1
The Kalka-Shimla toy train
Kalka to Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
A narrow-gauge line with UNESCO World Heritage status, climbing through 102 tunnels to Shimla
7 days
6 nights
Delhi
start point
May - Oct
best season
16+ yearscrafting India journeys · since 2010
Trustedby travellers worldwide
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Overview
Tour overview
This is a seven day Shimla and Manali tour that starts and ends in Delhi. You drive up to Shimla on day one. You spend a full day seeing the Ridge, the Mall Road and Jakhoo Hill. You drive on to Manali through the hills. You visit the Hadimba temple and the hot springs at Vashisht. You take a day up towards Rohtang Pass, with snow and fun at Solang Valley. You then drive to Chandigarh for the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake. On the last day you drive back to Delhi. Every price and timing here is checked for you. Where a fee or a rule can change, we say so and ask you to reconfirm.
The route: how the seven days flow
Shimla and Manali sit along the same hill road. So your seven day plan runs as one loop from Delhi. You drive from Delhi to Shimla on day one, about 380 km and 6 to 7 hours. You give Shimla a full day. You then drive to Manali, about 253 km and 6 hours. You give Manali two days for the town and the snow. You then drive to Chandigarh, about 311 km and 6 hours. You end with the drive back to Delhi, about 260 km and 6 hours. In this order you go up gently and come down easy.
Shimla: the Ridge, the Lodge and Jakhoo Hill
Shimla was the summer capital of British India. So the town is full of old buildings from the Raj. The Ridge and the Mall Road are free to walk. You pass Christ Church and the shops of Lakkar Bazaar. The Viceregal Lodge, also called Rashtrapati Niwas, is the grand old seat of power. Entry is about 100 rupees for Indian guests and about 500 rupees for foreign guests. It is open about 9:30 am to 5 pm. It is shut on Mondays. So plan your day around that. Jakhoo Hill has a large Hanuman temple and fine views. The walk up is free. The Jakhoo ropeway is about 252 rupees one way for an adult, plus 5 percent tax. Watch the monkeys here. They grab glasses, phones and food. So keep nothing loose in your hands. You also see the Tara Devi temple on a nearby hill. You take a short trip to Kufri and Fagu for the cool hill air. You may add Chadwick Falls if you have time. The Kalka to Shimla Railway holds UNESCO World Heritage status. You may ride part of this toy train as a fun extra.
Manali: Hadimba, Vashisht and the Mall Road
Manali is the centre of the trip. You start with the Hadimba Devi temple among the tall deodar trees. It was built in 1553 in wood and stone. It honours Hadimba from the Mahabharata story. You then go to Vashisht village for its hot sulphur springs. You can bathe in the warm water there. You walk the Manali Mall Road for warm caps and shawls. You also see the Club House by the river. You may add a trip to Manikaran for its springs and gurudwara. You may also visit the Tibetan monastery in the town. Cover your head, shoulders and legs at the temples. The dress code here is simple and polite.
The Rohtang truth: the permit, the Tuesday closure and the season
This is the day most guests come for. You drive up towards Rohtang Pass with a stop at Solang Valley. Solang Valley is your snow and fun spot. In season you can try paragliding, snow rides and the ropeway. Now here is the honest part. Rohtang Pass is open only in season. It is open from about May to about October or early November. It shuts in winter under deep snow. It needs a permit that you must book online in advance. You book it on the official Himachal portal. Rohtang is also shut on Tuesdays for upkeep. So it is not open every day. When Rohtang is shut, your trip still runs. You then go as far as Solang Valley or the point where the road is open. Always reconfirm the permit and the road status before this day.
Chandigarh: the Rock Garden and Sukhna Lake
On day six you drive from Manali to Chandigarh, about 311 km and 6 hours. Chandigarh is a calm, planned city. You see the Rock Garden, built from waste and scrap. You walk by the wide Sukhna Lake. You see the Open Hand Monument and the Capitol Complex. It is a gentle, easy stop after the hills. You rest here for the night.
The best time to go
Your pleasant months are March to June. The days are warm and the evenings are cool. December to February is the time for snow lovers. The hills turn white and cold. Avoid the July to September monsoon. Landslides can block the hill roads then. Mist can hide the views. The Kullu valley can also flood in heavy rain. So keep a spare day for any monsoon trip.
