Armitsar and Shimla

Hi there,
been looking, but can't seem to work this one out.
Is it possible to travel easily between Armitsar and Shimla?

We have 3 weeks in India, and are doing Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, but would like to explore a wee bit further north, near the mountains. Any recommendations would be gratefully recieved.

Thanks everyone - this site is great!
Susie xx

Hi there,

Also....

Is Shimla to be recommended? We would like to see a wee bit of the mountains without travelling too far from Delhi.
Thanks Everyone!
Susie xx

Hi there

I'd thoroughly recommend trying out the mountains - my favourite bit of india.

Seeing as you don't have much time, and will be in Amritsar - I'd recommend going to Dharamsala - its much closer to Amritsar, and IMHO much nicer than Shimla. Shimla is very built up, up-market kind of destination, Dharmsala ranges from backpacker scruff to upmarket hotels, so plenty for everyone, with all the tibet side of things thrown in to colour things up.

You can take an overnight bus there from Delhi, or Amritsar. From amritsar its only about 6 hours or so by road.

hope this helps

I agree with Indyboy. You will not really miss much by not going to Shimla.

Dalhousie, Dharamshala are more enjoyable.

I think there is a bus service from Amritsar to Shimla.

I just have to stand up, once again, for the Shimla love. I enjoyed Shimla more than any other place I went in India. I loved the toy train, the people-watching, the food, everything about it. You can see my pictures of it at http://www.thirdreel.com/images/india/

If you can get from Amritsar to Kalka (just north of Chandigarh) you can take the toy train to Shimla. It's a five-hour ride full of breathtaking views. I definitely recommend it.

Decisions decisions! It's so hard. Unfortunately we only have three weeks in India. Flying into Kalkotta, train to Varanasi, Agra, Delhi, then Armitsar.
I thought seeing the mountains would make a nice contrast.
Thanks for all your suggestions - they really are appreciated.

You could almost gain a day by going direct from Agra to Amritsar, then to wherever and see Delhi at the end of the trip.

Train 8237 departs Agra Cant daily at 16:00 and gets to Amritsar at 08:40.

2A = Rs 1188
3A = Rs 762
SL = Rs 281

Do you think it would be possible to do a Delhi, Shimla, daramsala, Amritsar, Delhi loop in 12 days, with perhaps a stop or two in between?
Susie x

Yes, quite possible :

1. Day 0 - Delhi to Shimla. Travel from Delhi by overnight train and reach Shimla next morning at 10.00. Days 1 to 4 at Shimla.

2. Day 5 - Shimla to D'sala. Days 5 to 7 at D'sala.

3. Day 8 - D'sala to Amritsar. Days 8 to 10 at Amritsar.

4. Day 11 - Amritsar to Delhi. Days 11 and 12 at Delhi.

If you don't want to go too far from Delhi, Mussoorie is closer. We stayed there in April and loved it. Smaller than Simla with lovely walks and amazing views. It's the only place in India we've visited where there was absolutely no hassle from shopping touts or beggars.You can take the Shatabdi express from Delhi to Dehradun then take a car/taxi up to Mussoorie. There's also a bus. The Kasmanda Palace is excellent and reasonable but watch out for other hotels - they can be tacky.

We're visiting there again in April and will travel there from Amritsar - there's an overnight train to Dehradun.

Dear Susflows,
If you are NOT particular about a longer stay in Amritsar, perhaps, you may opt for a conducted tour organised by M/s.Southern Travels, which starts in Delhi>>Chandigarh>>>Shimla>>>D harmasala>>>Dalhousie>>Wagha Border>>>Amritsar>>>Delhi.
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@@@They have very beautiful conducted Tours and they also possess their own Hotel in Karol Bagh, New Delhi.
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V.Srinivasa Prasad
15.12.2005/12.30 hrs.