Himachal Pradesh—India’s “Land of the Snow”—spills down from the Greater Himalaya in a patchwork of cedar forests, apple orchards, Buddhist gompas, and British Raj-era hill stations. In the late 1800s, Shimla served as the summer capital of British India; its half-timbered facades and stately avenues still crown the ridgeline. Farther north, Manali blends ancient deity shrines with a free-spirited café scene and easy access to high mountain passes.

Across a week, this itinerary traces two of Himachal’s most classic bases: 3 days in Shimla for colonial history, ridge walks, and nearby Kufri/Mashobra; then 4 days in Manali for temples, hot springs, Solang Valley adventure, and a drive through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul. Expect sweeping switchbacks, crisp mornings, and starry skies.

Practical notes: The best windows are March–June and September–November; winter brings snow and road delays, and Rohtang Pass closes seasonally (Atal Tunnel keeps Lahaul accessible most of the year). Carry layers, sun protection, and some cash for hillside markets. Don’t leave without a Dham thali (a traditional Himachali feast), siddu (steamed bread), and river trout in Manali.

Shimla

Perched at ~2,200 m, Shimla unfurls along a ridgeline where The Mall and The Ridge meet under the pale-yellow spire of Christ Church. Colonial bungalows hide among deodars, and the narrow-gauge “toy train” still chugs through arched viaducts from Kalka to the hills.

• Top sights: The Ridge, Christ Church, Scandal Point, the Viceregal Lodge/Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Jakhoo Temple and ropeway, Lakkar Bazaar’s woodcrafts, and sunsets from Observatory Hill.
• Why visit: Walkable heritage, pine-scented air, and easy day trips to Kufri, Mashobra, and Naldehra’s forested slopes and golf course.
• Food finds: Himachali Rasoi for authentic Dham, Indian Coffee House for classic filter coffee, Wake & Bake for all-day breakfasts, and Café Simla Times for sundowners with a view.

Where to stay (Shimla):

• Wildflower Hall, An Oberoi Resort (Mashobra; forest views, heritage elegance): Check availability
• Club Mahindra Mashobra (family-friendly suites in the woods): See rooms
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com: Shimla hotels | VRBO: Shimla vacation rentals

How to get to Shimla: Most international travelers fly into Delhi, then connect. Search flights on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From Delhi, take a fast train to Chandigarh or Kalka on Trip.com (trains) (3–4 hours, ~$8–15), then taxi to Shimla (3–4 hours, ~$35–60). The scenic Kalka–Shimla “toy train” runs ~5–6 hours from Kalka.

Day 1: Arrive via Delhi, onward to Shimla’s Ridge and Mall Road

Morning: If you land in Delhi with a long layover, consider a quick city immersion before heading to the hills:

Old & New Delhi City Tour – Half or Full Day

It’s customizable and covers Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, and more—great context before the mountains.

Afternoon: Connect to Chandigarh by flight or train, then drive the switchbacks to Shimla (allow ~6–8 hours total transit from Delhi). Check in; if you’re splurging, Wildflower Hall’s forest setting feels worlds away.

Evening: Stroll The Ridge and Christ Church as the lights come on. Dinner at Himachali Rasoi for the traditional Dham thali (slow-cooked lentils, madra, curd-based gravies, rice) or Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar for tandoori platters and Himalayan trout. Nightcap at Café Simla Times (live music some nights).

Day 2: Colonial heritage, Jakhoo Temple, and café hopping

Morning: Start with South Indian staples and filter coffee at Indian Coffee House on the Mall. Walk to the Viceregal Lodge/IIAS for a guided look at grand wood-panelled halls that once housed the British Raj’s summer government. Pause at Scandal Point for valley views.

Afternoon: Ride the Jakhoo ropeway up to the hilltop Hanuman statue and temple; keep sunglasses and small items secure—mischievous monkeys love souvenirs. Browse Lakkar Bazaar’s hand-carved walking sticks, toys, and woolens.

Evening: Sunset from The Ridge, then dinner at Ashiana & Goofa (state-run; reliable Himachali dishes). For dessert, try honey-lemon tea and a slice at Honey Hut, a local chain with a sustainability bent.

Day 3: Kufri, Mashobra pines, and Naldehra forest walk

Morning: Drive 40–60 minutes to Kufri for big Himalayan vistas. In winter, snow play and tobogganing; in fair weather, skip the pony rides and hike to Mahasu Peak for cleaner trails. Coffee stop back in Mashobra’s deodar forests.

Afternoon: Long lunch with a view at Wildflower Hall’s The Restaurant—think Himalayan trout or a fragrant Himachali curry, with floor-to-ceiling pines. Continue to Naldehra for a gentle forest loop around the high meadow and historic 9-hole golf course.

Evening: Back in town, sample wood-fired pizzas and salads at Café Sol or IL Forno (seasonal pop-up in Shimla; if closed, opt for Eighteen71). Turn in early—tomorrow is a road-trip day.

Manali

At ~2,000 m where the Beas River splits the valley, Manali balances ancient sanctuaries with a modern mountain culture of live music, bakeries, and gear shops. It’s the gateway to Solang’s ski meadows, the Atal Tunnel to Lahaul, and rafting stretches near Kullu.

• Top sights: Hadimba Devi Temple (1553, hand-carved cedar), Old Manali lanes, Manu Temple, Vashisht hot springs, Jogini Falls, Solang Valley cable car, Sissu waterfalls via Atal Tunnel.
• Why visit: Easy day hikes, café culture, and four-season access to snow and high desert landscapes.
• Food finds: Johnson’s Café & Bar (legendary trout), Café 1947 (Italian by the river), The Lazy Dog (live music), Fat Plate Café (farm-to-table just outside town), Chopsticks (Tibetan classics).

