Dehradun to Manali

GauravTaneja · 7th April 2012, 17:26

Hello,

This is my first post in the forum and I shall be grateful for any advise.

I am planning a road trip from Delhi to Manali during the coming months. I have been doing a bit of research and am keen to go via Dehradun. Was wondering if somebody has driven the stretch earlier.

We are a family of four and my idea of a good drive is summarised below:

A. Start early and ideally reach destination by lunch time. Can naturally go on much longer, when required.
B. max speeds I drive at is about 120 - on a good straight divided highway. Normal speed 90-100. In mountains I don't expect to average more than 40 Kms/hr.
C. Happy to drive on the less travelled roads - though I am partial to tarred roads.
D. Need a 'reasonable' place to stay. Does not have to be 5 star but cleanliness extremely important.

I have driven a fair deal, including a road trip to Leh, so driving in mountains is not a new experience. Lastly, I will be driving in a SX4.

Suggestions and advise solicited. Thanks very much in advance.

Cheers,

Gaurav

hvkumar · 7th April 2012, 18:31

If you want a less-travelled route to Manali, via Dehra Dun, take the following route:

Delhi-Dehra Dun-Musoorie-Kempty Falls-Khalsi-Chakrata-Tiuni-Hatkoti-Rohru-Sainj-Jalori Jot-Aut-Kulu-Manali.

Obviously, you won;t reach Manali the same day, so you can consider stopping over at Chakarata.

Roads after Chakrata till Rohru may not be great.

Jalori Jot route is also lovely. If you leave in the morning from Chakrata, you should reach Manali by evening.

SS-Traveller · 7th April 2012, 19:41

One tough route, just because you like to drive the roads less travelled. SX4 will do it comfortably though.
New Delhi, Delhi, India to Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - Google Maps

Overnight stopover suggestion: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (Rohru)
or
GMVN Hanol Online Hotel Booking - Hanol GMVN Tourist Rest House Bungalows - Garhwal Mandal Hanol Resorts (Tiuni)

1100D · 7th April 2012, 19:46

I am not sure but, had done Manali to Dehradun in a day earlier. Route taken was Manai-Simla-Pontasaheb-Dehradun. However, do not know much more details than that, as it was years ago in a Amby rented car.

SS-Traveller · 7th April 2012, 20:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

Route taken was Manai-Simla-Pontasaheb-Dehradun.

This is the route through the mountains. Paonta Sahib is more of driving on the plains, then climbing up past Renuka Lake towards Shimla. And it would be one tough drive to do Delhi-Manali via the routes under discussion here, in one day.

1100D · 7th April 2012, 20:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

And it would be one tough drive to do Delhi-Manali via the routes under discussion here, in one day.

Agree, but he is doing D'dun to Manali (not from Delhi)

SS-Traveller · 7th April 2012, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1100D

Agree, but he is doing D'dun to Manali (not from Delhi)

Anirban, what's wrong with you?

Quote:

Originally Posted by GauravTaneja

I am planning a road trip from Delhi to Manali...and am keen to go via Dehradun.

1100D · 7th April 2012, 21:13

Okay my bad, wasn't reading between the lines. The thread title says "Dehradun to Manali" so assumed that would be it. However, from Delhi, its not likely.

GauravTaneja · 8th April 2012, 13:57

Thanks very much gents, awfully grateful for the quick responses. Will do some more research based on the advise and get back shortly with a firm itinerary for advise/ratification.

GauravTaneja · 8th April 2012, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

One tough route, just because you like to drive the roads less travelled. SX4 will do it comfortably though.
New Delhi, Delhi, India to Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - Google Maps

Overnight stopover suggestion: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (Rohru)
or
GMVN Hanol Online Hotel Booking - Hanol GMVN Tourist Rest House Bungalows - Garhwal Mandal Hanol Resorts (Tiuni)

Thanks. I am intending to do this route in two days. Rohru looks promising. Was wondering if somebody has driven this route recently and could provide information on the road condition.

SS-Traveller · 8th April 2012, 23:11

^^ Driven this route, but not recently. Road condition not expected to be REALLY bad. The Army at Chakrata needs the access roads in good condition. Roads are narrow, gate system exists from Kalsi to Chakrata, imperative but difficult to give way to Army trucks.

GauravTaneja · 9th April 2012, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

^^ Driven this route, but not recently. Road condition not expected to be REALLY bad. The Army at Chakrata needs the access roads in good condition. Roads are narrow, gate system exists from Kalsi to Chakrata, imperative but difficult to give way to Army trucks.

Thanks SS-Traveller; guess I'll give it a shot then. Would you by any chance remember how much time It takes to reach Rohru from Dehradun? Is it worthwhile driving this route? No point using the route if one is forced to do 3rd gear and the view isn't too great either :-)

wanderernomad · 9th April 2012, 21:25

Forget the route unless you are in for an expedition rather than a pleasant drive to enjoy the hills. Plus if you want to do the route in say 3 days go for it but remember the routes from Tiuni till Narkanda have taken a heavy toll of weather. You want a road thats easy on driving fatigue and doable in a day take this:
Dehradun-Paonta Sahib-Naraingarh-Barwala-Panchkula-Pinjore-Nalagarh-Swarghat-Bilaspur-Sundarnagar-Mandi-Kullu-Manali.

GauravTaneja · 9th April 2012, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Forget the route unless you are in for an expedition rather than a pleasant drive to enjoy the hills. Plus if you want to do the route in say 3 days go for it but remember the routes from Tiuni till Narkanda have taken a heavy toll of weather. You want a road thats easy on driving fatigue and doable in a day take this:
Dehradun-Paonta Sahib-Naraingarh-Barwala-Panchkula-Pinjore-Nalagarh-Swarghat-Bilaspur-Sundarnagar-Mandi-Kullu-Manali.

