How to Go
Himachal Pradesh?
By plane
Shimla, Kullu (for Manali) and Kangra or Pathankot (for Dharamsala)
have small airports, with services largely limited to Delhi. Flights
are frequently cancelled or delayed by adverse weather. In addition
the airport in Pathankot (Punjab) can be a convenient connection for
Dharamsala and Dalhousie. If you are on a tight budget you might
want to skip this option as it is way more costly than other mode of
transportation. Airfare on this route is one of the highest in world
for a given unit distance. Airport in Shimla is at Jubbal Hatti
which is around 40 km away from main Shimla City.
By train
Given the difficult geographical position of State there is very little
penetration of railway network. Little rail network available give
access to peripheral districts and capital Shimla. Nevertheless it is an
amazing experience going from Kalka to Shimla. Kalka-Shimla railway
track is also UNESCO world heritage site. Few points in Himachal are
easily accessible by train, but there are narrow-gauge railways from
Pathankot (Punjab) to Kangra and Kalka (Haryana) to Shimla. This will
take you through beautiful rural Himalayan regions. The ride beyond
Kangra is amazing. You ride along the Dhauladhar range of the Himalayas
via Palampur and Baijnath to Joginder Nagar. The region is criss crossed
by rivers and streams. By
bus
Bus is the only practical means of getting to many points in Himachal.
All cities of interest have direct services to Delhi. There are three
different entry routes to Himachal if you are coming from Delhi.
* Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Kaza route.
* Delhi-Chandigarh-Bilaspur-Mandi-Manali-Keylong-Leh
* Delhi-Chandigarh-Kangra-Dharamsala or Delhi-Chandigarh-Kangra-Chamba |