Manali hot air balloon & other questions

Hi,

We are planning to go to Simla & Manali in Aug 2nd week for abt 5 to 6 days. We were thinking of going from Delhi to Simla in volvo bus and then to Manali & back to Delhi. Need help on below info:
1. Is it better to go on personal plan or would a package tour be good
2. In Manali there is some hot air baloon flight option. Has anyone tried it? will it be operational in august? any reviews?

3. Instead of hiring a car from Delhi for the duration, we were thinking of going in volvo and hiring car locally if needed. Is this ok? Would we need car/taxi for local sight seeing in Simla or Manali? if not what is the gernal mode of travel there?
4. What is best mode of travel from simla to manali? any volvos?
5. what is best way to return from manali to delhi?
6. are over night journey from delhi to simla & simla to manali & manali to delhi ok?

thanks for all suggestions !

As far as hot air ballooning is concerned, I did that in August 2004 on my way to Soland from Manali. Not sure if they still operate. Havent been to solang since then. There is a small valley on the way to Solang and thats where they used to operate from. These guys were an adventure group who have head offices in Siri Fort, New Delhi.

The feeling was great. Hot air balloon was tied from all four sides (had four ropes going down holding it back) as there are huge moutains all around and chances of getting stuck in a tree were very prominent otherwise.

1. Is it better to go on personal plan or would a package tour be good

Plan yourself. You have more flexibility that way and more options. Most travel agents usually choose hotels/travel mode etc basis how much profit they will make and not really based on comfort or convenience for the buyers like you and me.


3. Instead of hiring a car from Delhi for the duration, we were thinking of going in volvo and hiring car locally if needed. Is this ok? Would we need car/taxi for local sight seeing in Simla or Manali? if not what is the gernal mode of travel there?

Yes you will need taxi/cab in Manali and Shimla for sight seeing. There are state-run buses as well but they are usually in shoddy condition.

4. What is best mode of travel from simla to manali? any volvos?

No Volvo's. Best mode of Transport is a cab or your own car.

5. what is best way to return from manali to delhi?

Volvo is comfortable and economic. Taxi is most convenient.

6. are over night journey from delhi to simla & simla to manali & manali to delhi ok?

yes, very safe relatively. Lot of traffic going towards Shimla and Manali everyday so the roads are in good condition all year round, plenty of restaurants all the way, mechanics etc too.

thank you Orange street for reply !

We (2 of us on honeymoon trip) will reach delhi by flight at 1pm afternoon on 13 aug & we have time till 21 aug morning. Which is the best option:
Taxi from delhi for the trip (delhi --> simla --> manali --> delhi) or
(Bus from delhi to manali) + (taxis at simla for simla & manali) + (Manali to Delhi bus)?

If taxi for the trip:
a) do we need an ac car in aug?
b) when is it good to start from delhi to simla? 13 after noon or 13 night?
c) how much will be approx cost of taxi cab for these days? any advantages that we can expect by hiring for this long duration?
d) any good operator who is reliable and has good know how about these places?

saw the forum, there are lot of folks who have planned.. but any good iternary that you feel will be great for the duration and season?

a) From delhi to shimla, you will need ac. Similarily when you get off the hills and come back in plains on your way back, you'll need ac again.

b) Better to start in the afternoon. You'll reach shimla by 10 pm and will have the entire night to relax. The heat in the day can be killing but the AC cab will take care of that.

c) You can go to Shimla by volvo bus if you want. Then hire a cab for local travel. Go to manali via cab. Use cab in manali for travel and then take a volvo back from Manali to Delhi. You can also hire a cab from delhi. I think it would be about 7/km for an AC car like Wagon R. You'll only need AC for about 2 days, so negotiate accordingly.

d) I dont have any references to give for an operator. I either fly or take a bus so cant help you there.

I dunt know if you have already planned the trip but i am also on a honeymoon trip around same time...27jul to 3rd aug...and my itenary is below..

delhi --> simla by train(kalka mail till kalka and toy train till simla)
simla --> local sightseeing is not fixed by me as I feel manali needs more time and hence its just a day's rest and here and there.
simla --> manali HPTDC bus...
Manali--> rohtang by HPTDC bus (sightseeing)
Manali--> manikaran by HPTDC bus (sightseeing)
Manali--katrain
katrain - manali and to delhi by hi-tech volvo..

this is my plan and is cost effective and day saving...let me know your plan....

I am planning for later in August. Following is my plan:
Day 1: Delhi to Simla by overnight bus
Day 2: Reach Simla, local sight seeing
Day 3: Hire cab(for 4 days) from Simla --> Kufri --> Overnight at Chail
Day 4: Chail --> Katrain --> Overnight halt at Katrain
Day 5: Katrain --> Naggar --> Manikaran --> Overnight at Katrain
Day 6: Katrain --> Rothang pass --> Solong Valley-->Send off cab --> Overnight at Solong Valley
Day 7: Solong Valley --> Manali --> Overnight at Manali
Day 8: Manali (start evening) to Delhi by overnight bus


Few doubts I have:
1. Should I advance book a hotel in Simla or can I search there itself? Which is a good hotel for 1000 to 1500 budget?
2. How much will be approx cost for Non AC car for 4 days hire [day 3 to day 6] for above iternary? What are all the costs that I need to clarify while booking car (per km, driver charges, return charges, permits, overnight charges.. what else?)?
3. Since we will have a car, we were thinking of going on a scenic route which was recommended in one of the posts here - Simla to Manali via Narkanda, Ani, Jalori Pass and Aut taking abt 10 hrs. Please let me know if this is worth and if road conditions are good.
4. Should I advance book a hotel in Solong Valley or can I search there itself? Which is a good hotel for 1000 budget?
5. Will I get local transport from Solong valley to Manali? any problems there?
6. Should I advance book a hotel in Manali or can I search there itself? Which is a good hotel for 1000 to 1500 budget?
7. Any suggestions to iternary?