Shimla Tour Package, 3 Nights 4 Days with Kufri, Chail and Toy Train
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Shimla Tour Package, 3 Nights 4 Days with Kufri, Chail and Toy Train

4 days / 3 nightsStarts Chandigarh
From ₹19,622 · See pricing
4 days
3 nights
Chandigarh
start point
222 km
by road

March to June for pleasant days and clear walks. December to February for snow, though snow dates change every year and Kufri gets more than Shimla. September to November for clear skies. Take care in July and August, when landslides close roads.

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Overview

Tour overview

This Shimla tour package gives you 3 nights and 4 days in Shimla and its hills, starting from Chandigarh, Kalka or Delhi. You can ride the UNESCO toy train from Kalka, or come up by road. You walk the Ridge and the Mall, take darshan at Jakhu and Tara Devi, see the Viceregal Lodge, and go out to Kufri, Mashobra, Naldehra and Chail.

What does this Shimla tour package include?

This is a 3 nights and 4 days Shimla tour package. You stay all three nights in one hotel in Shimla, so you unpack only once. That matters with elders and small children.

The plan is simple. On Day 1 you come up from Chandigarh, Kalka or Delhi and stop at Tara Devi on the way. On Day 2 you see old Shimla: Jakhu, Christ Church, Lakkar Bazaar and the Viceregal Lodge. On Day 3 you go out to Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehra. On Day 4 you drive to Chail and then down to Chandigarh.

Most Shimla pages give you a list of places. This page gives you the order, the distances, the closed days and the problems that spoil a trip. Read it once and you will know what to expect on every day.

Where does the tour start, and how do you reach Shimla?

The tour starts in Chandigarh or Kalka. If you live in Delhi, we can pick you up there too. Here are your choices, with the official figures from the Shimla district administration.

  • By road from Chandigarh. Shimla is about 119 km from Chandigarh, about 3.5 hours by car. Chandigarh airport is about 120 km from Shimla. This is the easiest start for most families.
  • By road from Delhi. Shimla is about 370 km from Delhi, about 8 hours by car and about 9 hours by bus. Start early and stop for meals on the way. If you want a Delhi start with more time, see our Delhi to Shimla tour package.
  • By the toy train from Kalka. The overnight Kalka Mail from Delhi reaches Kalka in the early morning. From there the toy train climbs about 96 km to Shimla in about 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the train. Several trains run each way every day.
  • By air to Shimla. The small Jubbarhatti airport is about 23 km from Shimla. Flights are few and depend on the season and the weather, so please check the current schedule before you plan around it.

For NRI and OCI families, land in Delhi and rest for one night. Then take an early train to Kalka or Chandigarh. A long flight and a long hill drive on the same day is too much for most people.

Is the Kalka Shimla toy train worth it?

Yes, if you have the time and you enjoy slow travel. The Kalka Shimla railway opened on 9 November 1903. It is a narrow-gauge line of 2 ft 6 in, about 96 km long. In 2008 UNESCO added it to the Mountain Railways of India World Heritage Site, with the Darjeeling and Nilgiri lines. You can read more on our page on the Mountain Railways of India.

The train starts at Kalka at about 656 m and ends at Shimla at about 2,075 m. On the way it passes through more than 100 tunnels. Himachal Tourism counts 102. The longest is at Barog, a little over 1 km long. Near Kanoh you cross bridge number 541, with 34 arches and about 23 m high.

Here is the honest side for you. The ride is slow, about 4.5 to 6 hours. The seats are small. The line is also hit by the monsoon. In August 2023 a landslide washed away a bridge near Summer Hill, and full service came back only in October 2023. In 2025 trains stopped at Tara Devi for about two weeks while a bridge was rebuilt. Book your seat early on the official IRCTC site, and keep the car as a backup. Our driver carries your luggage up by road and meets you at Shimla station.

You can choose from four kinds of trains on the line: the Himalayan Queen, the Shivalik Deluxe Express, the Kalka Shimla Express and the Rail Motor, a small railcar with a glass roof. Please check the current timings and fares on IRCTC, as they change.

When does it snow in Shimla?

Snow in Shimla usually comes between December and February. Winter runs from November to March. But snow does not come on fixed dates, and some years it comes late or very little.

Two recent winters show you why. In January 2023 Shimla got its first snow only in mid-January, after a long dry spell. Kufri and Narkanda got 1 to 2 inches while Shimla town got mostly rain. In December 2024 snow fell in early December, and locals said that had not happened since the 1990s. It melted in a few hours.

