Shimla-Manali. Review on Shimla

The best way to go to Shimla is to take the night train from Delhi to Kalka (Howrah Kalka Mail). This train reaches Kalka early in the morning. From where one can take the Shivalik Deluxe Express. This train waits for the Howrah Kalka Mail and departs only after the arrival Howrah Kalka Mail.

Howrah Kalka Mail can be boarded at Old Delhi Railway Station. This can be a messy affair as the train can be late and this station is quite an unpleasant place.

The Shivalik Express is the best amongst all trains going to Shimla. The ticket price includes the cost of breakfast (either omelette or veg cutlet). The trip gives you some pleasant views as one goes up and the vegetation slowly changes from tropical to temperate ones.

In Shimla Railway station you will be greeted by porters who also double up as hotel agents. Remember in Shimla you can not avoid these porters as they are no auto rickshaws. These people carry your luggage and walk up to the hotels.

Shimla hotels are relatively expensive and do not offer the services for the price you pay. Relatively normal hotels are in range of 700-900 Rs during off season (Maybe you can search for a better bargain if you are ready to roam around the town). Shimla has quite a large number of hotels of all shapes and sizes. Shimla hotels have a bad habit of showing a good room and once you are satisfied and pay the advance they claim the room shown is already booked and will allot you a bad room.

Regarding going around Shimla you need not worry since as soon as you reach the hotel you will be swarmed by tour operators who will offer you all kind of packages right from sight seeing around Shimla to seeing entire Himachal.

In Shimla only place worth seeing is the Mall Road. This consists of lots of shops, restaurants and bakeries. Walking around Shimla can be tough as one has to climb and down a lot.

Kufri is the other place where tourists are taken. Here tourists can take a horse ride (Rs. 250 per head) to a nearby place where lots of provision is made to make the tourists spend his money. Like photography in traditional Himachali Dress (Rs 60 per dress), peeping through telescope for 50 Rs. (strictly not recommended), buying trinkets, apple garden where you can see five or six apple trees again pay fifty rupees, visit the temple, some go karting club. You can see the Himalayas at a distance (no need of telescope). After you spend some time and money there the horses are bought back to pick you up. Kufri also has a zoo. The horses appear as if they have not been fed for days. You can also walk up the hill but the path is made unwalkable due to the constant movement of horses and when it rains its full of dirt. Some people do walk up.

There is also a place called Helipad, Jhakoo Hill (with a temple to Hanuman)

Going to Manali from Shimla is tough. There are buses by Himachal Roadways. Traveling even by the deluxe bus can be tough.The deluxe bus leaves Shimla t 8.30 in the evening and reaches Manali at 5.30 in the morning. It is advised to travel on empty stomach before boarding these buses. The twists and turns on the road can make you stomach throw up all that you have had at the dinner. In case you have strong stomach still the noise made by co-passengers while they throw up can make you nauseous. HPTDC operates a luxury coach which leaves Shimla in the morning and reaches Manali in the evening.

Manali is definitely better than Shimla. Even tough Manali is at a higher altitude the area is more or less even. The Mall Road at Manali is a poor copy of the Mall Road at Shimla. Manali is full of hotels. HPTDC operates several budget hotels and it canbe booked in advance through internet. Hotel Rohtang Manalasu is around 10 mins walk from the centre. Like Shimla hotels in Manali are expensive. Manalasu coasts around 600-1000 Rs. The rooms are very ordinary and old. But they are clean, food is good and staff very cooperative. However it is not suggested to go to HPTDC hotels without reservation.

Rohtang pass is the prime attraction of Manali. Kullu is around 1.5 hrs from Manali and can be visited if you are interested in buying shawls.Other places include manikaran, Nehrukund etc.

Manali can also reached from Delhi. HPTDC operates luxury Volvo buses to-from Delhi. HPTDC operates two Vovlo buses to Delhi from Manali. One is old and another is new. The old buses have their shock absorbers broken and the bus is poorly maintained. The journey from Manali to Delhi takes14 hrs and is much better compared to the road from Shimla to Manali.

It is recommended that you avoid package tours and make the arrangement by your self. You can make your stay more flexible and comfortable. The tour packages are more economical but you will have to go as per the tour operators requirement and the tour becomes hectic.