Northward from Delhi

unoczar · 21st June 2011, 22:08

Hi Friends.

I'm flying to Delhi in the last week of july for some work. Traveling with my wife only.

i have about 4 free days in which i would like to go up north, target may be -- chandertal lake(not more) and 2 days only relax.

I don't have a car or any other vehicle. Budget is not much that i can hire a taxi all the way. Now, how to do this?

So, i request for some expert opinion from all you guys.

1. Travel (Delhi to kullu/manali and then upwards?)
2. Accomodation (in kullu/manali and up there too)
3. Food etc (shouldnt be of much concern)

phamilyman · 21st June 2011, 22:32

You need 1.5 days just for reaching Chandertal even with driving like a maniac.

You cannot reach that far. You may be better suited to hang around for Manali, or aronud Chitkul. Its a good route to take for Chitkul.

Poitive · 22nd June 2011, 01:47

Talking of relaxing, you should be looking at places like Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Mukhteshwar, Naukucheatal-Bhimtal, Kasauli and the likes which would take 8-10 hours to reach by car. Besides the above and Kullu-Manali, Dalhousie (about 11-12 hours) is a good option too.

If you like to be in a busier place, consider the usual Simla, Mussourie, Nainital etc.

sudev · 22nd June 2011, 05:20

Take night train to either Kalka or Kathgodam. Take taxi to near by places. Relax for three whole days. Take train back.

Train because it will save you time - travel while you are sleeping. ALternate is sleeper Volvo's.

Kalka - Nearby Kasauli, Shimla peripherals, Chail, Kufri, Narkanda

Kathgodam - Nearby Nanital, Pangot, Naukucheatal, Bhimtal

Take your pick. To add more to confusion you can consider night train to Jammu and do quick circuit of Vaishno Devi, Palampur and Dharamsala.

unoczar · 22nd June 2011, 08:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by sudev

ALternate is sleeper Volvo's.

Hmmmm.... how about volvo to manali , and then hire a bike? How's that for adventure. This will eat up my 2 days easily, rest i can come back n relax near manali. What say fellas?

hvkumar · 22nd June 2011, 10:01

I think the overnight Volvo bus to Manali is a good idea, you should have a whole day at your disposal on arrival at Manali. If you have 2 days with you, you can do a quick ride to Chandra tal assuming you have some place to stay at Chandra tal, Chhatru, etc.

rkbharat · 22nd June 2011, 10:05

chandertal is unreachable even on foot, 3 days back a doctor friend had to turn back, he is now doing Pin Valley and other places instead

hvkumar · 22nd June 2011, 10:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkbharat

chandertal is unreachable even on foot, 3 days back a doctor friend had to turn back, he is now doing Pin Valley and other places instead

Any news when it will open?
unoczar is travelling only in July.

ranjitp1 · 22nd June 2011, 10:59

Volvo to Manali is a good option,the only problem is that the Volvos take close to 15-16hours on the road out of which close to 8-10 hours is high intensity ghat sections,so please bear in mind this aspect.The other option is to take the Shatabdi to Chandigarh and then take a bus to Manali,stress factor would be less.

IIRC,HPTDC used to operate Volvos from Chandigarh & Kalka stations to coincide with the Paschim Express & the Shatabdi Express arrivals,however those services were to Shimla,I am sure there must be something to Manali as well.

unoczar · 22nd June 2011, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkbharat

chandertal is unreachable even on foot, 3 days back a doctor friend had to turn back, he is now doing Pin Valley and other places instead

What could be the reason, natural or otherwise?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Any news when it will open?
unoczar is travelling only in July.

Ya, i'm going in July last week, how do we find out about the access to the lake? I hope HPTDC office will be of some help when i reach, but prior info would be of much help.

hvkumar · 22nd June 2011, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by ranjitp1

Volvo to Manali is a good option,the only problem is that the Volvos take close to 15-16hours on the road out of which close to 8-10 hours is high intensity ghat sections,so please bear in mind this aspect.The other option is to take the Shatabdi to Chandigarh and then take a bus to Manali,stress factor would be less.

IIRC,HPTDC used to operate Volvos from Chandigarh & Kalka stations to coincide with the Paschim Express & the Shatabdi Express arrivals,however those services were to Shimla,I am sure there must be something to Manali as well.

My son who travelled in a Volvo from Manali to Delhi reported that many fell sick simply by seeing other passengers throw up!!! Imagine all this in a closed-window Volvo!

unoczar · 22nd June 2011, 11:10

I do have some resistance against those things(and both of us can handle it), but this is not helping.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

My son who travelled in a Volvo from Manali to Delhi reported that many fell sick simply by seeing other passengers throw up!!! Imagine all this in a closed-window Volvo!

Ewww!

ranjitp1 · 22nd June 2011, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

My son who travelled in a Volvo from Manali to Delhi reported that many fell sick simply by seeing other passengers throw up!!! Imagine all this in a closed-window Volvo!

