SHIMLA

Shimla also called ‘Simla’ by the natives is a city located in Himachal Pradesh, India. It is a beautiful hill station that serves as the capital of the state and is also titled the “Queen of Hills”. One of the popular tourist attractions situated in the country and the world is known for its scenic views, tranquility, pleasant weather, and exquisiteness. The city is settled amidst the magnificent Himalayas, with the most wonderful views of deep green valleys, snow-capped mountains, and dense forests. Shimla is rich in its history and traditions, holding its past from the colonial period, and was also announced as the summer capital of British India in 1864. The oldest post office of the pre-independence era is also located in Shimla. The city still keeps the charm of its heritage alive with its British and Indian influences, which can be seen in its monuments, buildings, and museums. Shimla is famous amongst tourists and even the locals for its ancestry, culture, climate, adventure sports, and outdoor activities, providing a joyous getaway for a perfect vacation. 

What is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Shimla is in summer from March to June and in winter from November to January.

How to reach Shimla?

Option 1 - Delhi > Panipat > Karnal > Kurukshetra > Ambala > Zirakpur > Panchkula > Pinjore > Kalka > Solan > Shimla

Option 2 - Chandigarh > Pinjore > Kalka > Solan >Shimla

Option 3 - Dehradun > Selakui > Paonta Sahib > Nahan > Solan > Shimla

Option 4 - Helicopter Ride Chandigarh > Shimla Heli Taxi Service

Option 5 - Kalka Shimla Toy Train

Who should visit Shimla?

• Looking for vacation trips
• Adventure sports enthusiasts
• Couples for honeymoon
• Nature lovers
• Solo travelers
• Historophiles and Researchers
• Desiring resorts and luxury stays
• Photographers
• Chionophiles, people who love snow and winters

Who should not visit Shimla?

• Have respiratory sickness
• Intolerant to cold temperatures
• Can’t endure much rain or snowfall
• Not interested in adventurous activities 
• Not interested in visiting ancient or historic places 
• Escaping the city crowd and noise for vacation
• People who can't walk much
• Looking for a vibrant nightlife

What to do in Shimla?

• Adventure Sports and Outdoor Activities such as Rafting, Ice skating, Paragliding, Trekking, Camping, etc.
• Pre-Wedding Shoot 
• Photography 
• Create Panoramic and Cinematic shots and videos
• Visit the religious temples for blessings and peace
• Embrace the views of Sunset and Sunrise
• Enjoy the toy train ride
• Learn about the history and heritage of India

What are the places to visit in Shimla  (5 km)? 

• Jakhu Temple and Hill
• Christ Church
• Kali Bari Temple
• The Ridge Street
• Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex
• Mall Road
• Scandal Point
• Army Heritage Museum
• Viceregal Lodge
• Himachal State Museum

What is the climate in Shimla?

In summer, the climate in Shimla is pleasant, bearable, and good to enjoy with warm days and cool nights. In rain, it can get unpleasant with the roads becoming slippery due to heavy rainfall and the atmosphere being clouded and foggy. In winter, the weather can get extremely cold with snowfall surrounded by mist in some areas.

What kind of mobile network is available?

All kinds of mobile networks are available.

What should I carry with me while visiting?

• Necessary or prescribed medicines.
• A water bottle that can be refilled and essentials such as sunscreen, sanitizer, disposable gloves, and towels.
• Woolen clothes if visiting in winter.
• Cotton clothes and a few pair of warm clothes for the night if visiting in summer.
• Power banks, as there are power cuts, helpful in the immediate charging of gadgets.
• A pair of comfortable shoes/ any footwear if you plan to go for a walk or need to walk in the snow.
• Drones, DSLRs such gadgets if you wish to capture or create any content in the form of pictures, videos, short films, etc.

Where to stay?

There are numerous hotels, homestays, hostels, and resorts available in the city of Shimla to stay. You can go for any of them depending upon the personal factors of what you are looking for such as:

• Facilities and Amenities
• Budget
• Number of days you want to stay for
• Number of people staying together
• Distance
• Check-in and checkout timings

What to eat in Shimla?

