Narkanda and Beyond: Chakrata to Fagu/Shimla via Tuini-Hatkoti-Kharapathar

abc_xyz

hi Guys
I am planning to do the following route starting 22nd Dec '07.

22nd Dec/Chandigarh - Mussoorie - Chakrata - Tuini - Hatkoti - Kharapathar - Theog - Fagu - Shimla - Chandigarh/27th Dec.

How is the weather and what is the road condition like from Chakrata to Theog? How much distance is it? (In KM and Hrs). Which other places will fall on the way? Chopal?

If do-able, what all precautions do we need to take? We are travelling by car.
Are there any good places to stay in Theog? (Fagu/Narkanda is all booked)

If possible, can anyone please provide a detailed map of the region?

Thank you

machadinha

Can we therefore assume all your previous travel plans that people spent their good time on have fallen through, or what's going on?

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abc_xyz

Oh, what am I smelling? Can a member not have change of plans or seek advice for a backup plan?
We wanted to see snow and stay in Narkanda/Fagu but all the hotels are booked for the weekend. So, instead of roaming around in crowded Shimla on the weekend, I am planning to include other places as It will keep us on our toes and by the time we reach Fagu/Narkanda, the accomodation is available.
I wish to book Fagu (Peach Blossom)/Narkanda (Hatu) for 25th Dec onwards so needed some advice if it is do-able (I can reach in time).

Let me ask you. what made you post your comments? I am taking off too much of IM's server space or other member's time? I am hoping to gather as much info as possible and then post my trip details for the benefit of everyone.
But times sure have changed since IM got commercialized. Long Live Mike (The Big Paneer).

machadinha

Yes, thanks. You've been here since this Dec. Care to disclose who you were before?

The latter, mostly, yes. You've been mighty active on some previous queries. Now to see a 180 degrees turn had me wondering. I thought I might ask about it, like any fellow member might.

btw If IM got commercialized I guess I should be checking my accounts. Hold on a second. pps Your contiguous threads have been merged.

rishabh6296

there is less snow in manali but plenty in solang valley,kothi etc. so even if you go to manali there wouldnt be lack of snow.

Papaji

Have you seen this link before...? the itinerary suggested here is quite similar to what you have in mind..

chakrata_full_details.zip

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DH Lawrence

abc_xyz

Papa Ji, Tusi Great Ho ! Hop Ho ! Pop Ho !:-)
Thank you very much for the file. It has loads of useful info I've been looking for.
I am leaving in a day. Will be back with loads of pics, logs and info. Take care.

Dilliwala

a to z,

Maybe I'm too late, but why are u all going from Chandigarh to Muss? As I recall, u said your family members are coming from the South - it wud be much simpler for them to arrive at Dehradun, and for u to join them there, if u are up North. Unless they already have train-tickets to Chd and those can't be changed. But u mentioned driving a Maruti, so I'm not sure where the driving starts. Otherwise Roorkee is the common point for 2 highways in the vicinity.

Read my posts on Chakrata for some pertinent bits of info (do a search). If u need any clarifs let me know.

1. When going from Muss to Chakrata, on NO account shud u take the road via Kalsi, it is a sheer waste of time being stuck in the one-way system - 2 hours if your timing is off. Take the back-road that goes via Yamuna Pul and Nagthat. It'll be slower, there are a few potholes, but generally traffic-free and no other problems.

2. There are a few bad spots between Chakrata and Tiuni, but after that to Arakot-Sawra(1 km before Hatkoti)-Kharapatthar-Thiog the road is ok - buses from HP to UA and back go that way. M800 won't have any probs. Just keep an eye out for snow in the vicinity of Chakrata (for the time being, no more snow has been recorded in the Muss-Chakrata belt).

3. I can't work out the distance right now, I'll do it later in the day. Meanwhile u can buy the Nest and Wing map of UA which will be useful.

Dilliwala

Mussoorie-Chakrata -- 75 km
Chakrata-Tiuni -- 68 km
Tiuni-Sawra -- 29 km

abc_xyz

Hi Dilliwala
I am back from the trip. It was the most amazing trips of my life. Had loads of fun.
I never mentioned I had a Maruti 800. Yes, I have a small car i.e. Daewoo Matiz and is a lot more ahead of the word 'comfortable' and of course 'powerful' (It's mine).
Well ! I guess now I am in a more accurate and confident position to provide info on this route regarding roads, accommodation options, (delicious) eating joints (did someone mention eat what you get?) , what do to, where to get stuff from etc. I will be pasting the info in the coming days as I just came back last nite and got to go to work in sometime.

Also, my brother was coming till Ambala. As of now I am in Chandigarh myself. I drove till Ambala and then till somewhere midway on the Yamunanagar road and then took a left turn to the Nahan - Kala Amb road (one of my fav roads).

Mr Mod, Can we change that semicolon in the title to a colon? Just that I find semicolons out of proportion.

Dilliwala

Oh, u mentioned 800 cc in #1 so I naturally assumed (erroneously I note) that it was a Maruti.

Waiting for your report. A few Q's too, depending on your route.

sharad

Please be cautious while taking that route because there is literally no road after recent landslides in April second week. Also the road is narrow (barely 5 feets at some places) and challenging definitely not for the faint hearted. I recently drove on that route using a Maruti Gypsy even that seemed to loose steam on the track. Once u cross deoban the roads are tormenting till u reach Himachal.


Sharad