Ultimate Travel Guide of: Shimla, Kullu & Manali
All information you need to know about planning your perfect Shimla manali trip.
Shimla - The Queen of hills
The capital and largest city of Himachal Pradesh. In 1864 it became the summer capital of British India, and its colonial heritage is visible in landmarks like the Advance studies-Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas), Christ Church and Mall road-The Ridge. Shimla the city beautiful nestled high in the Pir Panjal range (elevation ~2200m) offers scenic Himalayan views along Mall road-The Ridge, framed by pine forests and Victorian buildings.
How to Reach Shimla ? - Shimla lies ~370 km north of Delhi (≈9 hr by road) and 119 km from Chandigarh (3–4 hr). The nearest major airport is Chandigarh (IXC) (domestic and some international flights), with road links to Shimla: Shimla also has a small airfield at Jubbarhatti (SLV) (~23 km) with limited flights. A famous narrow-gauge train (Kalka–Shimla Railway – UNESCO heritage) connects Shimla to Kalka (94 km) in ~6 hr. HRTC buses and private coaches run frequently from Chandigarh, Delhi and other cities to Shimla or ultimately you can hire taxi from local vendors like us Mystical Himachal we provide local taxi service directly from Delhi or Chandigarh.
Best Time to Visit Shimla
The ideal seasons are summer (April–June) and winter (December–January). Summer days are pleasant (up to 25°C) with clear skies, making it perfect for sightseeing and trekking. Winter brings snowfall (night temp. can fall below –5°C), and Shimla is famous for its snowy Christmas-New Year celebrations. The monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rain and occasional landslides, so it’s generally off-season (though the hills turn lush green).
Planning Your Shimla Trip ? - Allow 2–3 days in Shimla itself. Day 1 can cover Mall Road, Scandal Point, Kali Bari Temple, Christ Church and Jakhu Temple (with its giant Hanuman statue). Day 2 might be a trip to Kufri (8 km east) for its Himalayan Zoo and winter sports, or Chail (45 km) for the Maharaja’s palace, Kali tibba temple and highest cricket ground. You can also visit the Vice Regal Lodge (Indian Institute of Advanced Study) and Annandale fields. Book hotels well in advance if traveling in peak season (may-june/ dec-jan). Accommodation ranges from budget guesthouses (≈₹1–2k/night) to mid-range hotels (≈₹3–5k/night). On average, tourists in Himachal spend about ₹2,500 per person per day including lodging and meals. Local buses and shared taxis are affordable for day trips, a private car from Shimla to Kufri/Chail costs roughly ₹2,000–3,000 depends on season rush and availability.
Top Shimla Nearby Attractions
- Kufri (8 km): Small resort for skiing (winter) and hiking to Mahasu peak (2, 750m also can do by horse ride) offers panaromic views, Fagu-Green valley, also home to a Himalayan Wildlife Zoo.
- Mashobra (13 km): Quiet pine town with orchards- great for nature walks.
- Naldehra (22 km): Scenic village with lush landscapes & one of India’s oldest 18 hole golf courses & Mahunag Temple.
- Chail (45 km): Historic hill station with Chail Palace- summer capital of Patiala royals, highest cricket ground (2,250m), Kali tibba temple, Stone kumbh- Lord Shiva Temple and a wildlife sanctuary.
- Narkanda (65 km): Alpine village famous for winter skiing and apple orchards also visit, Hatu Peak & Tani Jubbar lake.
- Tattapani (50 km): On the Sutlej River, famed for natural hot sulphur springs healthy for skin. Tattapani also offers white-water rafting on the Sutlej.
- Kasauli (70 km): Quaint cantonment town (en route Chandigarh) with colonial architecture and mountain views (Monkey point).
Manali - Beyond the Mountains
Manali is a beautiful town at the north end of the Kullu Valley (along the Beas River) and a gateway to Lahaul-Spiti and Leh. It lies ~270 km north of Shimla and ~544 km northeast of Delhi. Kullu district (which includes Manali) is nicknamed the “Valley of the Gods” and is famous for its natural beauty and the annual Kullu Dussehra festival (7 days in October) dedicated to the local deity Raghunath.
How to Reach Kullu–Manali? - The closest airport is Kullu–Manali Airport at Bhuntar (10 km south of Kullu, 50 km from Manali), with daily flights to/from Delhi and Chandigarh. By road, Manali is about 570 km (11–12 hr) from Delhi and 235 km (7–8 hr) from Shimla. Regular HRTC buses, deluxe coaches and taxis connect Manali/Kullu to Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla and other cities. The nearest major railheads are Chandigarh (~312 km) and Pathankot (~277 km), from where buses or cabs can be taken.
Best Time to Visit Kullu–Manali
Summer (April–June) is peak season. Days are warm (10–25°C) and skies clear, ideal for outdoor activities (rafting, paragliding, Zorbing trekking). Monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rainfall to Kullu-Manali, causing landslides, so it is off-season for tourists. Winters (October–February) are cold and snowy, especially above 2000m – this is snow season (best for winter sports). Manali town sees temp. from about –6°C up to 15°C in winter. Rohtang Pass (near Manali) closes in winter (November–April) due to snow, open in May mid-oct.
