So guys, today I wanna talk about this trip planning mess I got myself into. See, I really wanted to see the Himalayas properly, right? But picking between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand? Man, it felt like choosing between two awesome desserts. Had to figure it out myself.
The Head-Scratching Begins
Started simple, just Googled stuff like “Himachal vs Uttarakhand” and “which is better for solo traveler”. Felt like falling down a rabbit hole instantly. Brochures made both look perfect – snowy peaks, cute villages, rivers flowing everywhere. Useless. Needed actual dirt from people who’ve been.
I hunted down travel blogs and Youtube vlogs for hours. Dug deep into those comment sections too, the real goldmine. People arguing fiercely about roads, crowds, costs. Got me even more confused initially!
Diving Deeper into What Matters
Okay, needed a system. Made a little chart in my notebook:
- What I Wanted: Mountains, not too crazy crowded, okay roads (hopefully!), good local food spots, maybe some hiking that wouldn’t kill me.
- Budget Check: Flights first. Delhi to both seemed kinda similar price-wise. Then looked at stay costs – homestays vs hotels. Felt Himachal had more affordable good homestay options in quieter valleys.
- When To Go: Biggie. I was going early October. Posts screamed warnings: “Uttarakhand monsoon lasts longer!” Saw pics of washed-out roads near Mussoorie. Himachal? Seemed like the rain was easing up by then. Major point scored.
The Tipping Point (Literally, a Bus Ride)
Then I read this blog comment about transport. Guy was ranting: “Took 12 hours from Dehradun to Yamunotri! Road was hell!”. Cross-checked with others. Himachal’s roads to places like Manali or Kasol? Still bumpy rides, sure, but consistently described as slightly less insane than some Uttarakhand routes to hill stations. Also, the thought of easier access to Spiti or Parvati Valley from Delhi clinched it. Didn’t wanna spend half my trip just getting somewhere.
Decision Made & The Real Deal
So, pulled the trigger on Himachal Pradesh. Booked that bus to Manali (long ride, ugh, but bearable). What actually happened?
- Got into Old Manali after a bumpy ride. Found a sweet, cheap guesthouse overlooking the river. Owner was this chill dude who recommended local dhabas – best parathas ever, no fancy tourist prices.
- Hiked up to Jogini Waterfall. Tough climb? Yeah. Worth it? Hell yes. Views were unreal, plus chatted with cool travelers on the way up.
- Took a local bus to Kasol. Jam-packed! Sardine-can vibes. But that drive through Parvati Valley? Mind-blowing scenery. Found a riverside cafe in Kasol, chilled for hours just listening to the water.
- Budget homestay near Naggar was an absolute steal. Woke up to epic mountain views every single morning. Felt like paradise.
Why Himachal Won (For Me)
Looking back, Himachal was the right call because:
- October Weather Lucked Out: Sunshine most days! Just some drizzle. Would’ve been sweating bullets in Uttarakhand mudslides.
- Variety Without Huge Travel Gaps: From Manali’s buzz to Kasol’s trance vibe to Naggar’s peace, didn’t waste days just driving between spots.
- Found My Tribe (& Thali): Met more solo backpackers chilling. Homestay hosts and local dhaba guys were super welcoming too. Plus, ate like a king without burning cash.
- The Bang For Buck Felt Higher: Got those epic Himalayan views, great trails, comfy bed, and momos – all without constantly checking my wallet.
Uttarakhand still looks amazing, guys. Rishikesh rafting, those stunning Valley of Flowers treks… definitely on my list for next time! But for this trip, based on my timing and chaos tolerance, Himachal Pradesh was the absolute winner. Felt like I actually lived it, not just visited. Now stop overthinking and start packing! Pack light though, seriously.