Hmmmm.........I have no intention of going on an expedition with the kids in tow. Perhaps need to reconsider going via Dehradun; the idea was to say hello to some old pals.

So, if I drop D'dun, I guess it's pretty straight forward then. Any suggestions on alternate routes or deviations that let you drive through the hills w/o too much traffic and while still remaining on a half way decent road?

SS-Traveller · 10th April 2012, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by GauravTaneja

Thanks SS-Traveller; guess I'll give it a shot then. Would you by any chance remember how much time It takes to reach Rohru from Dehradun? Is it worthwhile driving this route? No point using the route if one is forced to do 3rd gear and the view isn't too great either :-)

It is a 2nd and 3rd gear route, not something you can cruise on. Dehradun to Rohru would be about 5-6 hours.

Quote:

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Forget the route unless you are in for an expedition rather than a pleasant drive to enjoy the hills.
You want a road thats easy on driving fatigue and doable in a day take this:
Dehradun-Paonta Sahib-Naraingarh-Barwala-Panchkula-Pinjore-Nalagarh-Swarghat-Bilaspur-Sundarnagar-Mandi-Kullu-Manali.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GauravTaneja

Hmmmm.........I have no intention of going on an expedition with the kids in tow. Perhaps need to reconsider going via Dehradun;...

Well, you had been warned, you just didn't read what I wrote too carefully...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS-Traveller

One tough route...

7th April 2012, 17:26	#1
GauravTaneja BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 58 Thanked: 24 Times	Dehradun to Manali Hello, This is my first post in the forum and I shall be grateful for any advise. I am planning a road trip from Delhi to Manali during the coming months. I have been doing a bit of research and am keen to go via Dehradun. Was wondering if somebody has driven the stretch earlier. We are a family of four and my idea of a good drive is summarised below: A. Start early and ideally reach destination by lunch time. Can naturally go on much longer, when required. B. max speeds I drive at is about 120 - on a good straight divided highway. Normal speed 90-100. In mountains I don't expect to average more than 40 Kms/hr. C. Happy to drive on the less travelled roads - though I am partial to tarred roads. D. Need a 'reasonable' place to stay. Does not have to be 5 star but cleanliness extremely important. I have driven a fair deal, including a road trip to Leh, so driving in mountains is not a new experience. Lastly, I will be driving in a SX4. Suggestions and advise solicited. Thanks very much in advance. Cheers, Gaurav
	() Thanks

7th April 2012, 18:31	#2
hvkumar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 7,369 Thanked: 3,466 Times	Re: Dehradun to Manali If you want a less-travelled route to Manali, via Dehra Dun, take the following route: Delhi-Dehra Dun-Musoorie-Kempty Falls-Khalsi-Chakrata-Tiuni-Hatkoti-Rohru-Sainj-Jalori Jot-Aut-Kulu-Manali. Obviously, you won;t reach Manali the same day, so you can consider stopping over at Chakarata. Roads after Chakrata till Rohru may not be great. Jalori Jot route is also lovely. If you leave in the morning from Chakrata, you should reach Manali by evening.
	(1) Thanks

7th April 2012, 19:41	#3
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,276 Thanked: 28,714 Times View My Garage	Re: Dehradun to Manali One tough route, just because you like to drive the roads less travelled. SX4 will do it comfortably though. New Delhi, Delhi, India to Manali, Himachal Pradesh, India - Google Maps Overnight stopover suggestion: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (Rohru) or GMVN Hanol Online Hotel Booking - Hanol GMVN Tourist Rest House Bungalows - Garhwal Mandal Hanol Resorts (Tiuni) Last edited by SS-Traveller : 7th April 2012 at 19:46.
	(1) Thanks

7th April 2012, 19:46	#4
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,116 Times View My Garage	Re: Dehradun to Manali I am not sure but, had done Manali to Dehradun in a day earlier. Route taken was Manai-Simla-Pontasaheb-Dehradun. However, do not know much more details than that, as it was years ago in a Amby rented car.
	(1) Thanks

7th April 2012, 21:13	#8
1100D Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calcutta Posts: 4,390 Thanked: 4,116 Times View My Garage	Re: Dehradun to Manali Okay my bad, wasn't reading between the lines. The thread title says "Dehradun to Manali" so assumed that would be it. However, from Delhi, its not likely.
	() Thanks

8th April 2012, 13:57	#9
GauravTaneja BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Mumbai Posts: 58 Thanked: 24 Times	Thanks very much gents, awfully grateful for the quick responses. Will do some more research based on the advise and get back shortly with a firm itinerary for advise/ratification.
	() Thanks

8th April 2012, 23:11	#11
SS-Traveller Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 8,276 Thanked: 28,714 Times View My Garage	Re: Dehradun to Manali ^^ Driven this route, but not recently. Road condition not expected to be REALLY bad. The Army at Chakrata needs the access roads in good condition. Roads are narrow, gate system exists from Kalsi to Chakrata, imperative but difficult to give way to Army trucks. Last edited by SS-Traveller : 8th April 2012 at 23:12.
	() Thanks

9th April 2012, 21:25	#13
wanderernomad Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 2,552 Thanked: 1,296 Times View My Garage	Re: Dehradun to Manali Forget the route unless you are in for an expedition rather than a pleasant drive to enjoy the hills. Plus if you want to do the route in say 3 days go for it but remember the routes from Tiuni till Narkanda have taken a heavy toll of weather. You want a road thats easy on driving fatigue and doable in a day take this: Dehradun-Paonta Sahib-Naraingarh-Barwala-Panchkula-Pinjore-Nalagarh-Swarghat-Bilaspur-Sundarnagar-Mandi-Kullu-Manali.
	(1) Thanks