So what does this mean for you? If snow is the main reason for your trip, go between late December and mid-February, and keep your dates flexible. Kufri, at about 2,510 m, gets snow more often than Shimla town. After heavy snow, the road beyond Dhalli towards Kufri and Narkanda can close until it is cleared. In those days we change the order of Day 3 and Day 4, so you do not lose a day.

You may also hear about Shimla's natural ice skating rink. The season usually runs from early December to the end of February, but it depends on cold, clear nights. Please do not book only for skating.

Which days are the Viceregal Lodge and the Mashobra retreat closed?

This is the one detail that spoils most Shimla trips, so please note it. The Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study) is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm, but it is closed on Mondays and national holidays. The inside is seen only on a guided tour of about 30 minutes, in Hindi or English. The first tour starts at about 10:30 am and the last at about 4:30 pm. Photos are not allowed inside the main building.

The Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra, the President's summer retreat, opened to the public in April 2023. Its tours also do not run on Mondays and public holidays. You can book a slot on the official Rashtrapati Bhavan visit site.

So if your Day 2 falls on a Monday, we swap Day 2 and Day 3. You see Kufri and Naldehra on the Monday and the Viceregal Lodge on Tuesday. Ticket rates change, so please confirm the current rate on the official site.

What makes Shimla special for a family trip?

When you reach Shimla, you are at about 2,200 m on a ridge of the lower Himalaya. The British built it after the Gurkha war of 1814 to 1816, and from the 1860s it was the summer capital of British India. That is why the town looks the way it does: a church on the Ridge, a theatre on the Mall, stone houses on steep slopes, and the long Viceregal Lodge on Observatory Hill.

For your family, Shimla is also a town of temples. Lord Hanuman at Jakhu looks down on the whole town. Goddess Tara sits on her own hill near Shoghi. Kali Bari, near the Mall, dates from 1845. In Chail, Kali ka Tibba stands on a hilltop with views of the Choor Chandni peak.

The best part for you is that the main sights are close. The Ridge, the Mall, Christ Church, Lakkar Bazaar and the Gaiety Theatre are all within a short walk. No cars are allowed on the Mall, so the evening walk is safe for children.

Is Shimla easy for elders and small children?

Yes, if you plan a little. The town you walk in is steep. The Mall and the Ridge are flat enough, but the lanes between them are steep climbs and stairs. Public lifts from Cart Road take you up to the Mall, which saves the legs of elders.

Jakhu is the one hard walk. It is about 2.5 km from the Ridge, a steep climb of 30 to 60 minutes. Elders can take the ropeway or a taxi instead. At Jakhu the monkeys are bold. They snatch glasses, phones, bags and food. Keep everything inside a closed bag, and do not carry food in your hand.

Shimla is not very high, so you are unlikely to feel altitude sickness here. Still, rest on your first afternoon, drink enough water and keep warm clothes in your hand bag. In winter, carry heavy woollens, gloves and good shoes with grip, as the lanes freeze in the morning.

What should you eat and buy in Shimla?

The food you eat in Shimla is simple and warm. You should try a Himachali dham thali, with dal, rajma, rice, curd, boor ki kadi and sweet rice. Try madra, chickpeas in a spiced curd gravy, and siddu, a steamed stuffed bread eaten with ghee. Babru is a puri-like bread with black gram filling, eaten with tamarind chutney.

If you want the famous names, go to Indian Coffee House on the Mall for South Indian food and filter coffee. It has served the Mall for many years. Go to Sita Ram and Sons in Lakkar Bazaar for chole bhature, where people stand in line most days. For a Pahadi thali, try Himachali Rasoi in Middle Bazaar.

When you shop, Himachal Emporium at the west end of the Mall sells local shawls and crafts at fixed prices. Lakkar Bazaar sells wooden toys, boxes and walking sticks. But many small wooden items there have come from Saharanpur and Bijnor, not from the hills. Ask where an item is made, and compare prices at two or three shops.

How is this page different from the Shimla Manali packages?

This is a Shimla-only trip. It suits families who have 4 days and do not want long drives every day. If you have a week, add Manali to it. Look at our Shimla Manali tour packages or the Shimla Manali tour package from Delhi. For Manali alone, see the Manali tour package.

If you are a newly married couple, our Himachal Pradesh honeymoon package gives you more quiet time. For the full state, see the Himachal tour package. And if you want to read about the town before you go, our Shimla travel guide has more.