For seniors and NRI travellers
This tour is gentle enough for parents with a little care. Use the flat Ridge and the lift in Shimla. Take the easy viewpoints at Kufri rather than the steep pony track. Give yourself a day to settle in Manali before the high pass day. Drink only boiled or bottled water. For NRI and OCI guests, you fly into Delhi and start from there. You need no special permit for the main trip. You need one only for Rohtang Pass. Bring your parents for the snow and take it slow.
Tour highlights
Visit Jakhoo Hill
Visit Hadimba Temple
Visit Rock Garden
Visit Solang Valley
Destinations covered
Best Time
May - Oct
Ideal For
Families, Couples, Nature Lovers, Photographers
Difficulty
Easy
Day by day
Day-by-day itinerary
A carefully paced plan, day by day. Tap any day for the stay, meals and altitude detail.
You arrive in Delhi by air or by train. Your driver meets you at the airport or the railway station. You then drive up to Shimla, about 380 km and 6 to 7 hours. You reach Shimla and check in to your hotel. Your evening is free to rest. You can take a short walk on the Mall Road if you feel fresh. Overnight in Shimla.
You spend the full day seeing Shimla. You start on the Ridge and the Mall Road. You see Christ Church and walk through Lakkar Bazaar. You visit the Viceregal Lodge, also called Rashtrapati Niwas. You climb up to Jakhoo Hill for the Hanuman temple. You also see the Tara Devi temple on its own hill. You then take a short trip to Kufri and Fagu for the cool hill air. You may add Chadwick Falls if time allows. The Kalka to Shimla Railway holds UNESCO World Heritage status, so you may ride the toy train as a fun extra. Overnight in Shimla.
You drive from Shimla to Manali today, about 253 km and 6 hours. You pass through the green Kullu valley on the way. You see the Beas river run beside the road. You reach Manali and check in to your hotel. You rest for the evening. Overnight in Manali.
You spend the day seeing Manali. You start with the Hadimba Devi temple among the tall deodar trees. It was built in 1553 in wood and stone. It honours Hadimba from the Mahabharata story. You then visit Vashisht village for its hot sulphur springs. You walk the Manali Mall Road for caps and shawls. You also see the Club House by the river. You may add Manikaran or a Tibetan monastery if you wish. Overnight in Manali.
You take the day up towards Rohtang Pass. You stop at Solang Valley for snow and fun. In season you can try paragliding and the ropeway. Rohtang Pass is open only in season and shuts on Tuesdays. It also needs a permit that you book online in advance. When Rohtang is shut, you go as far as Solang Valley or the open road. Please reconfirm the permit and the road status first. You return to Manali for the night. Overnight in Manali.
You drive from Manali to Chandigarh today, about 311 km and 6 hours. You reach Chandigarh and start your city tour. You see the Rock Garden, built from waste and scrap. You walk by the wide Sukhna Lake. You see the Open Hand Monument and the Capitol Complex. Overnight in Chandigarh.
You drive from Chandigarh to Delhi today, about 260 km and 6 hours. Your driver drops you at the airport or the railway station. Your tour ends here with fine hill memories. We wish you a safe trip home.
UNESCO World Heritage
World Heritage Sites on this journey
This tour takes you close to 2 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India. These are places the world has recognised as our shared treasure. Below you can see each one and how far it is from where you stay, so you can plan your darshan and sightseeing with time to spare.
Right where you stay
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex)
Cultural · Inscribed 2016 · Chandigarh
While you stay at Chandigarh, you can visit The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Capitol Complex), a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A short drive from your stay
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area
Natural · Inscribed 2014 · Himachal Pradesh
Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area is a short drive from your stay at Manali (about 33 km). You can see it as a half-day trip.
Want to plan your trip around India’s World Heritage Sites? See all UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India.
Travel tips
Shimla, the Kullu valley and Manali, done the right way
Shimla and Manali: the toy train, the snow, and the honest hill guide your parents will thank you for
Here is your day-by-day guide to a Himachal hill trip that really works. You will learn how to book the UNESCO toy train ahead. You will see why this tour starts and ends in Delhi. You will know what the Viceregal Lodge and the Jakhoo ropeway really cost. You will find out how to reach snow at Solang and Rohtang. You will also learn how the Atal Tunnel now takes you to snow with no permit at all. Every price is checked for you. Where a fee or a timing can change, we say so and tell you to reconfirm.
