[Turbanator]

No need to go to Nawanshahr! Turn right from Balachaur towards Garhshankar - Mahilpur - Hoshiarpur.

Ropar - Nawanshahr leads to Jalandhar.

Hi , yes you can take right from Balachaur but I don't recommend any one this route because of Toll - you pay around 50 bugs for what 25 km of single way ,, you can always take right from Nawanshar - both road meets at Garhshankar , this route is longer by only about 5 Kms .

[karmachakra]

Originally Posted by Turbanator

If you are going trough Chandigarh you can stop at Hoshiarpurian Da Dhaba at BP pump at Balachaur - order there Famous Karhi Pakora & dont forget to take BARFI - they make from pure Milk - You will no where get this kind of tasty burfi

Tried the Hoshiarpurian Da Dhaba, on my return. Didnt get the burfi, but tried out the special besan ki burfi and trust me, it was amazing. All I can say is that I am waiting for the next time I go on that route. The burfi is available after 3 pm.

[sam003]

Originally Posted by karmachakra

Tried the Hoshiarpurian Da Dhaba, on my return. Didnt get the burfi, but tried out the special besan ki burfi and trust me, it was amazing. All I can say is that I am waiting for the next time I go on that route. The burfi is available after 3 pm.

Hi,
What route did you take, I am planning to go on next week. Is it doable in one day if I start early like 4-5 AM, can I reach Dharamshala on my Innova by eve or not.
I need delhi - dharamshala one day route. And hotels to stay with Family

Thanks in advance.

[karmachakra]

Originally Posted by sam003

Hi,
What route did you take, I am planning to go on next week. Is it doable in one day if I start early like 4-5 AM, can I reach Dharamshala on my Innova by eve or not.
I need delhi - dharamshala one day route. And hotels to stay with Family

Thanks in advance.

I took the following route
Delhi - Ambala- Shambhu Border- Banur Kharar Ropar Balachaur Hoshiarpur Gagret-Bharwain-Dharamshala.

It is doable in a day of you start early. The route I took was via Chinpurni. there are other route options via Una Nangal Amb but I dont know the road condition.

The route I took was pretty good all the way till Dsala.

Hope this helps.

[wanderernomad]

The route between Una and Amb and on wards is in a mess. This is as per the information of someone who did it very recently.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Hi,

I belong to Palampur which is like 35 Kms from Dharamshala.

I generally drive down to Palampur from Gurgaon. It should take you around 10 - 12 hours these days according to road conditions.

I think the simplest route is Delhi - Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Dharamshala. The road by and large is good except for some patches. The patch between Una and Amb is around 32 Kms and it used be very bad but now half of it has single lane newly laid road. I would say it is managable. There is separate route from Una to Mubarikpur also if you want to avoid this stretch.

About night halt, One place that comes to my mind is CHD as it would be exactly halfway and you should be able to find accomodation of all budgets. For staying in Dharamshala VS Mcleodganj I would suggest Dharamshala as the stay should be cheaper and there should be more options available. Mc leodganj might be on the higher side.

Let me know in case you have any other specific query..

[RabidBull]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Hi,

I belong to Palampur which is like 35 Kms from Dharamshala.

I generally drive down to Palampur from Gurgaon. It should take you around 10 - 12 hours these days according to road conditions.

I think the simplest route is Delhi - Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Dharamshala.

About night halt, One place that comes to my mind is CHD as it would be exactly halfway and you should be able to find accomodation of all budgets. For staying in Dharamshala VS Mcleodganj I would suggest Dharamshala as the stay should be cheaper and there should be more options available. Mc leodganj might be on the higher side.

Hi Rachit,

I am also headed on a 3 day sojourn to Dharamshala/Mcleodganj and surroundings. My only companion would be my trusted CL500.
Intend to take the route you suggested, starting from Delhi on 22Oct. Night halt for me in Chandigarh (home ).
23 Oct leaving for Dharamshala. I haven't planned much apart from the fact that I am going. Also, have to be back at Chandigarh for Diwali on 26th Oct.
Now the queries.