Planning Your Kullu-Manali Trip? - A typical itinerary allows 4–6 days. Spend ~2 days in Manali (visit Hadimba Devi Temple, old Manali market, Vashisht hot springs, Mall Road). Use Manali as base for Solang Valley (14 km away) for adventure sports (paragliding, zip-lining, winter skiing) and to arrange Rohtang Pass trips via Madhi/Gulaba. Reserve Rohtang permits online well in advance (quota limits 1200 cabs per day). Spend 1–2 days in Kullu town/valley (Kullu Bazaar, Temples like Hidimba Mata temple, Manu temple, Van vihar) and day trips around – e.g. Bijli Mahadev Shrine, or river rafting near Kullu. If time permits, visit nearby valleys: Tirthan (for trout fishing and Great Himalayan NP) and Jibhi (waterfalls, Short treks like Raghupur for or Serolsar lake). Book hotels or guesthouses early for May–June and Dec–Jan. Budget hotels start ~₹1,000, mid-range resorts ₹3,000–4,000 per night. Taxis are convenient for shared sightseeing: local buses are cheaper but infrequent in remote areas so highly recommended local taxi service.
How much it will Cost? - Similar to Shimla, expect roughly ₹2,500–3,000 per person per day. This covers lodging, food and local travel. Meals at dhabas/roadside stalls are cheap (~₹200–300 per person), restaurants are ~₹500+. A Volvo bus Delhi–Manali costs ~₹1,000–1,600 one-way. Fuel and permits can add to costs if self-driving. Typical package tours range from ₹6,000 (budget) to ₹16,000+ (luxury) for 4–6 nights.
Top Kullu Manali Nearby Attractions
- Rohtang Pass (51 km north): A high mountain pass (~3,980 m) linking Manali to Lahaul-Spiti. Open seasonally (May–Oct, permits required), Rohtang’s snowy landscapes attract tourists for snow activities and photos. Must visit for stunning glacier views.
- Solang Valley (14 km from Manali): Adventure hub for paragliding, skiing, snowmobiling. Lush meadows in summer, snow sports in winter. Also visit Atal-tunnel & sissu/Koksar for great views.
- Naggar (20 km south): Historic Naggar Castle (15th-century Rajput fortress), Ancient Shiva Temple and the Himalayan Art Gallery (folk art).
- Tirthan & Jibhi (90–100 km southwest): off-beat valleys in Great Himalayan National Park, famous for trout fishing, waterfalls (Jibhi Falls), Short treks like Raghupur fort trek/Serolsar lake trek and pine forests. Villages like Gushaini/Tirthan and Jibhi offer homestays/Tree hoses.
- Prashar Lake (Mandi district, ~50 km west): A serene alpine lake (2,730 m) with a three-story pagoda temple on its shore. Offers stunning sunrise views of Dhauladhar peaks.
- Malana & Tosh (Parvati Valley): Malana (65 km beyond Kasol) is an ancient village with unique culture and council. Tosh (near Barshaini, 7 km before Kasol) is a picturesque hamlet popular with trekkers ( Kheerganga Trek starting point).
- Hamta/Jalori Pass: Hamta Pass trek starts at Jobra (13 km from Manali) via. Sethan and crosses into Lahaul. Jalori Pass (3,105 m, 90 km from Manali via Aut) is a scenic drive/trek area.
- Jogini Falls (1 km): A 150m waterfall and Shiva temple just above Vashisht. The hike from Old Manali (through terraced fields and orchards) is popular for waterfalls and valley views.
- Sissu/Koksar/Keylong/Jispa: Villages along the Manali–Leh Highway beyond Rohtang. Sissu (50 km) has a waterfall and lake, Keylong (330 km) is Lahaul’s capital, and Jispa (60 km from Keylong) is a tourist mecca on the Bhaga River. These are base points for treks or further trips to Spiti/Leh.
- Brighu Lake: A high-altitude glacial lake at ~4,300 m (reachable by a 2-day trek from Gulaba). Legend says sage Bhrigu meditated here and its waters never freeze. A steep hike leads to an icy cirque lake set among jagged peaks.
- Bijli Mahadev Temple (42 km): Perched on a hill above Chhatru, Kullu Valley – this mountain temple is famed for its swinging Shiva-linga that moves during thunderstorms. (The trek up provides Himalayan vistas.)
- Parvati Valley (70 km to Kasol): Heading up the Parvati river from Bhuntar (20 km south of Manali), Parvati Valley includes local market sightseeing, Manikaran (Sikh pilgrimage), Shiva temple- where shiva opened his third eye to destroy the evil, and the hippie town of Kasol famous for it's techno music & riverside cafes/campsites. Though farther out, it’s a classic Indian backpacker trail.
