Shimla Manali
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Shimla is the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Shimla is home to a number of buildings that are styled in the Tudorbethan and neo-Gothic architectures dating from the colonial era, as well as multiple temples and churches. The colonial architecture and churches, the temples, and the natural environment of the city attracts tourists. Attractions include the Viceregal Lodge, the Christ Church, the Jakhoo Temple, the Mall Road, the Ridge and Annadale. The city centre's northern most point is Jakhoo and the southern most location is Annadale. Shimla features a subtropical highland climate. The climate in Shimla is predominantly cool during winters and moderately warm during summer. Temperatures typically range from −4 °C (25 °F) to 31 °C (88 °F) over the course of a year.
Shimla to Manali is around 6 hrs by road.
Manali, at the northern end of the Kullu Valley in Himachal Pradesh, is a hill station situated at a height of 2050m (6398 ft) in the Himalayas. Situated on the Beas river (Vyaas in Hindi) and near its source, it is a popular tourist spot for Indians in summer and a magical, snow-covered place in winter. A staging point for a number of treks (Beas Kund, Chandrakhani Pass) and sports such as white-water rafting, Manali is also on the road to Ladakh via the valley of Lahaul and Spiti and the Rohtang Pass which is the main attraction near Manali.
Kullu and Manali, top tourist destinations of Himachal Pradesh, seem to outdo the other in their scenic magnificence and opportunities for sightseeing & adventure. Kullu, the town believed to be apt for the gods, pleasantly surprises the visitor with the diversity it offers. In Manali, what you see is what you get, raw beauty with serenity, the likes of which you may have only dreamt about.
By bus
Manali is 570km from Delhi, the capital of India, and there are buses connecting the town with Delhi, Shimla, Dharamsala and Leh. For service from Delhi to Manali and back, tickets and reservations can be made at the Inter State Bus Terminus or the Himachal Tourism office on Safdar Hashmi Marg near Mandi House in New Delhi. You can book tickets online too. The approximate travel time from Delhi to Manali is 14 hours; from Ambala to Manali is 10 hours; from Chandigarh is 08 hours and from Kulu to Manali is 1.5 to 3 hours. Volvo buses—which depart around 17:00 and arrive about 10:00 the next day—are available from Delhi and is the best option in terms of comfort and value for money to reach Manali but you need to book these in advance. Some hotels like Snow Valley Resorts will book your Volvo & sightseeing along with their hotel package which results in a good package deal as you get everything in one go.
The windows on Volvo buses are fixed and do not open at all. Volvos offer bags that people may use if they feel like vomiting. You may enjoy a better view of the valley and the beautiful Beas river if you book seats on the right side of bus while traveling from Delhi.
By private taxi
If you are going to Manali through Chandigarh-Ropar-Kiratpur-Mandi highway, then your driver would need to drive on hilly roads for at least 6 hours. Chandigarh to Manali would be about 8-9 hours by taxi.
By train
The nearest Broad Gauge Rail Head is Ambala Cantt (200km) or Chandigarh (250km)from Indian Capital New Delhi. Ambala Cantt is on the Delhi - Amritsar and Delhi - Jammu main lines and is well served by rail, but you will need to travel to Ambala to get a bus for the 10 hour ride to Manali. Jogindernagar and Kalka are other, less preferable, rail heads for Manali.
By plane
The nearest airport is Bhuntar ( Kullu ) Airport, 50km from Manali, 10km from Kullu, about two hours away. Air India Regional operate flights to Kullu from Delhi. However the services can be irregular, and airfares can be high. Himalyan Bulls offer flight services from Chandigarh to kullu airport. From the airport the best option to go to Manali is by Pre Paid taxi which is easily available there.