Shimla, the “Queen of Hills,” rose to fame as the British summer capital in the 1860s, and its gables and Gothic spires still frame the skyline. At 2,200 meters, the city rolls across seven hills with cedar forests, slate-roofed homes, and promenades made for unhurried strolls. Today, Shimla blends heritage with hillside cafés, mountain-bike trails, and day trips that reach yak meadows, golf greens, and hot springs.

History here is lived in the open: the Ridge is a grand stage for sunsets, the Gaiety Theatre hosts culture beneath Victorian arches, and the Viceregal Lodge (now the Indian Institute of Advanced Study) whispers of epoch-making meetings. A bright yellow Christ Church guards Mall Road, while Jakhoo Temple watches from a higher perch with a monumental Hanuman statue.

Practical notes: Winters (Dec–Feb) can bring snow; spring and autumn offer clear views; the monsoon (Jul–Sep) is lush but landslide-prone. Himachal Pradesh restricts single-use plastic; carry a refillable bottle and layer-friendly clothing. Beware playful monkeys around temples—keep snacks stowed. ATMs are common in the center; taxis operate on fixed routes and meters are less common in steep lanes.

Shimla

Expect a lively hill town with café culture, colonial-era landmarks, and panoramic viewpoints. Spend your mornings on the Ridge and Mall Road, your afternoons chasing pine-scented trails, and your evenings tasting Himachali dishes like siddu and dham thali.

• Top sights: The Ridge, Christ Church, Gaiety Theatre, Viceregal Lodge (IIAS), Annandale Army Heritage Museum, Jakhoo Temple (ropeway), Kali Bari Temple, Chadwick Falls, Naldehra Golf Course.
• Local flavors: Try Himachali Rasoi for traditional dham, Indian Coffee House for filter coffee and dosas, Cafe Simla Times for wood-fired pizza and views, Devicos for North Indian and continental classics, and Honey Hut for honey-laced desserts.
• Fun fact: The UNESCO-proposed Kalka–Shimla narrow-gauge railway climbs through 100+ tunnels and bridges—an engineering marvel since 1903.

Where to stay: For heritage elegance, consider The Oberoi Cecil or Clarkes; for mid-range comfort near Mall Road, Hotel Willow Banks and Radisson Jass; for nature, look at Mashobra/Charabra hideaways. Browse stays on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Getting to Shimla: Fly into Chandigarh (IXC) or Delhi (DEL), then continue by road or rail. Check fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Chandigarh–Shimla is a 3.5–4.5 hr drive (INR 3,500–5,500 by private cab). The Delhi–Kalka express train (4.5–5.5 hrs) connects to the Kalka–Shimla toy train (5–6.5 hrs). Research schedules via Trip.com (trains).

Day 1: Arrival, The Ridge, and Mall Road Sundown

Afternoon: Arrive and check into your hotel near Mall Road for easy, car-free strolling. Start at the Ridge for your first Himalayan panorama and step inside the neo-Gothic Christ Church to see its stained-glass windows. Pop into the Gaiety Theatre for a short guided look at the 1887 auditorium if tours are running.

Evening: Sip classic filter coffee at the old-school Indian Coffee House (servers in starched turbans, a slice of living history). Browse Lakkar Bazaar for wooden crafts and walking sticks. Dinner at Himachali Rasoi for a traditional dham thali—think madra (chickpeas in yogurt gravy), red rice, and meetha for dessert. Nightcap at Cafe Simla Times for wood-fired pizza and fairy lights on the terrace.

Day 2: Heritage Walk, Jakhoo Temple, and Café Hopping

Morning: Join a guided storytelling stroll to orient yourself and decode the architecture.

Heritage & Cultural 2 Hour Shimla Walking Tour — a compact, guide-led loop through the Mall, Town Hall, and prominent landmarks.

Breakfast afterward at Wake & Bake (crepes, shakshuka) or Honey Hut (honey-ginger lemon tea and walnut brownies).

Afternoon: Ride the ropeway to Jakhoo Temple for sweeping views and the towering Hanuman statue. Keep belongings zipped—mischievous monkeys live here. For a serene pause, walk five minutes to Cafe Under Tree, the city’s highest café, for a masala chai with a view. If you love theatre, circle back to the Gaiety for its museum rooms and green room stories.

Evening: Sunset promenade along the Ridge. Drinks and tandoori platters at Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar (colonial-chic interiors) or craft brews at The Brew Estate on Mall Road. Late dinner at Devicos—order butter chicken or dal makhani; end with their classic caramel custard.