Tour highlights

Darshan at Tara Devi temple on its hilltop above the Kalka road, on your way into Shimla
An evening walk on the Ridge and the Mall Road, where no cars are allowed, past Christ Church of 1857 and the Gaiety Theatre
Darshan of Lord Hanuman at Jakhu, the highest point of Shimla, below the 108-foot statue of 2010
A guided tour of the Viceregal Lodge of 1888, now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, where the Shimla Conference of 1945 was held
The UNESCO Kalka Shimla toy train, 96 km and more than 100 tunnels from Kalka, if you choose to come up by rail
Kufri at about 2,510 m, with the Himalayan Nature Park and snow in a good winter
Mashobra, with the President's retreat that opened to the public in 2023, and Naldehra's old golf ground with the Mahunag temple
Chail, the old summer seat of the Patiala kings, with a cricket ground that is often called the highest in the world
Chole bhature at Sita Ram in Lakkar Bazaar, filter coffee at Indian Coffee House and a Himachali dham thali
Honest help with what breaks Shimla trips: Monday closures, snow road blocks, monkeys at Jakhu and the Kufri horse rules

Destinations covered

ChandigarhShimlaKufriMashobraNaldehraChail

Best Time

March to June for pleasant days and clear walks. December to February for snow, though snow dates change every year and Kufri gets more than Shimla. September to November for clear skies. Take care in July and August, when landslides close roads.

Ideal For

Families with children and elders, couples, first-time hill travellers, NRI and OCI families with a short India trip, and devotees who want Jakhu Hanuman and Tara Devi darshan with an easy hill holiday.

Difficulty

Easy

Route & distances

Your journey, stop by stop

Accurate distances and travel times for every leg: 222 km by road. Road times include a traffic buffer; distances marked “aerial” are straight-line for flight, helicopter, ropeway and water legs.

  1. 1Chandigarh
  2. 2Shimla113 km · ~2h 6m est.
  3. 3Chandigarh109 km · ~2h 3m est.

Day by day

Day-by-day itinerary

A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.

Today you come up to Shimla. Our driver meets you at Chandigarh airport, Chandigarh railway station or Kalka. From Chandigarh, Shimla is about 119 km by road, about 3.5 to 4 hours. The road climbs through the Shivalik hills, so keep a travel sickness tablet ready for children who feel sick in cars.

If you chose the toy train, you board it at Kalka in the morning. The ride takes about 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the train. Sit on the side away from the hill when you can, for the valley views. Our driver takes your luggage up by road and meets you at Shimla station.

If you come by road, stop at Tara Devi on the way in. The temple is about 11 km before Shimla, on its own hilltop above the Shimla Kalka highway, near Shoghi. Goddess Tara is the second of the ten Mahavidyas. Tradition says she came to these hills from Bengal with the Sen kings, and the temple dates from about 1766. The view over Shimla from the top is wide and clear on a sunny day.

Check in and rest in the afternoon, so your body settles after the climb. In the evening, walk up to the Ridge. No cars are allowed here or on the Mall, so you can walk slowly with children. You see Christ Church, consecrated in 1857. People often call it the second oldest church in North India. Walk down to Scandal Point and along the Mall Road past the Gaiety Theatre, which opened in 1887.

For dinner, Indian Coffee House on the Mall is an easy choice for dosa and filter coffee. If you want Himachali food, Ashiana and Goofa, the HPTDC restaurant at the bandstand on the Ridge, serves it.

  • Distance and drive time: Chandigarh to Shimla about 119 km (about 3.5 to 4 hours), Kalka to Shimla by toy train about 96 km (about 4.5 to 6 hours), or Delhi to Shimla about 370 km (about 8 to 9 hours).
  • Best time today: Tara Devi before 3 pm, and the Ridge after 5 pm, when the lights come on along the Mall.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Woollen caps, gloves and socks on the Mall if you forgot them. Himachal Emporium at the west end of the Mall has fixed prices, so use it to check what a fair price looks like.
  • A fact few people know: The Ridge looks like a plain open square. But under it lies a large water tank built in the 1880s, which stored water for the old town.
Special Tips for This Day: Keep a warm jacket in your hand bag, not in the suitcase, as evenings are cold even in May. At Tara Devi, remove your footwear and carry socks, as the stone floor is cold. Elders can take the public lift from Cart Road up to the Mall instead of climbing. For the best photo of Christ Church, stand at the far end of the Ridge just after sunset.

