Himachal Pradesh rewards the curious traveler with cedar-clad hills, apple orchards, and high-mountain passes. This 7-day itinerary pairs Shimla’s hill-station elegance with Manali’s outdoorsy spirit, stitching together history, scenery, and comfort food. Expect cool evenings, crisp mornings, and starry skies.

Shimla, once the summer capital of British India, unfurls along a ridge studded with neo-Gothic churches and mock-Tudor buildings. The UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway curls through 100+ tunnels and sky-high bridges, a living museum with postcard views. Manali, farther up the Kullu Valley, mixes wood-and-stone temples, riverside cafés, and easy access to Solang Valley and the Atal Tunnel—your gateway to the stark beauty of Lahaul.

Bring layers (nights can be chilly year-round at 2,000 m+), comfortable shoes, and an appetite for Himachali dham (a celebratory thali), siddu (steamed stuffed buns), momos, and Kullu trout. Check road conditions in monsoon (Jul–Sep) and winter snow spells; use registered taxis and reputable outfitters for adventure sports. UPI and cards are common in towns; carry some cash for roadside stops.

Shimla

Shimla’s heart is its car-free Mall Road and breezy Ridge, flanked by Christ Church’s pale-yellow tower and stately civic buildings. The Kalka–Shimla toy train, built in 1903, is one of India’s most scenic mountain railways, especially at dawn or late afternoon when the hills glow.

Top sights include the Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas), Jakhu Temple with its towering Hanuman statue, the State Museum’s hill-art collection, and the Gaiety Theatre. Between strolls, duck into heritage cafés, sip Himachali chai, and try local dham at no-fuss eateries.

• Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Shimla | Hotels.com Shimla
• Getting to Shimla: Fly into Delhi or Chandigarh via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Then train Delhi–Kalka (≈4–5h, $8–15), and Kalka–Shimla on the UNESCO toy train (≈5–6h, $4–8) via Trip.com Trains. Private transfer Chandigarh–Shimla takes 3–4h ($40–60).
• Food & drink picks: Himachali Rasoi (traditional dham), Indian Coffee House (old-school filter coffee), Wake & Bake Café (pancakes, views), Café Simla Times (global plates, terrace), Eighteen71 Cookhouse (modern Indian).

Manali

Manali balances temple lore with river-hugging cafés and alpine day trips. The deodar-ringed Hadimba Devi Temple is a masterpiece of Himalayan woodwork, while Old Manali’s lanes lead to artisan shops, live-music bars, and the beloved Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted for coffee and cookies.

Adventures abound: paragliding and snow play in Solang Valley, the dramatic drive through the 9.02-km Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul, and short hikes like Jogini Falls near Vashisht. Between outings, feast on Kullu trout, momos, and wood-fired pizza.

• Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Manali | Hotels.com Manali
• Getting to/From Manali: Shimla–Manali by road is 7–9h ($70–110 by private car). Manali–Kullu (Bhuntar) Airport is ~50 min; flights to Delhi take ~1h20m ($40–120) on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.
• Food & drink picks: Johnson’s Café (Kullu trout), Café 1947 (riverside Italian, live music), The Lazy Dog (global, riverside), Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted (coffee), Fat Plate Café (garden brunch), Chopsticks (Tibetan–Nepali favorites).

Day 1: Arrive in Shimla, Ridge Stroll, and Himachali Dinner

Morning: Fly into Delhi or Chandigarh with Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Connect by train (Delhi–Kalka–Shimla via Trip.com Trains) or car from Chandigarh (3–4h).

Afternoon: Check into your Shimla stay (VRBO or Hotels.com). Stretch your legs along the car-free Mall Road to Scandal Point and the Ridge, then step into Christ Church (1857) for stained-glass glimpses of Shimla’s past.

Evening: Sip coffee at Indian Coffee House (filter coffee, buttery dosas) or Wake & Bake (crepes, hill views). For dinner, try Himachali Rasoi’s traditional dham—a multi-course feast of madra (chickpea curry), kadhi, and rice served on leaf plates. End with jalebi from a Ridge-side sweet shop.

Day 2: Heritage Loop — Viceregal Lodge, Museum, Jakhu Temple

Morning: Breakfast at Wake & Bake (banana pancakes; shakshuka). Tour the Viceregal Lodge (Rashtrapati Niwas), where decisions shaping the subcontinent were once made; the stonework and lawns are exquisite. Continue to the Himachal State Museum for pahari miniatures and folk art.

Afternoon: Ride the ropeway to Jakhu Temple for sweeping views and the towering Hanuman statue. On the way back, browse Lakkar Bazaar’s hand-carved walking sticks and woolens. Lunch at Eighteen71 Cookhouse—order the pahadi guchi (morel) pulao or smoky tandoor platters.