Day 3: Full-Day Private City Tour by Car (IIAS, Annandale, Temples)

Today, cover the spread-out highlights with a knowledgeable local in an AC car. This is a full-day tour; feel free to let the guide pace the stops.

Experience the Best of Shimla with a local – Private 8 Hrs Tour in AC Car

Typical route: Indian Institute of Advanced Study (Viceregal Lodge) for a guided heritage tour (usually closed Mondays), Annandale meadows and the Army Heritage Museum (often closed Mondays), the shaded Glen, and the hillside Kali Bari Temple. Lunch at The Restaurant, The Oberoi Cecil for refined North Indian classics and views through arch windows. Return via scenic viewpoints before dining at Embassy Restaurant on Mall Road (veg sizzlers, paneer specialties).

Day 4: Kufri Day Trip — Alpine Meadows and Park Rides

Head east to Kufri (40–60 minutes; cool even in summer). This is another full-day excursion best done with a driver/guide who knows the bends and viewpoints.

Private tour of Shimla city & Kufri

At Kufri Fun World (seasonal rides), take in Mahasu Peak views and consider a short pony ride along the ridge. Nearby, the Himalayan Nature Park focuses on regional fauna; it’s a quiet walk among deodars. Lunch on hot Maggi and momos at ridge-side stalls or sit-down fare at a local café. Back in Shimla, choose a rooftop table at Seventh Heaven (Hotel Combermere) for thin-crust pizzas and twinkling city lights.

Day 5: Mashobra & Naldehra — Forest Walks and a Hillside Green

Morning: Drive 45 minutes to Mashobra. Wander the Reserve Forest Sanctuary (ask your hotel about entry timings) or the Craignano Nature Park for cedar shade, bird calls, and photo stops. Brunch at a Mashobra café—if you’re near Charabra, the mountain views over coffee are superb.

Afternoon: Continue 30 minutes to Naldehra. Amble around the 9-hole Naldehra Golf Course and take the rim trail through tall deodars; pony rides are available to viewpoints if you prefer not to hike. Cloudless days reveal layers of the Greater Himalaya.

Evening: Return to Shimla for dinner at the state-run twin restaurants Ashiana & Goofa (fair pricing and local staples). Try trout, pahadi rajma, and steamed siddu with ghee. For dessert, visit Trishool Bakery (fresh cream pastries) or Krishna Bakers for a warm patties-and-chai fix.

Day 6: Full-Day Mountain Biking Adventure

Trade promenades for pedals on forest roads and village routes. This guided ride includes lunch and adapts to your fitness level.

Full-Day Private Biking Trip to Shimla Mountain with Lunch

Expect quiet lanes past apple orchards, pine glades, and hamlets where tea stalls double as story hubs. Non-riders can opt for a toy train hop to Summer Hill and back or a spa afternoon. Post-ride, recover at The Oberoi Cecil’s spa (advance booking advised), then dine at Eighteen71 or Sol Lounge for grills and live music on busy nights.

Day 7: Toy Train Joyride, Last-Minute Shopping, Departure

Morning: Board an early narrow-gauge toy train from Shimla to Taradevi or Summer Hill (about 45–60 minutes). It’s all switchbacks, stone bridges, and views from old wooden coaches. Return by taxi to maximize time. Browse Lower Bazaar for woolens and Lakkar Bazaar for hand-carved souvenirs.

Afternoon: A final bite at Sita Ram & Sons (chole bhature and gulab jamun) or Hide Out Café (sandwiches and carrot cake). Depart for Chandigarh (3.5–4.5 hours by road) or Kalka for ongoing rail. Check options on Trip.com (trains) and flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Aim for mid-to-late afternoon departures.

Optional/Alternate Tour Pick

If you prefer another short, storytelling walk on a lighter day, consider:

Discover Colonial Trails of Shimla – 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour

(Swap this in for Day 2 if slots suit you better; include Jakhoo temple later that day or on Day 5 evening.)

Costs & tips (estimates, 2025):

• Delhi–Chandigarh flight: $30–90 one way; Chandigarh–Shimla private cab: INR 3,500–5,500.
• Delhi–Kalka express train: INR 700–1,500; Kalka–Shimla toy train: INR 500–800 (reserved), 5–6.5 hrs.
• Ropeway to Jakhoo: modest fare; carry exact change or UPI.
• Monsoon caution: check road advisories; pack rain shells and grippy footwear.

Seven days in Shimla lets you savor both the town’s storied core and its forested edges—from the Viceregal Lodge to Kufri’s meadows and Mashobra’s trails. With heritage walks, a day on wheels, and long café conversations, you’ll leave with a hill-station rhythm you’ll want to return to.