Today you see old Shimla. Start early with Jakhu temple, the highest point of the town at about 2,450 m. It is about 2.5 km from the Ridge, a steep walk of 30 to 60 minutes. If you are not used to climbs, take the ropeway or a taxi. Tradition says Lord Hanuman stopped on this hill when he was going to fetch the Sanjeevani herb for Lakshmana. Devotees believe the temple holds his footprints. Above the temple stands the 108-foot statue of Lord Hanuman, unveiled in 2010. You can see it from almost all of Shimla.

Please be careful with the monkeys here. They are quick and bold. Remove your glasses, keep your phone in a zipped bag and do not carry food or prasadam in an open hand. If a monkey grabs something, do not fight it; let it go.

Come down to the Ridge and step inside Christ Church. Look at the stained glass windows. One shows Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility, and the chancel window was designed by Lockwood Kipling. Then walk into Lakkar Bazaar, the wooden goods market that runs off the Ridge. For lunch, try the chole bhature at Sita Ram and Sons here, or a Pahadi thali at Himachali Rasoi in Middle Bazaar.

In the afternoon, drive to the Viceregal Lodge on Observatory Hill. It was built for Lord Dufferin and finished in 1888, to a design by Henry Irwin. Today it is the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, opened by Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on 20 October 1965. You see the inside on a guided tour of about 30 minutes. Walk the gardens after the tour, and visit the Tagore Gallery if it is open.

In the evening, you rest. If you still have energy, walk the Mall again and stop at Himachal Emporium.

  • Distance and drive time: Ridge to Jakhu about 2.5 km on foot (about 30 to 60 minutes up), or by ropeway or taxi; the rest of the day is short drives and walks in town.
  • Best time today: Jakhu by 9 am, before the crowd and the heat. Viceregal Lodge between 2 pm and 4:30 pm, as the last tour starts at about 4:30 pm. Do not plan this day on a Monday.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Wooden boxes, toys and walking sticks in Lakkar Bazaar. Ask the shopkeeper where an item is made, as many small items come from Saharanpur and Bijnor. Compare prices at two or three shops before you pay.
  • A fact few people know: The Viceregal Lodge was one of the first buildings in India with electric lights. Here the Shimla Conference of 25 June to 14 July 1945 failed, and in May 1946 the Cabinet Mission talks were held here. India became free in August 1947.
Special Tips for This Day: Carry a cap and water for the Jakhu climb, and wear shoes with good grip. Leave your sunglasses in the car. At the Viceregal Lodge, a missed tour slot is not moved to the next one, so reach 15 minutes early. Photos inside the main building are not allowed, but you may take pictures of the outside. Elders who find stairs hard should skip the lower lanes of Lakkar Bazaar.

Today you go out of town. After breakfast, drive to Kufri, about 16 to 20 km from Shimla on the old Hindustan Tibet road, through Dhalli. Kufri is at about 2,510 m. In a good winter, this is where you find snow, sledges and ski slopes. In good snow years, Kufri has held a winter sports festival in February. In summer the slopes are green and quiet.

At Kufri, visit the Himalayan Nature Park, with more than 180 species of animals and birds. You can also take a yak ride or a horse ride. Here is something no package page tells you. The forest department capped the number of tourist horses at Kufri in November 2023, after the National Green Tribunal found far too many horses for the land. Later the Tribunal asked for a cap on tourists and horses at the Mahasu ski area. So ride only from the official stand, agree the rate before you sit, and keep children in front of you on steep paths.

Then drive to Mashobra, about 12 to 13 km from Shimla. This is a quiet place of forests, with good bird watching in the reserve forest. Mashobra's forests hold one of the large water sources that supply Shimla. Visit the Rashtrapati Niwas, the President's summer retreat, a wooden building from 1850. It opened to the public in April 2023. You walk the gardens and an orchard trail and see the heritage rooms on a guided tour. Book your slot online on the official Rashtrapati Bhavan site.

Go on to Naldehra, about 23 km from Shimla, at about 2,200 m. Its golf ground is one of the oldest in India. Lord Curzon loved this place so much that he gave his daughter Alexandra the second name Naldera. In the middle of the ground stands the small Mahunag temple, and tradition links the name of the place to the snake god Nal Deo. Sit on the grass for a while and enjoy the quiet.

Food choices at Kufri are simple, so carry water and a snack. At Naldehra, it is best to eat at a hotel. In the evening back in Shimla, you can try Baljees on the Mall for a family dinner.

