Mcleod : Travelling from New Delhi

Lets try to keep it simple. I will take the whole route and travel from New Delhi. (Its the capital, give it some credit :P )

Plane

Flights are available trice a week. You get down at Gagal Airport. Take a local taxi to Dharamshala or McLeod. 

Gagal Airport - McLeod = Rs. 350-400

Kotwali Bazzar - McLeod = Rs. 120-150

Gaggal Airport to - Dharamsala = Rs. 150-200

Dharamsala - McLeodc= Rs. 120-150

Train

You can reach Pathankot by Train and take a local shared taxi, to save extra bucks for the upcoming adventure.

- Less expensive than Plane. 

- Miss out the Chandigarh roads and country side Dhabe

- Faster than road

- Avoid Traffic 

- Good for lone travelers

The only good thing about trains is 24 HR on the journey loo ! :P

Note : See the IRCTC site for the train fares. 

Car

I feel car is the best way to travel in North India. Its quite economical for four people, if you have a diesel car, with an average of 20-21 Km/Ltr on highways. 

Diesel - 2500-3000 (If your diesel on this trip then probably you even go to the loo in your car, get a life)

-Oh honestly there is Dearth of parking space in McLeod and most scenic places dont have parking. ASAP you reach McLeod, search for parking,Hotels will follow, most of McLeod, Bhagsu and Dharamkot are very small and you can leisurely trek every where. 

-Car is best way to capture the scenic beauty you will find on the way.

Parking Tips

- When you reach McLeod, they have parking just before the main square.

- This is what we did, this is really good tip

Park @ Himanchal Bhawan (Club House) parking, it is the safest parking and they charge you Rs. 100 a day. and believe me its the safest place to park.

- Inquire for a hotel with parking (Such hotels are bit far from main square and are needlessly expensive)

- If you are going to Dharamkot, you might find odd parking places, try to park in way that it doest not create a menace for others, believe me you are going to see a hell lot of traffic jams there, so i guess the legs are the best transport.

Its almost 500 Km, from New Delhi. And yes it is a fun road trip.

More Details on my McLeod by Road Post.

Bus

You get Volvo coaches from Delhi, Phathankot, Chandigarh etc. It will cost you around Rs.800-1200 from Delhi.

I don't really recommend buses:-

-Unsafe on Hills

-You cant make then stop where you want

-They dont have loo :P

-Too much hustle-bustle

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Off to Mcleod

TripMcleod

Delhi --- Chandigarh --- Dharamshala --- McLeodGanj


It was first week of June, when we wanting to escape the Delhi Heat (43 Deg), planned our trip to McLeod. It had been quite confusing though ! Tosh and Kasol, (the paradise for cannabis), and new to our ears or the much sought for McLeod, (amazing food and calmness).

So finally since we had just 2 nights and 3 days in hand we decided to go to McLeod. Hence, the quest for Food, Finance, Freedom and Female began.
One thing I have learned from my Bangkok trip is that the key to a fantabulous trip is Research and Exploration. And yes the travelogues on the blogsites are best for a quick survey of the far off lands. Another quick option is the Ctrl + F , and be specific.

Note: Read everyone and everything. Do what you want. Trust you instinct. Remember its just a guide not rule book.

Hey Travelers

I m trying to post be specific in every post about specific parts of the trips. Hence, I have chaptered the post so that you can save time and look for specific stuff.

Thanks for the read.
regards,
Nish