Getting There & Around

Getting There & Around

Flying is the quickest way to reach most of the Himalayas, and it's usually easiest and most convenient to book the tickets online. Keep in mind that flight schedules can be thrown off, especially in winter, by variable weather in the mountains and stubborn winter fog in Delhi. Prepare for long delays on either end. It's crucial to double-check the flight schedule with the airline a few hours before departure. If a flight gets canceled overnight because of weather, the airline is liable to put you up for the night. A good way to cut travel time to Himachal Pradesh and enjoy a scenic drive at the same time is to fly from Delhi to Chandigarh and then hire a car to Shimla. The drive is four hours as opposed to eight from Delhi. Reaching Shimla by the so-called Toy Train is by far the most scenic way to go, but it also takes a long time. The pint-sized train travels along a 95-km (62-mi) narrow-gauge track built in 1903, taking you to Shimla at 7,170 feet. It only goes about 9 to 15 mph, passing through 102 tunnels and over 845 bridges to make the journey in five or so hours.

Most Himalayan drives involve endlessly winding, often bumpy, sometimes precarious roads on the edges of steep slopes. If you're prone to motion sickness, carry medication and eat light meals before and during your journey. Even more important, hire a heavy and powerful car, and never drive yourself. Ambassadors and jeeps (Sumo or Qualis models) are sturdy but not that speedy; a solid sedan car such as a Cielo or Esteem moves faster. Don't take a Maruti van, as it's not heavy enough to be safe. Most journeys will cost at least Rs. 1,000 one-way. The cost is highest if the vehicle starts in Delhi or takes you from one state into another, which involves road taxes; if you hire the car in the Himalayas for use only in that state, the rate will be slightly cheaper. If your driver will be staying with you the entire time, ask your hotels whether they have food and accommodation for drivers. If not, the daily tip you give the driver (over and above the initially agreed-upon charge) should cover these costs for him. If you're starting from Delhi for Himachal Pradesh, plan to leave the city early—before 6 AM—to avoid wasting hours in traffic.

Night driving in the hills is extremely dangerous and should be avoided at all costs.