  • Distance and drive time: about 80 to 95 km in all, about 4 to 5 hours of driving: Shimla to Kufri about 16 to 20 km, Shimla to Mashobra about 12 to 13 km, Shimla to Naldehra about 23 km, with the return to Shimla.
  • Best time today: Kufri in the morning, before 11 am, when the crowd and the horse traffic are light. Mashobra around midday. Naldehra in the afternoon light. Not on a Monday, if you want the Rashtrapati Niwas tour.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: At Kufri, do not pay touts who stop your car on the road for 'snow points' or rides. Buy tickets only at official counters. At Mashobra, local strawberry jam and mushroom pickle are good small gifts.
  • A fact few people know: Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India from 1899 to 1905, liked Naldehra so much that his third daughter got the name Alexandra Naldera.
Special Tips for This Day: In winter, ask your driver about the road at breakfast. After fresh snow the road beyond Dhalli can close for a few hours. If it does, we do Day 4 today and Kufri tomorrow. Carry gum boots or waterproof shoes for snow, and hire snow gear only from shops with a fixed rate card. For photos at Naldehra, the Mahunag temple looks best with the deodar trees behind it in the late afternoon. Elders should not ride horses on steep or icy paths.

Today is your last day. Check out after breakfast and drive to Chail, about 45 km from Shimla through Kufri. The last stretch of about 27 to 30 km from Kufri to Chail is a lonely road through deodar forest. It is safe in daylight, but nobody should drive it at night, so we leave by 8 am.

Chail sits at about 2,150 to 2,250 m. It was the summer seat of the Maharajas of Patiala. The story goes that the British banned Maharaja Bhupinder Singh from Shimla, and so the family built its own hill retreat here. The old palace on Rajgarh hill dates from 1891 to 1892. The present Chail Palace was finished in 1951, and the state government turned it into a hotel in 1972. Walk through the grounds and have tea or lunch here.

Next, see the Chail cricket ground, laid out by the Patiala kings in the 1890s. It is often called the highest cricket ground in the world. It now lies inside the Chail Military School area, so entry is not always allowed. You may have to see it from outside. If you have time, take darshan at Kali ka Tibba, the Kali Devi temple on a hilltop, with views of the Choor Chandni peak. Chail also has the Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, with ghoral, sambhar and barking deer.

After lunch, drive down through Kandaghat to Chandigarh. Chandigarh is about 110 km from Chail, about 3 to 3.5 hours. We drop you at Chandigarh airport, railway station or hotel. If your train or flight is from Delhi, tell us at booking. Delhi is about 337 km from Chail, about 8 hours, so on that plan we leave Chail by noon.

  • Distance and drive time: Shimla to Chail via Kufri about 45 km, then Chail to Chandigarh about 110 km (about 3 to 3.5 hours); about 150 km in all, about 5 to 6 hours of driving.
  • Best time today: Leave Shimla by 8 am. Chail in the late morning, and leave Chail by 2 pm to reach Chandigarh before dark.
  • What to buy, and how not to be cheated: Today is not a shopping day. If you still need a shawl or a gift, buy it at Himachal Emporium on the Mall on the evening of Day 3, at fixed prices.
  • A fact few people know: The Patiala kings laid out the Chail cricket ground in the 1890s, while Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Sources do not agree on its exact height, but it is often called the highest cricket ground in the world.
Special Tips for This Day: Keep travel sickness tablets ready, as the Kufri to Chail road has many turns. Fill fuel and carry water and snacks, because shops are few on the forest stretch. In January, Chail can be under snow, so ask us about the road the evening before. Elders can see the cricket ground from the edge without walking down, if entry is allowed that day. Keep your tickets and ID in your hand bag for the train or flight home.

Travel tips

A family guide to Shimla, Kufri and Chail

Shimla, the toy train and Jakhu

On this trip you take darshan of Lord Hanuman at Jakhu and Goddess Tara on her hill, walk the Ridge and the Mall, see the Viceregal Lodge, and go out to Kufri, Mashobra, Naldehra and Chail. Here is what you should know before you go, and while you travel.

3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYSSTART: CHANDIGARHSHIMLA ABOUT 2,200 MSNOW: DEC TO FEB

The shrines

Swipe →
01
Tara Devi
Near Shoghi
Goddess Tara on her own hilltop above the Kalka road
02
Jakhu Hanuman
Shimla
The highest point of Shimla, with the 108-foot statue
03
The Ridge and Christ Church
Shimla
No cars, a church of 1857 and the Mall below
04
Viceregal Lodge
Observatory Hill
Finished in 1888, closed on Mondays
05
Kufri
Shimla district
About 2,510 m, snow in a good winter
06
Chail
Solan district
The Patiala kings' hill seat and a famous high cricket ground
01Season

When to go to Shimla, and when it really snows

Snow usually falls from December to February, but the dates change every year. March to June gives pleasant days. Take care in July and August.