Yes exactly,so true.Thats what happens in the Shimla & Manali Volvos all the while.I once spoke to a driver at Manali who does Manali-Delhi and he was telling me he is fed up doing the route,because every 10-20mins he gets requests for Throw-Up stops from the passengers which invariably takes a hit on his average speeds.Apple Juice is the only saviour in those parts since it contains an acidity regulator that keeps people from throwing up.

sudev · 22nd June 2011, 12:41

Interesting tip ranjitp1

My whole idea of not proposing Manali was the time it take by road and with limited time at hand this is last thing you want to waste. But hey hiring bikes at end of the journey throws up interesting possibilities. (throw up pun intended in view of other posts). Hire and tour less travelled area of Tirthan valley and may be even alternate route to Bilaspur over the old pass.

There are simply too many possibilities and it all depends on you and your companion to decide. I always look for road less travelled and explore my way.

rkbharat · 22nd June 2011, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Any news when it will open?
unoczar is travelling only in July.

No exact dates, but do not expect it to open by mid july, the start clearing it only after Kumzum is clear and stable

Quote:

Originally Posted by unoczar

What could be the reason, natural or otherwise?

Completely blocked with snow

21st June 2011, 22:08	#1
unoczar BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 536 Thanked: 224 Times	Northward from Delhi Hi Friends. I'm flying to Delhi in the last week of july for some work. Traveling with my wife only. i have about 4 free days in which i would like to go up north, target may be -- chandertal lake(not more) and 2 days only relax. I don't have a car or any other vehicle. Budget is not much that i can hire a taxi all the way. Now, how to do this? So, i request for some expert opinion from all you guys. 1. Travel (Delhi to kullu/manali and then upwards?) 2. Accomodation (in kullu/manali and up there too) 3. Food etc (shouldnt be of much concern)
	() Thanks

21st June 2011, 22:32	#2
phamilyman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 5,968 Thanked: 4,642 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi You need 1.5 days just for reaching Chandertal even with driving like a maniac. You cannot reach that far. You may be better suited to hang around for Manali, or aronud Chitkul. Its a good route to take for Chitkul.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 01:47	#3
Poitive Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: 3rdRockFmTheSun Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 2,819 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi Talking of relaxing, you should be looking at places like Dhanaulti, Chakrata, Mukhteshwar, Naukucheatal-Bhimtal, Kasauli and the likes which would take 8-10 hours to reach by car. Besides the above and Kullu-Manali, Dalhousie (about 11-12 hours) is a good option too. If you like to be in a busier place, consider the usual Simla, Mussourie, Nainital etc.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 05:20	#4
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi Take night train to either Kalka or Kathgodam. Take taxi to near by places. Relax for three whole days. Take train back. Train because it will save you time - travel while you are sleeping. ALternate is sleeper Volvo's. Kalka - Nearby Kasauli, Shimla peripherals, Chail, Kufri, Narkanda Kathgodam - Nearby Nanital, Pangot, Naukucheatal, Bhimtal Take your pick. To add more to confusion you can consider night train to Jammu and do quick circuit of Vaishno Devi, Palampur and Dharamsala.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 10:01	#6
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,454 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi I think the overnight Volvo bus to Manali is a good idea, you should have a whole day at your disposal on arrival at Manali. If you have 2 days with you, you can do a quick ride to Chandra tal assuming you have some place to stay at Chandra tal, Chhatru, etc.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 10:05	#7
rkbharat Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Gurgaon/New Delhi Posts: 1,601 Thanked: 724 Times View My Garage	Re: Northward from Delhi chandertal is unreachable even on foot, 3 days back a doctor friend had to turn back, he is now doing Pin Valley and other places instead
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 10:59	#9
ranjitp1 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 3,712 Thanked: 1,926 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi Volvo to Manali is a good option,the only problem is that the Volvos take close to 15-16hours on the road out of which close to 8-10 hours is high intensity ghat sections,so please bear in mind this aspect.The other option is to take the Shatabdi to Chandigarh and then take a bus to Manali,stress factor would be less. IIRC,HPTDC used to operate Volvos from Chandigarh & Kalka stations to coincide with the Paschim Express & the Shatabdi Express arrivals,however those services were to Shimla,I am sure there must be something to Manali as well.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2011, 12:41	#14
sudev Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Gurgaon Posts: 3,838 Thanked: 3,179 Times	Re: Northward from Delhi Interesting tip ranjitp1 My whole idea of not proposing Manali was the time it take by road and with limited time at hand this is last thing you want to waste. But hey hiring bikes at end of the journey throws up interesting possibilities. (throw up pun intended in view of other posts). Hire and tour less travelled area of Tirthan valley and may be even alternate route to Bilaspur over the old pass. There are simply too many possibilities and it all depends on you and your companion to decide. I always look for road less travelled and explore my way.
	() Thanks