Shimla

Kalka-Shimla Toy Train journey(5.5 hours)

Board at Kalka (reach via Shatabdi Express from Delhi, 4 hours). First class INR 300-700. One of the world's most scenic rail journeys. Alternatively, drive from Chandigarh (4 hours)

Check into hotel near Mall Road(30 minutes)

Hotel Combermere or Clarkes Hotel for heritage feel (INR 2,000-5,000). Cart Road hotels are cheaper (INR 800-1,500)

Evening stroll on Mall Road(1.5 hours)

Pedestrian-only colonial promenade with shops, cafes, and mountain views. Grab a coffee at Cafe Simla Times

Dinner at Baljees(1 hour)

Shimla institution since 1930 — try the rajma chawal and gulab jamun (mains INR 150-300)

The Ridge morning walk(1 hour)

Wide-open space with mountain views. Christ Church at the eastern end. Scandal Point at the western end. Free

Christ Church(30 minutes)

Second oldest church in North India (1857). Stunning stained glass. Free. Open 8 AM-6 PM

Jakhoo Temple hike(2 hours)

Steep 2 km hike to Shimla's highest point (2,455m). 33-meter Hanuman statue. Watch for aggressive monkeys — don't carry food or shiny objects. Horse/pony option INR 500 return. Panoramic views

Lunch at Sita Ram & Sons(45 minutes)

Local dham thali (Himachali feast) — rajma, madra, sep, and rice (INR 150)

Lakkar Bazaar(1 hour)

Wood craft market near The Ridge — carved walking sticks, toys, and boxes. Good souvenirs (INR 100-500)

Sunset from Scandal Point(45 minutes)

Where the Patiala prince allegedly eloped with the Viceroy's daughter. Great sunset views

Viceregal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study)(1.5 hours)

Jacobethan-style palace on Observatory Hill. Guided tour INR 40-80. The room where India was partitioned is preserved. Beautiful gardens. 3 km from Mall Road. Tue-Sun 10 AM-5 PM

Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex(45 minutes)

Victorian theatre (1887) still hosting performances. The interior is gorgeously restored. Check for evening shows (INR 100-300)

Himachal State Museum(1 hour)

Colonial-era building with Pahari miniature paintings, tribal costumes, and historical photographs. Entry INR 20. Near The Ridge

Lunch at Cafe Sol, Mall Road(1 hour)

Wood-fired pizza and pasta — a welcome change from dal-roti (INR 300-500)

Annandale(1 hour)

Flat ground in the mountains (rare!) used as a cricket pitch and racecourse by the British. Army Heritage Museum nearby (INR 50). Views of the Shimla ridge

Drive to Kufri(45 minutes)

Local taxi INR 800-1,200 round trip

Kufri activities(3 hours)

Winter: skiing and snowboarding (INR 500-1,500 for gear). Summer: horse rides to Mahasu Peak (INR 300-500), yak rides (INR 300). Nature Park (INR 200). Best Dec-Feb for snow

Lunch at a Kufri cafe(45 minutes)

Maggi noodles and chai at a roadside cafe — a hill station ritual (INR 100-150)

Green Valley(1 hour)

Dense deodar forest valley between Shimla and Kufri. Stop for photos. Yak rides available (INR 200). Watch for langurs

Drive to Mashobra(30 minutes)

Taxi INR 600-800 round trip

Mashobra nature walk(2 hours)

Walk through apple orchards and deodar forests. The Retreat (former summer retreat of the President of India) is visible. Wildflowers in spring. Peaceful and uncrowded

Lunch at Wildflower Hall (Oberoi)(1.5 hours)

If budget allows, a splurge lunch at one of Asia's finest mountain hotels — set in a cedar forest with Himalayan views (INR 2,000-4,000 for two)

Chadwick Falls hike(2 hours)

4 km from Shimla through pine forests to a 67m waterfall. Best during/after monsoon. Moderate trail. Free. Start from Summer Hill

Heritage walk through Shimla(2.5 hours)

Walk past the Town Hall, Gorton Castle (red brick Victorian), Auckland House, and the old post office. Self-guided or book through Shimla Tourism (INR 500-800)

