hotel and go for Agra sightseeing either by a tourist bus or hired car/taxi.
Evening 5:00 PM return to hotel, pick up luggage and go to Agra Cantt station to catch train for Delhi.
Catch train for Delhi at 5:55 PM. 2137/PUNJAB MAIL.
Reach Delhi at 9:15 PM and check in to Hotel Vivek. Night at Hotel Vivek.

Day 4 (15/2/2009)

After breakfast go to Delhi Sightseeing in hired car/tourist bus.
Return to hotel at around 7:00 PM. Have dinner, check out and go to Old Delhi Railway station (DLI) at 9:15 PM. Catch train at 9:40 PM for Kalka. 2311/HWH DLI KLK MAI.
Night in train.

Day 5 (16/2/2009)

Reach Kalka early morning at 4:40 AM. Take train for Shimla at 5:30 AM. 241/SHIVALK DLX EXP.
Reach Shimla at 10:30. Go to hotel and check in. After lunch and rest go to Mall Road for shopping.
Night at hotel.

Day 6 (17/2/2009)

After breakfast, go to Kufri, Fagu by tourist bus/tax/hired car and back to hotel in the evening. Night at hotel.

Day 7 (18/2/2009)

After breakfast check out and catch bus for Manali. Whole day in bus. Reach Manali in the evening and check into hotel.
Night at the hotel.

Day 8 (19/2/2009)

After breakfast, Manali sightseeing by bus/tax/car. Night at the hotel.

Day 9 (20/2/2009)

After breakfast visit Rohtang Pass, Solang Valley.
If like the place then extend stay and spend night at the hotel.
OR
Leave for Delhi by sleeper Volvo.

Day 10 (21/2/2009)

If in Manali, local sightseeing, free time. At night catch bus for Delhi
If in Delhi, Check into hotel in the morning and museum visit. Night at the hotel.

Day 11 (22/2/2009)

If coming from Manali, check into hotel Vivek for a few hours, get fresh, relax and visit a couple of places in Delhi. Check out at 4:00 PM and head to New Delhi Railway Station. Catch train for Mumbai 2952/MUMBAI RAJDHANI.

Day 12 (23/2/2009)

Arrive at Bombay Central at 8:30 AM.



Now I need advice from other members of this forum on the following -

1. Is it possible to visit Kullu en route to Manali from Shimla? How should I go from Shimla to Kullu to Manali in a single day? Is it possible?

2. How good is hotel Vivek? I called them and tried to book a room thorugh email. They said it is booked but they haven't taken any payment from me. I insisted on making advance payment but they refused. I am skeptical as to will I get a room when I reach there?

3. How should I plan my sight seeing in Delhi, Agra, Shimla and Manali? Should I hire a car to go around or take a tourist bus? My plan is to hire a car for Delhi sightseeing because I want to visit a lot of Museums in Delhi which I believe most of the bus operatos will be skipping.

4. Should I stay 2 nights in Manali or 3 nights? How many days are required to visit Manali?

My plan from Shimla to Delhi is quite flexible. I haven't decided on hotels, etc for Shimla and Manali. Rest everything is all finalized and train, hotel bookings have been made. Any suggestions for hotels and sightseeing in Shimla and Manali will be welcome.

Hope you guys will share some valuable advice.