Evening: Peek into the 1887 Gaiety Theatre (guided visits often available). Dinner at Café Simla Times—thin-crust pizzas, sizzlers, and a terrace timed to catch twilight over the Shivaliks.

Day 3: Day Trip to Kufri, Mashobra Pines, and Naldehra Meadows

Morning: Quick bite at Indian Coffee House; then drive 45–60 min to Kufri. Walk up to Mahasu Peak for views; in winter, you’ll find sledding and snow play. Skip animal shows and focus on trails, views, and hot chai.

Afternoon: Continue 30 min to Mashobra for cedar-forest strolls. For a special lunch, the restaurant at Wildflower Hall (advance call recommended) pairs panoramic windows with refined North Indian classics. If you prefer rustic, opt for a roadside dhaba serving rajma-chawal.

Evening: Loop to Naldehra’s meadow-ringed golf course (horse rides available) before returning to Shimla. Dinner at Ashiana & Goofa (twin, no-frills HPTDC spots right on the Ridge) for hearty curries and rotis.

Day 4: Scenic Transfer — Shimla to Manali via River Valleys

Morning: Grab a honey-lemon tea at Honey Hut on Mall Road, then depart early for Manali (7–9h). The road traces lakes at Sundernagar, the Beas River near Pandoh Dam, and apple orchards beyond Kullu.

Afternoon: Stop for a simple thali at a reputable highway dhaba near Mandi (fresh rotis, dal, seasonal sabzi). Roll into Manali and check into your stay (VRBO or Hotels.com).

Evening: Wander Old Manali’s lanes to Manu Temple and the river. Dinner at Café 1947 (riverside pasta, wood-fired pizza, often live sets) or The Lazy Dog (Asian bowls, grills, fairy lights by the water).

Day 5: Manali Town — Hadimba Temple, Old Manali Cafés, Vashisht Springs

Morning: Coffee and cookies at Dylan’s Toasted & Roasted; their cappuccino is among the valley’s best. Visit the 16th-century Hadimba Devi Temple—cedar columns, tiered pagoda roof, and a tranquil glade. Stroll Van Vihar’s tall deodars by the Beas.

Afternoon: Lunch at Chopsticks on Mall Road for momos, thukpa, and chilli chicken. Shop for handloom stoles and local jam in Old Manali. Optional short hike to Jogini Waterfall (start near Vashisht; easy-moderate, allow ~2–3h round-trip).

Evening: Soak at Vashisht hot springs (separate bathing areas; bring modest swimwear). Dinner at Johnson’s Café—grilled Kullu trout with herbed butter—or Casa Bella Vista for vegetarian pizzas under apple trees.

Day 6: Solang Valley and Through the Atal Tunnel to Sissu (Weather-Permitting)

Morning: Head 30–45 min to Solang Valley. In winter, rent snow gear on-site; in warmer months, consider paragliding (approx ₹3,000–4,500), the gondola/ropeway (often ₹650–1,000), or ATV rides. Views sweep across glaciers and ridgelines.

Afternoon: Drive 1–1.5h through the 9.02-km Atal Tunnel to Sissu in Lahaul. Walk to the Sissu waterfall and lake, photograph the stark trans-Himalayan landscape, and warm up with Maggi and chai at a roadside café. Carry layers—temperatures drop quickly.

Evening: Return to Manali before dark. Celebrate with trout or a Himalayan thali at The Johnson’s or unwind with dessert and spiced tea at Fat Plate Café’s garden if you’re on the Naggar Road side.

Day 7: Naggar Castle, Roerich Estate, and Departure

Morning: Check out and drive 45 min to Naggar, the former capital of Kullu. Explore Naggar Castle’s kath-kuni (wood-stone interlock) architecture and the nearby Nicholas Roerich Art Gallery for Himalayan canvases and tranquil grounds.

Afternoon: Lunch at Fat Plate Café (if not earlier)—try their herb omelets, grilled trout, or millet salads; or dine at the Castle’s in-house restaurant for valley views. Continue to Kullu (Bhuntar) Airport (≈50 min) for your flight to Delhi (≈1h20m) via Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Alternatively, continue by road to Chandigarh or Delhi in the afternoon/evening.

Evening: If your departure is later, pick up last-minute souvenirs—hand-knit caps, apricot oil, fruit wines—and savor one more coffee at Dylan’s. Bid farewell to the Beas as the mountains fade in your rearview.

This week in Himachal Pradesh blends heritage railways, temple forests, and high-valley adventures. From Shimla’s stately promenades to Manali’s river cafés and the stark drama of Sissu, you’ll carry home mountain light, crisp air, and the taste of trout and chai.