Shimla India – Your Quick Travel Guide

In a nutshell

Nestled amid the serendipitous natural beauty of the Himalayas, Shimla is a destination that will steal your heart at the first rendezvous even before you know about it.

Why go to Shimla

If you are one of those seeking inspiration from the tranquillity of the mountains or maybe of those, who just want to pull off the plug from the rest of the world for a while, then the mountains of Shimla are for you. Shimla beholds two centuries of rich history and culture that are reflected in its lifestyle, food, and people. In Shimla every day seems like a celebration, and the mountains in the background seem to rejoice in unison.

Whether you are looking for a spiritual break in the hills or it is Yoga that has brought you this far; whether you want to challenge the mountains, or just look for an unspoken love affair with the picturesque nature; whether it is you and your camera waiting for capturing the beguiling landscapes or the simple life in the hills that enchants you, Shimla is the place where you are sure to discover something new about yourself. Even if you are among those who come here by accident, you are sure to figure out a tiny part of your unknown self.

“Remember, there are no accidents – Kung Fu Panda”.

When to go to Shimla

Here is a brief outline of what to expect duruing dirrefent periods of the year in terms of weather in Shimla.

March – June: As it is a mountainous destination, the most recommended seasons are summers, between April and June. The weather is at its pristine best, with temperatures between 15°C - 25°C and the skies are clear; an ideal weather for most of the adventure sports and outdoor activities.

July – October: This is a high rainfall season which is not recommended for a visit as the area is prone to landslides. But, you can always drop in at the fag end of the monsoons as the spring waters fill up and there is a chill in the air and an ideal time for exploring the countryside on the Kalka-Shimla mountain railways.

November- February: This is the time when the snow sets in, and the time for some skiing adventure. Mashobra and Narkanda are popular skiing points here. The temperature dips between 8°C and -2°C and your luggage might get heavier. It is ideal to shop for woollen things here as you can grab a good collection of hand-knitted pieces made of wool.

Where to stay in Shimla

Shimla has a wide range of accommodation options from homestays to budget hotels, from boutique properties to luxury hotels that fit the pocket of every type of traveller.

If you are planning to stay in the heart of the town, Mall Road and Main Bazar are the best places to look for budget hotels and accommodation. Mall Road is among the cheapest options and you can get up to 60% off for budget stays even during the high season. The hotels near Kufri and Mashobra form the part of the Shimla Reserve Forest Sanctuary, they are slightly away from the mainstream Shimla, but promise beautiful luxury resorts and villas with scenic mountain views through the windows.

The budget hotels range between INR 1200 – INR 2000 whereas you can book good boutique property starting from INR 2500 onwards. The luxury hotels and villas range from INR 4500 and upwards in the high season, but one can expect good deals if you book early or near the off-peak season.

The basic facilities such as breakfast included, taxi services (charged separately), Wi-Fi, hot-shower etc are available in most of the hotels. A word of caution here though is that the Shimla Airport is 21 km from the mainstream Shimla and airport transfers depend upon the place of stay and are individual to the hotel services.

Where and what to eat in Shimla

Indian food is often a challenge for foreign bellies as they struggle with spices and curries, but once you feel the taste of the Indian food, we bet you will only keep asking for more. When it comes to Shimla, the experience is not an exception. Shimla serves the dishes cooked according to authentic recipes which are a mix of the local and Tibetan cuisines. You can also find International cuisines here with the choices of the Italian, Continental, European and Mexican food. If you are a connoisseur of food looking around for different tastes, Shimla will never let you go out of choices. From budget food to street food, from cafes to fine dining experiences, you can find yourself in a new array of your trip altogether.

How to get around Shimla

The road network is the best way to get around Shimla.

There are abundant taxi services here and it is a good idea for you to bargain when travelling. At most of the hill stations in India, there is a very strong monopoly of the taxi unions which often charge inflexible rates which sometimes makes the experience a bit annoying. If you are not able to get through the bargain, it is a good idea to ask your hotel or help of a local guide of arranging some good deals for you.

One way is to hire taxi package services which include the best sights around Shimla and which will pick and drop you from the hotel itself. The second way is to ask for taxis at per km basis or per day basis. The per day basis taxis work on 8 hours or 80 km depending on whichever is better for remote sightseeing. The per km services usually start at INR 7 to INR 8 per km and are good for round trips. For a longer distance, you are at an option to bargain for the rates.

Lastly, if you are among those who do not believe in being led away with the tide and want to decide upon the route themselves, then the self-hired cars is the best option for you. You can choose your car from cheaper hatchbacks to 4x4 SUVs which are convenient for hill driving. The prices for the self-hired rental cars start from INR 50 to INR 70 per km.

How to get to and from Shimla

By air

Shimla has only one flight operated by Air India, from the capital city of New Delhi and booking at least 2 months in advance, you can expect a return fare between INR 4000 and INR 5500.

By road

The best way to get to Shimla is by road from Chandigarh. Shimla is approximately 115 km (via NH 5) from Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab State. It is an overnight journey of 360 km (8 hrs, via NH 44 or NH 5) from New Delhi.

There are regular private as well as state bus services running from Chandigarh (Price: INR 150 onwards), however, due to travelling in the hilly region, the time taken is about 10 hours via NH 5. It takes less time by taxi, about 4hours (Price: INR 2500 and upwards). It is more convenient if you are in a small group. It is also a good idea to buy a complete taxi tour package from Chandigarh itself, as they are reasonable in price, convenient, reliable and the total fare spread over a small group turns out quite cheap.

By rail: The rail is a faster means of communication and is also the most scenic one. We recommend the Kalka (22 km from Chandigarh) - Shimla route as it takes you along breathtaking landscapes of Shimla and is definitely an unforgettable journey for any lover of nature.

Generally, there are AC Chair Car (CC) trains or Express Trains with the First Class Coach (FC) running between the stations that are less than 350 km or 8 hours apart and are the most convenient way to travel to such towns. The IRCTC (Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd) offers remarkable services on these short routes at budget prices. The Kalka Shimla Passenger (FC Ticket INR 270), Shivalik Deluxe Express (CC INR 425), Kalka Shimla Express (FC Ticket INR 295) are some of the recommended trains to travel to Shimla from Kalka.

Is Shimla a safe place to visit?

Though Shimla is a prominent tourist attraction, there are certain things that you should keep in mind while travelling to Shimla. There are regions surrounding Shimla famous for drug peddling. Though these areas are well separated from the mainstream city, however it is not difficult to come across the agents trying to offer you a quick deal. It is a good idea to keep away from such agents and protect oneself from drug abuse.

As it is a hilly region, and due to prevailing high altitude effects above 8000 feet, it is in the best thing to keep alcohol consumption under control. Staying healthy is equally as important as enjoying the journey.