Himachal Pradesh is the northernmost state in India and offers an exciting experience of the Himalayas for the tourists. Some of the famous hill stations which are sought after by many tourists are Shimla (which is the capital), Dalhousie, Dharamshala, Kullu and Manali. Shimla was once the summer capital during the British rule due to its perennial snow at some places. Due to this, Shimla tour package is always on demand all through the year.
Shimla, the Himachal capital and also the summer capital during the British reign is a beautiful destination to holiday with your family. The steep hilly regions and the valleys provide a picturesque holiday and a popular tourist destination in India. There are various resorts atop snow-capped mountains which are constantly buzzing with tourists trying to escape the hot summers in their hometowns. Shimla as a town is filled with remnants from British India which adds a rustic and elegant charm to the whole town. There are Shimla holiday Packages specifically highlighting the charm and heritage of the place. Vehicles aren’t allowed to enter the central town area and hence walking around the central town is a pleasurable experience without any obstacles from parked or speeding vehicles. The winding streets with mall and the busy bazaar are a great place to spend the evening looking around the shops.
The residents of Shimla are very cordial and hospitable to tourists which makes it all the more appealing to visit this beautiful town. The warmth with which they welcome the tourist is contrast to the pleasant climate prevalent all through the year. The best time to visit Shimla is during between April to mid-July and between September to end of October. But if you are a snow lover and would like to experience snowfall, winters are the best time to visit which is between December to February when the town is carpeted with pristine white snow. When here, make sure to hop on to the toy train at Kalka station which will take you through a scenic path leaving you spell bound by the beauty of the snow-capped mountains and dense forests consisting of pines, deodars, oaks and rhododendron trees. The toy train is a must visit on Shimla holiday Packages as it is an iconic landmark in Shimla. These dense forests are a visual treat for tourists who love nature. We all know Shimla’s apples are renowned all through the nation, so when you are here, ensure you visit the apple garden and relish the fresh Shimla apples right from its source! Do check out our amazing Shimla tour packages to experience all this first-hand! This Himachal Pradesh capital can be easily reached by rail and road from Delhi which is about 325 kilometers from the national capital.
There is a small railway station which is only a kilometer from the central town area.
Best places to visit in Shimla
Check out our best tour packages for Shimla and choose one that is most suitable for your as a tourist based on your interests. Here, we list out some of the best places to visit when it comes to Shimla tourism. Shimla is much more than the magnificent snow-capped mountains. In Shimla, you can undertake so many adventure sports and activities such as fishing, golfing, nature walks, ice skating, skiing, trekking and much more! Within Shimla there are various places which offer these sports namely Kufri, Fagu and Naldhera. During the winters, Kufri is the place to be if you want to try your hands at skiing as there are many ski resorts here. The Nalendra golf club which is just 22 kilometres from Shimla is famous for its golf course. You can even do some ice skating in Rivoli and roller skating in Lakkar Bazar if you feel like it. Believe us when we say, that Shimla is the only place in the whole of Asia which has a natural ice skating rink. If you love watching sunsets, then head over to the Ridge which offers spectacular views of the seven hills of Shimla.
Shimla also many religious and spiritual places of interest where you can rekindle your spiritual side and be one with yourself. There are various types of Shimla tour packages available from which you can choose a package which is most preferred by you and your family.
● Gaiety Theatre
The Gaiety Theatre is a beautiful Victorian style theatre established in the year 1877 and has now been restored and used by the local drama societies and for concerts and exhibitions. Many Viceroys such as Rudyard Kipling and Shashi Kapoor have performed here.
● Gorton Castle
The Gorton castle is a notable landmark in Shimla built in the year 1904. The architecture reflects Neo-gothic styles and the building served as the Government Secretariat during British rule and is currently the State’s accountant General’s office.
● Viceregal Lodge
If you are a die-hard Harry Potter fan, then the Viceregal Lodge is a must visit spot in Shimla as its architecture is very similar to that of the Hogwarts Castle. This lodge is of historical importance in India as two conferences between the Indian and British leaders were held here which led us to Independent India. You can go on a house tour and visit the three rooms with some photo exhibits. If you are not up for a serious historical tour, then you can always choose to take a stroll on the perfectly manicured lawns outside the lodge. You can even visit the Himalayan Bird park which is right opposite the lodge.
● Jakhu Temple
The Jakhu Temple is dedicated to Lord hanuman and is one of Shimla’s most famous temples located on a hill top. To worship this temple, you must hike approximately 1.2 kilometres from the Ridge. This temple is easily accessible from all parts of the town all thanks to a huge 33-metres high pink coloured statue of Lord Hanuman which stands humongous on the hill. There are some really cool murals inside the temple which showcases Lord hanuman and Lord Ram’s accomplishments from the Ramayana.
● The Ridge
The Ridge road is an open space in Shimla where all the cultural activities take place. The Ridge connects to most of the major spots around the town such as the Mall, Snowdon, Jakhoo hills and many others. You can spot three statues of famous personalities on the Ridge namely Indira Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi, and that of Dr. Y.S. Parmar who was the first Chief Minister of the State.
● Bantony Castle
Bantony is a heritage red bricked mansion established in the year 1880 and was once upon a time Maharaja of Sirmaur’s home. Due to many legal battles over its inheritance, the Bantony remained unoccupied and wrecked. But recently the government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to convert the run-down building into a museum which will be open to the public.
● Himachal State Museum
The Himachal State Museum is an interesting and quaint little museum exhibiting colourful and traditional jewellery and costumes, wood carvings and delicate stone works along with Rajasthani, Punjabi and Himachali miniatures and some interesting photos of the temples in Himachal Pradesh.
● Christ Church
The English Christ church was established in the year 1846 at the eastern end of the Ridge. This is one of the oldest enduring church in the northern region of India and also one of Shimla’s prominent landmarks. This church has inspiration from the memorials of Raj era along with the typical Victorian style stained glasses.
We have some of the best tour packages for Shimla and also some of the cheapest Shimla tour packages from which you can choose best suited ones based on your interests and budget. If you are a newly wedded couple and looking at some holiday destinations to kindle your love and bond, then have a look at our Shimla packages for honeymoon which offer plenty of romantic options for couples. Shimla is a beautiful destination to holiday in with good and well maintained roads which makes driving through the mountains a pleasurable experience. If you are planning a weekend getaways to Himachal Pradesh, then Shimla is a great place to start your vacation amidst surreal nature like the dense forests, placid lakes, cool waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and the quaint little villages around the town.
Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Chandigarh by flight. Drive to Shimla (113 kms). Stay in Shimla
Day 2: Sightseeing in Shimla. Stay in Shimla
Day 3: Shimla to Manali (238 kms). Stay in Manali
Day 4: Manali sightseeing. Stay in Manali
Day 5: Manali to Kulu – Manali(43 kms). Sightseeing of Kulu. Stay in Manali
Day 6: Manali to Chandigarh Drive (270 kms). Drop to airport