[naman]

Hey Guys,

We (my gf and me) are planning a 5 day trip in end March (27th to 31st). This time I'm really confused as to where to go. Never such confusion occurred before.

I've thought over few options.

1. Delhi - Jaisalmer ( 2 nights ) - Jodhpur ( 2 nights ) - Delhi

2. Delhi - halt enroute for 1 night - Auli ( 2 nights ) - rishikesh ( 1 night ) - Delhi

3. Delhi - D'sala/ McLeodganj - Palampur - Delhi

4. Delhi - Narkanda - Kinnaur - Delhi ( include sarahar and off shoots of NH22 ). Since mine is not a SUV will go till there are decent motorable roads.

I'm really keen on option 1 and 4. However, it seems in rajasthan it would be very hot by then and in kinnaur i don't know upto where the roads are open after the snow. I guess by now there will be no snow in Auli and hence doesn't make too much sense. Option 3 seems an overkill for 5 days.

Please suggest what do people think best option during this time frame.

Waiting for replies.

Naman

[akshay4587]

After tanveer's recent update
there is almost no snow in himachal and all roads are open barring a few high passes

[abhinav.gupta88]

You can try Kikar Lodge too. Near Hapur.
You can even include Shimla with it.

When me and my friends went there.
Delhi - Kikar - Shimla - Chail - Chandigarh - Delhi was exactly 1000kms ( included some runs in city also)

[phamilyman]

Yes. Himachal it has to be.

You cannot afford to go to Rajasthan unless its in a sleeper AC train

And just plan for water - because sangla had no water as per TSK. Kalpa had, though

[deky]

How about Delhi - Jim Corbett - Ranikhet - Nainital - Delhi. Atleast it will be cooler than Delhi. And its a very good time to visit Jim Corbett

[tsk1979]

Don't go to Rajasthan, you will get cooked.
Hills are the place to go, but don't expect snow or greenery.
Most probably Rohtang is on the verge of opening, so you can head towards Manali.

Kinnaur is doable, and Sangla/chitkul are doable in car. but stay in Kalpa because water etc., is available there, and Sangla/chitkul are facing drought like situation.

[vkochar]

If you want to do March End then I would recommend the following as I have done these myself during March.

Delhi - Jodhpur - Udaipur and Back ( Jodhur will be a bit hot but Udaipur should be nice ). You can try going to Mount Abu as well. I planned but could not go. I have heard it's a fantastic place.

Delhi - Chandigarh - Manali - This one's going to be a very interesting drive and it's one of my favourite too.

[anurag_p80]

I second the opinions here. Being from Raj (Jodhpur at that), it will be very hot. Unless you plan on doing all your sightseeing and travelling in the night or early morning, don't venture to Rajasthan. Mount Abu maybe more pleasant for a tad longer during day, but afternoons will be hot nevertheless.

Stick to Himachal or Uttarakhand. Else, carry lotsa sun screen, caps/ hats, shades, ice, water, maybe night vision binocs or something

[anupmathur]

I'd say head for the hills!
But...but...this year you'd have to choose very carefully. Himachal & Uttaranchal are virtually in drought conditions!

IMO, you'd be best off at Manali & suburbs or at Nainital. Most places in Kumaon will be without water!

[naman]

hey guys,

thanks a ton for the replies..

Well, Manali is ruled out ( did a 5 day trip dec end 2008 ) and so is Shimla, Chandigarh and the nearby region. Once went upto Kausani and Ranikhet as well ( Summers 2007 ). Mukteshwar was done a independent 3 day trip little while ago and Nainital has been done on numerous occasions, hence Kumaon is practically ruled out.

Similarly, Mussoorie is done and Dalhousie/Khajjiar is done. So I guess most "close by" hill stations are done.

Jim Corbett is nearby and can be done as a short trip (2-3 days).

Hence was keen on Narkanda and beyond. But water supply and poor roads are making me think twice. McLeodganj side doesn't excite enough and can be done whenever one wants.