- Is Delhi - Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Dharamshala the more comfortabe route or a more scenic route? (Photography high on the agenda for me)
- Where would a night stay be better, Dharamshala or Mcleodganj? or maybe somewhere else?
- What sort of weather would welcome me there?
- Things to do around there, apart from the usual sightseeing.
- Will I find snow there between 23-25 Oct (am I being very optimistic here?) or I shall have to go off the beaten track to find some white flakes.
- No rigid plans for me, so any other places in 50-100 kms radius that are worth visiting.

This would be my first time in the montains, till date all I have done are the hills of Maharashtra.

People who have been there please suggest.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by RabidBull

Hi Rachit,

I am also headed on a 3 day sojourn to Dharamshala/Mcleodganj and surroundings. My only companion would be my trusted CL500.
Intend to take the route you suggested, starting from Delhi on 22Oct. Night halt for me in Chandigarh (home ).
23 Oct leaving for Dharamshala. I haven't planned much apart from the fact that I am going. Also, have to be back at Chandigarh for Diwali on 26th Oct.
Now the queries.

- Is Delhi - Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Dharamshala the more comfortabe route or a more scenic route? (Photography high on the agenda for me)
- Where would a night stay be better, Dharamshala or Mcleodganj? or maybe somewhere else?
- What sort of weather would welcome me there?
- Things to do around there, apart from the usual sightseeing.
- Will I find snow there between 23-25 Oct (am I being very optimistic here?) or I shall have to go off the beaten track to find some white flakes.
- No rigid plans for me, so any other places in 50-100 kms radius that are worth visiting.

This would be my first time in the montains, till date all I have done are the hills of Maharashtra.

People who have been there please suggest.

Hi,

Wow!! A bike trip to dharamshala from Delhi? It should be fun!!

To the first Point:
I think there are 4 or 5 routes possible to Dharamshala from Chandigarh..
This is the shortest one. As for the Scenic beauty I would say it is decent probably not very special. Might be becuase I travel on this route atleast every other month. The most scenic should be Chd - Kiratpur - Bilaspur - Hamirpur - Nadaun - Jwalaji - Kangra - Dharamshala.
The one with the least hills would be Chd - Ropar - Pathankot - Kangra - Dharamshala.

I would suggest any of these 2:
Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Amb - Chintpurni - Dehra - Kangra
or
Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Bilaspur - Hamirpur - Nadaun - Jwalaji - Kangra.

The second one will have more traffic and will be longer.


For night stay, I guess Dharamshala can be cheaper than McLeodganj. The distance between them is around 8 - 10 Kms. You can stay anywhere you get a good deal. I would suggest some place around McLo because there is nothing much to do in Dharamshala whereas in MCLo you can try good food and some shopping stuff. Also places for photography are more around McLo.

Weather will be cold. On the bike if it rains it be quite cold. So Rain Coat is a must and some warm clothes.

There are some places around Dharamshala within that radius. I think it would be best when you reach there depending upon your fatugue level you can decide where you want to go.

I dont think you will find snow. Snow comes in these areas these days around late December of January. But you never know. But still I would say you would not find snow. Regarding off beated tracks, I think there are a couple of places for trekking around Dharamshala like 'triund'. It might have snow but for what I have heard the trek is difficult and I guess you might not have that much time and energy.


Be prepared to see some bad roads. After the monsoons the roads in Himachal get in bad shape. I recently went there and roads in some patches are not in a very good shape. But it should be manageable.

Let me know in case you have any other doubt.

[RabidBull]

Thanks Rachit, that was a quick reply
With your suggestions my trip has been 'half planned' (Just as I like it )

So its decided. Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Amb - Chintpurni - Dehra - Kangra would be my route of choice. I Guess would be doable under 8 hours depending on the stops I make for photography or owing to the bad roads.

I wasn't going to carrying rain gear, I thought it doesn't rain this time of the year. I use DSG Nero jacket which should suffice for the upper body but shall have to carry a rain protecting lower.

Stay would be at McLeodganj and would decide on the places to visit by figuring out with the locals. How about Chamba and Khajjiar, can they be visited(read: would it be worth the effort?).