UNESCO TOY TRAIN TO SHIMLASNOW AT SOLANG AND ROHTANGBEST MARCH TO JUNEATAL TUNNEL NEEDS NO PERMIT
The shrines
Swipe →2
The Ridge and Mall Road
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The traffic-free colonial heart of the old summer capital, free to wander
3
Kufri and Mahasu Peak
near Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The half-day snow and viewpoint spot with the Himalayan Nature Park
4
The Kullu valley and the Beas
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
River rafting, the Dussehra town and genuine Kullu shawls
5
Solang Valley
near Manali, Himachal Pradesh
The adventure hub for paragliding, the ropeway and winter snow play
6
Hadimba temple
Manali, Himachal Pradesh
The 16th-century wooden temple among the deodar trees
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Rohtang and the Atal Tunnel
beyond Manali, Himachal Pradesh
The high pass and the all-year tunnel that carries you to Lahaul snow
01Plan the shape first
How to plan Shimla, Kullu and Manali across seven days
First you fix the shape of the trip. Shimla, the Kullu valley and Manali sit along the same mountain road. So your seven-day plan flows in one direction. You start at Shimla in the south. You end at Manali in the north.
02How you actually travel it
Getting there and around: why this tour runs from Delhi
Here is the honest truth that most pages skip. Shimla and Manali barely have working airports. So this tour starts and ends in Delhi. From Delhi you drive up, and you break the road at Chandigarh.
03The signature experience
The Kalka-Shimla toy train: book it ahead, and ride it right
The UNESCO Kalka-Shimla toy train is the most special way to arrive in Shimla. It is also the thing most people get wrong. The seats are reserved and sell out. So you cannot just turn up at the platform and buy one.
04The summer capital
Shimla: the Ridge, the Lodge, the monkeys, and what you really pay
Shimla was the summer capital of British India from 1864. So the town is full of Raj-era buildings. The sightseeing is mostly gentle walking. Here is what each sight really costs. Here too are the two honest warnings nobody prints.
05The half-day trip
Kufri: a half-day from Shimla, and how to handle the pony touts
Kufri is a small hill spot about 13 to 16 km from Shimla. Do it as a half-day trip, not a base. Keep your hotel in Shimla and drive up early. Then manage the pony ride and the traffic. That way your short trip stays pleasant.
06The valley below Manali
The Kullu valley: the river, the Dussehra, and genuine shawls
The Kullu valley is the stretch of river, temples and handloom below Manali. It is a destination in its own right. Here is the river rafting and the famous Dussehra. Here too is how you buy a genuine Kullu shawl instead of a fake.
07The heart of the trip
Manali town: Hadimba, Vashisht, Old Manali and the Mall
Manali is where your trip settles for a few days. The town itself is full of easy, lovely sights. Give it a day before you head up to Solang and Rohtang. Start with the 16th-century Hadimba temple among the deodar trees.
08Adventure and the high passes
Solang, Rohtang and the Atal Tunnel: snow, permits and safety
This is the part of the trip everyone comes for. You get the adventure at Solang and the high pass at Rohtang. You also get the Atal Tunnel, which now reaches snow with no permit at all. It is also the part with the most safety to get right.
09When to come
The best months, and why you avoid the monsoon
The comfortable window for the whole trip is roughly March to June. December to February suits snow lovers. The one season to plan around is the July to September monsoon. Here is exactly why.
10What to carry home
Kullu shawls, the Himachali topi, and what to eat
The thing you carry home from this trip is Himachali handloom. The trap is the commission-driven roadside emporium. Here is how you buy a genuine Kullu shawl and dress right for the temples and the cold.
11If your parents are coming
Keeping seniors and children comfortable on this trip
This trip is very doable for parents and grandparents with a little planning. The two demanding parts are the steep Shimla slopes and the altitude at Rohtang. Both are easy for you to manage.
12Doing this from abroad
For NRI and OCI travellers: flights, parents, and snow
This is one of the most rewarding trips to bring your parents home for. That is even more true if they have never seen real snow. Here is how you plan it from abroad, with the flights, the permits and the comfortable snow option.
13Money and ground realities
A realistic budget, the traffic truth, and the green tax
None of this is expensive by hill-station standards. But a few ground realities are worth knowing. You should know the daily budget, the serious peak-season traffic, and the small charges on outside vehicles.
The summer capital of an empire
Why a small hill town once ran the British Raj each summer
One hundred and two tunnels, a narrow-gauge climb, and a whole government carried up into the deodar forest.