  • December to February: the snow monthsWinter runs from November to March, and most snow comes from December to February. In January 2023 the first snow came only in mid-January. In December 2024 it came early, for the first time since the 1990s, as locals said.
  • Kufri gets more snowIf you want snow, go up to Kufri, at about 2,510 m, higher than Shimla town. In January 2023 Kufri and Narkanda got 1 to 2 inches of snow while Shimla got mostly rain.
  • March to June: easy walking weatherYou get mild, clear days. Light woollens are enough for you in the day, but carry a jacket for the evening. Shimla holds its Summer Festival in May or June.
  • September to November: clear and calmAfter the rains you see green hills and clear skies. You also meet thinner crowds than in May and June.
The monsoon warning

In July and August landslides close roads and the toy train line. In August 2023 a landslide washed away a bridge near Summer Hill, and the train reached Shimla again only in October 2023. Keep a spare day if you travel in the rains.

02UNESCO railway

The Kalka Shimla toy train, in simple words

The line opened on 9 November 1903 and joined the UNESCO Mountain Railways of India in 2008. It runs about 96 km from Kalka to Shimla.

  • How long it takesAbout 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the train. The train climbs from about 656 m at Kalka to about 2,075 m at Shimla, through more than 100 tunnels. The longest, at Barog, is a little over 1 km.
  • Which trains runThe Himalayan Queen, the Shivalik Deluxe Express, the Kalka Shimla Express and the Rail Motor, a small railcar with a glass roof. Several trains run each way every day. Please check current timings on IRCTC.
  • How to connect from DelhiThe overnight Kalka Mail from Delhi reaches Kalka in the early morning, in time for the toy train. You can also take a morning train from Delhi to Kalka.
  • BookingBook your seat on the official IRCTC site as early as you can. Fares change, so please confirm the current rate on the official site.
Our backup plan

Our driver carries your luggage up by road and meets you at Shimla station. If the line is closed, as it was at Tara Devi for two weeks in 2025, you simply come up by car.

03Plan around Mondays

Viceregal Lodge and Mashobra: the Monday rule

The Viceregal Lodge and the Rashtrapati Niwas at Mashobra both close on Mondays and on national or public holidays.

  • Viceregal Lodge timingsOpen from 9:30 am to 5 pm. The inside is seen on a guided tour of about 30 minutes, in Hindi or English. The first tour starts at about 10:30 am and the last at about 4:30 pm.
  • Rules insideYou may not take photos inside the main building. Drones are banned on the campus. A missed tour slot is not moved to a later tour, so reach early.
  • Rashtrapati Niwas, MashobraThe President's retreat, a wooden building from 1850, opened to the public in April 2023. You see the gardens, an orchard trail and the heritage rooms. Book online on the official Rashtrapati Bhavan visit site.
How we handle it

If your Day 2 is a Monday, we swap Day 2 and Day 3. You see Kufri and Naldehra on Monday, and the Viceregal Lodge and Mashobra retreat on Tuesday.

04Logistics

Car, train or flight: how to reach Shimla

This tour starts in Chandigarh or Kalka. We can also pick you up in Delhi.

From Chandigarh by road

About 119 km, about 3.5 hours by car. Chandigarh airport is about 120 km from Shimla.

From Delhi by road

About 370 km, about 8 hours by car and about 9 hours by bus. Start early and do not drive the hills after dark.

From Kalka by toy train

About 96 km in about 4.5 to 6 hours, depending on the train. By road, Kalka to Shimla is about 80 km, about 3 hours.

Jubbarhatti airport

About 23 km from Shimla. Flights for you are few and depend on season and weather, so check the current schedule.

For NRI and OCI families

Land in Delhi and rest one night. Then take an early train to Kalka or Chandigarh. A long flight and a long hill drive on the same day is hard on elders and children.

05Elders and children

Hills, lifts, monkeys and horses

Shimla is at about 2,200 m, so altitude trouble is rare. The real issues are steep lanes, monkeys at Jakhu and horse rides at Kufri.