Lunch at Ashiana & Goofa(1 hour)

Two restaurants in one — Ashiana above ground for North Indian, Goofa in a cave-like basement for chaat and snacks. On The Ridge (INR 200-400)

Toy Train return ride for photography(2 hours)

Short Shimla-Barog-Shimla return ride (INR 200-400) through the best tunnels and curves. Book at the station

Last Mall Road walk and shopping(1 hour)

Himachali shawls, woolens, and wooden crafts from Lakkar Bazaar

Breakfast at Baljees(45 minutes)

One last rajma chawal or parantha

Toy Train or drive to Kalka/Chandigarh(5 hours)

Toy train to Kalka (5-6 hours) then Shatabdi to Delhi (4 hours). Or drive to Chandigarh (4 hours) for a flight

Kalka-Shimla Toy Train(5.5 hours)

First class INR 300-700. 102 tunnels, 800 bridges. Or drive from Chandigarh 4 hours

Dinner at Baljees(1 hour)

Since 1930. Mains INR 150-300

Jakhoo Temple hike(2 hours)

2,455m. Beware monkeys

Lunch at Sita Ram & Sons(45 minutes)

Himachali dham thali INR 150

Viceregal Lodge(1.5 hours)

Guided tour INR 40-80. Tue-Sun

State Museum(1 hour)

INR 20

Kufri activities(3 hours)

Skiing/snow play in winter, horse rides in summer

Lunch at Wildflower Hall (Oberoi)(1.5 hours)

INR 2,000-4,000 for two

Chadwick Falls hike(2 hours)

4 km through pine forest. 67m waterfall. Free

Heritage walk(2.5 hours)

Town Hall, Gorton Castle, Auckland House

Short toy train ride(2 hours)

Shimla-Barog return. INR 200-400

Drive to Naldehra (22 km)(45 minutes)

Taxi INR 1,500-2,000 for the day

Naldehra Golf Course and walks(1.5 hours)

India's oldest golf course set among cedars at 2,044m. Non-golfers welcome for walks. Horse rides through the forest (INR 300-500)

Tattapani hot springs(1.5 hours)

Natural sulphur hot springs on the Sutlej River bank. Free bathing. River rafting also available (INR 500-1,000)

Lunch at a dhaba near Tattapani(45 minutes)

Himachali sidu (steamed bread with walnut filling) and rajma (INR 100-200)

Drive to Chail(1.5 hours)

Winding mountain road through forests

Chail Cricket Ground(45 minutes)

World's highest cricket ground at 2,444m. Built by the Maharaja of Patiala after the British banned him from the Annandale ground. Surreal setting

Chail Palace grounds(1 hour)

Now a heritage hotel. The grounds are open for walks — deodar forests and mountain views

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary(1.5 hours)

Spot barking deer, goral, and Himalayan black bear (rare). Gentle forest trails. Entry INR 50

Lunch at Chail Palace restaurant(1 hour)

Dine in a palace dining room (INR 400-700 for two)

Leisurely Mall Road browsing(2 hours)

Himachali shawls and woolens

Lunch at Cecil, Oberoi(1.5 hours)

Heritage hotel dining with colonial atmosphere (INR 1,500-2,500 for two)

Drive to Narkanda(2 hours)

Via NH-5, scenic mountain highway. Taxi INR 2,500-3,000

Hatu Peak trek(3 hours)

8 km round trip through forests to 3,400m — panoramic views of the Himalayas. Moderate difficulty. Temple at the summit

Apple orchard visit(1 hour)

Narkanda is apple country — visit orchards (best Aug-Oct during harvest). Try fresh apple juice and apple jam from local shops (INR 100-300)

Lunch at a Narkanda guesthouse(1 hour)

Simple Himachali food with spectacular views (INR 200-350)

Himachali cooking class(3 hours)

Learn to make dham — madra (chickpeas in yogurt gravy), rajma, siddu, and sepu vadi. Book through local homestays (INR 1,000-2,000)

Himachal Emporium shopping(1 hour)

Government-run shop on Mall Road — fixed prices for Kullu shawls, Chamba rumals (embroidered handkerchiefs), and wooden crafts

