[ravichopra]

Planning a trip to Sarahan from Delhi - a 5 day trip.

Objective: To Enjoy the route and To enjoy the stay.

Vehicle: i10

Trip plan:
Day 1 leave delhi at 17.00 hrs and stay at chandigarh
Day 2 Leave chandigarh at 6.00 hrs and travel to Sarahan.
Day 3 - no plans - need advice
Day 4 - no plans - need advice
Day 5: Return to Delhi by 18.00 hrs or so.

Queries:
I would like to know the following:
1. Any bypass to shimla?
2. Which all the places i can visit
3. How is the road condition? Which are the bad patches?
4. Which crossings or turns that i should remember while going and coming back.
5. Which all the good places to stay and dine? breakfas, lunch, dinner and stay

I would appreciate an earliest reply and guidance.

regards
Ravi

[lordofgondor]

Hi Ravi, please find the replies below:

1. Any bypass to shimla?

Sanjauli Bypass. This is just before you enter the Shimla town. At the red light, take the left towards the tunnel. There's another bypass a few Km before Shimla, but the locals told me that if I need to continue on NH-22, better take the Sanjauli one.

2. Which all the places i can visit.
Hatu Temple, the bird park, apple orchards. Sarahan is full of greenery this time around.

3. How is the road condition? Which are the bad patches?: Went till Narkanda in the beginning of August. The road was broken up after Shimla till a few kilometers before Narkanda. It was raining, road was slushy and had plenty of potholes. I did went a bit ahead on NH-22 towards Rampur and it seemed fine.

4. Which crossings or turns that i should remember while going and coming back.
I guess it's a pretty straightforward route. After Ambala, continue on the road to Chandigarh (left one at the fork). Take a right below the Zirakpur flyover. Remember the right turn at Jeori for Sarahan.

5. Which all the good places to stay and dine? breakfas, lunch, dinner and stay
For a late breakfast/early lunch I'd suggest HPTDC The Hatu at Narkanda. Another option for breakfast is Gyani Dhaba at Dharampur. For stay in Sarahan, my vote goes to the HPTDC hotel in there. Great place and delicious food. Don't forget to try the tomato soup.

[hvkumar]

Not Sangla, that is just a wayside town on the way to Chitkul.

[nix1976in]

Hi Guys,

Am going to be in Chandigarh from the 8th to the 11th of June for a wedding after which i have around 9 days in hand to get back to Mumbai...would be driving a Xylo ...Rough plan is as follow

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back : Panchali Resort
15th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort
16th june : Chitkul to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)
18th June : Drive and halt near Abohar
19th June : Drive and halt near Udaipur (Superhighway to Kishangarh)
20th June : Back to Mumbai
(can accommodate one more day somewhere since I need to reach by the 21st)

Would like the following pointers
1) Is the plan doable? Any alternate / better routes?
2) Road conditions...can a '09 Xylo take it?
3) Any suggestions for better night halts?
4) Any other observations are welcome too....

Regards,
Nikhil

[mandhir.s.bajwa]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hi Guys,

Am going to be in Chandigarh from the 8th to the 11th of June for a wedding after which i have around 9 days in hand to get back to Mumbai...would be driving a Xylo ...Rough plan is as follow

Regards,
Nikhil

The last time I went Chitkul, Roads were not in good shape and before reaching Sangla, there were areas which were just too narrow. Not sure how Xylo will cope up there.

Moreoever, the route is pretty much duable without any big issues. My only concern would be driving xylo around Sangla. Road conditions could have been improved as I went there more then a year back

[wanderernomad]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hi Guys,

Am going to be in Chandigarh from the 8th to the 11th of June for a wedding after which i have around 9 days in hand to get back to Mumbai...would be driving a Xylo ...Rough plan is as follow

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back : Panchali Resort
15th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort
16th june : Chitkul to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)
18th June : Drive and halt near Abohar
19th June : Drive and halt near Udaipur (Superhighway to Kishangarh)
20th June : Back to Mumbai
(can accommodate one more day somewhere since I need to reach by the 21st)

Would like the following pointers
1) Is the plan doable? Any alternate / better routes?
2) Road conditions...can a '09 Xylo take it?
3) Any suggestions for better night halts?
4) Any other observations are welcome too....

Regards,
Nikhil

The road conditions from Karcham to Sangla is still as bad as it gets. Even from the Wangtoo bridge onwards the roads are messy but the Xylo shall be able to cope up with it. No issues what so ever just drive carefully if its raining.

[fine69]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back : Panchali Resort
15th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort
16th june : Chitkul to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)
18th June : Drive and halt near Abohar
19th June : Drive and halt near Udaipur (Superhighway to Kishangarh)
20th June : Back to Mumbai
(can accommodate one more day somewhere since I need to reach by the 21st)

If you are going till Pooh then why not go further up to Nako and stay there one night. Then come back to Sarahan/Narkanda directly.

Also, any specific reason for skipping Kalpa. I mean you could cover most of the places in Kinnaur so why leave it. If you only wish to unwind then Chitkul is a great place to spend 2 days.