Where to stay (Manali):

• Zostel Manali (social, budget-friendly, Old Manali vibe): Book Zostel Manali
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com: Manali hotels | VRBO: Manali vacation rentals

Getting from Shimla to Manali: Depart after an early breakfast. It’s 240–260 km, but mountain roads make it a 7–9 hour drive. Hire a private cab (~₹5,000–9,000 / $60–110) for flexibility; Volvo buses take ~9–10 hours (~₹900–1,500). There’s no practical train between them. If you prefer to fly both ways, you can also route via Kullu (Bhuntar) Airport for inbound/outbound using Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com.

Day 4: Scenic road transfer to Manali, Naggar Castle detour

Morning: Depart Shimla by 8:00. Stretch at Pandoh Dam viewpoint and the Aut tunnel exit; roadside dhabas serve parathas and chai—simple, hot, and hearty.

Afternoon: Detour 30 minutes to Naggar Castle for cedar architecture, valley panoramas, and nearby Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery (check hours). Late lunch at Fat Plate Café (Shuru)—try the herb-butter trout or mushroom galette.

Evening: Check in. Stroll Old Manali’s car-free lanes for woolens and handicrafts. Dinner at Johnson’s Café & Bar: pan-fried river trout with herbed butter, often with live acoustic sets.

Day 5: Hadimba Temple, Old Manali, Vashisht & Jogini Falls

Morning: Coffee and Spanish omelets at Drifter’s Café. Visit Hadimba Devi Temple, its pagoda-style tiers carved into dark cedar. Continue to Old Manali’s Manu Temple and pop into German Bakeries for apple strudel.

Afternoon: Transfer to Vashisht village for a soak in the hot springs (modest changing areas; bring a towel). Hike 45–75 minutes to Jogini Falls for lunch-with-a-view picnic items from local cafés.

Evening: Dinner riverside at Café 1947 (pesto pasta, thin-crust pizzas, tiramisu). For a mellow night, The Lazy Dog’s outdoor seating pairs well with a mint-lime cooler and live music in season.

Day 6: Solang Valley adventure + Atal Tunnel to Sissu

Morning: Head 30–45 minutes to Solang. Ride the cable car for bird’s-eye valley views (from ~₹650). Seasonal activities: paragliding (₹2,000–3,500), ATV rides (₹900–1,500), snow tubing/zip lines in winter.

Afternoon: Continue through the 9.02-km Atal Tunnel into Lahaul’s stark landscapes; reach Sissu for a short walk to the waterfall and lake. Lunch at a local dhaba—think rajma-chawal or thukpa in colder months. Note: Rohtang Pass is separate and closes in winter; permits and a green tax apply for certain routes—check locally the day prior.

Evening: Return to Manali before dark. Dinner at The Corner House (good Asian bowls and tandoor) or Chopsticks on the Mall for steaming momos and thukpa.

Day 7: Rafting or slow heritage morning, depart in the afternoon

Morning: If you like adrenaline, go rafting on the Beas near Kullu/Babeli (Mar–Jun, Sep–Oct; ~8–12 km runs, ₹800–1,500). Alternatively, linger in Naggar or Old Manali for last-minute crafts and Himalayan woollens.

Afternoon: Transfer to Kullu (Bhuntar) Airport (1–1.5 hours) for your flight to Delhi—search on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If flying the next morning instead, an overnight Volvo back to Delhi is ~12–14 hours.

Evening: If you are connecting through Delhi late, consider a guided food walk to cap the trip with spice and story:

The Great Indian Food Tour: Old Delhi Food & Heritage Walk

Love Mughal history? If you’ve added an extra buffer day in Delhi, take a one-day Agra express train trip for the Taj Mahal:

Taj Mahal Day Tour from Delhi by Superfast Train

Breakfast, coffee, and dinner cheat sheet (you’ll thank us later):

• Shimla breakfasts: Indian Coffee House (filter coffee, dosas), Wake & Bake (pancakes, shakshuka, huge windows over the Mall).
• Shimla lunches/dinners: Himachali Rasoi (Dham thali), Ashiana & Goofa (state-run, reliable), Café Simla Times (views, cocktails), Eighteen71 (modern Indian).
• Manali breakfasts: Drifter’s Café (big breakfasts, good coffee), German Bakeries in Old Manali (strudel, cinnamon rolls).
• Manali lunches/dinners: Johnson’s Café & Bar (trout), Café 1947 (Italian by the river), Fat Plate Café (farm-to-table, garden seating), Chopsticks (Tibetan, quick service), The Lazy Dog (live music, riverside).

Approximate costs (for planning): Delhi–Chandigarh train $8–15; Chandigarh–Shimla cab $35–60; Shimla–Manali private car $60–110; Kullu (Bhuntar)–Delhi flight $50–120; Solang cable car ~₹650; paragliding ₹2,000–3,500; rafting ₹800–1,500. Prices vary by season and demand.

Over seven days you’ll trace the cedar-clad ridges of Shimla, the café-lined alleys of Old Manali, and wide alpine valleys beyond the Atal Tunnel—tasting Dham thalis, river trout, and hot masala chai along the way. With heritage walks, hot springs, and optional Delhi/Agra add-ons, this plan balances ease and adventure. Bookmark it—Himachal begs a return in every season.