TRAVEL PLAN (MUMBAI TO CHAMBA)

Ways to get to Chamba:

1) Mumbai – Delhi- Chamba (Himachal Pradesh)
2) Mumbai – Delhi- Pathankot (Punjab) - Chamba
In the first option we take a bus (HRTC Volvo) from Delhi to Chamba (15hr
journey). In the second option, we have to take a train (10 hr) to Pathankot and a
approx. 2/3-hour local bus journey to Chamba.
Preferred way is the first one even though it requires bus transport because the
second option involves train from Delhi to Pathankot, all of which start late
from Delhi and bus from Pathankot to Chamba, which is HRTC AC sleeper, are
very unpredictable.
Map of Chamba – Pathankot – Delhi:
Delhi -Pathankot: 479 km
Pathankot – Chamba: 120 km

Delhi – Pathankot – Chamba: Big Picture

Detailed Plan:
We need to reach Chamba by 25th Dec 5pm. Night stay in Chamba is arranged
by the travel team.

Mumbai – Chamba:
1) Mumbai – Delhi:
a) Flight: There are multiple flights to Delhi for 24th Dec. Preferred
flights would be the ones in the morning.

The prices vary a bit but on an average the cost would be 5k. The
cleartrip link is attached below:

https://www.cleartrip.com/flights/results?adults=1&carrier=&childs=
0&infants=0&from=BOM&to=DEL&intl=n&depart_date=24/12/2018
&departureTime=8_12

A screenshot (as of 28-11-18 1pm) of the website is attached below

for quick reference!
 b) Train: The best option by train would be Rajdhani. It will require us to
book the Rajdhani that leaves Mumbai Central on 23rd Dec.
Assuming we take 3A or 2A in Rajdhani, the prices vary in the range of
3k -4k. The drop point of the train is NDLS situated b/w Ajmeri Gate and
Paharganj. The train schedule is:
Mumbai Central: 5 pm 23rd Dec
New Delhi Railway Station: 9 am 24th Dec.
Comparison:
There is a monetary benefit in travelling in 3A Rajadhani over flight but there is
no point in taking a 2A Rajadhani as it is almost of the same fare. Rajadhani
would increase the travel time but it might provide a more luxurious travel
experience. Personal preference- flight.
2) Delhi - Chamba:
Assuming that we reach Delhi approx. by 1pm on 24th Dec by any of the mode
of transport, we will aboard a train on 24th evening to reach Pathankot around
25th morning or take a bus in the evening to Chamba directly from Delhi
(preferred).
a) Delhi – Pathankot- Chamba
The options for Trains from Delhi to Pathankot (see picture):
Note: The train options shown below start from Delhi after 7 pm because the
total travel time is 10 hrs - so that we can reach Pathankot in the morning rather
than at night.
The ixigo link is attached below:
https://www.ixigo.com/search/result/train/New%20Delhi-All/Pathankot-
All/24122018//1/0/0/0/ALL
Note: The trains starting from NDLS reach Pathankot between 12 am and 3 am
which is too early and hence we choose to aboard from DLI which is the old
Delhi station near Chandni chowk. There is a metro running from NDLS
(Ajmeri Gate) to DLI (Chandni Chowk).
Once we reach Pathankot, we take local buses to Chamba. There are multiple
state buses running hourly in this route. The bus schedule is currently not visible
on the HRTC website.
b) Delhi – Chamba:
If this is the situation even when we leave for the trek, we would avoid
Pathankot altogether and travel directly to Chamba by HRTC Volvo bus.

https://online.hrtchp.com/oprs-web/avail/services.do
There are two buses – both leave from the same bus stop and reach Chamba in
the morning. Hence if we miss one, we can get the other.
This completes the trip to Chamba.
Chamba – Mumbai:
In the worst-case scenario – if we miss the timing for any of our travel options
to Delhi, we will book the same hotel room in Chamba for another day and
travel from Chamba on 31st. There are, as we mentioned above, two ways to get
to Delhi:
Chamba – Delhi (direct):

This way, we reach Delhi on 31st.

Both start from the same bus stop. Hence if we miss one, we can get the other.
Then we would reach Delhi on 1st.
Chamba – Pathankot – Delhi:
It is difficult to plan this way because the bus to Pathankot is unpredictable.
Hence, we would prefer the first route only.
Delhi – Mumbai:
If we had to stay in Chamba an extra day, we might have to book tickets from
Delhi on 1st instead of 31st. This needs to be confirmed from the travel team-
when we will be dropped in Chamba. In case of an unforeseen delay from
Chamba, we can stay a day or two in Delhi till we re-book a reasonable ticket to
Mumbai.
Preferred travel option from Delhi is by flight as we will be tired from the trek.
The options are very similar to the ones mentioned before.