need expert advice for himachal trip

[Apurva]

Hi guys..
Looking for a destination in himachal ideally which will offer– enjoyable road journey, nice weather (if possible some snow!), good relaxing accommodation and nice views of Himalayas. We are a couple and will drive in a Swift D.

I am very confused between and didn’t get any time for planning the tour. Considering following options.

Shoji – chail and may some time in be shimla-kufri but not keen on shimla
or
Shogi, fagu Narkanda or may be Kharapathar
or
Kinnaur district with Kapla, Reckong Peo with Chitkul Karchham (I read that there is some wild life sanctuaries here don’t know how feasible is this option)

It will be very nice to get expert advice for route – accommodation for this.

[vickychd]

how many days in hand in case you have about six to seven days
you can do
narkanda/hptdc
sangla/banjara camp if budget not major concern
kalpa
keylong
manali
this way you will come across two passes as well ....
cheers...

[Apurva]

Vicky thanks for reply..I have max 6 days including return journey to del. I have been to keylong-manali last year so will want to avoid it.
Also I don't want to end up driving all the time.

[anupmathur]

When are you planning to do this trip?
June is crowded and quite terrible. July would be a better time when most tourists would have run away from the mountains.
In six days and not wanting to drive much, your options are limited to destinations that are horrendously crowded in June!
Kharapathar and Rohru could be exceptions; however, Rohru can be very hot!

[vickychd]

you can go up to sangla valley or kaza ....
ie delhi to narkanda 10 hours drive from delhi
narkanda to sangla ie 6-7 hours drive
you can do chitkul/kaza etc and spend really peaceful stay at sangla ....only issue enroute is landslides particularly last 12 to 14 kms....
we stayed at sangla at baikunth camp.....but there are accommodations for every budget...and at kaza and narkanda visit hptdc site ...

[Apurva]

Anup i am planning to start day after tomorrow. dont have an option of shifting to other dates.
thanks vicky.. seems chail, narkanda, sangla is what i will do. now getting in to bookings etc. hope not too late for it.

[arjunkartha]

Apurva, I just got back from Delhi - Swarghat - Aut - Shoja - Jalori Pass (and back) yesterday. There's no snow there, but Shoja is nice a cold. Jalori Pass (at 10,000+ feet is cold too). I just posted about it, but here's the link:

Shoja travel advice

[dheerajsharma14]

Originally Posted by vickychd

narkanda to sangla ie 6-7 hours drive...

May be in SUV......But in swift it will easily take more than 8 Hrs...The roads are not all that good once you enter Kinnaur and I am not sure the situations would have been improved.... Also, be sure to reach Sangla in daylight and that means you shall leave as early as possible from Narkanada.... road from Karcham to Sangla was in real bad shape two months before when I was there..

Well in span of 6-7 days you can cover the entire Kinnaur Valley and also enjoy and relax in fron of the amazing vistas it offers....

I won't say to cover Kaza at all if you want a relaxing trip...that's very far....Cover the Kinnaur....

1. Got to Sangala (Kinnaur)
2. Cover Chitkul from Sangla (mere 26 KMs)
3. Head to Kalpa (Kinnaur) (around 60 KMs from Sangla)
4. Visit Roghi village (4 kms from Kalpa)

[vickychd]

Dheeraj we managed to cover Narkanda to Rampur had breakfast than again one stop for tea and ice cream for kids and did in less than 7 hours and yes we were in Honda CRV and one TATA SUMO and along with us was an hundai santro all did it with in 10 minutes of each other....it all depends upon driving habits and experience....also will be in position to update about road conditions and driving times by next week as i too will be doing narkanda/kalpa/kaza/keylong/manali.
planning night Halts at
24th juneChandigarh to Narknada/Rampur
25th june Narkanda/rampur to kalpa
26th june kalpa to kaza (skipping sangla valley as did it last year)... how much distance viz hours??
27th june kaza to Keylong (Day trip To Baralacha la )...how much distance viz hours??
28th junekeylong-baralacha la-back to Keylong/jispa
29th keylong to Manali
30june Manali local
1st july manali to Chandigarh ....
any sugestions.....

[vickychd]

apurva ...do check that kalpa hptdc property is full on 24th and 25th june....but there are alternate hotels/GH available.....