Manali to Dharamsala

I need to get from Manali to Dharamsala in the most direct route, can anyone help. Is there anywhere to stay along the way that is OK for a night?

There are lots of buses from Manali / Kullu to Dharamsala. The journey is about 6 to 7 hrs.

Mandi en route is a good place to break journey and halt for the night.

I would say break the journey & stop overnight at Mandi the Raj Mahal is a nice raj era hotel to stay at. You can get a local bus from Mandi please don't be tempted to get a nighttime tourist videobus from Manali or you will miss all the stunning scenery of the kangra valley. kk

The Silver Oaks Tourist Resort at Palampur was a very nice place to stay,and about half way from memory.We drove through Mandi on the way there,and it certainly looked like a nice place as well.

Here's a pic taken from the Silver Oaks.

Thanks everyone for all your ideas, have stayed at Raj Mahal a few times, old favourite, will check out the Silver Oaks though!

Palampur is just 35 kms. before Dharamsala, as you approach from Mandi.

Yes,I had forgotten it was so far along the Manali/McLeod Ganj route but in my defence it was four years ago.I guess I should also qualify that the Silver Oaks was a nice place to stay back then,but maybe someone else can vouch for it from a more recent stay.