Himachal Pradesh Visit in Oct to Nov 2012

Hi All,

I am planning to visit Himachal Pradesh for 8-10 days during Sep 2012 to Dec 2012....I would like to visit Shimla, Kullu, Manali, Dalhousie and Dharamshala during it.I need some help from all you in deciding three main things...

1) Best time to visit( I would like to see snow if possible and I am ok for cold as well)
2) Places to see(You can definitely suggest me nice places to see based on which I can start my itineary)
3) Travel through package or own(Since it will be my sis and myself, I would prefer anything that's comfortable journey).

Request you all to please help me out and one imp thing I will be travelling from bangalore...

Thanks in advance.....

Dear Sejal,
Pls tell us how many days exactly you have in hand from dilli. Also what is your budget, kind of accomodation you need. And would suggest you to study map of HP.

I guess from delhi you can easily say around 7-8days...

If you want snow, december is the month you should visit.
You will find snow in manali itself in dec. In my opinion, you wont be able to visit all the places you wish to. So choose only two places -(i shall recommend manali & palampur) due to snow travelling becomes difficult.

Hey I would also like to do some adventure sports like skiing...so is december ideal time for it and which place in himachal helps in doing it.

i think skiing is available in solang valley. Pls confirm. It is at half an hour distance by auto from manali.

Gudh - Manali offers maximum chances of being on snow (and not only seeing snow) without trekking. Solang is at 2400m, where it starts snowing somewhere in December (dates and amounts cannot be predicted). It has paragliding and other adventure activities but skiing is dependent on snow conditions. Safest bet is January, but sometimes late December is also good. In any season you will be able to walk on snow at Rohtang a 50 km drive from Manali. If you can trek a bit then snow is available in any season, climbing 10-15 km from places like Solang / Dharamsala.

Places to visit around Shimla: Kufri, Naldehra (Picnic Spot around 2kms walk from Naldehra), Tatapani (For River Rafting). Indian Institute of Advanced Studies, Summer Hill. People will suggest Chail too but It was not good as others.
Places to visit around Manali: Rohtang Pass - You will definitely find snow there but don't know if it will be open at that time.
Gulbaga - On Way to Rohtang. Popular for good views. There are chances that you will find snow there.

Places to visit around Dalhousie: Khajiiar (Mini Switzerland), Chamba.
Places to visit around Dharamshala: Mcleodganj - You will find waterfall there..
Guides are available on all these destinations.

Hey Gudh!

I am travelling solo to Dalhousie and Khajjiar via Pathankot (by train from New Delhi) during the middle of August 2012. Thereafter, me and my wife also have a tentative programme (not finalised as yet) for visiting Dalhousie during Diwali-holidays in November. If you so choose, you can join us and we can share a joint-itinerary till Dalhousie and Khajjiar from where you may proceed further while we return home.

Once finalised, our itinerary would be as follows:
1. We shall take an overnight train and reach Pathankot or Chakki Bank by early morning (between 6 am and 8 am) on Day 1. From Pathankot/Chakki Bank as be it, we shall proceed to Dalhousie which is a 2 - 2.5 hour journey. We may share a cab here if you join us on this tour.

2. Day 1 night halt at Dalhousie. From here, we shall be proceeding to Khajjiar next morning and halt in Khajjiar for two nights. Khajjiar is just some way off from Dalhousie, and if need be we can share transport here too.

3. We shall return from Khajjiar to Dalhousie next day, while you should proceed to McLeodganj from Khajjiar. Our night halt would be at Dalhousie while you proceed to McLeodganj.

4. From Dalhousie, we shall return to Delhi via the same Pathankot or Chakki Bank route by train. You should spend two nights in McLeodganj and thereafter proceed to Manali.

5. One night in Manali would be enough I guess for this time of the year, as Rohtang Pass is more likely to be closed to tourists then (please check with other IMer's for correct position).You are better off in not visiting the hot-springs of Kullu lol.

6. From Manali, you should proceed to Shimla where you may spend upto 3 nights and visit places like Chail, Naldhera, Kufri etc. which others have written about. Stay at a hotel on the Mall Road, Shimla for maximum entertainment, as the night life of Shimla is just unparalleled.

7. Next you may catch a volvo from Shimla to Delhi, and catch your train/flight from Delhi. Alternately, you may alight at Chandigarh, spend a night or two there and see places like Rose Garden,Rock Garden, Pinjore Garden etc., before boarding your train from Chandigarh, if available.

Please note that we may spend more time in Dalhousie and Khajjiar once a concrete picture comes before us regarding holidays available then, of which I shall let you know later, if you are interested in doing the Dalhousie-Khajjiar leg of your journey jointly with us.

Thanks.

Thanks everyone for wonderful replies... I am just trying to get some exact dates approval for leaves and once done I will be starting building itineray......

Hi All,

Guys my leaves are approved from 20th oct 2012 to 4th nov 2012.......... I can now start planning for my trip. Actually you know what I was thinking is If I can go to thailand for 7-8 days in oct and then remaining at my native for some function.....