Shimla Travel Guide - The Queen of Hills

One of North India’s most famous hill stations, and I—shamefully—had never been there. Shimla, the “Queen of Hills,” once the summer capital of the British Raj, just 370 km from Delhi, had been dodging me for too long. That January, five of us—friends and colleagues—finally decided to tick it off the list.

And of course, our chosen mode of travel was everyone’s favorite budget-friendly adventure: road trip! A road trip to Shimla - Kufri - Chail.

En route to Shimla on National Highway 1

The Journey: Delhi to Shimla Road Trip

We left Delhi at 7 AM in proper winter vibes—drizzling rain, foggy windshields, and the hope of witnessing snowfall in Shimla. Our route? Delhi → Sonipat → Panipat → Karnal → Chandigarh → Shimla. 

But first, a stop at Timber Trail, Parwanoo, where we hopped on the famous cable car. Nothing like dangling in mid-air to make you question your life choices while admiring pine-covered Shivalik ranges.

By 6 PM, after nearly 11 hours of drive, we finally reached Shimla.

The Stay: Apple Cart Inn

Our stay was booked at Apple Cart Inn (Himachal Tourism), located 22 km before Shimla city center. The view from the hotel was a wallpaper-worthy spread of mountain ranges. Dinner was peaceful, but the post-dinner walk under moonlight turned into a horror movie—thanks to one friend who wouldn’t stop narrating ghost stories. (Needless to say, I slept with the lights on.)

The Mall Road Madness

Next morning was teeth-chattering cold, with rain adding extra drama. I spent 30 minutes debating whether to shower, and another 10 convincing myself that freezing water wouldn’t kill me. Somehow, we got ready, stuffed ourselves with breakfast, and headed to Shimla’s most famous spot: The Mall Road.

Now, here’s the thing: Shimla has a lift that takes you from the parking lot straight up to Mall Road. Yup, a lift—because who needs trekking when you can rise like a Bollywood hero straight into the chaos?

Mall Road was buzzing: branded stores, antique shops, vendors calling out, taxis honking. Honestly, it felt like Delhi in the mountains. To save ourselves from catching a cold, we ducked into Honey Hut Café. They don’t use sugar—only honey. Health goals! Their honey coffee and pastries were so good, my soul did a happy dance.

Walking further, we reached a viewpoint overlooking the valley. And *that’s* when I understood why Shimla is called the Queen of Hills. The view was magical—green valleys, mist rolling over mountains, and a quiet moment of awe. Naturally, it lasted two minutes before someone spotted a flea market and horse rides.

Kufri: Nirvana & Pony Drama

Our next stop was Kufri, about 13 km from Shimla. Known for its snow slopes and adventure rides, it’s every tourist’s dream (and every pony’s nightmare). Tourists hopped on horses, ponies, even yaks, looking like reluctant cowboys.

We skipped the rides and chose to just admire the panoramic views of the valley. Sometimes, just standing still feels like total nirvana. We returned to our hotel before sunset, capped off the day with dinner, and geared up for our next destination.

Chail: The Royal Escape

Day 3 greeted us with sunshine (finally no rain!). Destination: Chail, about 50 km away. Compared to Shimla’s buzzing crowds, Chail felt peaceful—like a well-kept secret. Surrounded by towering deodars, it’s also home to the world’s highest cricket ground at 7,500 ft. We posed like wannabe cricketers, clicked some dramatic shots, and then headed to Chail Palace, once home to the Maharaja of Patiala - Bhupinder Singh. Grand, regal, and perfect for Instagram.

                            

                    

Best Time to Visit Shimla

• March to June (Summer): Perfect weather (15–30°C) for sightseeing, Mall Road strolls, and Kufri adventure rides.
• July to September (Monsoon): Scenic but slippery. Landslides are common—so travel only if you love rain-drenched drama.
• October to February (Winter): Snowfall season! Great for honeymooners, snow fights, and pretending you’re in a Bollywood film. Just pack layers unless you enjoy jaw-chattering like me.

How to Reach Shimla

• By Road: The most popular way! Delhi to Shimla is ~370 km (8–9 hours) via NH44 and NH5. Stop at Timber Trail (Parwanoo) for cable car fun.
• By Train: Take the toy train from Kalka to Shimla (UNESCO heritage). The scenic 96 km ride has 100+ tunnels and 800 bridges—basically, nature’s Netflix.
• By Air: Nearest airport is Jubbarhatti (~23 km from Shimla). Flights are limited and often pricey, so road/train is more fun and budget-friendly.

 Must-Try Food in Shimla

Traveling with friends = eating twice as much. Here’s what you can’t miss:

• Siddu: A Himachali steamed bread stuffed with walnut paste, best with ghee.
• Chana Madra: Chickpeas in a yogurt-based curry, tastes divine on a cold day.
• Trout Fish: Fresh from Himachali rivers, try it at Oberoi Cecil or a local dhaba.
• Himachali Thali: A full platter with Madra, Dhaam, Siddu, and more—served traditionally during festivals.
• Café Culture on Mall Road: Try Honey Hut (honey coffee & pastries) or Wake & Bake (pizzas & Nutella pancakes).
• Street Snacks: Hot momos, aloo tikki, and steaming cups of chai to fight the mountain chill.

The Wrap-Up

Shimla isn’t just about snow and selfies—it’s about heritage walks on Mall Road, hot coffee in the rain, ghost-story walks, Kufri adventures, and Chail’s royal vibes. Whether you’re on a friends’ getaway, family holiday, or romantic escape, Shimla offers the perfect blend of fun, food, and fresh mountain air.

As we drove back to Delhi, stuffed with pastries and memories, I couldn’t help but think: Shimla may be crowded, but with the right company, it’s always worth it.