The real keepsake of this trip is a story you ride into on the very first day. From 1864, Viceroy Sir John Lawrence formally made Shimla the summer capital of British India. The entire imperial government then climbed out of the heat of the plains. It reassembled here on the ridge. The secretariats, the army headquarters, and the post and telegraph offices all moved up. The clerks and their families moved up too. For half the year a small Himalayan town quietly governed a fifth of humanity. The Viceregal Lodge, completed in 1888, was its seat of power. The buildings of the Mall, Christ Church and the Gaiety Theatre still read like an English town set down in the deodar forest. The crowning feat was the Kalka-Shimla Railway. It was built between 1898 and 1903. It opened on 9 November 1903 to connect the summer capital to the rest of India by rail. It climbs through 102 tunnels on the way. It was inscribed with UNESCO World Heritage status on 8 July 2008. A much-loved local story is told about the long Barog tunnel. It is named for the British engineer who, the tale goes, miscalculated its alignment. A sadhu named Bhalku then guided the work. The broad history is well documented. But those personal legends are tradition retold locally rather than firmly verified. So enjoy them as the colour they are. Ride the toy train up on a clear morning. Walk the Ridge where an empire once summered. Then carry on north to the river, the shawls and the snow. You will understand why families keep coming back to these hills.
What's included
What's included
Included
- ✓• Hotel accommodations
- ✓• Breakfast and dinner
- ✓• Non-AC vehicle transport
- ✓• Driver fee, parking fee, interstate travel taxes
Not included
- ✕• Air, rail or bus fare
- ✕• Personal expenses (guides, porters, tips)
- ✕• Food costs apart from those mentioned
- ✕• Camera and entrance fees if any
- ✕• Anything else not included in the package
What travellers say
What travellers say
4.7
Way to India · rated 4.7★ on Google across 46 reviews
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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.”2 months ago · Google
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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! 🙏🕉️”3 months ago · Google
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Yash Bhargava★★★★★
“We recently entrusted our honeymoon planning to 'Way to India', and it turned out to be one of the best decisions we made. From itinerary finalization to on-ground execution, everything was handled with remarkable professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail. Every aspect of our trip — flights, hotels, transfers, experiences, and even the small thoughtful touches — was perfectly curated. The itinerary was balanced, well-planned, and tailored exactly to what we wanted. We never had to worry about a single thing; all arrangements were seamless and absolutely hassle-free. What truly stood out was their responsiveness and genuine care. They were always available, always patient, and consistently went the extra mile to ensure our journey was special. Special thanks to Neha Ma'am for planning everything. We are incredibly grateful and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone looking for a stress-free, personalised, and delightful travel experience. Thank you for making our honeymoon truly magical!”5 months ago · Google
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Seven days work well for this trip. You get one full day in Shimla and two days in Manali. You also get a day for Rohtang Pass and Solang Valley. The plan starts and ends in Delhi. This pace stays gentle for parents and children.
You start in Delhi by air or by train. Your driver then takes you up by road. Delhi to Shimla is about 380 km and 6 to 7 hours. Shimla to Manali is about 253 km and 6 hours. You come back through Chandigarh to Delhi.
Yes, Rohtang Pass needs an online permit. You book it in advance on the official Himachal portal. The pass is shut every Tuesday for upkeep. It is open only in season, from about May to about October or early November. Please reconfirm the permit and the road status before you go.
Your trip still runs even then. You go as far as Solang Valley or the point where the road is open. Solang Valley gives you snow and fun in season. So you do not lose your mountain day. Always check the road status the day before.
Entry is about 100 rupees for Indian guests. It is about 500 rupees for foreign guests. It is open about 9:30 am to 5 pm. It is shut on Mondays and on national holidays. Please reconfirm the fee before you go.
The Jakhoo ropeway is about 252 rupees one way for an adult. You also pay 5 percent tax. The monkeys are a real problem here. They grab glasses, phones, caps and food. So remove your glasses and keep nothing loose in your hands.
The pleasant months are March to June. December to February is best for snow. Avoid the July to September monsoon. Landslides can block the roads then. Mist can also hide the views.
Yes, with a little care they can. Use the flat Ridge and the lift in Shimla. Take the gentle viewpoints at Kufri. Give everyone a day to settle in Manali before the high pass. Drink only boiled or bottled water and go slow.
The drive is about 253 km and takes 6 hours. You pass through the green Kullu valley on the way. You see the Beas river beside the road. Travel in the first half of the day. Then settle in and see the sights fresh the next morning.
For the main trip you need no special permit. That covers Shimla, Manali and Chandigarh. You need a permit only for Rohtang Pass. Foreign nationals need extra permits only for far areas like Spiti and Ladakh. So the main tour stays simple for you.
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