My Trip to North - Pls comment

Hi,

I have planned a trip up north this may. I will be leaving Bombay by Swaraj Express and reaching Jammu to complete Vaishnodevi Darshan. After that, I plan to take a bus from Jammu/Katra to Dalhousie (190kms). Spend 3 days in Dalhousie, take a bus to Dharamsala (6 hours approx), spend 3 days in Dharamsala and then take a bus to Amritsar to catch a train to Lucknow.

Now here is where i need assistance. If i were to come back to Pathankot from Dharamsala, i dont have many train options besides id have to travel backwards. Instead i thought i d go to Amritsar and take a train since there are plenty of options. My only request for info is bus / taxi service from Dharamsala to Amritsar. Apparently HRTC has one bus in the morning at 5 but im sure there must be other options !

Cheers
Vij

If you are planning to visit Amritsar only for the train options to Lucknow, then avoid ! Its easier to reach Pathankot from Kangra by the "toy train"(a wonderful experience, too!) and board an express late night from Pathankot to Lucknow.

Check trains between Chakki Bank and Lucknow on the IR website.

Shimla, thanks for your prompt reply. So is it easy getting to Chakkibank from Pathankot ? Cos most o the trains are late ni teh night and according to the railway time table, the distance is only 3 kms.
Pls advise !

Chakki Bank can be reached by a 10 min. ride in an auto or a tempo.

You may have to reach Chakki Bank station by 9.00p.m. or so and wait for the midnight train.

Shimla,

(1) is there no way i can confirm a seat on the kangra railway from kangra to pathankot ? how do i assure myself of that ?

(2) if you are saying i ll have to reach chakki by 9 ..isnt that like way early ? is the railway station big, well lit with book stalls etc ? or its a small desolate one ?

Cheers
Vij

vij4all,

1. There is no reservation to be had on the Kangra Railway, you buy a ticket just before your journey and board the train.

2. Chakki Bank is not too big a station, but is certainly well lit with waiting room and book stall. Its not desolate, either .

so Shimla, if i buy a ticket an hour before my journey from kangra to chakki or pathankot, will i have to stand/sit ? im ean if its going to be crowded with me and my wife having no chance of boarding the train or just standing in between crowds with our luggage, i might as well avoid it !

Are you on yahoo msngr ? add me . my id is vij4all

Cheers
Vij

Visit Palampur from Dharamsala, its just 35 kms. away and the tea gardens are lovely ! You should board the train at Palampur(Himachal) station, for Pathankot. You can easily get in with luggage.

No, I'm not on yahoo msgr ! I'll PM you my E-Mail ID, if you wish.