dehradun/musoorfie versus kathmandu in feb
Aug 25th, 2011, 03:36 AM
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dehradun/musoorfie versus kathmandu in feb
thinking of traveling to new dehli, agra, jaipur and varanasi (plus two days in mumbai) in february. Thinking of adding a little time either at a hill station such as dehradun/mussoorie. See some already packaged tours such as smarttours does kathmandu from varnasi. Wondering thoughts regarding to doing kathmandu versus a simplier excursion from new delhi to the hill stations. What to expect with each, maybe will be disappointed with kathmandu-congested (another urbanized shanty). Not so super on seeing more temples, etc. Quite interested in panoramas, maybe uniqueness. Thoughts please
Aug 25th, 2011, 05:20 AM
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I have to admit that I am not a fan of Katmandu, so this bear this in mind when reading my post. I have only been once, and have no desire to go back. I do think it is congested. Also, if you are not interested in temples, then I am not sure I see the point of going to Nepal and not going to the countryside. Katmandu is a city of 1 million people, and just going there won’t give you any countryside time. They have political issues and strikes from time to time as well. Kind of a hassle, IMO.
I also don’t know that Derhadun would be the best choice, a pretty area, but a bit thin on the ground in terms of sights (but my God, resonant of the English Raj). However, right in the area is lovely Rishikesh. Untouristed, <i>very</i> scenic setting in the Himalaya foothills, great weather in Feb. You can either see the river temple areas or concentrate on the countryside (if very lucky you can see tigers or snow leopards). But for sure go to the evening aaarti ceremony in town. Take a look at Ananda in the Himalaya at http://www.anandaspa.com/ The Glass House might be another consideration, see http://www.neemranahotels.com. (I have not stayed there). You can fly in an hour from Delhi to Derhradun (and perhaps have a quick look), or take a train to Haridwar and then a car on to Rishikesh. Haridwar is another place to consider, but IMO Riksesh is small and more manageable.
One small thing about Rishikesh is that is it sort of a min-Varanasi (without the funeral ghats), so you might find it little redundant in terms of the river temples if you do both in the same trip. But the green hill ountry is completely different from flat and rather barren Varanasi.
I also don’t know that Derhadun would be the best choice, a pretty area, but a bit thin on the ground in terms of sights (but my God, resonant of the English Raj). However, right in the area is lovely Rishikesh. Untouristed, <i>very</i> scenic setting in the Himalaya foothills, great weather in Feb. You can either see the river temple areas or concentrate on the countryside (if very lucky you can see tigers or snow leopards). But for sure go to the evening aaarti ceremony in town. Take a look at Ananda in the Himalaya at http://www.anandaspa.com/ The Glass House might be another consideration, see http://www.neemranahotels.com. (I have not stayed there). You can fly in an hour from Delhi to Derhradun (and perhaps have a quick look), or take a train to Haridwar and then a car on to Rishikesh. Haridwar is another place to consider, but IMO Riksesh is small and more manageable.
One small thing about Rishikesh is that is it sort of a min-Varanasi (without the funeral ghats), so you might find it little redundant in terms of the river temples if you do both in the same trip. But the green hill ountry is completely different from flat and rather barren Varanasi.
Aug 25th, 2011, 05:51 AM
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I've not been to Dehradun, but I have been to Kathmandu a couple of times. Here is the report from my most recent trip: http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...mandu-2008.cfm
Of course, Kathmandu is congested, but not more so than the Indian cities you will have just visited. Kathmandu has a fascinating amalgam of Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, most of which are in the Kathmandu Valley. You can visit all of the World Heritage sites from Kathmandu. But if you aren't interested in religious sites, I don't know why you'd go to Kathmandu.
Also, Nepal is the most stable it has been in ages right now, and transportation strikes are now relatively rare.
If you are interested in panorama, Kathmandu will give you a taste, especially if you take the Everest flight-seeing trip during which you'll see incredible vistas.
For panoramas and uniqueness, it's hard to beat Sikkim, but that trip involves many hours of road travel. You can take a look at my recent trip report,
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...p-to-india.cfm
Of course, Kathmandu is congested, but not more so than the Indian cities you will have just visited. Kathmandu has a fascinating amalgam of Hindu and Buddhist religious sites, most of which are in the Kathmandu Valley. You can visit all of the World Heritage sites from Kathmandu. But if you aren't interested in religious sites, I don't know why you'd go to Kathmandu.
Also, Nepal is the most stable it has been in ages right now, and transportation strikes are now relatively rare.
If you are interested in panorama, Kathmandu will give you a taste, especially if you take the Everest flight-seeing trip during which you'll see incredible vistas.
For panoramas and uniqueness, it's hard to beat Sikkim, but that trip involves many hours of road travel. You can take a look at my recent trip report,
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...p-to-india.cfm
Aug 25th, 2011, 06:28 AM
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Hi Jack, I've been to Dehradun and Mussouri and you're right, they are good for panoramas and vistas. Definitely a different view of India from the other places on your agenda. Another hill town we visited was Shillong, driving out of Guarati. There are lakes, waterfalls, and huge open mountain views. The drive was a bit of a hair raiser, but most in India are.
Aug 25th, 2011, 06:38 PM
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thinking of taking a car. Dehradun is about four hours from new dehli. Wondering about the other places. Kind of a two day excursion possibly at the most from new dehli. My insurance agent made a number of suggestions one of them is to try to see a hill station in the himaylas
Aug 26th, 2011, 07:11 AM
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I personally would never drive in India. It's cheap enough to hire a car and driver. It is the only place I've been to so far where I would NEVER drive.
Also, I'd save time and fly from Delhi to Dehradun. After all, you're on vacation.
Also, I'd save time and fly from Delhi to Dehradun. After all, you're on vacation.
Aug 27th, 2011, 05:26 AM
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Thank you. Did not think of driving but hiringa driver. But thinking if time 'wasted' going to airport, waiting, possibility of delayed flight or cancelled flight. Leaving very early from new delhi (possibly a lot is now better paved highway) travel time for the 230km I head may be 4 to 4 1/2 hours? Problem would be timing return. Rishikesh, Hardiwar are other sites. If do twodays excursion from N.D. which areas to look at for something different from New Dehli. Already to see Varanasi: Rishikesh how differs, how the same. More upscale?