Lunch at Wake & Bake Cafe(1 hour)

Quirky cafe below Mall Road. Good pasta and coffee (INR 200-400)

Sunset at Tara Devi Temple(2 hours)

Star goddess temple on a forested hill, 11 km from Shimla. Peaceful sunset spot with valley views. The temple is 250 years old. Taxi INR 500-800 round trip

Drive to Fagu(45 minutes)

On the Hindustan-Tibet Road. Snow-capped views on clear days

Fagu nature walk and photography(1.5 hours)

Walk through terraced farms, orchards, and pine forests. Meet friendly locals. No entry fees — just rural Himalayan life

Theog market and temple(1 hour)

Small hill town with a local market and ancient wooden temple. Buy fresh apples in season (INR 50-100/kg)

Lunch at a Theog dhaba(45 minutes)

Sidu with ghee and dal (INR 80-150)

Final souvenir shopping on Mall Road(2 hours)

Kullu shawls (INR 500-5,000), wooden crafts, apple products

Toy Train or drive to Kalka/Chandigarh(5 hours)

Train to Kalka then Shatabdi to Delhi. Or drive to Chandigarh for flight

Kalka-Shimla Toy Train(5.5 hours)

First class INR 300-700. Or drive 4 hours from Chandigarh

Himachali cooking class(3 hours)

Dham cuisine — madra, rajma, siddu. INR 1,000-2,000

Hatu Peak trek(3 hours)

8 km round trip to 3,400m. Panoramic views

Drive Shimla to Sarahan via Rampur(6 hours)

Hire car (INR 6,000-8,000 for 3-day trip). Scenic Hindustan-Tibet Road along the Sutlej River

Check into HPTDC Hotel Shrikhand(30 minutes)

INR 1,000-2,000/night. Mountain views

Bhimakali Temple evening visit(1 hour)

Ancient wooden temple with silver doors, dedicated to Goddess Bhimakali. Stunning tower architecture. Free. Remove shoes and leather items

Bhimakali Temple morning visit(1.5 hours)

Morning light is spectacular. The wooden architecture with Kinnaur-style slate roofs is unique. View of Shrikhand Mahadev peak (5,227m)

Sarahan Bird Sanctuary(2 hours)

Walk through dense forest. Spot Himalayan monal (state bird), koklass pheasant, and kalij pheasant. Entry INR 30. Best early morning

Village walk(1.5 hours)

Walk through Sarahan's terraced farms and traditional Kinnauri houses. Apple and cherry orchards. Local people are wonderfully hospitable

Lunch at a local eatery(1 hour)

Simple dal, rice, and sabzi with mountain views (INR 100-200)

Sunset from the temple terrace(1 hour)

The Shrikhand peak turns gold at sunset. One of the best mountain views in Himachal

Rampur Bushahr Palace(1 hour)

Former capital of the Bushahr kingdom. The Padam Palace has Pahari miniature murals. If the November Lavi Fair is on, it's one of India's oldest trade fairs

Sutlej River viewpoints(30 minutes)

Multiple stops along the highway for dramatic gorge views

Drive to Tara Devi Temple(30 minutes)

250-year-old temple on a forested hill. Peaceful with valley views

Drive to Chandigarh(3.5 hours)

Or toy train to Kalka then taxi (1 hour)

Rock Garden(1.5 hours)

Nek Chand's sculpture garden made entirely from recycled waste — 40 acres of mosaic figures, waterfalls, and open-air theatres. Entry INR 50. Extraordinary folk art

Lunch at Pal Dhaba, Sector 28(1 hour)

Chandigarh institution — butter chicken and naan (INR 300-500 for two)

Sukhna Lake(1 hour)

Man-made lake at the foothills. Boating INR 100-200. Le Corbusier's Capitol Complex visible in the distance

Dawn at The Ridge(1 hour)

The Ridge is magical at sunrise before the crowds

Breakfast at Indian Coffee House(45 minutes)

Shimla branch on Mall Road — filter coffee and toast (INR 60-100)

Final walk through Lower Bazaar(1.5 hours)

More local than Mall Road — fruits, woolens, and Himachali caps (INR 100-300)