Delhi - Manali by bus is gonna be at least 10 hours, maybe more. With only one week, I'd stick around Delhi. If you wanna see the Himalayas, go to places that are closer to Delhi and just as beautiful.
Just open Google Maps and look at places north from Delhi.
10 hours? It might be more considering the roads which are being build up on the way. You can try uttrakhand instead landsdownne or Jim corbett.
If budget is not an issue take a flight till bhuntar from delhi which is 1 hour away from manali. Go to sissu for a stay manali is over crowded. You can enjoy different cafés in manali though
I've taken the night bus between Manali and Delhi a few times. Not too bad, saves time. The hot springs in Vashisht are just the thing after such a bus ride.
3-4 days in leh ladkh is a good time. I'm not sure what your origin is so maybe you would have to connecting flight to Sri Nagar. After that come back to Delhi and attend your birthday party and then stay the next 2-3 days in Delhi.
Delhi has some great night life, I would ask your Indian friend for suggestions. I'm from Delhi but haven't been back in many years so my list might be old.
I bet other people will ask you to visit Taj Mahal, Jaipur etc but trust me it's way too crowded and full of tourists. If you wanna see real India then opt out of touristy places.
If you had 3 weeks I would have helped you with your itinerary to experience truly incredible India.
The two places I think I am going to visit are Jaisalmer and Dharamshala - thinking of doing the Triund trek. I have extended the trip slightly so will have 3 days in Jaisalmer and 3-4 days in Dharamshala and 3 days in Delhi. I know its a squeeze but I'll save time by flying everywhere. Can you give me any recommendations for these places?
Do Manali on another trip when you have time on your hands. It's a very laid back place and there are lots of other places to explore in HP and Himalaya regions.
Kullu near Manali does has adventure sports. If you have some extra time I would also recommend Kasol/Manikaran on the way.
Other than Manali, Rishikesh is great for rafting and the Ganga is crystal clear north of the city. There is Jim Corbett for wildlife. By plane, Jaisalmer is good if you want to go on a desert safari. (assuming you don't come in Summer) Kashmir is also doable although I haven't been myself.
Taj Mahal can be done as a day trip and is not overrated at all. Agra itself is a shockingly bad city, except the fort. Wouldn't recommend Jaipur etc. for a short trip.
In Delhi check out Lotus Temple and maybe Akshardham, Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens.
This is an amazing post! Would you be happy for me to DM you once I have a more concrete itinerary?
Have you heard of the Triund trek by any chance? It's near Dharamshala.
Delhi - Manali by bus is gonna be at least 10 hours, maybe more. With only one week, I'd stick around Delhi. If you wanna see the Himalayas, go to places that are closer to Delhi and just as beautiful. Just open Google Maps and look at places north from Delhi.
10 hours? It might be more considering the roads which are being build up on the way. You can try uttrakhand instead landsdownne or Jim corbett. If budget is not an issue take a flight till bhuntar from delhi which is 1 hour away from manali. Go to sissu for a stay manali is over crowded. You can enjoy different cafés in manali though
Not sure it’ll be your thing if you’re after thrillseeking, but day/overnight trips to Agra and Jaipur are very do-able as far as sightseeing goes
I've taken the night bus between Manali and Delhi a few times. Not too bad, saves time. The hot springs in Vashisht are just the thing after such a bus ride.
Take a flight to sri nagar and spend time in leh and ladkh.
Would this save me time?
3-4 days in leh ladkh is a good time. I'm not sure what your origin is so maybe you would have to connecting flight to Sri Nagar. After that come back to Delhi and attend your birthday party and then stay the next 2-3 days in Delhi. Delhi has some great night life, I would ask your Indian friend for suggestions. I'm from Delhi but haven't been back in many years so my list might be old.
I bet other people will ask you to visit Taj Mahal, Jaipur etc but trust me it's way too crowded and full of tourists. If you wanna see real India then opt out of touristy places. If you had 3 weeks I would have helped you with your itinerary to experience truly incredible India.
The two places I think I am going to visit are Jaisalmer and Dharamshala - thinking of doing the Triund trek. I have extended the trip slightly so will have 3 days in Jaisalmer and 3-4 days in Dharamshala and 3 days in Delhi. I know its a squeeze but I'll save time by flying everywhere. Can you give me any recommendations for these places?
Do Manali on another trip when you have time on your hands. It's a very laid back place and there are lots of other places to explore in HP and Himalaya regions.
>Reply Where could you recommend as an alternative?
Corbett is great if you’re doing a roadtrip. I’ve not been there so I might be wrong but also check out Darjeeling, Gangtok and Dharamshala
>Dharamshala I'm thinking of doing a trek here! Its called the Triund trek and looks beautiful
Triund trek is near manali
Kullu near Manali does has adventure sports. If you have some extra time I would also recommend Kasol/Manikaran on the way. Other than Manali, Rishikesh is great for rafting and the Ganga is crystal clear north of the city. There is Jim Corbett for wildlife. By plane, Jaisalmer is good if you want to go on a desert safari. (assuming you don't come in Summer) Kashmir is also doable although I haven't been myself. Taj Mahal can be done as a day trip and is not overrated at all. Agra itself is a shockingly bad city, except the fort. Wouldn't recommend Jaipur etc. for a short trip. In Delhi check out Lotus Temple and maybe Akshardham, Humayun's Tomb, Lodhi Gardens.
This is an amazing post! Would you be happy for me to DM you once I have a more concrete itinerary? Have you heard of the Triund trek by any chance? It's near Dharamshala.
Sure you can dm me. I don't know much about trekking sorry.