I and my wife already have tickets from Hyd to Delhi and back and will be in Delhi by the first flight on the 31st of May. Our return flight is on the Saturday - the 7th of June.
My wife is in awe of Himachal so we have finalized that we shall go to Himachal and nowhere else. I have backpacked in Rajasthan and Agra via Delhi but never been to Himachal so even I'm excited about Himachal in June.
Barring the need to go to Rohtang Pass to see snow (which my wife hasn't ever seen) we do not have any great preferences. I would however prefer that instead of it being hectic travel it should be a relaxing holiday where we spend mornings lazing around, afternoons and evenings taking long walks and then relaxing for a sumptuous dinner.
I have tried to see tour packages from operators where they will take you to visit kullu-manali-shimla-chandigarh and drop you back in Delhi after 6-7 days but that will limit us in what we want to do. We do not want to spend our time on others' schedules and would prefer private vehicles to travel except for longer journeys which we are happy to by bus.
We would want to avoid tourist traps as well. I know Rohtang pass is popular but I haven't a choice to avoid it.
So this is my schedule as of now -
Saturday - Day 1. Arrive in Delhi - Saturday Morning - Spend day in and around Delhi. In the evening leave via bus for Manali.
Sunday - Day 2. Arrive in Manali - Relax for the day the entire day and some local sightseeing. (Need help finding a good place to stay here - I am looking at Silmog Gardens/ Solang Valley Resort/Johnsons Lodge)
Monday - Day 3. From Manali - go to Rohtang Pass by car and come back to Hotel.
Tuesday - Day 4. - Look at the local sights.
Wednesday - Day 5 - Checkout from the hotel at Manali and go to Shimla. Check-In at the hotel there.
Thursday & Friday - Days 6 & 7 - Sightseeing in Shimla and maybe visit a few more things around Shimla
Saturday Day 8 - Come back to Delhi and go sightseeing around Delhi - I've always wanted to visit a few places in Delhi.
Sunday Day 9 - Take the flight back to Hyd.
1. I would want to finalize the hotels for Manali and Shimla. Although I have some ideas for Manali, I have none for Shimla. If any of you guys could help me find the right decent hotel for around 2500-3500 in Shimla that would be of great help.
All I need is a hotel room with decent food and a comfortable stay.
2. Can any of you suggest some activities around Shimla - what to visit and how to go there. My wife and I enjoy taking walks, visiting wonderful restaurants, maybe even do some adventure activities in and around Shimla.
3. How do you suggest I travel between Delhi>Manali, Manali>Shimla and from Shimla>Delhi. Would taking a Volvo from Delhi to Manali and from Manali to Delhi be feasible? Can I take a private car from Manali to Shimla? If so, how much would it cost? [Blush]
4. Do you think it better to spend more time in Manali or in Shimla? All I ask for is a relaxing week with some sight-seeing thrown in.:)
Thanks in advance for the help guys.