Summer Vacation Tour

Summer 2011, I wanted to visit lesser known Himachal like Chamunda Ji, Baijnath, Palampur etc. After surfing net I was unable to find suitable tour planning. So I started the tour without much knowledge. I am giving here all the details of a budget journey.

Date 7/06/2011

We started from Dhuri (Punjab) at 6.10 am by Andeman Express and reached Phagwara Junction by 8.30 am. The fair was Rs. 35/- (Aprx). Phagwara Bus Stand is 5 minutes walk from Railway Station. There we took the bus for Hoshiarpur, fair Rs. 25/-

From Hosiarpur by Bus to Chintpurni, fair near abt Rs. 40/- one hr time.

At Chintpurni long que for Darshan. We placed our luggage and shoes free of cost at one of the shops selling Parsad. We were free in 2 hrs.

Then by bus to JawalJi, fair of bus abt Rs.40/- and time One hr.

At Jawaliji placed our luggage and shoes free of cost at one of the shops selling Parsad. We were free in one hr.

Then took bus to Kangra Fair same about Rs. 40/- and reached Kangra at abt  5.00 pm.

From Kangra bus stand took bus for Chamunda Ji, fair Rs. 40/- (aprx) time one hr.

Gone to Yatri Niwas. Yatri Niwas was running full and rooms were not also upto quality without attached batroom etc at Rs. 500/- per day. So just next to Yatri Niwas there is a Kiran Asharam, a budget stay, three beds in room for Rs. 350/- attached bathroom, toilet. Good for budget stay. Owner Bihari Lal, Arun Kumar are nice. Here I spent three nights and visited all area by staying here.

Date 8/06/2011

First of all went to ChamundaJi temple just two minutes walk from my stay. Not too musc rush. Freed in 15 minutes. Took breakfast at Sai Kirpa Dhaba near bus stop. Nice Dhaba with reasonable rates and good food. At 9.30 am took bus for Chamunda Marg railway station Rs. 5/-. At abt 10.15 took small gauge train for Baijnath fair Rs. 5/- time 1.30 hr. Very beautiful journey in Kangra Valley.

Baijnath Temple is abt 20 minutes walk from station or you can take a bus from railway station. But I will suggest walking along railway track.

Baijnath Temple is worth visiting. Not too much crowd. After Darshan visited local market and near bus stand there is bakey with good products.

Took bus to Andretta from bus stand fair abt  Rs. 15/- time One hr.

What a peacefull village is Andretta with nice people there. Visited Pottery institute and Sr. Sobha Sing Gallery just opp the bus stop. Ticket Rs. 10/-. The Gallery is must for visit. Enjoyed walking in the village. At abt 3.20 pm took bus to Panchrukhi 2 km from Andretts Rs. 5/- fare. From Panchrukhi took train for Chamunda Marg at 4.15 pm and reached Chamunda Marg by 5.45 pm. From there by bus to Chamunda Ji.

Date 9/06/2011

Started journey to Dharamshala by taking bus from Chamunda Ji bus stand Rs. 17/-. From Dharamshala took bus upto Mcleodganj Rs. 10/-. Bhagsu Nag Mandir is abt 2 Km from Mcleodganj bus stop. Enjoyed walking in the market and visited temple. There is a waterfall behind mandir. Path is there for waterfall abt 2 km walk along the hills. After it checked local market full of Tibetans. In the first street from bus stand, the way goes to Dalai Lama Monastery. Abt 100 mtr from starting poit there is another temple. There was lady vendor selling Momos, the Tibetan food item. I had eated it first time and it had a great taste. Visited Dalai Lama Temple. Mcleodganj is as usual as other hill stations but is little bit hotter.

Date 10/06/2011

It was our last day at Chamunda Ji so after visiting temple in morning we went for Gopalpur Zoo abt 5 Km bus fair Rs. 7/-. Not too many animals in the zoo but I liked the journey to zoo and zoo. Peaceful environment and surroundings. At abt 11.30 am took bus to Kangra and the same way as I started journey returned home.

Over all I enjoyed this tour and my total expenditure excluding shopping was abt Rs. 7000/-

You can ask me any details if you want.