With many local shops, cafes, and bakeries, established for more than 50 years to various restaurants available, you can have almost any dish you wish for. From street food to a hearty Indian thali, from Chinese to Italian, and more. The famous dishes of Shimla that one must try are ‘Kurkej’, and ‘Sidu’.

What to shop and buy at Shimla?

You can visit the famous shopping sites of Shimla, such as Mall Road, Tibetan Market, Lakkar Bazaar, etc., and can buy woolen clothes and pahadi hats, handicrafts like shawls, decorative items, jewelry, bags, carpets, and can also take them as souvenirs and gifts.

When is the market closed?

The markets here close between 8:00 PM-9:00 PM. If you wish on buying food or dining out, even the eateries close between 9:00 PM-10:00 PM, so plan accordingly.

What are the special events or festivals hosted?

• Shimla Summer Festival
• Lavi Fair
• Bhoj Fair
• Spring Festival
• Rafting Cup Event
• Nalwari Mela
• Baba Nath Fair
• Rhyali Festival

How much cash should I carry?

You can carry 1500 Rs - 2000 Rs per person, which will be sufficient.

How to hire or rent a cab/horse/yak?

You can hire or rent any of the vehicle or transport modes through local agencies. For a horse or yak ride you can connect with a local vendor who provides such a service, usually, these rides are small in distance, and mostly available for the purpose of fun or taking pictures.

How to drive and the condition of the road?

You can have a safe drive with the road being smooth and in good condition but can face intense traffic jams. The caution is to drive carefully during rain or snowfall due to the roads becoming slippery, wet, and bumpy.

Where to park the vehicle?

You can park your vehicle at the paid parking spots available in the city which can have varied charges.

What are the problems tourists may face?

• Cold weather temperatures
• Network Issues
• Slippery roads
• Roadblocks due to heavy snowfall
• Parking issues and traffic jams
• Water crisis
• Power cuts 
• Overly populated tourists
• Lack of accommodation 
• More walking to do, due to traffic and crowds
• Witnessing Monkeys or getting food and things snatched by them.

What are the safety measures to be taken?

• Carry your medicines and all the essentials.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Keep your gadgets such as phones, earphones, etc., safe while going for any adventure sport or even when exploring.
• Carry warm and woolen clothes as the weather can turn extremely cold.
• Stay attentive and open-eyed to your surroundings, ex; being careful while charged for local stuff and services such as shopping items or taxi fares.
• Make prior bookings for accommodation, if possible, especially in peak tourism season.

What not to do?

• Don't litter and pollute the area.
• Don't drive rashly.
• Don't wear high heels or any other uncomfortable footwear which can turn into a hindrance while walking.
• Don't smoke in public, it's prohibited.
• Don't make any kind of noise pollution through loud noises and music.
• Don't smoke or consume alcohol, it can affect your health while doing any adventure sports.
• Don't walk fast or run on the roads.
• Don't disrespect the values and beliefs of the natives.
• Try to conserve water and not waste it unnecessarily.
• Don't destroy, damage, or untidy the regional or heritage property.
• Don't eat in public, or if you do then beware if any monkeys are around.

How many days will be enough for sightseeing?

Overall, 3 days will be enough to visit Shimla and its attractions properly, also if possible keep an extra day, so to manage your itinerary, if it gets affected by the change in weather.

What is the best way for sightseeing?

Though you can wander around Shimla on a bike or a car, the best and preferred way for sightseeing and exploring the city would be walking. You can plan your itinerary in such a manner that you visit the tourist spots during the daytime or finish it off by early evening hours, as the city gets quiet mostly by 8-9 PM.

Where is the Tourist Information Office? 

HP Tourist Information Office, Ridge, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

Which are the nearest Hospitals?

• Simla Sanitarium and Hospital 
• Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital
• Sai Hospital
• Shree Ram Hospital 
• Prabhudas Nursing Home

Which is the nearest police station?

Shimla Police, The Mall, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171001

Who to contact if you are in trouble?

You can contact the nearest police station, or your hotel manager, or get help from local people.