How to Plan a Trip to Shimla and Manali?

Naina Datt
Jul 25
4 min read

A visit to the scenic hill stations of Shimla and Manali is the dream of most tourists who want to leave the hustle and bustle of city life. These are the most visited tourist spots in the state of Himachal Pradesh and the place provides the right combination of natural beauty, colonial beauty and adventurous activities and quiet landscapes. You can be a nature lover, a honeymooner, or a family traveler, but Shimla and Manali will never leave you indifferent as it will make you travel to the very heart of the Himalayas. A well-designed Himachal holiday package is important to create a memorable and hustle free vacation.

The green valleys, snow-covered mountains, pine forests, old temples and a variety of adventure sports are the reasons why all people around the globe would like to visit Shimla Manali. Nevertheless, pre-planning your itinerary, transport, lodging, and sightseeing may save you time, money, and get maximum out of your travel. We will be taking you through all the information you require to make an ideal trip to Shimla and Manali in this guide.

When to Go to Shimla and Manali

You need to pick the right time to enjoy to the maximum your vacation.

Summer (March to June): Suitable time to view sights, nature walks and good weather. It is the peak season, and you will have to make an early reservation of your Himachal holiday package.
Monsoon (July to September): It is risky to travel, as the landscape turns green and landslides and muddy roads are frequent.
Winter (October to February): It is ideal for honeymooners and people who love snow. Snowboarding or skiing at Solang Valley or Kufri are tourist attractions.

How to get to Shimla and Manali

By Air:
Jubarhati Airport (approximately 22 km) is the nearest airport to Shimla and Bhuntar Airport (50 km away in Manali) to Manali. There are less flights to these airports; majority of the tourists fly into Chandigarh and travel by road.
By Train:
Kalka Railway Station is the closest large railhead to Shimla. You can also have the Kalka-Shimla toy train ride, a UNESCO World Heritage experience out of Kalka. There is no railway station in Manali. The nearest stations are Joginder Nagar (regional trains) or Chandigarh.

By Road:
Chandigarh to Shimla: 115 km (about 4 hours)
Manali to Shimla: 250 km (approx. 78 hours)
Manali to Delhi: 550 km (approx. 1214 hours)
A Himachal holiday package including transfers is a choice to make when you are going with family or a group of people.

Optimum Length of the Trip

The duration of 6 to 8 days is a good itinerary to visit both Shimla and Manali. This is a proposed split:

Day 1-2: Arrival and sightseeing in Shimla

Day 3: Shift to Manali (picturesque drive including stopovers)

Day 4-6: Local sightseeing and excursions at Manali

Day 7-8: Rest and back to the camp

Shimla and Manali Where to Stay

Shimla:

Luxury: The Oberoi Cecil, Radisson Hotel
Mid-range: Hotel Willow Banks, Clarke s Hotel
Hotel Shingar, Ashiana Regency

Manali:

Luxury: Manu Allaya, Span Resort & Spa
Mid-range: Honeymoon inn, Snow Valley Resorts
Budget: Johnson Lodge, The Lost Tribe Hostel

When booking accommodation as a package in Himachal holidays, it usually assists in obtaining better rates and bundle discounts.

Tourist Places to Visit in Shimla

Ridge and Mall road- Center of the town, a good place to go shopping and eat.
Jakhoo Temple- Temple of Hanuman with a panoramic view.
Kufri- It is a snow paradise during winter and adventure spot in summer.
Christ Church -a must-see building and colonial era architecture.
Chail- The world highest cricket ground and serene atmosphere.

When you want to venture into Shimla Manali, you can not afford to miss the culturally diverse and scenic places.

Places to visit in Manali

Hadimba Devi Temple- this temple is located amidst cedar forests and is devoted to Hadimba Devi.
Solang Valley- Adventure sports such as paragliding, skiing and zorbing.
Rohtang Pass - Snow filled activities (open May to November).
Manu Temple- It is believed that it is the home of sage Manu.
Old Manali - A hippie village atmosphere of cozy cafes and live music.

To have a good feel of Shimla Manali, one should spend at least two days and enjoy the best out of the hill stations.

Things to Do: Adventure and Culture

Adventure: River rafting in Beas, Paragliding in Solang Valley, horse riding in Kufri.
Shopping: Local handicrafts, Himachali woolens, wooden souvenirs.
Food: Eat Chana Madra, Siddu and Tibetan momos.
Cultural Shows: Listen to Himachali folk music and dance in local fairs.

These experiences are present in most of the Himachal holiday package options hence guaranteeing both adventure and cultural immersion.

Travel Tips

Pack Sense: Carry layers, thermals (in case of winters), sunscreen, and trekking shoes.
Health: You should carry medicine with you, in case you tend to develop altitude sickness.
Money: Bring some cash; there might not be an ATM in remote locations.
Permits: Rohtang Pass needs a permit; your travel agency can fix this in case you are booking a package.

Conclusion

Shimla and Manali are the evergreen favourites as far as mountain retreats in India are concerned. Whether it is their colonial beauty and Himalayan beauty, adventure and culture, there is something that every traveler would want to see. The best Himachal holiday package will make the process of planning a vacation much less stressful so that you can just sit back and enjoy the views and the experience. These are some of the destinations that you should visit whether you are in a couple, family trip or even alone; they are a refreshing break in routine.

Therefore, do not think twice but pack your bags and go to visit Shimla Manali where snowflakes play with the pine trees and valleys are filled with laughter. Plan the itinerary well, get the right lodging and add to it a little spontaneity and your Himachal trip is in the books. Call the mountains, call and this time listen to them.