Travel tips for foggy Punjab in December

kshastry

Hi folks,

We (Me and my wife) will be visiting Punjab (Chandigarh and Amritasar) during the Christmas holidays. We have never been to this part of the country. We have 5 days at our disposal. Please advise us about the must see places. This is how I have drawn the schedule.

DAY 1 - Chandigarh (Rock Garden / Rose Garden)
Day 2 - Amritsar (Golden Temple / Jalianwala bagh)
Day 3 - Amritsar (Wagha border)
Day 4 - ???
Day 5 - ???

Also,

1. How would December weather affects the travel and daily life in Punjab? Does it result in closures of certain places?
2. Can we consider the idea of taking the toy train (Shimla-Kalka) during winter? Will the views be good? Will the train be running? If yes, how far ahead we need to make the advance booking? Can this be a day trip?
3. If toy train doesn't work, I want to go to Malana in HP Can that be squeezed in this schedule?

thanks,

kshastry

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OrangeStreet

DAY 1 - Amritsar (Wagha Border, Golden temple, Jalianwala Bagh etc)
Day 2 - Chandigarh (Rock garden, Rose Garden, Pinjore Garden, Mohali etc)
Day 3 & 4 - Parwanoo, Solan, Kalka
Day 5 - Shimla and back to Chd
Also,

1. How would December weather affects the travel and daily life in Punjab? Does it result in closures of certain places?

Not really. Can get really cold in Amritsar, Shimla etc but no closures I would say.

2. Can we consider the idea of taking the toy train (Shimla-Kalka) during winter? Will the views be good? Will the train be running? If yes, how far ahead we need to make the advance booking? Can this be a day trip?

It will have to be more than a day trip if you plan to spend some time in Shimla. You can book well in advance through irctc.co.in
Trains run all through the year on kalka-Shimla Route. Excellent views and one of the heritage railways in the world now. Definitely worth the time and effort.

3. If toy train doesn't work, I want to go to Malana in HP Can that be squeezed in this schedule?

Malana is way too far for a 1-2 day trip. You can visit places like Chail, Kufri, Fagu, Narkanda etc which arent too far from Shimla

kshastry

Thanks OrangeStreet, much appreciated.

Can you explain a bit more about Day 3&4 (Parwanoo, Solan, Kalka)? What is there to see at these places.

I am actually flying into Chandigarh. So, I can't begin my trip at Amritsar. This is what I am planning now.

Day 1 - Chandigarh (leave to Kalka same evening. Overnight at Kalka)
Day 2 - Take morning train to Simla. Rest of the day at Simla.
Day 3 - Spend day time in Simla. Leave to Amritsar via Chandigarh in the evening.
Day 4 - Amritsar
Day 5 - Amritsar, leave overnight to Delhi to fly back home next day.

I guess I still need to plan it better. Any help is appreciated.

OrangeStreet

Parwanoo is a small town with loads of natural beauty. There is a very nice resort called Timber Trail.. You can spend some time there.

http://www.timbresort.com/resort/index.htm

Kalka - You will pass it when you go to shimla so I think its covered.

You can try and go to rewalsar lake near mandi if you have the time, its worth a visit. Its far from Chd tho about 225 Kms.

Other places to visit are Kasauli (51 kms from Chd) etc. Google for them or search this forum, you'll find loads of info.

http://www.kasauliresort.com/

puchoo

i would suggest that you skip Parwanoo , Kalka and Solan all together and go straight upto Shimla and get an additional day there...or skip Shimla and go to Kasauli instead...

Solan is just a dirty crowded town as is Kalka and Parwanoo. Timber trail is in the general district but actually a good a distance away from the main town hence more secluded..but you will essentially be now where - you cna always stop for la meal , snacks on your way up to Shimla , or Kasauli and see the resort..

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shere

Kasauli is a better more relaxing option than Chandigarh. There is very little of interest in Chandigarh. Just big concrete blocks everywhere.