So I guess Rajasthan it is inspite of the heat . Never been to that area hence heart wins over head. Time to put Getz Crdi AC to test.

I want to keep it a bit relaxed and not make it too hectic. Hence was thinking about the following.

Night 0/Day 1 - By even reach Jaisalmer and check in at Moonlight.
Day 2 - Laze around and reach Khuri by eve. Overnight in Moonlight desert tents
Day 3 - Visit places nearby Jaisalmer and a bit or Jaisalmer in the eve.
Day 4 - Stay at Manvar resorts for 1 night
Day 5 - Reach Delhi by eve.

Now Manvar resorts is included because I heard good reviews about the place. But its basically to kill time and laze around.

Would it be practical to include Jodhpur for just 1 last day and stay in Jodhpur instead on Day 4 ( maybe Day 3 as well by checking in late in Jodhpur and leaving Jaisalmer after late lunch ).

Didn't think too much about Udaipur / Abu. What's the main attractions there?

Suggestions about making the best of Rajasthan given the heat. I know .

Naman

[tsk1979]

Jaisalmer, in this weather? Unless you plan to travel only in night stay away
As for water shortage, Kalpa is good. Book at HPTDC, and be free from worries.
Kalpa-Chitkul is a day trip(2 hours one way), and you will have fun.
End march some bloom will also be there

[phamilyman]

I have a better suggestion.

Kindly try out Ghiyagi/Gushaini/Jalori instead. Would be chilled out. And judging by the snow seen at Jalori on 26th Jan - you could drive over within like few hundred meters of Jalori by now - if not cross!

NOT Jaisalmer. This is just NOT the weather man. I was there Jan 2008 and March end does NOT make sense imnsho.

Gushaini jao, chill out at Himalayan Trout House - what else does one want?

[deky]

Originally Posted by naman

hey guys,

But its basically to kill time and laze around.

Didn't think too much about Udaipur / Abu. What's the main attractions there?

Suggestions about making the best of Rajasthan given the heat. I know .

Naman

Even if its to kill time and Laze around IMHO 40degrees+ isnt the right weather to do it in. You will get really really uncomfortable even in the evenings, though the nights might be a bit pleasant.

I think in this case Udaipur and Mt Abu would suit your needs the best.

There is lots to see in Udaipur, it has a great history and some astonishing monuments plus the weather is much bearable (for more please read Samurai's travelogue)

Mt Abu is the only hill station in Rajasthan hence is even cooler than Udaipur. There is not much to see there except the Nakki Lake, Trevors point, the observatory and the Ashram (forgot the name) But atleast the weather will be good and you and your GF wont get cooked.

This is the itenary I suggest:-

27th March- Delhi- Udaipur (app 10hrs)
28th March - Udaipur sight seeing
29th March - Uadaipur - Kumbhalgarh - Ranakpur - Mt Abu (app 10 hrs)
30th March - Mt abu sight seeing
31st March - Mt Abu- Udaipur - Jaipur (app 10 hrs)
1st April - Jaipur- Delhi (app 5hrs)

Sorry I overshot by a Day. You could cancel out Kumbhalgarh/Ranakpur and be in Delhi my 31st march evening

[anupmathur]

Naman, I'd go with phamilyman's recommendation!
The Tirthan Valley and the Trout House are excellent!
You can drive up and down that Jalori route for more fun and excitement. Visit the Himalayan National Park too!

[naman]

Hmm,

It seems Jaisalmer is unanimously ruled out.

Jalori, Tirthan seems a good option. Can someone help me sort out the itinerary for that side. I can leave by 26 March (Thursday) midnight and have to be back by 31 March eve. Need something special for 30th night as 31st is her birthday .

Specifically need to know -
1. what small things can be added in the lazing around day,
2. where to stay,
3. how's the road after leaving Manali highway,
4. what to expect on food front,
5. what all one can get there and what all one needs to carry.

And the most important part !! Will there be phone network (Airtel, Vodafone) in those areas.

Naman