Climate condition : Shimla, being one of the best among all Himalayan hills stations of India, is usually very pleasant in summers, maximum temperature wavering around 25º C - 26º C. Maximum temperature in winters is around 10º C - 11º C, and the environs is often shrouded by frost.
Best Time To Visit : From April to August, and mid September to late November .
Thing to do
Shimla, the most beautiful and most popular hills resort of India has abundance to fetch its visitors. Large range of Eco activities and excursion is most favourite among the vacationers and honeymooners. Enabling them to relish excursions like nature walk in the oak and rhododendron forest, Horse Riding,skiing and ice-skating, the hills resort vouches the visitors a vacation full of Himalayan sightseeing and many Eco excursion.
Places of Interests
The Mall : The mall is the most happening place of Shimla, as several of its restaurants and bars act favourite meeting point of the town. Besides it is also the biggest shopping centre of Shimla.
Summer Hill : Lying at the height of 6500 Feets, Summer Hill has a very beautiful natural environ which fascinates nature lovers. Mahatma Gandhi, during his Shimla visit, lived at Summer Hill.
Christ Church : The second oldest church in North India, Christ Church is quite magnifient in its looks as well as importance. A visit to this Church is inevitable for tourist visiting Shimla.
Jakhu hill : At the height of 8,000 feets, Jakhu Hill is the highest hill of Shimla. The hill gives a very pleasing view of snow capped Himalayan hills. Atop there is a small temple of lord Hanuman.
Annandale : Better called as Playground Of Shimla, Annandale is at the height of 6100 Ft. Being a favorite picnic spot, the playing ground of Annandale is also favourite among Polo and Cricket players.
Kufri : Along with being one of the best place in the country to enjoy Skiing, Kufri (16 km from Shimla) is also one of the most favourite picnic spots. You can also enjoy horse riding at this place.
Eco attraction/Eco excursion
The best of all hills resorts, Shimla with its numerous of Himalayan hills view is cluttered with abundance of natural sightseeing spots having greater possibilities of winning heart of nature lovers.
Home to the seven hills, the whole town is shrouded by the beautiful Himalayan peaks, making climate of the whole hill station quite panoramic. Elysium and Jakhoo hills make one avail the best possible view of whole of the hill station. Taking lifts to the mall from the cart road, though costs one Rs. 5 only, but gives one a lucrative escape from the usual crowd of the regular way.
A short 15 minutes climb from Boileauganj to Kamna Devi temple leads one to enjoy the rendezvous with rich greenery and abundant of natural beauty that Shimla proudly Boasts of. Reaching to observatory hill, now called as Indian Institute Of Advanced Studies, takes one to pass through breathtaking Oak and Rhododendron forest. On the Inverarm and Bantony hills is The Hotel Grand, which was once the residence of governor general William Bentinct.
Kufri (16 km), inviting winter sports lovers from around the world, is just close to Shimla. Giving tourists the ultimate joy of Skiing. Chail (45 km), another small hill station of Himachal Pradesh, is also just one hour drive form Shimla. Driving to these locations is another joy for adventure lovers, as they are welcomed now and then by the sharp turns and diversions. As Shimla itself has open air ice-skating club, it invites adventure lovers to enjoy it utmost.
Reaching there
By Air : Jubbarhatti airport is just 30 km from Shimla, taking approx 1 hour to reach. Taxi can be hired from airport to Shimla taking Rs. 400-500.
By Rail : The nearest main railhead is Kalka (92 km), which takes approx 3 hours to reach Shimla. Kalka Express (Howrah-Kalka via Delhi) is the best way for tourists coming from Delhi and Kolkata. Local bus or taxi can be hired from railway station for Shimla.
By Road : Excellent roads make one's journey very pleasing and exciting. The best way to go to Shimla from Delhi is catching bus at 7 pm, which ply from Mandi House.
Accommodation
- The Oberoi Cecil Chaura Maidan, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh - 171 001, India
- Radisson Jass Hotel Good Wood Estate, Lower Bharari Road - Shimla, India
- Woodville palace Shimla, Ph: 91-177-2623919
- Hotel willow banks The Mall, Shimla
- The Chapslee Ph: 91-177-2802542
- Hotel Peterhoff Ph: 91-177-2812236
Eating out & Shopping
Usually Delhi and Punjabi foods reign every where in the hill station, but Tibetan and Chinese foods mixed with Indian cuisine are also popular serves in restaurants. Restaurants like Goofa and Ashiana, both located at The Mall, hardly get their chairs vacant.
The Mall is the chief shopping area where most of the tourist hang out and shop around. Traditional buy, which visitors need not forget to buy comprise woolen shawls, walking sticks, caps, Kinnauri mufflers, scarves and Chamba rumaals. Lakkar bazaar is the best place for buying walking sticks. Close to the stick shops, one can find wine shop where a full bottle of plum and apple wine is available cheaply (around Rs. 200/a bottle).
Important tourist information centre
- Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation Block No. 28, SDA Complex, Vikas Nagar, Shimla Toll Free Telephone Number: 1800-180-8077 Telephones: 0177 - 2625864 / 2625924 / 2623959 / 2625511 Fax: 0177 - 2625864 / 2623959
- Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corp. Ltd. 36, Janpath, Chanderlok Building, New Delhi 110 001 Phone : +(91)-(11)-332 5320 Fax : +(91)-(11)-373 1072
