Shimla Tour Packages
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and its Mall Road, Christ Church and Viceregal Lodge still feel colonial. Pine and deodar forests surround the ridge, and nearby Kufri and Narkanda have winter snow.
Shimla at a glance
- LocationHimachal Pradesh, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesHindi, Pahari
- Ideal stay2 days
- Getting thereShimla Airport (SLV) has limited flights…
Best time to visit: March to June; December to February for snow
Top Shimla travel packages
A few of our Shimla itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Hill-station holidaysShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Holiday6 Days | 5 Nights
Adventure holidaysShimla · Spiti Valley · ManaliSpiti Valley Road Trip9 Days | 8 Nights
Family holidaysShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Family Trip5 Days | 4 Nights
Cultural holidaysAmritsar · ShimlaAmritsar & Shimla5 Days | 4 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Shimla
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Hindi, Pahari.
Shimla, Kullu (Bhuntar) and Dharamshala (Gaggal) have small airports with limited flights; most visitors fly to Chandigarh and drive. The Kalka–Shimla toy train is a UNESCO-listed ride.
The Atal Tunnel has made Lahaul reachable year-round from Manali, but heavy snow still closes roads; keep a buffer day in winter.
Spiti needs time to acclimatise; avoid flying straight into altitude.
Ride the toy train one way and drive the other, to see both the tunnels and the valley views.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Shimla?
Who should visit Shimla?
Plan your Shimla trip
Everything you need to know about Shimla
Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and its Mall Road, Christ Church and Viceregal Lodge still feel colonial. Pine and deodar forests surround the ridge, and nearby Kufri and Narkanda have winter snow.
Highlights include The Ridge and Mall Road, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas) and Jakhoo Temple. Local food worth trying: Himachali dham, Siddu and Hot chai and momos on the Mall. Plan 2 days here; it suits families, honeymooners, first trips to the hills. Our Shimla itineraries run from 3 to 10 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
March to June; December to February for snow. Pleasant summers; snowfall usually from late December.
How to reach Shimla
- By air: Shimla Airport (SLV) has limited flights; Chandigarh (IXC), about 115 km
- By rail: Shimla station on the Kalka–Shimla line
- By road: About 3.5 hours from Chandigarh
View all Shimla packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
6D / 5NShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Holiday
The most-requested Himachal route: colonial Shimla and Kufri, then Manali's orchards, Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel.
View itinerary →9D / 8NShimla · Spiti Valley · ManaliSpiti Valley Road Trip
A high-desert circuit for experienced travellers: in through Kinnaur, monasteries at Key and Tabo, Chandratal Lake and out over Kunzum Pass.
View itinerary →
10D / 9NShimla · Manali · Dharamshala & McLeod Ganj · Dalhousie & KhajjiarHimachal Grand Tour
Nine nights across Himachal's four best-known hill towns, from colonial Shimla to Tibetan McLeod Ganj.
View itinerary →
3D / 2NShimlaShimla Weekend
The Kalka–Shimla toy train, the Ridge and Mall Road, Jakhoo Temple and a day out to Kufri or Chail.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NShimla · ManaliShimla & Manali Family Trip
A compact Himachal holiday for families with young children, keeping drives short and activities easy.
View itinerary →5D / 4NAmritsar · ShimlaAmritsar & Shimla
Punjab's food and faith, then a scenic drive into the hills for Shimla's colonial charm.
View itinerary →
4D / 3NChandigarh · ShimlaChandigarh & Shimla Getaway
A night in Le Corbusier's garden city with the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake, then two nights in the hills of Shimla.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NShimla · Chail · KasauliShimla, Chail & Kasauli Hills
Shimla's Mall Road and toy train, the Patiala maharajas' palace at Chail, then Kasauli's pine walks and Sunset Point on the way down to Chandigarh.
View itinerary →8 itineraries
More places in Himachal Pradesh
Top things to see in Shimla
ShimlaNeo-Gothic church from the 1850s
ShimlaFormer Viceroy's residence
Himachal PradeshHilltop Hanuman temple with a giant statue
Himachal PradeshUNESCO-listed toy train
Cultural experiences in Shimla
Heritage and landmarks
ShimlaNeo-Gothic church from the 1850s
ShimlaHilltop Hanuman temple with a giant statue
On the menuFood to try
- Himachali dham
- Siddu
- Hot chai and momos on the Mall
Outdoor activities in Shimla
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Shimla: March to June; December to February for snow. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Shimla travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription. Some places here are at high altitude: rest on arrival, drink plenty of water and ascend gradually.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
March to June; December to February for snow. Pleasant summers; snowfall usually from late December.
Getting around
Shimla, Kullu (Bhuntar) and Dharamshala (Gaggal) have small airports with limited flights; most visitors fly to Chandigarh and drive. The Kalka–Shimla toy train is a UNESCO-listed ride.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack warm layers, a down jacket and gloves, a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities. Coverage can be patchy in remote, hill and forest areas, so download offline maps before you set off.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Shimla FAQs
What is Shimla famous for?
What is the best time to visit Shimla?
How many days are enough for Shimla?
How do I reach Shimla?
Is tap water safe to drink in Himachal Pradesh?
What are the emergency numbers in Himachal Pradesh?
How much does a Shimla tour package cost?
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Shimla trip from Chennai?
Destinations near Shimla
North IndiaChandigarh
Chandigarh is India's first planned city, laid out by Le Corbusier in the 1950s as the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana.
UttarakhandKedarkantha
Kedarkantha is a summit of about 3,800 metres in Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, reached from the village of Sankri.
UttarakhandMussoorie
Mussoorie, the queen of the hills, sits on a ridge above Dehradun with views of the Doon Valley on one side and Himalayan peaks on the other.
UttarakhandYamunotri
Yamunotri, source of the Yamuna, is the first of the Char Dham shrines.
UttarakhandRishikesh
Rishikesh, where the Ganga leaves the Himalaya, is the yoga capital of the world and the place the Beatles came to study meditation.
UttarakhandHaridwar
Haridwar is one of Hinduism's seven holiest cities and the place where the Ganga enters the plains.
Shimla guides and articles
Travel guideBest time to visit Shimla and Manali: snow, summer and the monsoon
When to visit Shimla and Manali for snow, summer sightseeing or adventure sports, and which months to avoid because of the monsoon.
Read →
BlogThe most scenic train journeys in India for holidaymakers
From UNESCO-listed toy trains to coastal and mountain routes, these Indian rail journeys are worth building a holiday around.
Read →Plan your Shimla holiday
Fill this in and WhatsApp opens with your enquiry ready to send. Nothing is stored on this website.
Sending opens WhatsApp on your device; your enquiry reaches us only when you press send there. An enquiry is not a booking.