Overview

Snowcapped peaks, palatial colonial bungalows and lush greenery are just some of the high points of a visit to Simla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh. Its long winding roads dotted with British era architecture make for a popular honeymoon destination. The quiet town is full of students from nearby colleges and boarding schools, backpackers and local travelers. Many little shops by the lanes sell wooden knick knacks, local ice cream, woolen clothes and the famous embroidered shawls and stoles. The Ridge is easily the most popular spot in Shimla. The vast space offers a bird’s eye view of the entire valley. The famous Christ Church attracts a lot of tourists. Shimla is also known for the local food. Whether it is the bakeries baking fresh pancakes or the locally prepared fruit wines, one must try these local flavours. Other places of interest in and around Shimla are the Jakhu temple, Viceroy Lodge and botanical garden, Rothney castle, Kufri, Mashobra, Fagu, Chhail, Tara Devi temple and Tattapani to name a few that you can enjoy on a India day tour to Shimla.

How to visit:

By road: From Delhi, Manali and Chandigarh, luxury coaches and taxis ply to Shimla. During tourist season HPTDC also operates regular deluxe buses from Delhi and Manali to Shimla. The distance from Shimla to Chandigarh is 117 km, Manali is 280 km, Chail is 45 km and Delhi is 370 km.

By rail: Shimla is connected to Kalka train station (KLK) which is 96 kms by an enchanting narrow gauge railway line where even a quaint rail car ply. It takes around 6 Hrs from KALKA to reach SHIMLA (SML). There are 3-4 trains daily from Kalka to Shimla and vice-versa. The overnight Kalka Mail from Delhi reaches Kalka in the early morning and that is the time to catch connecting trains on the splendid narrow-gauge train to Shimla. There are 103 tunnels on the route with longest being 1.2 K.M. long.

By air: Shimla Airport is at Jubbarhatti, 23 kms from city and is connected to Chandigarh, Kullu, and Delhi. It has daily flights from Delhi and Kullu.

Fast Facts

Location - Himachal Pradesh, North India

Places of Interest - Mall Road, Shimla Ridge, ST. MICHAEL'S CATHEDRAL, Annandale, Glenn, Prospect Hill, State Museum & Library, Summer Hill, Viceregal Lodge, Jakhoo Temple, Sankat Mochan, Kufri.

Best time to visit - Apr-May (Summer), June-Sep (Monsoon), Oct-Mar (Winter)

Language - Hindi, English, Himachali

Festivals - Ice Skating Carnival Shimla, Rhyali Festival Shimla, Shimla Summer Festival, Sipi Fair, Christmas, Diwali, Winter sports festival

Shimla Location Map