  • No cars on the MallTraffic is banned on the Mall and the Ridge. Public lifts from Cart Road take you up to the Mall, which saves elders a steep climb.
  • Jakhu climbJakhu is about 2.5 km from the Ridge, a steep walk of 30 to 60 minutes. Elders can take the ropeway or a taxi.
  • Monkeys at JakhuThey snatch your glasses, phones, bags and food. Keep everything in a closed bag. If a monkey grabs something, let it go.
  • Winter footingYour lanes can freeze on winter mornings. Wear shoes with grip and walk slowly near the edges.
Kufri horse rides

In 2023 the forest department capped the number of tourist horses at Kufri, after the National Green Tribunal found far too many. Ride only from the official stand, agree the rate before you sit, and avoid icy paths with elders and children.

06Eat and buy

What to eat, what to buy, and what to avoid

Eat a Himachali dham thali and madra. Buy shawls at Himachal Emporium, at fixed prices.

  • Himachali dhamA festival thali of dal, rajma, rice, curd, boor ki kadi and sweet rice. Himachali Rasoi in Middle Bazaar serves Pahadi thalis.
  • Chole bhature at Sita RamSita Ram and Sons in Lakkar Bazaar is one of the oldest eating places in Shimla. People stand in line most days.
  • Indian Coffee HouseOn the Mall for many years, for South Indian food and filter coffee. It gives you an easy meal for the whole family.
  • Wooden goods with careLakkar Bazaar sells wooden boxes, toys and walking sticks. Many small items have come from Saharanpur and Bijnor, so ask where an item is made.
Avoid touts

Touts meet travellers at stations and bus stands with hotel offers, and some take a big commission. Book your hotel before you arrive, and buy ride and ticket passes only at official counters.

A prayer from Jakhu hill

Lord Hanuman above Shimla

Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar

Tradition says Lord Hanuman stopped on Jakhu hill on his way to fetch the Sanjeevani herb for Lakshmana. Today his statue stands above the whole town, and you see it from the Ridge and from the Mall. When you look up at it on your last evening, say his name once, and you carry a little of that strength home.

What's included

What's included

Included

  • ✓Your 3 hotel nights in Shimla on twin or triple sharing
  • ✓Your daily breakfast at the hotel
  • ✓Your pick-up at Chandigarh airport, Chandigarh railway station or Kalka, and drop at Chandigarh at the end (Delhi pick-up and drop on request)
  • ✓A private car with a hill-trained driver for all sightseeing in this itinerary
  • ✓Driver allowance, fuel, parking and tolls for the drives in this itinerary
  • ✓Help with toy train seat booking on the official IRCTC site, if you choose the train
  • ✓Help with booking the Viceregal Lodge and Rashtrapati Niwas tours for your dates
  • ✓A WayToIndia trip briefing for you before you travel, with a packing list and a road and weather check
  • ✓Phone and WhatsApp support for you from our team through the trip

Not included

  • ✕Train or flight tickets to Chandigarh, Kalka or Shimla and back, and the toy train ticket (we can book them on request)
  • ✕Entry tickets for the Viceregal Lodge, Rashtrapati Niwas, Himalayan Nature Park and other sites
  • ✕Jakhu ropeway, horse and yak rides, ice skating, skiing and snow gear on hire
  • ✕Lunch and dinner, unless you ask us to add a meal plan
  • ✕Temple offerings and personal shopping
  • ✕Extra cost from snow, landslides or road closures, such as an extra hotel night
  • ✕Travel insurance and anything not listed in inclusions

