Manali only or Dharamshala too?

Here's my situation.

Tuesday, May 2: I intend to travel by rented car from Ludhiana (Punjab) to Manali. (Does anyone know approximately how long this will take?). Spend Tuesday night in Manali.

Wed, May 3: Spent in Manali.

Thurs, May 4: I'm debating whether I should spend a second day in Manali or drive to another town. Specifically, I was thinking of Dharamshala. How long does it take to go from Manali to Dharamshala? Is this advisable? I'd spend Thursday night in Dharamshala.

Friday, May 5: Need to return to Delhi from Manali/Dharamshala. I imagine this will take the entire day and am not sure how we're getting back.

If anyone can answer any of these questions, I'd be much obliged. Specifically, whether or not you recommend Manali-->Dharamshala given my limited time or just Manali.

Considering the very limited time at your disposal, I suggest your staying back at Manali for the second day too.

I would go a step ahead and suggest that you avoid Manali too, as it deserves more than a hit-and-run visit.

Save these gems of Himachal for a later trip, when you can devote more time.

Thanks, SHIMLA. What would you suggest I do then? Not go to Himachal at all? I'll be in Ludhiana on May 1st and after that will have until May 7th free. I love mountains and am not a fan of chaostic urban settings which is why I wanted to venture into Himachal.

Again - Himalayan mountains are not the same as plains. Is it not clear, I wonder?
There are many places around Manali, at least approches to Solang Nulla or retreat to Kullu bazzar or Naggar museum of Russian painter Roerich.
Many options.

I say go to Manali and stay there until you return to Delhi... find a cool place to stay there... (Vashisht is one option)... but there are many choices everywhere...and take some rides around the hills in a taxi or something or go on a short one-day trek.

OR... don't make a specific plan...

You can also be spontaneous... and decide to go to D'sala also... if you rent a taxi you can choose when to go, etc., although the price may be high ($70-100 US approx to D-sala) and Dharamsala-Delhi is around $100-120 US if I remember correctly. It's alot of driving... but there are great views so better you do it during the day. D-sala to Delhi might take around 12-14 hrs.

Well, now that you say you have 6 days, then you can visit Dharamsala. Make Dharamsala your base and see the nearby places like Mcleodganj, Bhagsu, Kangra, Jwalamukhi, Palampur and Baijnath. You'll have 5 days to do so, from May 2 to May 6. On May 6 evening leave for Pathankot by road and take an overnight train to Delhi. You'll need to book your train ticket rightaway.

Manali gets very crowded in the summer. I thought I would just mention it.

My Advice - Stay in Manali throughout. Period.
Reasons : Dharamshal dosn't come close to the beauty of the Kullu Valley.
and Secondly there are lot of things to do around Manali like
1. Take a cab /bus to Kothi, walk to the broken bridge over the Waterfall.
2. Take a cab /bus to Palchan (Whispering Rocks) and walk for 15 mins to the Gorge, to see a most spectacular waterfall.
3. Visit Nagar, Jakatsukh.
4. Visit Temples like Hadimba, Vashist
5. Drive to Rohtang Pass. and stop at Solang if you don't mind the crowds. Personally i avoid Rohtang, Solang because they are too crowded with trafic Jams for me.
6. YOu can Keep one day for Parvati Valley, Drive to Kasol, Manikaran.
7. You can go river rafting on Beas. The starting point is 5 kms before kullu when you are driving from Bhuntar.
So here i've set u up for a 7 day fun packed itenary, for Manali.

Styler

I would have 6 days IF I didn't go to Himachal and was asking you what I should do alternatively if I did not go into the mountains. If I decide to go into Himachal, I must follow the schedule in my first post.

Thanks for these suggestions, Styler. I'll look into them a lot more.

1.Traveling time from LUDHIANA to MANALI could be anywhere near 6-8 hrs.
2. There is no use of traveling from MANALI to DHARAMSHALA - it is long long travel and will take almost a day to reach.

PLACES AROUND MANALI are good but you have to keep traveling..steven is right...spare some time..and if you just wanna do toush-see-go then here is your option.

Day 1: Ludhiana to Manali-start as early as possible.
Day 2: Visiting Rohtang Pass and travel to Solang Valley-road turns from PALCHAN and this is mid-way.

Day3: Parvati Valley via BHUNTAR. Stay at KASOL or JARI-
Day4: Stay there
Day 5: Travel direct by boarding 2x2 bus from KULLU for DELHI

I'm sorry I misunderstood your post. Well, if you have just those two and half days(excluding travel) for Himachal, then I repeat my earlier suggestion of not going to either Manali or Dharamsala. What you can do is visit Rewalsar, which is approx. 250kms. from Ludhiana. You may stay at Rewalsar from May 2 afternoon to May 5 morning, when you can leave for Delhi.

I did the mistake of staying at overnite in Rewalser in Nov 05. It was a really bad experience. There is not a single decent hotel there.
I stayed in the HPTDC Hotel, and they changed my room 3 times as the bathrooms were bad and the flush would not work in any of the rooms.
AVOID Rewalsar for overnight Stays.

Then one can always make a night halt at Mandi.

Both are beautiful places, can't really compare the two.

If you want to visit the Lama's monastery - then u need to visit Dharamsala. Also, D'sala is warmer as the altitude is lower.