[rajcs]

Originally Posted by RabidBull

Hi Rachit,

- Is Delhi - Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Kangra - Dharamshala the more comfortabe route or a more scenic route? (Photography high on the agenda for me)
- Where would a night stay be better, Dharamshala or Mcleodganj? or maybe somewhere else?
- What sort of weather would welcome me there?
- Things to do around there, apart from the usual sightseeing.
- Will I find snow there between 23-25 Oct (am I being very optimistic here?) or I shall have to go off the beaten track to find some white flakes.
- No rigid plans for me, so any other places in 50-100 kms radius that are worth visiting.

This would be my first time in the montains, till date all I have done are the hills of Maharashtra.

People who have been there please suggest.

Been to Dharamsala/ Mcleodganj on 08/09 Oct this year. I was on my Fabia and took the route via Kangra-Nadaun-Una-Kiratpur-Ropar-Banur-Shambhu-Ambala-Delhi on return leg. Started at 0700 and reached Delhi T1 Airport by 1745. .

Roads up to Una from CHD are excellent. Una town is messed up. Una - Amb road has seen lot of land slide in recent rains and work is in progress. Himachal is very scenic and roads beyond Una through spruce / fir forests are a bliss.
Here are a few snaps..

Anandpur Sahib-Una section


One of the land slide sections on Una-Amb Road


Nadaun-Kangra


There is no snow around McLoedganj at this time. But nights can get quite cold needing woolens.

I stayed at Norling Guest House at Norbulingka Tibetan Institute, Sidhpur Dharamsala. Excellent place. Rs 2250 for a double room. Norbulingka Institute: Preserving Tibetan Culture
You can also find stay options at McLoedganj being single. But do visit the Nobulingka Institute.

Stop at the chapel of John of the Wilderness enroute to McLeodganj from Dharamsala on the right hand side past the cantoment.
Visit the Dalai Lama Temple at McLeodganj and enjoy hot momos in the street. Dharamkot near Mcleodganj offers trekking options.

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Hi,

I would suggest any of these 2:
Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Amb - Chintpurni - Dehra - Kangra
or
Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Bilaspur - Hamirpur - Nadaun - Jwalaji - Kangra.

The second one will have more traffic and will be longer.

You may like to return by the second route. The roads are better.

[Rachit.K.Dogra]

Originally Posted by RabidBull

Thanks Rachit, that was a quick reply
With your suggestions my trip has been 'half planned' (Just as I like it )

So its decided. Chd - Ropar - Kiratpur - Nangal - Una - Amb - Chintpurni - Dehra - Kangra would be my route of choice. I Guess would be doable under 8 hours depending on the stops I make for photography or owing to the bad roads.

I wasn't going to carrying rain gear, I thought it doesn't rain this time of the year. I use DSG Nero jacket which should suffice for the upper body but shall have to carry a rain protecting lower.

Stay would be at McLeodganj and would decide on the places to visit by figuring out with the locals. How about Chamba and Khajjiar, can they be visited(read: would it be worth the effort?).

My Pleasure friend.
The route that you are planning I guess 8 hours is more than sufficient including photography breaks.
Generally it does not rain but you can never predict rain in Himachal. To be on the safer side, I would suggest some rain protection. There is nothing in Khajjiar according to me. Its just a green ground and that too quite filthy nowadays. There is one particular route to Chamba which is very scenic. The route is via Jyot. If you go to Chamba you will have to stay one night there. Chamba too has nothing much but yes this route via Jyot is special I would say. So If you plan to stay one night in Chamba you can do this.

[RabidBull]

Originally Posted by rajcs

Been to Dharamsala/ Mcleodganj on 08/09 Oct this year. I was on my Fabia and took the route via Kangra-Nadaun-Una-Kiratpur-Ropar-Banur-Shambhu-Ambala-Delhi on return leg. Started at 0700 and reached Delhi T1 Airport by 1745. .

Roads up to Una from CHD are excellent. Una town is messed up. Una - Amb road has seen lot of land slide in recent rains and work is in progress. Himachal is very scenic and roads beyond Una through spruce / fir forests are a bliss.
Here are a few snaps..

