Hi, I am thinking to visit shimla for 2 days. Whats the best way to reach there early & have fun for 2 days. Is there any airplane or any train that reachs arly in the morning & leave early morning or late night?? What places I can see there & Please tell me how much it will cost as I'll be new there.
Dear Sunil, Pls check the HP Tourism [HPTDC] Website and get their office address in New Delhi. I think it is in Janpath. Once you get the address you can visit the office and book your hotel in Shimla [depending on how much you want to spend]. They also operate a Volvo overnight service from New Delhi to Shimla. If this is not convenient, then go to http://www.irctc.co.in and check for trains from Delhi to Kalka [Shatabdi Express, etc.] and seat availability. Book your tickets and see the connecting train from Kalka to Shimla. This is a train ride which I would strongly recommend. On reaching Shimla you will be able to visit Kufri, Chail, Mall Road, etc. which are the typical Shimla sight-seeing spots. Ideally speaking, you should plan a trip of 4-5 days so that you can visit several beautiful destinations around Shimla like Kasauli, Barog, Solan, etc. Regards,
For travelling details the above post is very informative. As regards the places to see & hotels, as the peak season is yet to start you negotiate hard on the hotel tariff which you can only do either on phone or perosnally. The accomadation at hotels would not be a problem in these months.
Explore Chail, Kufri and Phagu which are very close to Shimla. I suggestion, try and take a hotel which is slightly away from Mall as you can get a peaceful break from the commotion which happens at Mall Road daily.
Hi Sunil Although I am not aware as to where you would be travelling from, my suggestion is (i.e. if you are going to be leaving from Delhi) that you drive. Its a 6-7 hours journey from Delhi (provided you leave early in the morning) and the road is a pleasure to drive on. Take the Highway exiting Delhi from Alipur border (Azadpur side) all the way to Ambala and then take the exit towards Chandigarh. Just before you reach Chandigarh, follow the road signs turning right on to the road that will take you through the mountains all the way to Shimla.
You can stop at Oasis near Karnal (next to Karna lake) for an early breakfast and take another stoppage at the Timber Trail in Parwanoo (do enjoy the cable car up to the mountain, if you can spare an hour) for brunch/early lunch.
Once you are in Shimla, park you car at the government authorised parking in lower Shimla (next to the government operated lift) and take that lift all the way up to the Mall. Once you are at the Mall there are a number of hotels to meet every budget. My suggestion is the Bridgeview Hotel, which is bang opposite the exit gate of the lift on the mall and has its own lift starting where the government lift ends. It is well equipped, competitively priced and located right on the mall.
I don't think 2 days is enough for you to visit the nearby attractions like Kasauli, Fagu, Kufri and Chail, so I'd suggest you stick to Shimla for the couple of days and enjoy its sceninc beauty and take long walks on the mall and its many by-lanes. Do visit the Lakad Bazaar, the Jhakoo Mandir (beware of the monkeys though), the Church and enjoy skating in the skating rink.
