Himachal Trip in May-June

[trivedidarshak]

Planning to have a Himachal trip Post General elections with wife. This is likely to be leisure tripfor about 8-9 days. Need some suggestions to see which trip would be a better option considering May month weather conditions

A) Mumbai - Delhi - Chandigarh - Mandi (Prashar Lake - I feel tempted after looking at the blog we have on this website) - Mcleodganj (2N) - Dharamsala (1N) - Dalhousie - Chamba (2N) - Khajjiar (1N) - Chandigarh - Delhi - Mumbai
B) Mumbai - Delhi - Chandigarh - Prashar Lake - Solang Valley - Kaza - Lhalung - Tabo - Dhangkar Lake - Pin Valley - Kaza - Kibber - Chandratal - Rohtang Pass - Manali - Chandigarh - Delhi - Mumbai
C) Was thinking about Arunachal pradesh (Tawang) as well but I am was getting negative views that Weather in May end and June first week is not good in Tawang. Need some assurance that this is not a good idea,

Clarifications:

1. I do not know the driving or riding hence i will have to hire a cab for the whole trip and hence I have decided to hire the cab from Chandigarh to save some thousands instead of starting from Delhi.
2. Do we have any outside roads which can make reach to Manali fro Hadsar region or one has to turn it back and the enroute the Chamba route? My intention is to do a full circle on the Hadsar route (Manali - Mcleodganj - Dharamsala - Dalhousie - Chamba - Khajjiar - Bharmour - Hadsar - Manali as this route is largely unexplored. That way My dream to stay in Solang valley can also be fulfilled
3. If there are any better places in Himachal in Dharamsala-Khajjiar range other than Hadsar?
4. Mumbai to Delhi and Delhi to Chandigarh is likely to be via Train as the flight tickets have already started to pick up

Looking forward for suggestions from Travellers

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Second option would not be possible, since Kunzum La and Chandertal will not be accessible in May. Manali – Kaza route will likely reopen in June and Chandertal route will take longer to reopen.

My suggestion would be to take an overnight Volvo from Delhi to Manali. From there, you can hire a taxi, which will take you to Prashar Lake and rest of the places until Dalhousie, from where you can take another Volvo back to Delhi or you can travel up to Pathankot and fly from there to Mumbai.

 

[trivedidarshak]

Second option would not be possible, since Kunzum La and Chandertal will not be accessible in May. Manali – Kaza route will likely reopen in June and Chandertal route will take longer to reopen.

My suggestion would be to take an overnight Volvo from Delhi to Manali. From there, you can hire a taxi, which will take you to Prashar Lake and rest of the places until Dalhousie, from where you can take another Volvo back to Delhi or you can travel up to Pathankot and fly from there to Mumbai.

Thank you Sir. I did thought about Pathankot as an end option but now a days all the cab operators charge the cab rates in a way that we generally have to get down only at the place where we have started. Even if we get down somewhere, they will still charge us for the return journey. Flying will hit the cost as the flights from Pathankot default gets routed to Delhi.

How about your opinion on the Hadsar route? Have you been on that route? Wanted to know about the road conditions over there?

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

Thank you Sir. I did thought about Pathankot as an end option but now a days all the cab operators charge the cab rates in a way that we generally have to get down only at the place where we have started. Even if we get down somewhere, they will still charge us for the return journey. Flying will hit the cost as the flights from Pathankot default gets routed to Delhi.

How about your opinion on the Hadsar route? Have you been on that route? Wanted to know about the road conditions over there?

Still check with the cab operators and if possible, book hotels in advance, you will be traveling during the peak travel season.

As far as Hadsar route is concerned, I have not done it and from what I can see in Google Maps, it is a dead end. You will not be able to make it to Keylong, unless you plan to trek.

 

[trivedidarshak]

Still check with the cab operators and if possible, book hotels in advance, you will be traveling during the peak travel season.

As far as Hadsar route is concerned, I have not done it and from what I can see in Google Maps, it is a dead end. You will not be able to make it to Keylong, unless you plan to trek.

Yes, Definately, prior booking is a must as this is a peak season. I am trying to final the trip route by next week and the Hotels.

 

[bora]

C) Was thinking about Arunachal pradesh (Tawang) as well but I am was getting negative views that Weather in May end and June first week is not good in Tawang. Need some assurance that this is not a good idea

Yes.
May, June is not a good time to visit Arunachal. Better wait till October. May and June can get very rainy in the NE and with accompanying landslides, etc

 

[trivedidarshak]

How about Munsiyari? I was reading some places in Uttarakhand and end up finding this hidden Gem in the Himalayas..Any body with views? I am planning in mid may..So wanted to know about the road conditions

 

[trivedidarshak]

I do not know driving, so I am planning to hire a cab for my whole trip. Below is a rough itinerary I have drafted based on whatever research I have done for my trip.
Day 1 – Take early morning flight from Mumbai to Delhi and after landing catch a cab to New Delhi to catch Kathgodam shatabdi at 6am. Reach Kathgodam by afternoon and take the cab from Kathgodam to Bhimtal. Remaining of the day, rest in Bhimtal
Day 2 – Sightseeing in Bhimtal (Potetially a day trip to Sattal)
Day 3 – Leaving for Chaukori and sightseeing on the way (I believe this will be very helpful since we need to take a rest before we go higher)
Day 4 – Leaving for Munsiyari and sightseeing on the way
Day 5 – Day to enjoy the Natural beauty in Munsiyari
Day 6 – Enjoy another day with Mountains in Munsiyari or Take a return journey to Abott Mount and spend a night at Abott Mount hill station. Not sure if we have any stay options in abott. (Can you suggest any if you know)
Day 7 – Come back to Bhimtal and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Day 8 – Take a return journey to Mumbai via Kathgodam shatabdi till Delhi and then fly back home with happy memories.
Happy to take your suggestions if you feel any modifications are required to the itinerary.
Again, I am more worried about the dates in may so it would be of great help if you know what date i can consider as CUT-OFF beyond which the roads will go in bad shape

 

[Yogesh Sarkar]

During summer months, haze can play spoilsport and block the view of the mountain ranges. If you are ok with the idea of not getting to see the peaks, then go around that time.

 

[trivedidarshak]

That is not a good sign then. I think A plan which i had setup will be the best then...I want to go to mountains for sure