What travellers say

What travellers say

4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 47 reviews
S
Shivani Gupta★★★★★
“Had a wonderful experience with way to india for my badrinath kedarnath yatra.everything was well organized-from travel accommodation to food. A special thanks to Ms. Neha who managed everything so beautifully n was extremely supportive n cooperative throughout the journey. They took great care of us n darshan was done very smoothly.”
3 weeks ago · Google
Y
Yashvind Kumar Poteeram★★★★★
“A big thanks to Way To India for organising such a truly memorable and spiritually fulfilling experience during our 12 Jyotirlinga Darshan pilgrimage from 1st May to 18th May. They organized the entire journey exceptionally well, ensuring that every aspect of the trip was smooth, comfortable, and hassle-free. From transportation and hotel arrangements to darshan planning and coordination, everything was managed professionally. Despite the extensive travel across multiple destinations, the itinerary was well-structured, allowing us to complete all the Jyotirlinga darshans comfortably. Thanks to staff of Way To India, especially, Ms Neha, who was supportive, responsive, and attentive throughout the journey, always ready to assist whenever needed. Her dedication and careful planning made this sacred pilgrimage stress-free and enjoyable. I sincerely appreciate their excellent service, commitment, and hospitality. Highly recommend Way To India to anyone planning a spiritual tour, especially for the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra. Thank you for making this divine journey so special and memorable.”
4 months ago · Google
A
Aruna Persand★★★★★
“We have successfully completed the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra, with Waytoindia and it was a truly blessed and unforgettable journey. Every aspect of the tour was well planned and professionally organized, from transportation and accommodations to temple visits and sightseeing. Visiting all twelve sacred Jyotirlingas was a deeply spiritual experience. The itinerary was designed efficiently, allowing us to have darshan at each shrine comfortably while enjoying the cultural and religious significance of every destination. We sincerely appreciate the excellent support and coordination throughout the trip. The team was always available to assist, ensuring a smooth and stress-free pilgrimage. Thank you Waytoindia for making our dream of completing the 12 Jyotirlinga Yatra a reality. We highly recommend this tour to anyone seeking a well-organized and spiritually enriching pilgrimage experience. Har Har Mahadev! 🙏🕉️”
5 months ago · Google

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

If you are visiting Shimla alone, three nights and four days is the right length. That gives you one day for old Shimla, one day for Kufri, Mashobra and Naldehra, and time for Chail and Tara Devi on the drives in and out. Two nights will feel rushed for you, and if you add Manali you need six to seven nights.

Snow in Shimla usually falls between December and February, but the dates change every year. In 2023 the first snow came only in mid-January, and in 2024 it came in early December. Kufri, at about 2,510 m, gets snow more often than Shimla town. You should go between late December and mid-February and keep your dates flexible.

Shimla is about 370 km from Delhi by road, about 8 hours by car and 9 hours by bus. You can also take a train to Kalka, such as the overnight Kalka Mail, and then the toy train for about 96 km to Shimla. Many families take a morning train to Chandigarh and drive the last 119 km.

The Kalka Shimla toy train takes about 4.5 to 6 hours for about 96 km, depending on the train. It climbs from about 656 m at Kalka to about 2,075 m at Shimla, through more than 100 tunnels. The line is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Book seats early on IRCTC, and check for monsoon closures in July and August.

No. The Viceregal Lodge, now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, is closed on Mondays and national holidays. On other days it is open from 9:30 am to 5 pm. You see the inside only on a guided tour of about 30 minutes, and photos are not allowed inside the main building.

Yes, Kufri is worth a half day. It is at about 2,510 m, about 16 to 20 km from Shimla, with the Himalayan Nature Park and snow in a good winter. The number of tourist horses at Kufri has been capped since 2023. Ride only from the official stand, agree the rate first, and avoid icy paths with elders.

No. Traffic is banned on the Mall and the Ridge in central Shimla, so you walk there. Your car drops you at Cart Road or a nearby point, and public lifts from Cart Road take you up to the Mall. This makes the evening walk safe for children, but elders should rest between climbs.

Yes. Shimla is at about 2,200 m, so your parents are unlikely to have altitude trouble. The Mall and the Ridge are easy, and lifts save the climb from Cart Road. The hard parts are the steep lanes and the Jakhu climb of about 2.5 km, so elders should take the ropeway or a taxi to Jakhu.

July and August bring heavy rain and landslides. In August 2023 a landslide near Summer Hill washed away a bridge on the toy train line, and trains to Shimla stopped until October 2023. If your dates fall in the monsoon, keep a spare day, and check road and train status every morning.

You can buy shawls and local crafts at Himachal Emporium at the west end of the Mall, which has fixed prices. Lakkar Bazaar sells wooden boxes, toys and walking sticks, but many small items come from Saharanpur and Bijnor, so ask where they are made. Strawberry jam and pickles from Mashobra make good gifts.

You should try a Himachali dham thali with rajma, dal, rice, curd and boor ki kadi, and madra, a chickpea dish in curd gravy. Try siddu with ghee and babru with tamarind chutney. Indian Coffee House on the Mall and Sita Ram and Sons in Lakkar Bazaar for chole bhature are the famous names.

Yes. Shimla and Manali together need six to seven nights, as the drive between them is long. This 4-day package covers Shimla alone. For a longer trip, WayToIndia has separate Shimla Manali packages, including one that starts from Delhi.

Before you book

Cancellation & Refund Policy

As per the cancellation terms shared at booking. Please ask our team for the full policy.

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