Anandpur Sahib-Una section
Attachment 829093

One of the land slide sections on Una-Amb Road
Attachment 829095

Nadaun-Kangra
Attachment 829097

There is no snow around McLoedganj at this time. But nights can get quite cold needing woolens.

I stayed at Norling Guest House at Norbulingka Tibetan Institute, Sidhpur Dharamsala. Excellent place. Rs 2250 for a double room. Norbulingka Institute: Preserving Tibetan Culture
You can also find stay options at McLoedganj being single. But do visit the Nobulingka Institute.

Stop at the chapel of John of the Wilderness enroute to McLeodganj from Dharamsala on the right hand side past the cantoment.
Visit the Dalai Lama Temple at McLeodganj and enjoy hot momos in the street. Dharamkot near Mcleodganj offers trekking options.



You may like to return by the second route. The roads are better.

Thanks Raj. I gather Chapel of John, Nobulingka institute and Dalai lama temple are a must do and I will . Will try and find out if there are any sane trekking routes available that my body would be able to undertake.
Considering you went just a few weeks back your update on the roads would be immensly helpful. And yes, returning via the second route.

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

My Pleasure friend.
The route that you are planning I guess 8 hours is more than sufficient including photography breaks.
Generally it does not rain but you can never predict rain in Himachal. To be on the safer side, I would suggest some rain protection. There is nothing in Khajjiar according to me. Its just a green ground and that too quite filthy nowadays. There is one particular route to Chamba which is very scenic. The route is via Jyot. If you go to Chamba you will have to stay one night there. Chamba too has nothing much but yes this route via Jyot is special I would say. So If you plan to stay one night in Chamba you can do this.

Thanks brother.
Spoke to a friend who hails from Kangra and she suggested that I can manage to get a home stay with the locals in Chamba. I can be a part of their daily life like plucking apples and/or making jams/jelly etc. Not very certain about all this but I might give it a try. I remember the last time I had done such a thing in Murud (maharashtra), it was quite satiating.
Plus the added fixation of seeing the route via Jyot as you suggested.

And I have to say that I am quite amazed in the manner Tbhp works.
I may be late in my replys but the well oiled machine(read:Tbhp) never even pauses. Cheers to that!

[rock75]

Originally Posted by Rachit.K.Dogra

Hi,


Let me know in case you have any other specific query..

Hi Rachit,

I am a regular visitor to Palampur. I need your advice on the route. I used to take Chandigarh-Anandpur Sahib -Una-Amb-Bharwain-Ranita-daliara-kangra bypass-nagrota-palampur route but one and a half year back got stuck on the Una AMb section which was being built. I have taken the Hoshiarpur route after that on my subsequent visits.

If you've been home recently, can you tell the status of road construction between Una and Amb? Is it OK to take this route again and not get stuck in a jam or drive or stones for 10-15 kms like I had to in 2010? What about the alternative Una- Mubarakpur route that you suggested in a previous post, would it avoid the under construction road completely and is in decent condition?

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by rock75

Hi Rachit,
... can you tell the status of road construction between Una and Amb? Is it OK to take this route again and not get stuck in a jam or drive or stones for 10-15 kms like I had to in 2010? What about the alternative Una- Mubarakpur route that you suggested in a previous post, would it avoid the under construction road completely and is in decent condition?

Just back from a trip to Mcleodganj. Took Phagwara - Hoshiarpur while getting there and came back via Amb - Una road. The latter has improved a lot as compared to May 2010 (had been on the same route). No need to drive on stones for 10-15 Km now. There are super smooth sections with new tarmac. Be advised, there still are bad patches where flyovers are being built and the entire stretch of Una town. I didn't mind it though and it took lesser time while coming back.

[anantnehru]

Hi guys, planning to drive to D'shala 1st November this year - am not sure of the route, since theyre quite a few options here but more importantly, from quite some time ago.

I plan to leave say about 5 in the morning, want to avoid driving in the hills after sun down, but I'm not sure of the route - wouldnt mind a scenic route, but willing to sacrifice scenery for roads and/or less driving time.

Can anyone help me out here?

Much appreciated!