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hi Guys,

Am going to be in Chandigarh from the 8th to the 11th of June for a wedding after which i have around 9 days in hand to get back to Mumbai...would be driving a Xylo ...Rough plan is as follow

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back : Panchali Resort
15th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort
16th june : Chitkul to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)
18th June : Drive and halt near Abohar
19th June : Drive and halt near Udaipur (Superhighway to Kishangarh)
20th June : Back to Mumbai
(can accommodate one more day somewhere since I need to reach by the 21st)

Would like the following pointers
1) Is the plan doable? Any alternate / better routes?
2) Road conditions...can a '09 Xylo take it?
3) Any suggestions for better night halts?
4) Any other observations are welcome too....

Regards,
Nikhil

Originally Posted by mandhir.s.bajwa

The last time I went Chitkul, Roads were not in good shape and before reaching Sangla, there were areas which were just too narrow. Not sure how Xylo will cope up there.

Moreoever, the route is pretty much duable without any big issues. My only concern would be driving xylo around Sangla. Road conditions could have been improved as I went there more then a year back

Nikhil,plan looks perfect.
And a Xylo will cruise through that terrain as it does on the highways.
@Mandhir/Sherry,what problem will a Xylo face?
Apart from lack of 4WD,it will do any terrain,as usual SUV can.

[Dry Ice]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hi Guys,

Am going to be in Chandigarh from the 8th to the 11th of June for a wedding after which i have around 9 days in hand to get back to Mumbai...would be driving a Xylo ...Rough plan is as follow

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back : Panchali Resort
15th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort
16th june : Chitkul to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)
18th June : Drive and halt near Abohar
19th June : Drive and halt near Udaipur (Superhighway to Kishangarh)
20th June : Back to Mumbai
(can accommodate one more day somewhere since I need to reach by the 21st)

Would like the following pointers
1) Is the plan doable? Any alternate / better routes?
2) Road conditions...can a '09 Xylo take it?
3) Any suggestions for better night halts?
4) Any other observations are welcome too....

Regards,
Nikhil

Just came back from Kinnaur valley last week. Roads are in horrible shape after Wangtu. And it's dusty as hell!

Xylo should be able to do it without any hiccups, just clean your air filter once you reach your destination for the day. Be careful after the turnoff from NH22 towards Sangla. Road gets very very narrow at a few places.

Only change I would suggest -

12th June : Chandigarh to Narkanda : The Hatu
13th June : Narkanda to Chitkul : Panchali Resort
14th June : Chitkul : Panchali Resort Resort
15th June : Chitkul to Pooh and Back to Kalpa/Peo
16th June : Kalpa/Peo to Sarahan : HPDTC Shrikhand
17th June : Sarahan to Chandigarh (or further)

ATB!!

[mandhir.s.bajwa]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

@Mandhir/Sherry,what problem will a Xylo face?
Apart from lack of 4WD,it will do any terrain,as usual SUV can.

Hello Akshay, So you remember me :-) It's been pretty long now.
Anyways, My personal experience in Xylo has never been great and I ended up swearing that I will not travel in Xylo again. It could be only in my case and Maybe it's all because of my preconceived notions about the drivability, tall design and body roll, I doubted Xylo's capabilities only because of my concern for the kind of turns Sangla would offer, At certain places it's too narrow and even a bike will have trouble passing by a big vehicle like Xylo.

Point to be noted, When I went there, I did see 2-3 Xylos travelling in that region.

[nix1976in]

Originally Posted by mandhir.s.bajwa

It could be only in my case and Maybe it's all because of my preconceived notions about the drivability, tall design and body roll, I doubted Xylo's capabilities only because of my concern for the kind of turns Sangla would offer, At certain places it's too narrow and even a bike will have trouble passing by a big vehicle like Xylo.

Point to be noted, When I went there, I did see 2-3 Xylos travelling in that region.

Hey Guys,
Back from Chitkul....been an exhilarating drive. The Xylo with its new shoes (Stock BS duelers) munched up the terrain with no issues at all. I didn't face any issues in Sangla, the roads are terrible but wide enough for 2 cars all the way. The bypass due to highway issues at Tapri too is regulated by the cops and easily doable in any car.

I would strongly urge anyone who is planning for Chitkul to go right ahead.....the views at the end of the road is worth all the trouble!!

Regards,

[mandhir.s.bajwa]

Originally Posted by nix1976in

Hey Guys,
Back from Chitkul....been an exhilarating drive. The Xylo with its new shoes (Stock BS duelers) munched up the terrain with no issues at all. I didn't face any issues in Sangla, the roads are terrible but wide enough for 2 cars all the way. The bypass due to highway issues at Tapri too is regulated by the cops and easily doable in any car.

I would strongly urge anyone who is planning for Chitkul to go right ahead.....the views at the end of the road is worth all the trouble!!

Regards,

Hey, Thanks for the update. Seems like roads have improved since I went there.
And congratulations for completing the wonderful trip. Hope you liked Chitkul as much as I did
Now few pics of the trip would be amazing.

[bruty]

Hi All,

Is Chitkul doable during Mid August, considering the monsoon season.

[joybhowmik]

Originally Posted by bruty

Hi All,

Is Chitkul doable during Mid August, considering the monsoon season.

Roads will not be in good condition - mainly due to landslides along the Baspa and Sutlej river valleys.
You can take a chance if you are having some emergency but otherwise not advised.

[wanderernomad]

Originally Posted by bruty

Hi All,

Is Chitkul doable during Mid August, considering the monsoon season.

Mid august should be just fine for chitkul. Go ahead.